Saga // day 6 // Høgronden

Saga, day 6.
Distance: 9.6km (152.3km).

At 2115m, Høgronden is the third highest peak in Rondane. Only exceeded in height by Rondslottet (2178m) and Storronden (2138m). After having pitched my tent and left all the heavy gear inside it, I am ready for the climb up to its summit. I am only taking my small foldable daypack carrying the necessities with me. When doing long distance trails, this lightweight, foldable and compact daypack is a wonderful equipment for excursions like this or for the evenings if you are in a populated place.

View of the Langglupdalen valley with Rondslottet at the end.

From the bridge over the Langglupbekken river, the path is climbing upwards reaching a junction after about 400 metres. From the junction, the path to Høgronden is continuing upwards, the other path is going through the Langglupdalen valley eventually reaching another junction where you have to choose to either climb over the summit of Rondslottet or walk towards the cabins at Dørålseter. Finding the way should be fairly easy in good weather. While walking towards my campsite at Langglupbekken earlier, I could see the clear line of the path leading upwards. The path is also marked with the red T waymarks (it goes all the way to the cabins at Dørålseter, which are visited later on the trail).

Sunlight reflected on wet rocks.

A cairn and a red T waymark stands overlooking the Langglupdalen valley with the path towards Bjørnhollia visible, Musvolkampen behind.

I feel excited about the climb, but my excitement quickly fades as dark clouds races over Rondslottet and Storronden, as if those peaks are sullen that I did not choose them over Høgronden. Soon rain is pouring down and I wonder if I did the right thing. I could always turn back, but I push on and thankfully the rain shortly after stops as sudden as it started. Excitement is back on the menu.

Both path and destination is clear, with the summit of Høgronden almost looking like a cairn itself.

Høgrondbue in the midst of a rocky scenery below Høgronden.

In the aftermath of the rain, the sky becomes more dramatic, a wonderful backdrop for the remainder of my climb up. The terrain is all rocky and hard, later changing to be predominantly scree. With the exception of the final climb up to the summit, the steepest part is up to the shoulder of Søre Oksle. From here, the path is going on scree with the trail fairly clear towards the summit rising like a huge cairn ahead.

The interior of Høgrondbue, nothing but rocks and stones.

There is a truth in the saying that Rondane is just a pile of rocks and stones.

From the final climb up towards Høgronden, looking back at Søre Oksle and Høgrondbue visible below.

On one side of the path, the side of the mountain soon becomes steep, falling down into the rocky amphitheatre of Myldingsbotn. On the other side are Storronden and Rondslottet dominating the sky. Set in the midst of the sea of stones, we find the stony emergency shelter of Høgrondbue, almost entirely blending in with the surrounding scenery. This small hut is located at 1742m and was constructed in 1882 by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). It has nothing inside of it except a stony floor, so bring with you everything you need if you plan to stay here.

Layers of rocks.

At the summit of Høgronden.

Høgrondbue also marks where the final climb up to the summit begins, with the path getting progressively steeper closer to the summit. In return, the views are getting the same treatment. The huge and square cairn at the summit makes me think of the various markers put on the top of the peaks around the world to mark the summit. From the cairns of stone we use here in Norway, to the crosses in the south of Europe, to the small shrines in Japan and the steles with inscriptions on in South-Korea. And there are probably more variations in other places on our globe. All fascinating.

View of the ridge towards Midtronden and Digerronden.

Looking towards the northeast from Høgronden.

A group of young people that are camping in the area around Dørålseter is at the summit. As me, with their jackets wrapped around them in the wind. Two of them will continue on the ridge towards the Midtronden and Digerronden before heading back, while the rest take the same route back as they came up. I will save that traverse for a later time, although the temptation is high. They disappear down the stony slopes and I get the immense view for myself.

View downwards and towards Dørålseter.

Unnamed lake below Høgronden.

Dramatic clouds on one side, blue sky with interspersed clouds on the other, the view from Høgronden is a majestic one and a clear highlight of my hike on the Saga trail so far (ironically not on the trail itself). Going a little away from the summit cairn, I can peek down into the steep drops on two of the sides, with the bottoms at about 500-600 metres below. From the summit, I can also get a good look at where the path is climbing over Rondslottet, this peak being the prominent one in the view. Civilization is visible by looking towards Atna with the Atnsjøen lake to the southeast. In the opposite direction, north of the Midtronden and Digerronden peaks lies the plateau between Høgronden and Dørålseter.

Høgronden, Rondslottet behind to the left.

Impeccable view of Rondane, with Storronden and Rondslottet to the left, and Storesmeden and Veslesmeden behind.

When the time has come and I feel the chill of the wind too much, I start walking down to my campsite again. Down at the emergency shelter, I meet again two of the other hikers that I passed by on the way up, who are finding the east side of the hut to be a good windscreen while having dinner.

Sharp ridgeline at the edge of the climb up towards Høgronden, here looking towards Storsvulten.

The light is wonderful over Rondslottet and Langglupdalen on the way down.

On the way down looking back up at Høgronden.

Down at the Langglupbekken river, things have changed. Now several other tents have sprung up and there is a slight murmur in the air. At my campsite, some of the rocks seems to have been positioned as to form a chair. With a little cushioning it is a great place to sit down in while having dinner. Shortly after having finished eating, I get company by a German hiker camping nearby, who is doing a few weeks hiking in Norway.

The descent is just as rocky as the ascent.

A wonderful light over Rondslottet and Rondane on the way down.

A splendid conclusion to a day. The view from the summit of Høgronden was impeccable. And tomorrow another Rondane highlight is awaiting me. I love how this trail slowly builds up to the wonderful peaks of Rondane.

Relaxing in the stone chair at my campsite at Langglupbekken.

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