Estimated net time	4-5 hours
Difficulty	No difficulties except a slightly steep section before the summit plateau, where a couple of moves might require the use of hands. The whole route up to Saurdalen is on marked path. No path from Saurdalen to the summit.
Drinking water	Several sources of running water up to Saurdalen.
GSM coverage	No coverage between Åndalen and a little above Saurdalen, else OK (July 2010).
Parking	Room for many cars at the car parks by Liasætra.
Start height	418 metres.
Vertical metres	930 metres for the roundtrip.
Trip distance	8.4 km
GPS-file	X
Map		Google Interactive Map
Route photo	Follow this forest road from Liasætra.   In Åndalen cross the river and follow path up to Saurdalen.   From the small lake in Saurdalen head directly towards the summit.

From Ålesund drive road E39 south towards Bergen, and then exit onto road 60 just south of Ålesund. This road is signed for Stranda. Follow road 60 to the Magerholm ferry port and get the ferry across to Aursneset. From Aursneset ferry port follow road 60 for approximately 35 km to where you get to a T-junction. There is an Esso petrol station on the right hand side of the road (per 2010). Turn right here and continue 1.9 km along road 60, towards Stryn and Hellesylt. Turn right where signed for "Engeset" and follow this road 4.2 km until you get to an unmanned toll gate. Pay the fee (NOK 25 per 2010) and continue up the forest road. After 800 metres the road forks and you should stay right. 3.7 km from the toll gate you will find a car park on your left hand side. Park here.

Start walking by following the forest road to the old wooden buildings at Liasætra. When you get to the trail junction immediately after these buildings fork right, staying on the forest road. After another 300 metres the forest road ends and you continue a few metres on an old and vague forest road, and then fork right onto a narrow path almost immediately. This path is marked with red paint and takes you up to Åndalen valley.

In Åndalen valley, 1.4 km from the start of the path, you get to a signed path junction. Turn left here, following signs for Saurdalen. There is no path here for a short stretch, on either side of the river, but there are a number of red dots of paint so navigation is easy. Follow the red dots, and soon you will be on a path again. This path takes you up a small ridge, and into Saurdalen valley.

When you get into Saurdalen follow the red dots for a while and then gradually gain height on the right (north) side of the small valley. When you have reached the far (south-west) end of the small lake you should head directly uphill, aiming for a wide gully close to the top. From the top of this wide gully turn a little left (west) and head across to the cairn at the summit.

The descent is best done by reversing your ascent route.

28. July 2010

Saurdalsnibba had been on my to-do list for a couple of years, and after finding out about the path from Liasætra to Saurdalen I decided to have a go this Wednesday of the last summer holiday week.

The hike up to Saurdalen was easy, and the well marked path was easy to follow. But from Saurdalen I had to find my own route up the steep slopes of Saurdalsnibba. When I got into Saurdalen I decided to try to ascent Saurdalsnibba via its south ridge, but as I started to gain some height while traversing Saurdalen I saw a potential route directly up from the small lake. I decided to have a go at this route, which was very easy at the beginning. Higher up there was a section of steep gravel, so some care had to be taken to make sure I didn't slide. In order to get up to the boulder at the summit plateau I had to use my hands in a couple of places, but again it was not difficult in any way.

At the summit some of the view was obstructed by fog, but I had a very nice view of Brekketindane and other neighbouring mountains. These were all captured on "film" before I headed back down, and then back to the cabin at Fjellsetra for a swim in lake Nysetervatnet.
Photos 28.07.2010