Skåla

Skåla is regarded as Norway's highest mountain peak, which has its foot in the sea. The mountain is 1848 meters above sea level and has been a popular mountain destination for all years.

Skåla lie 1848 meters above the fjord and the village of Loen in Stryn. The mountain is the highest in Norway with foot in the fjord, and the path up is steep and some parts hard to hike . This hike is spectacular and the view you have on the way up is breathtaking. Most parts of the hike take place in the Josteldalsbreen National Park. The path up was built at the same time as the Skåla tower in 1891 and it has in recent times been restored by the locals and Sherpas from Nepal.

The hike up to Skåla starts at Tjugen. When you arrives from Loen, there is a parking lot with toilet and waste disposal on your right hand. The hike starts on the tractor road which is right by the parking lot, which after a while goes over to the path and when one approaches the top there are stone steps.

The tour is a black tour, so you should be prepared for a sometimes challenging trip. The trip takes 3-5 hours one way, and it is important to bring water and food for the entire trip.
At the top of Skåla you will find two DNT cabins. The oldest and best known is the Skålat Tower, which was built in 1891. It was originally intended as a sanatorium and the physician Hans Henrik Gerhard Kloumann was the one who got the idea to build the characteristic stone tower.
In 2016, the new cabin Skålabu, which is also a DNT cabin, opened. The tower has 20 beds in three "storeys", which is a supply for sale, self-service. Skålabu has 20 beds, 10 of which can be booked in advance. The cabin is open all year, and no key is needed. In addition to 20 beds, there are 10 extra mattresses. It is arranged with two dog cages under the stairs in the bowl, where dog owners can sleep on the loft in connection with this.

Skåla has one of the longest continuous descents in the country. For skiers, this simply means a magical descent of over 1800 meters! There are several descent options here, but no matter which one you choose, you have to go through terrain steeper than 30 degrees. Therefore, Mount Skåla has traditionally been a trip one conducts on spring snow. In good conditions earlier in the winter, on the other hand, you can strap on the skis by the car and get full credit for all the altitude meters.

Skåla sits high above Loen and one of the most popular peaks in the area. The trip starts almost by the fjord. From the parking lot at Tjugen in Loen, you follow the summer route/path upwards. As a rule, a cairn sticks up here and there. From mid-May, one must expect to carry the skis up to about 750 masl. (Tjugensetra pasture). Be aware of possible avalanche danger along the rivers Fosdøla and Skålaelva and watch out for avalanches on the north side of the summer route after passing Skålavatnet. If the fog comes one should be very careful towards the end of this trip, as it is steep on both sides of the top. Remember map and compass! Let this trip wait whether it is raining/snowing or foggy! We highly recommend going on this tour with a guide.

Fall height: around 1800 meters. Time: 6 hours.
Recommended time: March - May.
Equipment: sack, shovel, search bar, transmitter/receiver, food and drink.