Melen – Sjurvarden from Skotten

Melen and Sjurvarden are two scenic peaks with a fantastic view over Trøndelag from Sunnmøre. In clear weather, you can also see the wind turbines on the island of Smøla. With its 768 m a.s.l., Melen is the highest of the two peaks. Sjurvarden is a hundred metres lower and rises to 667 m a.s.l.

Follow the tractor road from the shooting range in Skotten until you come up to Lake Skottenvatnet. From there, follow a fairly good-quality path that runs to the left and walk over Kyrhaugen Hill with a view straight down to Lake Skotttenvatnet on your right-hand side. You will also see Lake Skavatnet on your left. This open section of the trail follows a good-quality path, and you can choose to walk either along the edge or slightly further down the hillside. Once you come up, you can decide for yourself which peak you want to climb first. We chose Melen and then walked over to Sjurvarden. The Olavsbu cabin lies further down the hillside between the two peaks and is worth a visit. It normally takes about half an hour to get to Lake Skottenvatnet, an hour and a half from there to Melen, an hour and a half from Melen to Sjurvarden, and another hour and a half to return to the starting point of the hike. Of course, this varies from person to person. Panoramic view from Melen: http://360.io/uuVyk3 Panoramic view from Sjurvarden: http://360.io/Tp2Mqd

If you are driving from Elnesvågen, follow the sign that reads “Fjellveien/Skytterbanen” (Eng. Mountain Road/Shooting Range) just before Farstad near a sparse plantation used as a windbreak. Park your car next to the shooting range.