Stormauken
1,249 m
Norway
- Elevation
- 1,249 m
- Prominence
- 1,022 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Apr–May
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: YDS class 2 (prominent-mountains.no)
A pathless but straightforward ascent from the farm road at Litlevoll above Takelvdalen: a farm trail through birch forest to the tree line at about 550 m, an ascending traverse to lake 796 between Mauktippen and Stormauken, one steeper zig-zag step, then gentle slopes to the west ridge and along it to the cairn. About 5.3 km and 1,080 m one way; good on skis in spring.
About 100% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 7 check notes
- 100% approximate geometry
- DIN time up 4.34 h vs published 2.5 h (+74%)
- DIN time down 2.9 h vs published 1.0 h (+190%)
- low confidence 0.4
- Litlevoll → Tree line: dem (snap_failed, 2.9 km)
- Tree line → Stormauken: dem (snap_failed, 3.0 km)
- unresolved waypoints: Lake 796, Stormauken west ridge
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 5.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,080 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,249 m
- Time Up
- 4h 20m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 54m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the E6 in Takelvdalen, about 37 km south of Nordkjosbotn and some 9 km past Takvatnet, turn off at the sign for Kallbekken, cross the bridge over Takelva, keep left at the fork and drive about 1.6 km to the farm Litlevoll at the road end (about 170 m). Ask permission to park. Walk a short way west on the farm's trail, which soon turns uphill through the birch forest past a small cabin belonging to the farm and leaves the trees at about 550 m. From here make an ascending traverse south to the area just north of lake 796, in the col between Mauktippen (1,151 m) and Stormauken. The steepest part follows: climb east and south in a few zig-zags for about 100 m to easier ground, then continue south towards a point on the ridge well west of the summit, and follow the ridge east to the cairn. Bjørstad took 2½ hours up on skis in May and one hour down. In summer allow longer on the pathless upper slopes.
Start
Litlevoll168 m
- Long-distance buses run on the E6, but a stop near Kallbekken was not verified; a car is the practical option.
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Parking: Litlevoll168 m
Farm at the road end; ask permission to park
- Feature: Tree line549 m
- Summit: Stormauken1,249 m
Key Passages
- Farm trail through the birch forest
- Ascending traverse to lake 796
- Steeper zig-zag step above lake 796
- West ridge to the summit
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 40%Overview
The highest point of the Mauken massif between Målselvdalen and Takelvdalen in inner Troms, a broad, rounded 1,249 m summit with just over 1,000 m of prominence. It is a pathless half-day climb from a farm in Takelvdalen.
Stormauken is the top of Mauken, a compact massif in Målselv municipality bounded by Målselvdalen to the south and Takelvdalen to the north. The other main tops are Mauktippen (1,151 m) and Maukungen (1,115 m). The name comes from the Sami word for the rough-legged buzzard. With about 1,020 m of prominence Stormauken is one of Norway's roughly 85 summits with a primary factor over 1,000 m, yet it attracts few visitors.
The usual approach is from the north, from the farm Litlevoll above Takelvdalen: a farm trail through birch forest, then open, pathless slopes past lake 796 and up the west ridge. It is not technical, and in spring it is a fine ski ascent with a long run back down. The view takes in Balsfjorden to the north and the inland mountains of Troms.
The area is reindeer grazing land, and the large Mauken–Blåtind military firing range lies immediately to the east; Maukungen lies inside it.
Climbing Notes
About 5.3 km and 1,080 m of ascent one way from Litlevoll. Bjørstad skied up in 2½ hours and down in one; on foot in summer allow 3–4 hours up. The steepest part is a short zig-zag step above lake 796; otherwise the slopes are moderate. Navigation is the main skill required, as there is no path above the tree line. In winter and spring check varsom.no; the steep step and the slopes off the ridge are avalanche terrain. Keep off Maukungen and the ground to the east when the Mauken–Blåtind range is active, and ask permission to park at Litlevoll.
History
In June 1941 (some sources say 7 July 1941) a German Junkers Ju 88 crashed about 50 m below the summit in poor visibility; the whole crew was killed. Local people who took a pistol from the wreck were discovered and sent to a concentration camp in Germany.
Season
Best Apr–May- January: Not advisable
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Possible
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Polar night until mid-January
- Feb
- Ski ascent; cold, short days
- Mar
- Ski ascent
- Apr
- Best ski month
- May
- Spring skiing; Bjørstad skied it on 11 May
- Jun
- Snowmelt; breakable crust higher up
- Jul
- Summer hike; mosquitoes in the forest
- Aug
- Summer hike
- Sep
- Autumn colours; hunting season
- Oct
- First snow
- Dec
- Polar night
Access & Permits
- Rules
- The Mauken–Blåtind military firing range adjoins the massif to the east and includes Maukungen; check the Norwegian Armed Forces' firing notices before going beyond Stormauken.
- Trailhead parking is at a private farm (Litlevoll); ask permission.
- Getting There
Bardufoss
Bardufoss Airport (BDU)
- By car on the E6 from Nordkjosbotn south through Takelvdalen (about 37 km), turning off at the Kallbekken sign and driving about 1.6 km to Litlevoll
- From Tromsø about 108 km via the E8 to Nordkjosbotn and the E6
Hazards
- Avalanche
- Weather