Location and surroundings
Fauskofjellet lies in Nore og Uvdal municipality in Buskerud, in southern Norway. It sits within the broad chain of the Fennoscandian Shield > Scandinavian Mountains > Southern Scandes > Southern Highlands > Long Mountains > Hardangervidda > Tunhovd. At 1,369 m, it is the highest of the 202 named peaks in Tunhovd, so it is a local high point rather than a lone summit above low country.
The surrounding landscape is upland terrain with nearby hills, passes and ridges. The nearest named features include lower summits and a mountain pass, which suggests a broad, rolling mountain area rather than a steep isolated peak. Open ground, weather exposure and changing conditions are the main characteristics to expect here.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named neighbours show how Fauskofjellet sits among lower tops and passes in the same upland area:
- Blåurdranten — 1,180 m, 0.7 km SE
- Gampskard — 1,160 m, 1.7 km N
- Blånuten — 1,057 m, 2.1 km E
- Kotåsberget — 800 m, 2.6 km W
- Nutenutan — 1,297 m, 2.6 km N
- Bjørnebergåsen — 817 m, 3.0 km W
- Blåurdi — 760 m, 3.4 km E
- Vedåsen — 980 m, 3.7 km W
Compared with these features, Fauskofjellet is the highest point in the immediate area. Several nearby hills are much lower, while Nutenutan is the closest higher-looking neighbour in the same general direction north of the summit area, though still below Fauskofjellet.
The view from the summit
From the summit area, the highest peaks within 25 km are spread across the surrounding highlands. To the south lies Borgsjåbrotet at 1,485 m, 22.2 km away. Also to the south is Berghovda at 1,398 m, 16.8 km away, while Gråvårantan at 1,367 m is 20.1 km south. To the southwest are Synhovd at 1,437 m, 24.3 km away, and Ræpeholberget at 1,370 m, 18.3 km away. Skjennuten at 1,384 m lies 24.2 km west.
These distances show that Fauskofjellet is part of a broad high plateau landscape where other summits remain visible or relevant over long distances. The outlook is likely to be open in many directions, with higher ground mostly lying farther south and southwest.
The range
Fauskofjellet belongs to Tunhovd, which is the narrowest range unit in its mountain hierarchy and the one named as the high point area for this peak. The range high point is Tunhovd itself, and Fauskofjellet is the highest of 202 named peaks in that range. The wider setting places it within the Norwegian mountain system that extends across the Scandinavian uplands.
This makes Fauskofjellet a local reference summit for Tunhovd rather than a peak that dominates a large alpine massif. Its importance comes from its rank within the range and its position in the surrounding upland chain.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is cold for much of the year. The warmest month is July, at about 9 °C, and the coldest is January, at about -10 °C. Mean temperatures above freezing are expected in May, June, July, August and September. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 1,000 mm, with the wettest month in July at about 140 mm and the driest in February at about 40 mm.
In this part of Norway, weather can change quickly, with wind, rain, fog and early snow possible even outside winter. Exposed ridges can feel much colder than the air temperature suggests, and wet ground or lingering snow patches may make travel slower.
Best time to visit
The most practical season for a visit is usually late spring through early autumn, when the summit area is more likely to be snow-free and temperatures are above freezing. Based on the summit climate estimates, May to September are the months with mean temperatures above 0 °C, and the warmer part of that window is generally the easiest for walking.
If you want drier conditions, February is the driest month in the surrounding area, but it is also a winter month with cold temperatures and snow. For most visitors, summer and early autumn offer the best balance of daylight, temperature and access, though rain and wind remain possible at any time.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain sits in a high Norwegian upland landscape where vegetation is usually low and hardy: heather, grasses, mosses and lichens on exposed ground, with more sheltered patches supporting dwarf shrubs and scattered mountain plants. Higher and windier parts tend to be open, while lower slopes can carry more continuous plant cover.
Wildlife in this kind of terrain often includes birds adapted to open mountain country, small mammals and larger grazing animals that use the uplands seasonally. The exact mix changes with weather and season, but the general character is that of a cold, open mountain environment rather than forested terrain.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain of this height and terrain, a certified guide is usually not essential for a straightforward summer hike, but it can be useful in poor visibility, winter conditions or if you are unfamiliar with Norwegian upland travel. In Norway, the national mountain guide association is Norwegian Mountain Guides Association (Norske Tindevegledere, NORTIND), an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club or federation is the Norwegian Climbing Federation (Norsk Klatreforbund).
Visitors who want organised mountain services in Norway also commonly look to established guiding companies such as Jostedalen Breførarlag in Jostedal and Lofoten Mountain Guides in Kabelvåg. A guided ascent typically includes route choice, pacing, safety decisions and equipment advice; the cost usually depends on the number of days, group size, hut nights and gear needs.
Safety and preparation
Fauskofjellet calls for normal mountain preparation: sturdy footwear, warm layers, rain protection, map and compass or a reliable offline map, and enough food and water for changing weather. The open terrain can be exposed to wind and sudden cloud, and the colder months bring snow, ice and reduced visibility. Even in summer, conditions can shift quickly on the ridges.
For mountain rescue in Norway, call 112 for the police emergency number; the police coordinate mountain rescue with volunteer rescue corps. For a medical emergency, call 113. Rescue is free of charge.
Interesting facts
Fauskofjellet is the highest of 202 named peaks in Tunhovd. It is also the highest mountain in that local range unit, which makes it the main summit reference for the area. The nearest mapped communication mast is 9.0 km to the northeast, which is useful to keep in mind when planning for phone coverage.
Within 25 km, the highest nearby summit is Borgsjåbrotet at 1,485 m, 22.2 km to the south. That gives a sense of the broader highland setting: Fauskofjellet is locally dominant, but higher mountains still lie farther away in the surrounding uplands.
FAQ
How high is Fauskofjellet? It rises to 1,369 m.
Where is Fauskofjellet? It is in Nore og Uvdal municipality in Buskerud, Norway, within the Tunhovd part of the Scandinavian mountain system.
What is Fauskofjellet the highest point of? It is the highest mountain in Tunhovd.
What are the nearest peaks and passes? The closest named features are Blåurdranten 0.7 km SE, Gampskard 1.7 km N, Blånuten 2.1 km E, and Nutenutan 2.6 km N.
Is there water on the way to Fauskofjellet? The summit area is in open upland terrain, so water sources are not something to rely on in dry weather. Carry about 1.5–3 litres for a day, more in warm conditions or on a longer route, and treat any snowmelt or surface water before drinking.
Are there huts on Fauskofjellet? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
How is mobile phone coverage? One communication mast is mapped within 10 km, 9.0 km to the northeast. On an open summit a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys or behind ridges. Always download maps before setting out, and remember that 112 reaches emergency services over any available network.