Kolåstinden
1,432 m
Norway
Also known as Kolastinden, KolåstindAlso known as
Kolastinden · Kolåstind
- Elevation
- 1,432 m
- Prominence
- 1,164 m
- Difficulty
- 5/10
- Easy alpine
- Best Season
- Mar–May
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: YDS class 3, exposed at the summit (spring, on ski) (westcoastpeaks.com) · DNT 'ekstra krevende' ski tour (ut.no) · Black (svart) ski tour (morotur.no) · 'Vanskeleg' (difficult) (Skiturar i Sunnmørsalpane, via westcoastpeaks.com)
The classic line on the 'king of the Sunnmøre Alps', done mostly on skis in spring: up the enclosed valley Kvanndalen to Appelsinhaugen (about 940 m), steeply (over 40°) through the notch Stretet onto Kolåsbreen, along the top of the glacier and up a short, very steep final slope to a narrow, corniced summit. About 1,060 m of ascent; glacier kit needed in summer.
About 100% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 4 check notes
- 100% approximate geometry
- low confidence 0.4
- Standaleidet → Kolåstinden: dem (snap_failed, 3.8 km)
- unresolved waypoints: Kvanndalen, Appelsinhaugen, Kvanndalsskardet, Stretet, Kolåsbreen (OSM match off-route)
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 3.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,060 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,432 m
- Time Up
- 4h 01m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 36m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park along the road at the top of Standaleidet (about 370 m), the pass between Standal on Hjørundfjord and Follestaddalen; Standalhytta and DNT's Kolåstindhytta are here. Follow a cleared track west and then head north into Kvanndalen, passing below Søre Sætretind and the waterfall at the valley entrance. The valley is an enclosed bowl with several avalanche run-out zones, especially below the gullies from Sætretindane, up to the traditional rest spot Appelsinhaugen at about 940 m, a common turning point. Turn west towards Kvanndalsskardet (flat ground at about 1,020 m) and climb the steep north-facing slope, over 40°, to Stretet, the narrow notch between pinnacles that gives access to Kolåsbreen. This is the crux: hard snow here calls for an ice axe and possibly crampons, and slips have happened. From Stretet the summit is in view about 1.3 km away. Follow the upper part of the glacier, then leave skis at about 1,350 m and climb the last very steep 5–10 m on foot. Watch for the bergschrund between the glacier and the final slope, which opens late in the season. The summit is only about 2 m wide and 10 m long, with a cornice on the east (ascent) side and a sheer drop to the west: stay in the middle. Descend the same way, or in good, stable conditions east down the steep, crevassed lower glacier to the bottom of Kvanndalen. In summer and autumn the glacier is bare and crevassed and the slope below Stretet can be hard snow or ice: full glacier equipment and experience are needed, and westcoastpeaks calls the Stretet-to-glacier section dangerous at that time of year. Westcoastpeaks gives 2.5–3.5 hours up on skis.
Start
Standaleidet372 m
- No bus to Standaleidet. In summer, a bus to Barstadvik allows a long walk through Molladalen to the cabins at Standaleidet (ut.no).
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standaleidet → Kolåstinden | 3.8 | 1,060 | 0 | 4h 01m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Standaleidet372 m
Free roadside parking at the top of the pass; large lot for the cabins
- Summit: Kolåstinden1,432 m
Key Passages
- Kvanndalen avalanche run-out zones
- Appelsinhaugen
- Slope of over 40° from Kvanndalsskardet to Stretet
- Upper Kolåsbreen
- Bergschrund and steep final slope
- Narrow, corniced summit
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 40%Overview
Called the 'king of the Sunnmøre Alps', Kolåstinden (1,432 m) is a sharp summit above the small glacier Kolåsbreen between Standaldalen and Romedalen in Ørsta. It is one of the region's best-known spring ski tours, with a steep notch, a glacier traverse and a narrow, corniced top; in summer it is a glacier climb.
Kolåstinden rises about 5.5 km west of Store-Standal and Hjørundfjord, where Romedalen and Standaldalen meet, and has more than 1,100 m of prominence. From the south it shows a steep wall above Kolåsbreen; the normal route avoids the wall by climbing round through Kvanndalen and the notch Stretet onto the upper glacier, then up a short, very steep final slope.
It is above all a ski mountain. Most ascents are made from Standaleidet between February and May, and on fine spring days there can be queues on the tiny summit, which is about 2 m wide and 10 m long with a cornice on one side and a sheer drop on the other. The terrain is varied and complex: an enclosed valley with avalanche run-out zones, a slope of over 40° to Stretet, a glacier and a bergschrund below the summit.
In summer and autumn the snow slope below Stretet can be hard and Kolåsbreen is bare and crevassed, so the ascent becomes a small glacier tour that needs a rope and glacier experience. The summit view takes in Hjørundfjord and much of the Sunnmøre Alps.
Climbing Notes
On skis this is a demanding but popular half-day tour: about 1,060 m of ascent and 2.5–3.5 hours up from Standaleidet. You must be able to assess avalanche danger yourself; check varsom.no for Sunnmøre. Carry an ice axe for Stretet and the summit slope, and crampons when the snow is hard. Most people leave skis at about 1,350 m and walk the last slope. Stay in the middle of the summit: the cornice is on the side you arrive from.
In summer treat it as a glacier climb: crampons, ice axe, rope and crevasse-rescue skills, and expect bare ice or hard snow below Stretet. Westcoastpeaks describes the Stretet-to-glacier section as dangerous in summer and autumn.
A convenient base is Kolåstindhytta (DNT Sunnmøre, self-service, booking required) or the private Standalhytta at Standaleidet; Sæbø and Ørsta have hotels.
History
The peak was earlier known as Kjøløsstenen and later Kjølåstinden. William Cecil Slingsby attempted it in 1876 and called it the 'monarch of Sunnmøre', but fog makes his summit uncertain; the first ascent is generally credited to Anders Hovden, Betzy Kjeldsberg and Nils Kolås (the elder) in 1880. The south-west wall was climbed in 1933 (Hagen and Heen) and the west ridge in 1939 (Kraus and Mørch).
Season
Best Mar–May- January: Possible
- February: Good
- March: Best (best window)
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Possible
- July: Possible
- August: Possible
- September: Possible
- October: Not advisable
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Ski ascents possible; short days
- Feb
- Ski-touring season begins
- Mar
- Ski touring; check avalanche forecast
- Apr
- Main spring ski season
- May
- Spring skiing; bergschrund may open late in the season; afternoon warming in Kvanndalen
- Jun
- Mixed snow; crevasses opening
- Jul
- Glacier climb with full glacier equipment
- Aug
- Glacier climb; hard snow or ice below Stretet
- Sep
- Glacier climb; described as dangerous at Stretet in summer and autumn
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Kolåstindhytta (DNT Sunnmøre) at Standaleidet is self-service and open all year; from summer 2026 it is booked together with the adjoining Alpehytta (17 beds in total). Beds must be booked and paid at hyttebestilling.dnt.no; the key-box code is emailed after booking. Standalhytta is owned by Aalesunds Skiklub.
- Fees
- Road to Standaleidet is toll-free and parking along the road is free
- Kolåstindhytta overnight paid in advance via DNT booking; discounts for DNT members
- Rules
- Do not use signed private cabin parking spaces at Standaleidet and leave room for large vehicles
- Right of access (allemannsretten) applies
- Getting There
Ørsta
Ørsta-Volda Hovden (HOV); Ålesund Vigra (AES)
- From Ørsta: Fv655 towards Sæbø, turn into Follestaddalen and continue to Standaleidet
- From Ålesund: E39 and the Solavågen–Festøya ferry, then the road along Hjørundfjord to Standal and up about 5 km to Standaleidet
- No bus to Standaleidet; in summer, bus to Barstadvik and walk through Molladalen
Hazards
- Avalanche
- Glacier
- Crevasses
- Cornices
- Exposure
- Weather