Nona
1,011 m
Norway
- Elevation
- 1,011 m
- Prominence
- 1,011 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Mar–Apr
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Approximate line — not for navigation
An automated check found that parts of this line could not be matched to mapped trails, so it may stray far from the real route. Use it for planning only, with a map and a guidebook.
Why? 4 check notes
- danger scan: Vaskinn → Vadskinndalsvatnet: connector line 215 m (limit 200 m)
- DIN time up 3.98 h vs published 2.5 h (+59%)
- Vadskinndalsvatnet → Nona: bridge (snap_failed; one off-graph gap, 1.7 km)
- unresolved waypoints: West ridge gully, West ridge
The marked summer route on Grytøya's only 1,000 m peak: from sea level at Vaskinn up the valley to Vadskinndalsvatnet (428 m), across a boulder field below the mountain, up a steep, loose gully to the west ridge at about 850 m and along the ridge with some scrambling to the summit. About 1,030 m of ascent and 10.5 km return.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- ≈ 4.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- ≈ +1,013 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,011 m
- Time Up
- ≈ 3h 59m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- ≈ 2h 39m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Bjørnerå ferry quay drive about 3 km west along Toppsundveien to Vaskinn and park at the roadside pull-out ('Nona lommeparkering'). Walk about 100 m west along the road to a forest road between two houses, follow it through a gate past a barn and fences to a field where it ends, then pick up the path east to the stream and follow it uphill to Vadskinndalsvatnet (428 m), about 3 km from the road. The path, marked with red paint by Grytøy IL, runs along the east side of the lake, bears north-east, then turns west across the foot of Nona over large boulders; keep left at the junction above the lake. A steep gully with a lot of loose stone and gravel leads to the west ridge at about 850 m. Follow the north side of the ridge, with some easy scrambling, to the summit: the summit register is at the southern end and the highest point about 100 m further north. Markings on the ridge are faint in places, which matters in fog. Allow about 2½ hours up and 5 hours for the round trip; descend the same way, taking care in the gully not to knock stones onto people below.
Start
Vaskinn9 m
- Ferry Stornes–Bjørnerå from the Harstad side; local bus stop 'Vaskinn' on Toppsundveien at the trailhead (infrequent services).
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Parking: Vaskinn9 m
Roadside pull-out ('Nona lommeparkering'); trail starts on a forest road about 100 m west
- Feature: Vadskinndalsvatnet425 m
- Summit: Nona1,011 m
Key Passages
- Boulder field below the mountain
- Steep, loose gully to the west ridge
- Scrambling on the west ridge
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 65%Overview
The highest point of Grytøya (about 1,011 m), the island just north of Harstad, and its only summit over 1,000 m. A marked path from the shore climbs past a lake and up a loose gully to a short scrambly ridge.
Grytøya lies across the strait from Harstad in southern Troms, a ferry ride from Stornes. Nona rises from the island's south side above the hamlet of Vaskinn; its prominence is equal to its height, so the 1,000 m of ascent start at the shore.
The summer route, marked in red by the local sports club Grytøy IL, is a steady walk to the lake Vadskinndalsvatnet, followed by rough boulder ground, a steep and loose gully and a final ridge with some easy scrambling. The summit area is split: the register sits at the southern end and the true high point about 100 m to the north. Rock pinnacles along the ridge frame views to Rolla and Andørja to the east and Senja to the north-east.
In winter Nona is a well-known ski mountain: it was the favourite of the Harstad skier Olav Solberg, and the descents run at 30–45° from the top to the lake.
Climbing Notes
A demanding but non-technical summer day: about 1,030 m of ascent and 10–11 km return, 2½ hours up and around 5 hours in total. Sturdy footwear is essential for the boulders and the loose gully, and a helmet is worth considering if other parties are above. The paint marks are faint on the ridge, so carry a GPS track in fog.
For ski ascents (February–April, about 6 hours up and down) all routes are graded KAST 3 (complex) by friflyt.no; bring ice axe and crampons, check varsom.no (Sør-Troms region), and expect to carry skis in the narrow upper gully.
Plan around the Stornes–Bjørnerå ferry timetable.
Season
Best Mar–Apr- January: Not advisable
- February: Good
- March: Best (best window)
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best
- August: Best
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Polar night ends mid-January; ski touring for experts only
- Feb
- Ski touring; check varsom.no
- Mar
- Best ski-touring month
- Apr
- Spring ski touring
- May
- Snowmelt; wet ground and late snow in the gully
- Jun
- Snow may linger in the gully
- Jul
- Main hiking season
- Aug
- Main hiking season
- Sep
- Autumn; shorter days
- Oct
- First snow
- Dec
- Polar night
Access & Permits
- Rules
- The trail crosses farmland and grazing at the start; close gates. For winter parking at Dale or Vaskinn, ask the landowner first
- Getting There
Harstad
Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes (EVE)
- Car ferry Stornes–Bjørnerå, then about 3 km west on Toppsundveien (Fv7756) to Vaskinn
- Local bus stop 'Vaskinn' at the trailhead
Hazards
- Rockfall
- Weather
- Avalanche