SummitClimbs Field Note: Molladalen is a high mountain valley in Ørsta, Sunnmøre: a huge bowl ringed by jagged peaks and pinnacles at the north end of the Ørsta peninsula, west of Hjørundfjorden, in the heart of the Sunnmøre Alps. A marked path climbs from Melbøsætra/Barstadsætra in Barstaddalen to Storevatnet (774 m), the largest lake in the valley. Ut.no lists it as a moderate hike of about 7.1 km and 610 m of ascent there and back, around 5 hours, with a season from June to October.
A Climbers’ Valley Among the Molladalstindane
Molladalen is a side valley of Barstaddalen. The peaks around it are known together as the Molladalstindane, and the mountains towards Ytre-Standal and the fjord are called the Likkjedalstindane. The many pinnacles make the valley a sought-after climbing area, with several climbing and hiking guides published for it. The best-known tops are:
- Jønshornet (Ramoen): 1,419 m, the highest and best known of the Molladalstindane
- Randers topp: 1,414 m
- Mohns topp: about 1,340–1,350 m (ut.no gives 1,340 m, Norwegian Wikipedia 1,350 m)
- Slingsbys topp (Ystenesegga): 1,477 m
By the glacier behind Mohns topp stands Bladet, a popular climbing objective that ut.no calls perhaps the most photographed pinnacle in Norway.
Molladalen at a Glance
- Location: Ørsta, Møre og Romsdal; north end of the Ørsta peninsula, west of Hjørundfjorden
- Start: Melbøsætra/Barstadsætra at the head of Barstaddalen
- Goal: Storevatnet, 774 m, the largest lake in the valley
- Distance and ascent: about 7.1 km and 610 m there and back (ut.no)
- Time: about 2 hours up, about 5 hours in total
- Grade: moderate
- Season: June to October
The Route In
From the car park at Melbøsætra/Barstadsætra, follow the marked route along the Molladalselva river, then steeply up between Nyfjellet and Svinetind to Storevatnet. The path runs first through birch forest, then across mountain bog. At the entrance to the valley there is an exposed passage over a rock slab: a slip here could send you down the slab into the Molladalselva, which rushes through a gorge about 20 m below the path, and a steel wire is fixed to hold on to. Ut.no notes that its marked track avoids the exposed scrambling section about halfway by going over the knoll instead of straight ahead. Follow the markings.
Allow at least two hours to reach the valley. Molladalen can also be reached from Ytre Standal over Molladalsskaret (990 m).
Further Options
- To Ytre Standal: continue south over Molladalsskaret (990 m).
- To Romedalen: cross the ridge west of the valley, past Brillevatnet and down into Romedalen, with a detour up Hallehornet (900 m), which leans out over Romedalen and Steinstøylen.
- Jønshornet: ut.no rates the route via Molladalen as very demanding, about 11 km and 1,237 m of ascent, with scrambling.
- Camping and fishing: the valley invites a night in a tent, with fishing in the lakes.
Before You Go
- Getting there: leave the E39 at Barstadvika and drive up Barstaddalen to the car park; there are toll roads on both sides of the valley.
- The slab: take the wire passage slowly, and think twice when the rock is wet or icy.
- Sheep: farmers in Barstadvik graze sheep in the valley, so keep dogs on a lead. (In 1864, 76 sheep were killed here when a bear chased them over a cliff.)
- No coverage: ut.no notes there is no mobile coverage in the valley, so download offline maps before you go.
- Weather: check the mountain forecast on yr.no before you set out.
The SummitClimbs Take
Molladalen gives you a climbers’ amphitheatre for the price of a two-hour walk: a lake at 774 m surrounded by some of the sharpest peaks in the Sunnmøre Alps. Walk in for the day, or bring a tent and stay for the evening light on the pinnacles.
Facts from ut.no (Fottur til Molladalen fra Barstadsætra), ut.no (Jønshornet via Molladalen) and Norwegian Wikipedia (Molladalen). Always check current conditions before you go.