Fannaråki
2,067 m
Norway
Also known as FannaråkenAlso known as
Fannaråken
- Elevation
- 2,067 m
- Prominence
- 599 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: Krevende (demanding) (Visit Sognefjord)
The glacier-free DNT route to Norway's highest hut: from Turtagrø (884 m) up the Helgedalen valley road to Ekrehytta, then a steep, well-built zigzag path through boulders to the ridge and over a series of humps to the broad summit plateau with Fannaråkhytta. About 1,190 m of ascent.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 8.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,208 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,067 m
- Time Up
- 5h 07m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 32m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park at Turtagrø (884 m) or, if space allows, at the gate at the end of the gravel road into Helgedalen, about 1 km north-east of the hotel on the Sognefjellsvegen (about 940 m). A marked 'T' path skirts the cabins and rejoins the valley road. After about 2.7 km, where two streams meet, the road starts to climb; about 500 m further turn left at the Fannaråken signpost and continue to Ekrehytta (about 1,190 m), where the path to Skogadalsbøen and Keisarpasset branches right. The left branch climbs the south-west flank of Fannaråki on a steep, zigzagging path over very rocky ground. The hardest part is the climb to 1,500–1,600 m; there are no exposed sections. On the ridge a series of humps leads to the broad, flat summit with Fannaråkhytta (34 beds, staffed late June to late August or early September). Snowfields can lie near 2,000 m all summer. A fit walker needs about 3 hours from the Helgedalen gate; from Turtagrø allow 5–8 hours for the round trip. A popular loop descends east past Fannaråknosi and drops steeply to the path junction at Keisarpasset, returning to Turtagrø via Helgedalen. The weather changes quickly and the summit is often in cloud: carry warm clothes even on a fine day.
Start
Turtagrø881 m
- Summer bus over the Sognefjellsvegen (Rv55) between Lom/Otta and Sogndal stops at Turtagrø; a shuttle from Hjelle has also run in summer.
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Parking: Turtagrø881 m
- Feature: Helgedalen928 m
Gravel road and marked path up the valley
- Feature: Ekrehytta1,195 m
Path junction: left to Fannaråki, right to Skogadalsbøen / Keisarpasset
- Hut: Fannaråkhytta2,057 m
- Summit: Fannaråki2,067 m
Key Passages
- Helgedalen valley road
- Ekrehytta junction
- Steep zigzags to 1,500–1,600 m
- Ridge humps to the summit plateau
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
A broad 2,068 m summit at the northern end of Hurrungane, carrying Fannaråkhytta, Norway's highest DNT hut and a former weather station. A steep but non-technical path climbs from Turtagrø; a guided glacier crossing comes in from the Sognefjellsvegen.
Fannaråki (also written Fannaråken) stands at the northern edge of the Hurrungane group in Jotunheimen National Park, in Luster municipality, about 6 km north of the jagged Skagastølstindane and just south of the Sognefjellsvegen, Norway's highest mountain pass road. Its name combines 'fonn' (snowfield glacier) and 'råk' (ridge), and the Fannaråkbreen glacier lies along its northern foot.
Unlike its sharp neighbours, Fannaråki has a broad, flat top, and it is one of the most climbed 2,000 m peaks in Norway. The usual route from Turtagrø is a steep, rocky but well-built path with no exposure; the alternative is a short guided glacier crossing from Sognefjellshytta. Many walkers make a loop down past Fannaråknosi and Keisarpasset.
The summit is known for its weather: a station recorded conditions here from the 1930s, the record low is −33 °C, the annual mean is about −5 °C, and the top is in cloud much of the year.
Climbing Notes
From Turtagrø allow 5–8 hours for the round trip with about 1,190 m of ascent, or split it with a night at Fannaråkhytta (34 beds, staffed from about late June to late August or early September; book via DNT). The path is steep and bouldery but needs no scrambling skills; snowfields near the top are common all summer. In fog, follow the cairns and red T marks carefully on the plateau.
The Fannaråkbreen crossing from Sognefjellshytta is normally done with the daily guided rope teams that start when the hut opens; do not cross the glacier unroped. Dress for winter on the summit even in July.
A classic two-day trip is Turtagrø – Fannaråkhytta – Keisarpasset – Skogadalsbøen, or a summit loop down via Fannaråknosi and Keisarpasset.
History
A weather station for Western Norway was built on the summit in 1926 and was staffed year-round until 1978; the station building now provides sleeping quarters. The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) built its own hut on the summit in 1934 and extended it in 1999. The hut is owned and run by DNT Oslo og Omegn.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Possible
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Not advisable
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Hut closed; winter mountaineering only
- Feb
- Hut closed; Sognefjellsvegen closed
- Mar
- Ski touring from Turtagrø for experienced parties
- Apr
- Spring ski touring; avalanche terrain
- May
- Spring ski touring; Sognefjellsvegen usually reopens
- Jun
- Much snow; hut opens late June (26 June in 2026)
- Jul
- Hut open; guided glacier crossings
- Aug
- Hut open until about the end of August
- Sep
- Hut closing; early snow possible
- Oct
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Book Fannaråkhytta in advance at hyttebestilling.dnt.no; the hut is small and the season short.
- Fees
- Hut overnight and meal prices at Fannaråkhytta, with discounts for DNT members
- Rules
- Jotunheimen National Park rules apply; Fannaråki lies in a wild reindeer area
- Camping on the summit only after notifying Fannaråkhytta by email
- Sleeping bags are not allowed in the hut; bring a sheet sleeping bag and pillowcase
- Getting There
Lom; Skjolden on the Sognefjord side
Sogndal Airport, Haukåsen (SOG)
- By car on the Sognefjellsvegen (Rv55) to Turtagrø (parking) or the gravel road into Helgedalen
- Summer buses run over the Sognefjellsvegen from Otta/Lom and stop at Krossbu, Sognefjellshytta and Turtagrø
- In summer a shuttle bus has run from Hjelle to Turtagrø; check the current timetable
Hazards
- Weather
- Glacier
- Crevasses
Huts & Shelters
2- 1,415 m
SognefjellshyttaHotel
- 2,065 m
FannaråkhyttaHutStaffedBooking required
34 beds · Staffed late June to late August / early September (26 June – 30 August in 2026); closed in winter