Store-SkagastølstindScandinavian Mountains over 2000 metres - James Baxter
Areas › Sjødalen › Nautgardstind › Alternative Routes
Nautgardstind can be climbed from a number of starting points. The best is arguably from Glitterheim and this is the route which I have described below in detail. The other main alternative is from the Riksveg 51. This is especially attractive as a winter option as the road here is usually accessible throughout the winter; while road to Glitterheim lodge is always blocked in the winter until late spring and it takes a day to ski it.
In winter/spring the best place to start is Heimsand, which is a eyesore of a caravan park to the west of the main road. There is a marked ski trail that heads west from this motley cluster of caravans up Russdalen valley through the woods on the south side of the Russa river for four km until the marked trail crosses the river and continues up on the north side following a tractor trail for the remaining three km to reach the eastern end of Russvatnet lake. Do not follow the markings west up the tractor track but head north west up the west side of the Nørdre Tverråe stream as described below for the summer route.
In the summer start from a picnic area 1 ½ km north of Heimsand caravan park. There is a tractor track that leads west on the north side of the river Russa. Follow this track for five km until you reach the small bridge over the Nørdre Tverråe stream. Cross the bridge and leave the track which continues to Russvatnet lake. Head north west across scrub up the west bank of the Nørdre Tverråe stream. This unmarked route climbs very gradually up across low vegetation for two km until the stream splits. Jump over the western branch and continue straight up the slope for a long three km towards a prominent shoulder, marked 1784m, which rises between the two branches of the stream. From the shoulder, 1784m, continue north west gradually climbing across stable scree for a further three km to the saddle between Nautgardstind and Austre Nautgardstind. Just before the saddle you can veer to the west and start to climb the steeper boulder covered face towards the ridge. The last section of the east ridge is relatively steep but should not be a problem in the summer or winter (provided it is not icy). The summit lies a short distance to the west from the top of the ridge.
The return can be by the same route, which in the spring is a wonderful descent. Alternatively you can continue to Glitterheim lodge over the peak Nautgardsoksle by reversing the ascent route described below. You may also head north east over the peak Austre Nautgardstind dropping down to a saddle, with impressive cliffs on the east side, before climbing up to the mountain of Stornubben. From Stornubben you can return east to Hindseter as described on the Stornubben page, or head south east back across the empty barren Hindflyin plateau and then descend down the Søre Tverråe stream to Heimsand.
During the summer when the road to Glitterheim lodge is snow free a preferred route to consider, especially if you are intending to do Nautgardstind and Stornubben and all their associated peaks in one long day, is one from near the construction road at Storkroken. For further details see the Stornubben page.
