Difficult
Saksa rises 1,073 metres above the village of Urke at the head of Hjørundfjorden. The name comes from the Old Norse word sax, meaning a large knife or short sword. When you see the sharp ridge from below, you understand why.
It is sometimes called the Queen of the Sunnmøre Alps. The summit sits right where Hjørundfjorden and Norangsfjorden meet, giving a panoramic view of both fjords and the jagged peaks surrounding them. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Ålesund on the coast.
The hike starts from the centre of Urke and gains about 1,000 metres over just 3.5 kilometres. That is steep by any standard. The first section goes through forest, then opens up onto exposed mountainside. The upper part has been improved with stone stairs built by Nepalese sherpas, and there are chains on the steepest sections. Expect 4 to 5 hours for the round trip.
Be honest with yourself about your fitness before attempting this one. The short distance is misleading. 1,000 metres of climbing in 3.5 kilometres means your legs will feel it. The trail is graded as challenging, and fog can roll in quickly. A guided tour is available through Uteguiden in Stranda. The hiking season runs from July to September, though snow can linger into early July some years.
It is sometimes called the Queen of the Sunnmøre Alps. The summit sits right where Hjørundfjorden and Norangsfjorden meet, giving a panoramic view of both fjords and the jagged peaks surrounding them. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Ålesund on the coast.
The hike starts from the centre of Urke and gains about 1,000 metres over just 3.5 kilometres. That is steep by any standard. The first section goes through forest, then opens up onto exposed mountainside. The upper part has been improved with stone stairs built by Nepalese sherpas, and there are chains on the steepest sections. Expect 4 to 5 hours for the round trip.
Be honest with yourself about your fitness before attempting this one. The short distance is misleading. 1,000 metres of climbing in 3.5 kilometres means your legs will feel it. The trail is graded as challenging, and fog can roll in quickly. A guided tour is available through Uteguiden in Stranda. The hiking season runs from July to September, though snow can linger into early July some years.