Bjørlykkehornet – Koftehornet – 4H Cabin – loop trail from Sandnessætra, route 20, 21, and 22

This loop trail is well suited for family hiking. It covers gentle and open terrain and offers great views almost the entire time. You will walk past many small lakes along the way. The top of Mount Bjørlykkehornet is where you will get the best view on this trail. It offers a wide view that stretches to Stadtlandet, the islands of Sande, the ocean in the west, and the Sunnmørsalpane mountain range in the east. The largest section of the trail runs through very gentle and solid terrain. The entire trail is marked with blue paint on stones and sticks, and the intersections of paths are signposted. You can also take a break at one of the cabins that were built by the 4H organisation near Lake Rystallvatnet. By the time you reach the cabins, you will have completed most of the climbs on this trail. Both cabins are open and can be used by hikers. The remaining part of the trail involves very gentle terrain and many beautiful views.

The trail starts at the car park at the very end of the road in Sandnesdalen. After you pass Lake Gullidvatnet, walk along the valley until it ends in Kleiva. Turn right and follow the mountain ridge to the north of Kleiva. You will see the signs for the mountaintops Koftehornet and Bjørlykkjehornet at the intersection of paths. This is the steepest section of the trail. As you walk further, the ridge continues through a wider and more moderate landscape and you will soon reach Lake Rystallvatnet at 629 m a.s.l. This is a perfect spot for taking a break in one of the 4H cabins. Already 300 metres past the car park, you will see a sign pointing to an alternative route to Rystallvatnet and the 4H cabins, which is shorter and steeper. The trail continues from the 4H cabins over Vardeheida and further through flat and easy terrain until you reach Koftehornet (705 m a.s.l.) with its beautiful view, especially towards the ocean in the west and the mountains Lisjebøra and Storebøra in the southwest. Continue walking through this gentle terrain all the way to Bjørlykkehornet (707 m a.s.l.) where you will get an even better view over the islands and the ocean. Please go to http://mrfylke.no/Morotur/Turar/Bjoerlykkjehornet-Rute-2 for an alternative route to Bjørlykkehornet.

To get to the starting point in Sandnessætra, turn off the national road in Sandnes. The junction in Sandnes is located 3.2 km south of the ferry terminal on Koparneset and 3.5 km north of the national road junction in Eidså. After turning off the national road in Sandnes, drive up to the old national road, turn right and drive north for 70 metres before turning left up the Sandnesdalen Valley. Leave your car at the car park at the very end of the mountain road. The starting point of the trail is signposted and so are all intersections of paths. The entire trail is also well marked. The road to Sandnesdalen is a toll road with a fee of NOK 30.