Store-SkagastølstindScandinavian Mountains over 2000 metres - James Baxter
Areas › Kalvehøgdi Massif › Detailed Information
The Kalvehøgdi Massif lies at the south east of the alpine tract of land between the lakes of Bygdin and Gjende. It is separated from the other two massifs in this wild region by the deep valleys of Svartdalen and Leirungsdalen.
There are only three mountains in this massif and a further three secondary peaks. The mountains are all part of the same massif which rises from the north shore of lake Bygdin in a reasonably steep but quite even slope up to the flatter undulating plateau at the top of the massif. Contrary to the gentle south side of the massif, the north side is a huge rampart of 500m high cliffs which stretch along the full 7 km length of the massive. At the foot of these cliffs extensive glaciers are continuing to carve deep corries.
The Kalvehogdi Massif provides some superb terrain for ski touring in the Winter/spring season. After the road over Valdresflya has openen in mid april access is also very easy to the eastern half of this massif and the mountain of Rasletind in particular.
History
These mountains were largely just visited by reindeer hunters and fishermen prior to the earlier parts of the 19th Century. Thereafter a trickle of tourists arrived, initially with Boeck and Keilhau in 1820, who climbed Kalvehøgdi. In 1870 a small cabin opened at the east end of Bygdin lake offering accommodation to tourists.
Access
Given the topography of these mountains they are best accessed from the south and east. In the summer Torfinnsbu lodge in the middle of Bygdin lake is ideal base for exploring the west end of the massif but is not so suitable for winter ascents. On the east side Bygdin lodge or Valdresflya hostel are both good bases to explore the massif both in summer on foot and in the winter/spring on skis.