Mørkgonga and Gyrihaugen

Mørkgonga

Mørkgonga is a marked crack in the lava plate that covers Krokskogen (Krok forest) and lies on the top of the steep overhang between Gyrihaugen (the Gyri mound) and Steinsfjorden in Åsa. There is steel wire to hold on to.

Mørkgonga was created by melt from the deep that solidified on the surface. This type of rock was later eroded because it was less resistant than the mountain surrounding it.

Here you will find a well developed forest with borad-leeved trees, interesting vegetation, different species of plants and a significantly amount of yew. 

Mørkgonga nature reserve was protected December 7th of 2001, and covers an area of aproximately 1539 acres. The reserve is divided between Hole and Ringerike, with the largest part located in Ringerike.

There are several marked pathways in or beside the reserve. A blue marked path goes along the whole east side of the reserve from Migartjern (Migar pond) in Ringerike to Retthella in Hole.

How to get there

Drive into Sundvollen towards Åsa. There is a pathway from "Elvikbråtan" (bus stop). Ravine up towards Gyrihaugen (638 meters above sea level), east of Steinsfjorden. From Steinsfjorden (the fjord) towards the mountain goes Mørkgonga in a dark gorge. In summer time you could pass through the gorge with the help of steel wire mounted alongside the steep rock walls. The top view is rather impressing. A path goes further up to Gyrihaugen where you can observe half the "Kingdom".

We recommend you take this trip in the summer time since Mørkgonga can be very difficult to climb any other season.