Hiking the Urkeegga Circuit Trail In Sunmøre Alps – The Comprehensive Guide

When I first visited the Sunmøre Alps the year before hiking the Urkeegga Circuit, I knew this wouldn’t be my last visit immediately. For hiking enthusiasts like myself, this area is a paradise.

Everything to know about the Urkeegga Circuit Trail in Norway

My ultimate goal for the recurrent visit was to summit Mount Slogen, the most famous peak of the Sunmore Alps; however, even at the end of July, there was still lots of snow lingering on the slopes, and I didn’t feel comfortable venturing on my own. I had to settle for plan B – The Urkeegga Circuit Trail.

Urkeegga day hike: the stats

• Total distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
• Time required: 5-7 hours
• Total Ascent: 950 m / 3117 ft
• Type of hike: Circuit
• When to go: July – September
• Parking: Haugemyrvegen Parking
• Parking fee: 50 NOK

Where is the Urkeegga hike?

The Urkeegga circuit is in one of Norway’s best hiking locations, the Sunmore Alps. According to Nat Geo, this area is on its way to becoming Scandinavia’s hottest travel destination.

Mountains rising thousands of meters straight from sea level, sharp peaks, and dramatic cliffs—that’s the best way to describe them.

The nearest town is Urke (pictured above). I think a tiny village is a better label for it. Sæbø, a slightly larger settlement, is only a short ferry ride on the other side of the Hjørundfjord.

If you are coming from the other direction, you will pass Øye, a gateway town to the attractions of Hjørundfjord and a popular docking spot for sailboats.

The map of the hike

Above, you can see the path I followed along the Urkeegga circuit. I measured the distance, elevation gain, and route with my Garmin Fenix watch.

This map is for showcasing purposes only and should not be used as navigation.

I followed the anti-clockwise circuit, but it can be done in both directions. I will get to it in more detail later in the post.

How difficult is the circuit?

On a scale from 1-4, 1 being the easiest and 4 being for the absolute nut jobs who enjoy scrambling with sheer cliffs on either side of them, Urkeega is somewhere in the middle.

Norwegians use four colors to describe the difficulty level of a trail: green (easy), blue (intermediate), red (challenging), and black (go for it if you love adrenaline). I have yet to tackle a black trail. I have a few red trails under my belt, and I came to the conclusion that they can differ a lot in difficulty.

Urkeegga was given the red label, but I found it easier than the nearby Saksa hike or the famous Romsdalseggen in Åndalsness, which have the same rating.

The toughest parts of the trail for me were the steep forest climb at the start and the ridgeline, which required some easy scrambling. Unlike the ones aforementioned, there are no chains to hold onto along this hike, and at no point did I feel like they were needed.

The descent and the hike back to the car park across the Langsæter valley, towards the trail’s end, were very easy. I would label the last bit of the trail as blue.

Red-painted marks are visible throughout the entire trail. Look for T-shaped signs on rocks!

The best time of year to hike Urkeegga

The official hiking season lasts from July until September, depending on the snowfall and weather.

There is usually a two-week shoulder period starting in mid-June and at the end of the season in October, when it may also be possible to hike in the Sunmore Alps.

However, to be on the safe side, it’s best to plan your Norwegian road trip for later in the summer.

In August and September, trails are less muddy, and you don’t return to your car looking like Rambo.

How to get to the trailhead

The Urkeegga circuit has two trailheads and two car parks: a lower one and an upper one. They are only a 10-minute walk apart.

Contrary to your instinct, starting from the lower car park is better. You are now probably wondering why.

Firstly, the lower car park is more accessible from the village, and secondly, there is no fee for driving along the road to it. If you drive to the upper car park, you must pay a 30 NOK fee for using a private road.

Lastly, go for the lower parking lot if you plan to hike the circuit clockwise. Otherwise, you will still have to hike back up once you make it back down from the ridgeline. It only makes sense to park at the upper car park if the lower one is full.

The actual trailhead is near the car park, and a big sign (see photo above) will guide you in the right direction.

Parking fees

Both car parks charge a 50 NOK parking fee. This fee is only payable with the Norwegian Vipps app and is inaccessible to tourists without a local bank account.

Sometimes, you get away without paying, as there is no way to access the system. Other times, you need to be prepared and bring cash and throw it into a box provided at the car park.

There was none at the Urkeegga trailhead parking lot, but that might change.

Is it better to hike the Urkeegga circuit clockwise or counter-clockwise?

There is no right or wrong answer here; it is just personal preference.

If, like me, you prefer to get the most challenging part out of the way at the start and your knees hate sharp descents, then go counter-clockwise. You will first battle the sharp ascent, but the hike back across the valley toward the trail’s end will be easy.

However, if you prefer a gentler ascent and don’t mind hiking down a steep trail, then hiking the circuit clockwise might be better for you.

READ MORE: 30 Best Day Hikes and Via Ferratas in the Fjord Region of Norway

Facilities along the Urkeegga Circuit

Many people hike the Urkeegga circuit to picnic at the famous Egilbu shelter, which was built right on the ridgeline. Some locals even bring sleeping bags or hammocks and spend the night in the open shelter, waking up to the sun rising over the Fjords.

I would have done the same if not for the lousy weather forecast looming over the next few days during my visit.

The shelter has some wooden tables and benches, but the luxury ends there. A tiny (smelly) outhouse is close to the shelter, but I didn’t dare come near it. I am way too sensitive to smells.

There were also no toilets at the trailheads, but given Norway’s fantastic approach to conserving nature, some will probably be erected.

Remember always to practice the mindful hiker approach. Take out what you brought in; leave only footprints!

Urkeegga circuit trail description

I have waited three days in Urke for a good weather window to finally leave for this hike. On the first two days, when it was supposed to rain the whole day, the clouds dispersed in the late morning.

However, I always dread taking photos in the middle of the day when the colours are all washed out, so I decided to sit it out.

On the third day, I was done waiting. The forecast said it will be a mix of sun and clouds type of day. Having already spent three months in Norway, I should have known better than to believe any forecast.

As soon as I made it to the Egilbu shelter, it started raining, and it looked like it wouldn’t stop any time soon. I had no choice but to keep going; consequently, I got completely soaked. I have no regrets, though. I still loved the hike!

But let’s start from the beginning.

Part 1: the trailhead to Egilbu Shelter

When following the circuit counter-clockwise, you will first hike up a very steep, often very muddy forest trail. The good news is you will gain elevation quickly and get the toughest part of the circuit out of the way!

I want to give you an idea of how steep it is. The trailhead lies 335 meters above sea level. To reach the Egilbu shelter, you must gain 700 meters over 1.8 kilometres! That’s over 70 per cent of the elevation gain of the entire circuit in just under 20 per cent of the total distance.

After the first kilometre, you emerge from the forest, and views open up on the Hjørundfjord and the surrounding mountains. You will stop often to take photos, but the best is yet to come.

When I reached the Egilbu shelter and it started raining, I briefly considered going back down, but my knees were already shaking at the thought of hiking down this trail.

Part 2: Egilbu shelter – Maudekollen – Kloksegga

Follow an undulating ridgeline from the shelter to the summit of Maudekollen and then Kloksegga before descending to the Langsæter valley below.

Thanks to the views, this was my favourite part of the trail, despite the rain. On a positive note, I had the shelter and the ridgeline all to myself!

When following the trail between the three summits, you are surrounded by beautiful 360 views at all times. The pointy mountain straight ahead is Slogen, and it’s often the ultimate summit experience for visitors. Slogen is still on my ‘to-hike’ list!

Part 3: Langsæterdalen

Once you reach the third summit along the ridgeline, Kloksegga, you will descend toward the Langsæter Valley. At the bottom, you will see a lake called Storevatnet.

The descent is quite sharp at first, but it quickly flattens out. The gradient becomes gentle during the last 3 kilometres of the hike. Look back a few times to admire the sharp summit of Mount Slogen.

TIP: There is a possibility to fill up water along the trail in the stream flowing through the Langsæter valley; however, be aware that this is a grazing ground for sheep.

What to bring and wear on the Urkeegga hike

Where to stay nearby

If you are travelling in a campervan, stay at the campsite in Urke. I was able to get a spot on the day, but with tourism in the area surging, I recommend calling at least a few days in advance.

There is a lovely hotel in Sæbo called the Sagafjord Hotel. It is only a short and scenic ferry ride away from Urke, with fantastic front-water views toward the Hjørundfjord.

Other hikes to experience nearby

Skårasalen

Another classic hike in the area. Skårasalen is accessible from the parking at Kvistadsætra near Sæbø. For more information about the hike, check out this site.

Saksa

It is often the first choice for hikers in the area. Saksa has been crowned as the icon of the Sunmøre Alps, and it’s hard not to give in to being a fan because of the views waiting for you at the top. Even if you have to work hard for them.

Slogen

Any hiker who decides to summit Slogen faces a challenge of over 1500 meters (5000 feet) elevation gain in just a 3.7-kilometer distance. The slopes can be as steep as 60 degrees! I’ve said it before: zig-zags don’t exist in the Norwegian dictionary.

Blåvatnet

A great and easy half-day hike to a beautiful alpine lake. The trailhead for the Blåvatnet Lake trail lies 35 minutes away from Urke.