Hiking and Summit Ascents in the Sunnmøre Alps, Norway
Norway is home to several iconic peaks, and Slogen in the Sunnmøre Alps is certainly one of them. The goal of this long weekend is to summit the mountain and enjoy a few tough but rewarding days in the stunning fjord landscape. We will stay in comfortable accommodations, eat well, and travel in a small group.
Slogen rises like a black pyramid straight out of Hjørundfjorden, right in the heart of the Sunnmøre Alps. From the fjord, the mountain looks steep and technical, but there is an eastern route that allows for an ascent without technical climbing equipment. However, it is still a challenge, and the last hundred meters to the 1,564-meter (5,131 ft) summit involve easy climbing, known in Norwegian as “klyvning” (or “scrambling” in English).
To prepare for the ascent, we will warm up with hikes to nearby ridges and peaks that, while less demanding, still require physical endurance, balance, and mental focus. All of our hikes will offer breathtaking views of Sunnmøre’s fjords and mountains.
The Sunnmøre Alps are located in the southern part of Møre og Romsdal County in western Norway and include the famous Geirangerfjord, the city of Ålesund, and the ski resort Stranda. This area is a popular destination year-round, and its name is well deserved. Jagged, dramatic peaks plunge steeply into shimmering blue fjords, while lush valleys glow with vibrant greenery. The landscape is so beautiful it almost hurts.
As early as the late 19th century, the region attracted mountaineering enthusiasts and played a key role in alpine history. The renowned British alpinist William Cecil Slingsby climbed Slogen in the 1870s and wrote passionately about the mountain, claiming that the view from the summit was one of the most magnificent in Europe. Slingsby made many first ascents in Norway and is often regarded as the father of Norwegian mountaineering. Following in his footsteps was the Scottish climber Charles Watson Patchell, who built the mountain hut named after him at the foot of Slogen.
Our journey begins in Gothenburg, from where we will drive a minibus to our accommodation in Sunnmøre. While the vehicle runs on diesel, carpooling with six people (+ the driver) makes it a more environmentally friendly option compared to flying in terms of CO2 emissions. We use the same travel concept for our ski touring trips in winter—see here.
The drive is long, taking approximately 11 hours from Gothenburg to our destination, but with good music, comfortable pillows, and great company, the time passes quickly. When you consider the time required to travel to an airport, check in, transit between flights, and arrange transport at the destination, flying doesn’t necessarily save much time and often adds extra hassle. Transporting gear is also more secure in a car, reducing the risk of lost luggage, which can sometimes happen during flights with layovers. We simply load everything into the vehicle, unload when we arrive, and relax in between. Additionally, we have full flexibility regarding departure and return times—our bus leaves when we are ready.
A tour leader from Pathfinder will accompany the group, drive the bus, and handle most of the logistics. We will stay in a spacious and comfortable house, exclusively for our group. The tour leader will also take care of cooking and general organization. The plan is to bring high-quality food from home and supplement it with locally sourced ingredients upon arrival.
All hikes will be led by a certified local mountain guide with in-depth knowledge of the area. If logistics allow, our tour leader will also join the hikes.
Welcome to Norway’s fjord country—it will be a grand and exciting adventure!
Click for bigger images
Departures
| Starts | 2025-07-23 |
| Ends | 2025-07-27 |
| Starting point | Göteborg |
| Price | 16.300 EUR |
| Guide | Lokal vandringsguide + svensk färdledare/kock |
| Places available | Yes |
| Confirmed | No, wait to book connecting trip |
Trip facts
| Trip length | 5 dagar |
|---|---|
| Group size | Max, min 8 personer |
| Grading | 3C |
Included in the trip
- Round-trip minibus transportation from Gothenburg to Sunnmøre
- All local transport, including regular ferries
- Certified local hiking guide for four days
- Swedish tour leader/cook
- Four nights’ accommodation in a house (double or multi-bed rooms)
- Dinner on Day 1 (simple one-course meal)
- Three three-course dinners with drinks (wine, beer)
- After-hike snacks, candy, and beer (Days 2-4)
- Breakfast and packed lunches (Days 2-5)
Questions and booking
Do you have questions regarding this trip? Do you want to send us a notification of interest or make a booking?
Contact us on +46 31-707 00 80 or or send an email to info@pathfindertravels.se.
Daily itinerary
Day 1. Gothenburg – Sunnmøre
We meet in Gothenburg in the morning and begin our journey towards Sunnmøre. The drive takes approximately 11 hours, and if everything goes smoothly, we should arrive around sunset. Once there, we settle into our accommodation, enjoy a simple dinner, and prepare for the days ahead.
Day 2. Warm-up Hike – Lievarden (799 m)
We wake up to breathtaking views of mountains and fjords. Today’s hike serves as a warm-up, and we only need a short drive to the starting point on the southern side of the fjord. While this is an introductory hike, the terrain is challenging in some sections, requiring the use of hands for support.
We park at around 250 meters above sea level and begin with a 200-meter ascent on a gravel road before joining a trail leading to Lievarden, the highest point of the day at 799 meters. From here, we enjoy stunning views of Nordalsfjorden and Sunnylvsfjorden.
The trail then continues toward some high-altitude tarns, Duklidalsvatnet, where we might have our packed lunch. Afterward, we descend towards Vassetvatnet and follow a road back to our starting point. There’s also an option to return the same way—we’ll decide on the spot. If time allows, we might enjoy an after-hike in the village of Stranda before heading back for a refreshing shower and a delicious dinner.
Approx. 6 hours of hiking
Elevation gain/loss: 550 m+ / 550 m-
Day 3. Postal Route and Båsenibba (910 m)
Today presents a slightly bigger challenge—Båsenibba, offering breathtaking views over Sunnylvsfjorden and Korsfjorden, which leads into the famous Geirangerfjord.
The hike starts in Herdalen, just a 20-minute drive away. Stepping out of the minibus, we are surrounded by towering mountains in a truly majestic valley.
We follow the historic Trondheims Postal Route and gain newfound respect for the postmen of the past. The path is relatively easy until we reach the loop around Båsenibba, which is more demanding and exposed—an excellent mental and physical preparation for tomorrow’s main objective, the ascent of Slogen.
After descending back to the Postal Route, the group follows the guide toward Nykjevannet for lunch, then continues on the route down to Ljøbakken. Meanwhile, our tour leader will return to the minibus and drive through the tunnel to pick us up at the endpoint.
We return to our house for some after-hike relaxation before enjoying another delightful three-course dinner and an early night in preparation for tomorrow’s demanding climb.
Approx. 6 hours of hiking
Elevation gain/loss: 495 m+ / 395 m-
Day 4. Summit Day – Slogen (1564 m)
Today is the big day! We start early, with breakfast served around 5 AM. A long, tough, but incredibly rewarding adventure awaits. Our goal is to summit Slogen—one of the most iconic and classic peaks in Sunnmøre and all of Norway.
A 25-minute drive takes us to Liasetra, our starting point. The first 3.5 hours involve a gentle walk through the stunning Liadalen valley, leading us to the DNT hut, Patchelhytta. Here, we take a break and check out the original cabin from the 1920s.
From the hut, the real ascent begins. As we climb higher, the terrain becomes steeper, and we should expect around three hours of climbing from the hut to the summit. The final hundred meters are exposed and require scrambling—no ropes are needed, but surefootedness is essential.
At the summit, we are rewarded with breathtaking views over the deep blue waters of Hjørundfjorden, lush green valleys, and towering peaks. After soaking in the scenery, we begin our descent, which takes around 2.5 hours. Initially, we retrace our steps before diverting southward along a steep ridge leading down to the village of Øye.
Once in Øye, we visit the historic Union Hotel, famous for its legendary alpine and ghost stories. Meanwhile, our Swedish tour leader has driven the minibus from Liasetra to meet us at the end of our hike.
All in all, expect to be on our feet for about 12 hours, including breaks. Back at our accommodation, we celebrate our successful summit with a well-deserved farewell dinner.
Approx. 10 hours of hiking
Elevation gain/loss: 1160 m+ / 1530 m-
Day 5. Skurdahornet & Return Home
After a hearty breakfast, we pack up and head to the starting point of our final summit of the trip—Skurdahornet, located near Stranda. Although a shorter hike, it is still spectacular, providing a perfect conclusion to our alpine adventure.
We plan to depart Sunnmøre around 1 PM, enjoying lunch in the minibus as we drive through Norway’s postcard-perfect landscapes back toward Sweden. After a few challenging but unforgettable days of hiking, we return home with incredible memories.
Good to know
The day hikes will vary in length and difficulty. Several of the routes involve sections of “scrambling,” which is the English term for what Norwegians call “klyvning.” There is no direct Swedish equivalent, but in practice, it means steep hiking in exposed terrain where you need to use your hands for support. However, according to Norwegian standards, none of the routes require ropes or other safety equipment, and we will be moving without fixed protection.
This means that you should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. Some climbing experience is beneficial but not required. You should also be comfortable with heights to fully enjoy this trip.
The trip is organized in collaboration with Uteguiden, a company that has been operating in Sunnmøre for many years. The local guides in their network have extensive knowledge of the area and will ensure that our hikes are as safe as possible.
During the trip, we will stay in a shared house, where we will also have breakfast and dinner. The house has several bedrooms, and accommodation is in double and multi-bed rooms. Our tour leaders will prepare the meals, and the culinary standard will be high, featuring well-cooked three-course dinners, hearty breakfasts, and delicious packed picnic lunches.
Although our tour leader is responsible for meal preparation and logistics, the trip is based on teamwork—helping out often makes the experience more enjoyable and social.
A high-quality experience, both during and after the hikes, has been a key focus in designing this trip. This adventure is for those seeking an immersive and unforgettable journey.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@pathfindertravels.se.
