Sølen
1,755 m
Norway
Also known as Midtre Sølen, RendalssølenAlso known as
Midtre Sølen · Rendalssølen
- Elevation
- 1,755 m
- Prominence
- 1,091 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Krevende (demanding) (ut.no / DNT)
The standard summer route: a long, clear path north from the Gravåsen car park (about 800 m) past the open shelter Sandbu and Sukkertoppen to the tarn Skardstjønna (1,196 m) under the great notch of Sølenskardet, then a steep, stony path up the south side of Midtre Sølen. About 11 km and 1,000 m of ascent each way; 8–10 hours return.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 10.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,046 m
- −83 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,755 m
- Time Up
- 5h 01m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 53m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Turn off Fv 217 (Engerdalsvegen) about 26 km east of Åkrestrømmen at the sign for Sølen/Gravåsen and drive 3 km of toll road to the Gravåsen car park on the edge of the Sølen protected landscape. A red-marked path with small cairns, clear enough that it carries no red ribbons, climbs almost imperceptibly through open birch and heath. After about 2 km it passes Sandbu, an open shelter by the tarn Sandtjønna, then Sukkertoppen (905 m), where the path splits; both branches lead north over Halvorsbekken and up the long valley to Sølenskardet, the V-shaped notch that splits the massif, and the tarn Skardstjønna (1,196 m) at its foot. Allow about 3 hours to the tarn. From Skardstjønna a good but steep and rocky path climbs easy scree and boulders up the south side of the highest summit, Midtre Sølen (1,755 m), about 560 m above the tarn. There is no glacier and few lasting snow patches; the mountain is very dry, so carry plenty of water. Allow about 2 hours from the tarn to the summit and back. Descend the same way, or use the other branch of the path below Sølenskardet to make a loop (ut.no's loop is 22 km, about 10 hours). The day is long: those who find it too much can camp at Skardstjønna. Stay on the path; the area is a protected landscape with wild reindeer.
Start
Gravåsen792 m
- No practical public transport to Gravåsen; nearest bus stops are on Fv 217 / Fv 30 in Rendalen
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gravåsen → Midtre Sølen | 10.8 | 1,046 | 83 | 5h 01m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Gravåsen792 m
End of the 3 km toll road from Fv 217 at Grøndalen
- Hut: Sandbu846 m
Open shelter by the tarn Sandtjønna, about 2 km from the car park
- Feature: Sukkertoppen894 m
Path fork; both branches lead to Skardstjønna
- Feature: Skardstjønna1,196 m
Tarn below Sølenskardet; possible camping spot
- Summit: Midtre Sølen1,755 m
Key Passages
- Long approach valley to Sølenskardet
- Steep stony path from Skardstjønna to the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest point of Rendalen: a three-headed, saddle-shaped massif in Innlandet whose deep V-notch is visible from tens of kilometres away. A long but non-technical day on a clear path, with one of the widest views of any Norwegian summit.
Sølen (also Rendalssølen) is an isolated mountain massif in Rendalen municipality, Innlandet, south-west of the lake Sølensjøen and a little south-south-west of Femunden. It has three distinct summits: Nordre Sølen (1,699 m), Midtre Sølen (1,755 m, the highest) and Søre Sølen (about 1,681–1,688 m), with a large V-shaped notch, Sølenskardet, cutting right through the massif at about 1,250 m. That notch gives the mountain its saddle shape and its name, from Old Norse sǫðull, 'saddle'.
Because it stands alone with an isolation of about 65 km, the summit view is huge: east far into Sweden and west to Rondane and Snøhetta. Rendalen municipality and the TOPPS project cite it as the largest land view from any Norwegian peak, about 5,359 km².
The mountain has no glacier and very little late snow, and the ground is dry stone and heath. The usual ascent from the south (Gravåsen) is a long walk of about 22 km and 1,000 m of ascent on a clear marked path, finishing on steep scree. Longer approaches come from the north (Mistdalen, Mefurua, Sølenstua) and a traverse of all three summits from the Fiskevollen road is possible without climbing skills.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for an 8–10 hour day on rough ground is the main requirement; there are no technical difficulties. Allow about 3 hours from Gravåsen to the tarn Skardstjønna and 2 hours from there to the summit and back. Carry map and compass, plenty of water (there is little above the tarn) and wind and rain gear. Splitting the trip with a tent night at Skardstjønna is a good option.
In winter and at Easter the mountain is a ski-touring objective from Grøndalen in the south: people often ski to Sølenskardet and walk the often wind-scoured slopes to Midtre Sølen. Follow the marked path and keep disturbance low.
History
The massif and a large surrounding area, including much of Sølensjøen, were protected in 2011 as Sølen landskapsvernområde (about 456 km²), an area important for wild reindeer. No first-ascent record was found; the summits have long been visited by local people and hunters.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Not advisable
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; short days and cold
- Feb
- Winter; ski touring only for experienced parties
- Mar
- Ski touring from Grøndalen; upper slopes often wind-scoured
- Apr
- Easter ski tours to Sølenskardet, summit often on foot
- May
- Snowmelt; wet and partly snow-covered ground
- Jun
- Season starts; late snow in the valley possible
- Jul
- Best
- Aug
- Best
- Sep
- Good; early snow possible
- Oct
- Short days, first snow
- Nov
- Winter
- Dec
- Winter
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Toll road from Fv 217 at Grøndalen to the Gravåsen car park: NOK 50, Vipps or cash (2023 price)
- Rules
- Sølen landskapsvernområde (protected landscape): stay on the marked path where possible to limit disturbance of wild reindeer; local tourism advises approaching from the south
- Getting There
Åkrestrømmen (Rendalen)
Røros (RRS); Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) for international flights
- By car: Fv 30 to Åkrestrømmen, then Fv 217 (Engerdalsvegen) about 26 km east to the turn signed Sølen/Gravåsen at Grøndalen, then 3 km of toll road to the car park
- No practical public transport to the trailhead
Hazards
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 844 m
SandbuBivouacUnstaffed