> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Skåla - URL: https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/skala/ - Published: 2022-07-23T16:55:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-12-31T10:33:56.000Z - Description: The hike to the top of mount Skåla is one of the top hikes in Norway. - Author: Ivar Hagendoorn - Tags: Photography The hike to the top of mount Skåla is one of the ehh.. top hikes in Norway. Skåla lies at an elevation of 1,848 meters above the fjord and the village of Loen in Stryn. The hike is pretty demanding as you ascend 1,800 meters from the trailhead to the top. Although [some people](https://www.skaala.no/results-1?ref=ivarhagendoorn.com) do it in less than an hour and a half, but they don't carry a large camera. The views on the way up are breathtaking. Along the way there are several waterfalls. It's also interesting to see the vegetation change as you ascend from sea level to above tree level. I knew I would be in for a challenge because of the snow, which started at an elevation of 1,000 meters. I decided to see how far I would get. In the end I made it all the way to the top (and back of course). I stayed at the wonderful Visnes Hotel in Stryn, a historical boutique hotel built in the 19th century with creaking wooden floors and beautifully decorated rooms. The food is great too. ![Trail to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-1.jpg) Up until 1,100 meters the hike was pretty straightforward. This is where the fun started. ![Snowy trail to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-2.jpg) Snowy trail to the top of Mount Skåla ![Along the way to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-3.jpg) Along the way to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway Ascending through deep snow was quite challenging, but the views made it worth it. ![View halfway to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-4.jpg) ![Snow field along the way to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-5.jpg) Snow field along the way to the top of Mount Skåla I'd originally planned to climb to the top of the saddle which you can see in the distance (the area in the middle of the photo where snow meets blue sky), but after some deliberation I decided to push on... ![View along the trail to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-6.jpg) The saddle right in the middle is where I took the previous photo pointing my camera in the direction of what is to the left of this photo. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-7.jpg) Amazing views towards the fjord ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-8.jpg) Some sections of the path were free of snow ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-9.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-10.jpg) As you gain elevation the views get better and better ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-11.jpg) The destination is in sight at last ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-12.jpg) More snow on the trail... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-13.jpg) And more amazing views ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-14.jpg) Almost there ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-15.jpg) Made it to the top! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-16.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-17.jpg) Amazing views all around ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-18.jpg) The view of and from the top of Mount Skåla ![Skåla](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-20.jpg) The old DNT hut to the right and the new hut to the left ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/01/mount-skala-31.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-19.jpg) One more look around and then it's time to descend. Still a long and challenging hike ahead. ![View from the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-21.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-22.jpg) Some Norwegians skied down on their shoes, others used a plastic bag as a sled, but I found that a bit tricky ![Snow capped mountains as seen from the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-23.jpg) But... I'm always happy when I see snow! ![The hike to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-24.jpg) Some people were still going up while I was making my way down ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-25.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-26.jpg) Looking to the left and to the right from where I took the photo above. The cruise ship is leaving. ![View from near the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-27.jpg) A short break and photo op before the final descent through the snow ![Snow patch along the way to the top of Mount Skåla](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-28.jpg) Looking back ![Along the way to the top of Mount Skåla, Norway](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-29.jpg) With the snow behind me time for a quick snack break. From here it's still 1,000 meters down... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2022/07/mount-skala-30.jpg) One of two large waterfalls along the way. A waterfall never fails to make my day. ### Related Posts **More** [**Norway**](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/norway/)**!** [Lofoten](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/lofoten/)! [Vesterålen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/vesteralen/)! [Senja](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/senja/)! The spectacular [Munkebu Hut](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/munkebu-hut-hike/) and the possibly even more spectacular [Møysalen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/moysalen/). Amazing [Jotunheimen National Park](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/jotunheimen-national-park/), [](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/skala/)[Romsdalseggen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/romsdalseggen/), [Svellnosbreen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/svellnosbreen-glacier/), [Nigardsbreen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/nigardsbreen-glacier/), [Dalsnibba](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/dalsnibba/). 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