Store Gaustakne – a Short Summit Beside Gaustatoppen

SummitClimbs Field Note: Store Gaustakne is the rounded twin top at the end of the Raustaråen ridge, southeast of Gaustatoppen in Telemark. Ut.no gives its height as 1,523 m. Together with Lille Gaustakne it is easy to reach from the road over Råen between Rjukan and Tuddal, and both tops give wide views in every direction except north, where Gaustatoppen (1,882 m) blocks the horizon. It is a short, easy outing on boulders and stony ground, a good alternative when Gaustatoppen is busy.

The Gaustakne Twins

Store and Lille Gaustakne stand side by side on the southeastern end of the Gausta massif. Ut.no describes a barren landscape where large and small stones are covered in map lichen, and in places the rock shows the fine ripple marks that the mountains of eastern Telemark are known for. From the road at Flistjønnskaret, Store Gaustakne fills the whole view to the west.

At a Glance

• Location: southeast of Gaustatoppen, at the end of Raustaråen; Telemark
• Height: Store Gaustakne 1,523 m (ut.no)
• Start: Flistjønnskaret, the highest point on the road between Rjukan and Tuddal
• Ut.no’s route to Lille Gaustakne: easy, 4.1 km and 226 m of ascent there and back, about 1 hour
• Terrain: partly unmarked path, partly cairned, with boulder fields
• Season: June to October

The Route From Flistjønnskaret

Drive to Flistjønnskaret, the highest point on the road between Rjukan and Tuddal. About 50 m below it, in the direction of Tuddal, a path leads off to the left. Follow it uphill, turn right where it meets another path, and follow the unmarked, partly visible and partly cairned path up between Store and Lille Gaustakne. Ut.no’s description continues to Lille Gaustakne: keep well to the right to the high point, drop down, turn west and walk up to the top. Return the same way.

Store Gaustakne is the bigger neighbour on the other side of the gap between the two tops. Ut.no does not publish a separate description of its final climb, so pick your line over the boulders with care and check your position on the map.

Before You Go

• Boulders: the upper slopes are scree and boulders; take it slowly, especially on the way down. Ut.no notes that children who are motivated for a couple of hundred metres of ascent can manage Lille Gaustakne, and that the boulders are good balance training.
• Navigation: the path is only partly marked; carry a map, as the stony terrain all looks alike in mist.
• Weather: check the mountain forecast on yr.no before you go.

The SummitClimbs Take

Store Gaustakne is a quick summit with a big view, just off the road over Råen and in the shadow of Gaustatoppen. It suits a short day, a family outing or a warm-up for the big neighbour. For the main event, see our Gaustatoppen guide and the story of Gaustatoppen in the Cold War.

Facts from ut.no (Fottur til Lille Gaustakne) and Norwegian Wikipedia (Gaustatoppen). Always check current conditions before you go.