Last weekend we had a pretty and not too demanding fjord hike at Fusafjellet, approximatly 1,5 hour drive from Bergen. Starting at sea level is it a perfect sea to summit hike, that doesn’t have to take all day. If you want to make it a daytrip of hiking that is possible too, due to several different routes on this mountain.
Fusafjellet is located in the middle of Fusafjorden, Eikelandsfjorden and Bjørnafjorden and offers pretty 360 degree view to the Folgefonna Glacier, Rosendal, Husnes and Tysnes as well as Os and the mountains in Samnanger and Eikelandsosen.
Fusa is a small place a little south of Bergen, located across the Fusafjorden and Bjørnafjorden from Os. If you go from Bergen by car there is a ferry that takes you across the fjord from Hatvik to Venjaneset. From Venjaneset key (Fusa) it is only a 5 minute drive to get to the starting point of the hike at Prestegårdsfeltet.
Last weekend the weather was stable, so we decided go by boat across the fjord from Osøyro and make a mini-adventure of this hiking trip. We call it a “boat and hike” trip. The sea was so quiet this morning, it was a pleasure to go by open boat wearing only shorts and t-shirt. To be a Norwegian summer that is something to remember.
Arriving at Fusa presents a little piece of Norway, the fjord, green hills, old farm houses, old boat houses, beach, and an old white wooden church. With the green fields this time of year it feels like a postcard.
We chose to hike the steepest and most direct route up to the Fusafjellet, heading for Storahorga at 666 m.a.s.l. The hiking trail starts behind the Prestegårdsfeltet and takes you up the footpath named Lusabrekko.
This trail takes you through the woods and is steep and rugged. After a while you get to the little post box at the top of Lusabrekko. Here is a little opening in the woods which was perfect for a scenic photo with fjord view. The article continues below the photo.
Do you like hiking with fjord views? Then you might also like: Fra fjord til fjell i Rosendal , Hiking from sea to summit in Uskedalen , Vikedalsnebbet in Hardanger , and hiking just outside Bergen at Arnanipa – a short hike with amazing fjord views !
Heading on for another 300 metres one gets to the signpost that makes you choose which trail to continue to the summit. We chose the orange route which is the most straight up route to Storahorga.
As you make it to the top of the tree line the terrain changes from forrest to open high mountain terrain. It became noticeably more windy from here and one realizes why there is such a distinct change of scenery.
The scenic view comes to show and the terrain becomes less steep towards the summit. The footpath is a little less clear in this part, but the stone cairn at the Storahorga can be seen ahead if you look closely.
The rewarding view at the summit of Storahorga shows the Folgefonna glacier, Kvinnherad with Rosendalsalpene; Melderskin, Gygrastolen, and Husnes with Ulvanosi, Tysnes with Tysnessåto and Hovlandsnuten, the Sævareidfjorden, Osøyro, and Samnangerfjorden, and even the Skogseidvatnet in Eikelandsosen. The so called Os Viddo with the high mountains in Os can be seen across the Fusafjord, as well as the historic hotel Solstrand.
The hike back down was enjoyable and you can just enjoy fjord views in front. We went back down the same route, but it is possible to choose a different route back down on the ridge. This will make the hike a little longer and the decent less steep.
Coming down the Lusabrekko requires good knees as you notice the steepness. On wet and muddy days I would probably not enjoy this decent, there are lots of roots that will be slippery.
Arriving back at the sea swimming in the fjord at the local beach was a must. All in all a great half-day mini-adventure on a summer Saturday in the Bergen area!
Please get in touch for questions or more information. An arranged fjord hike with a mountain guide is recommended if you want to try something new this summer. See our front page for more options or get in touch.
