Ølfjellet
1,749 m
Norway
Also known as Ørfjellet, UvbágájsseAlso known as
Ørfjellet · Uvbágájsse
- Elevation
- 1,749 m
- Prominence
- 1,075 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Rød (red, demanding) (Peakbook (citing a guidebook fact box)) · YDS class 2 (prominent-mountains.no)
The usual route up the highest peak of Saltfjellet: from the disused Kjemåga railway station above Storjord, a short marked path and then easy, pathless plateau north of Addjekelva to the foot of the mountain south of Nertind, followed by about 500 m of stable but very large boulders with a little scrambling to the summit. 15 km and about 1,470 m return, 6–7 hours.
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
- Kjemåga station → Ølfjellet: dem (snap_failed, 11.1 km)
- unresolved waypoints: Addjekelva plateau, Nertind, Summit boulder field
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 11.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,691 m
- −67 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,749 m
- Time Up
- 7h 09m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 59m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Leave the E6 a little north of Storjord (Saltfjellet–Svartisen national park centre / Saltdal Turistsenter) where Kjemåga and Addjek are signposted, cross the river bridge and drive about 5 km up the zigzags of Skardjolia to the parking at the disused Kjemåga station (about 375 m) on the Nordland Railway. In winter the road may not be ploughed and you may have to start much lower. Cross the railway. A red DNT-marked path heads south from here; follow it a short way, or climb the slope directly for the first 100 m, then from about 500 m walk straight across the gentle plateau north of Addjekelva for about 3 km. The next climb lies south of Nertind (1,228 m); from about 1,000 m turn north-west towards the summit. Snow slopes often lie at the base of the south-facing ridge into June. The last 500 vertical metres are a steep boulder field with blocks of several cubic metres; the rock is stable but progress is slow, with some easy scrambling near the top. From the summit you look over the icefalls of the small glaciers below and the 1,651 m north top. Descend the same way or by the slabs of the east ridge, which a 2013 report found clearly best when the rock is dry. Starting from Lønselva instead of driving to Kjemåga adds about 8 km and 400 m.
Start
Kjemåga station124 m
- OpenStreetMap shows a 'Kjemåga' bus stop on the Saltfjellveien (E6) at Storjord; timetable not verified. The Kjemåga railway station is no longer served.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kjemåga station → Ølfjellet | 11.1 | 1,691 | 67 | 7h 09m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Kjemåga station124 m
About 5 km by road up Skardjolia from the E6 north of Storjord
- Summit: Ølfjellet1,749 m
Key Passages
- Plateau north of Addjekelva
- Climb south of Nertind
- 500 m boulder field on the south/south-east flank
- East-ridge slabs (descent option when dry)
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 40%Overview
The highest point of Saltfjellet (1,749–1,751 m), a bulky granite-and-boulder mountain just north of the Arctic Circle above Saltdalen. A long day of plateau walking and then 500 m of giant boulders leads to views over small glaciers and the Saltfjellet plateau.
Ølfjellet (also Ørfjellet; Lule Sami Uvbágájsse) rises west of the E6 and the Nordland Railway in Saltdal, between Storjord and Lønsdal on the edge of the Saltfjellet–Svartisen area. It has two summits: the main top and a north top of about 1,651 m some 1.5 km away. With more than 1,070 m of prominence it is among the 50 most prominent peaks in Norway.
The usual approach starts at the abandoned Kjemåga railway station at about 375 m, reached by a steep side road from Storjord. After a short marked path and about 3 km of easy plateau, the mountain itself is a 500 m pile of stable but huge boulders, with a little scrambling near the top. It is a 15 km, 1,470 m day.
The weather on Saltfjellet is often windy and cloudy, and the boulder terrain makes for slow travel in snow. In winter the approach is long and the summit ridge can be icy and corniced; a 2006 solo ski attempt turned back just below the top after nine hours.
Climbing Notes
Plan 6–7 hours return in summer. The boulder field is tiring rather than technical: take it slowly and test blocks, and avoid it in wet or icy conditions. Navigation skills matter, as the plateau is pathless and the top often in cloud. In early summer snow lies at the foot of the summit ridge; an ice axe and crampons are useful then. Accommodation is available around Storjord (Saltdal Turistsenter area) and at DNT self-service huts in the area (DNT key).
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Very short days, deep snow among boulders
- Mar
- Ski ascents possible for experienced parties; boulders make skiing awkward
- Apr
- Ski ascents; avalanche-prone steeper slopes
- May
- Snowmelt; deep wet snow between boulders
- Jun
- Snow slopes at the foot of the ridge; midnight sun
- Jul
- Best conditions
- Aug
- Best conditions
- Sep
- Often fine autumn weather; first snow possible
- Oct
- Early snow; icy rock
- Nov
- Winter conditions, very short days
- Dec
- Polar night is close: little daylight
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Do not cross the Nordland Railway tracks except at the station area; trains still run
- Getting There
Rognan
Bodø Airport (BOO)
- Car: E6 south from Fauske through Saltdalen; a little north of Storjord turn right (west) where Kjemåga and Addjek are signposted, cross the bridge and drive about 5 km up Skardjolia to Kjemåga station
- Train: Nordland Railway (Bodø–Trondheim) passes the trailhead but Kjemåga is not a stop; nearest stations Rognan and Lønsdal
- Bus: an OSM-mapped 'Kjemåga' bus stop exists on the E6 at Storjord; services not verified
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
- Remoteness