Enjoy high-mountain ambience down by the coast

The moorland and mountain area north and east of Holta, near Strand in Ryfylke, is a well-preserved coastal landscape. There are several walks available from the car-park: trails to Lauvåsen, Svoa, Jarven and further towards Hjelmeland. All the hikes offer varied scenery, and for such a low-lying region the area feels surprisingly like the high plateaux of Norway. For most people, however, the summits of Moldhesten and Ormakammen and the plane crash monument are natural objectives for a day’s walk.

We particularly recommend the walk to Moldhesten and Ormakammen (556 m) via Krogavatnet lake and Vassbotn. A waymarked trail takes you through open moorland in which you can find various kinds of heather, bear berries, alpine bear berries, blueberries and northern bilberry side by side. The two tops command a panoramic view of the Ryfylke basin and the high summits of inland Ryfylke.

The trip up to the summit where the plane crash monument stands is not waymarked, but the path is good and clear.

Access
Drive Rv13 (the Ryfylke Road) along Bjørheimsvatnet lake to the sign for Holta. Up the hill until you see a new signpost for Holtaheia, then continue on a gravel road to the barrier.

The route
Waymarked trail to Moldhesten/Ormakammen ca. 2–3 hours. Unmarked trail to the monument. Good path. 1 hour round trip.