Location and surroundings
Knutshøa,s lies in the mountain chain hierarchy of Fennoscandian Shield > Scandinavian Mountains > Southern Scandes > Central Mountains > Store Orkelhøa. It is in Norway, in Trøndelag county, within Oppdal municipality. At 1,690 m, it is the highest of the 479 named peaks in its range, and the terrain around it is a high mountain mix of rounded ridges, passes and open slopes.
The wider area is shaped by neighbouring summits and saddles rather than by isolated cliffs. From the top, the landscape is part of a broad Scandinavian upland, with exposed ground, snow patches in season and long views across the central mountains.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named features show how tightly packed the local high ground is around Knutshøa,s:
- Midtre Knutshøin — 1,617 m, 0.9 km NW
- Sprenbekkskardet — mountain pass, 1,540 m, 1.5 km NW
- Nordre Knutshøin — 1,684 m, 2.3 km NW
- Knatten — hill, 1,230 m, 3.1 km SE
- Breidslågåtangen — hill, 1,230 m, 3.5 km NE
- Armodshøi — hill, 1,301 m, 3.7 km S
- Hokleiva — hill, 1,020 m, 3.8 km W
- Fagerhaugen — hill, 968 m, 4.3 km W
Knutshøa,s is higher than all of these nearby summits and passes. Nordre Knutshøin comes closest in height, but remains 6 m lower, while Midtre Knutshøin is a little farther away and clearly lower.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks include several major summits that may be part of the wider skyline from Knutshøa,s. To the west is Snøhetta at 2,286 m, 21.7 km away. Also to the west is Larstind at 2,106 m, 24.1 km away. Other high points in the broader view are Namnlauskollen at 1,862 m, 16.5 km NW; Storkinn at 1,845 m, 13.5 km W; Tythøa at 1,772 m, 14.4 km NW; and Nystugguhøa at 1,757 m, 8.1 km NW.
These distances suggest a summit panorama of layered ridges and distant higher massifs rather than a single dominant neighbour. The western horizon is especially important in the local mountain picture.
The range
Knutshøa,s belongs to the Store Orkelhøa range, whose high point is Store Orkelhøa. The range contains 479 named peaks, and Knutshøa,s ranks as the highest among them. The range sits within the broader Scandinavian mountain system in Norway.
That ranking makes the mountain a key point in its local massif, even though it is not the highest summit in the wider region. Its position in the range means it is part of a compact high-country landscape with many named tops and passes.
Access and starting points
The nearest public transport point listed around the summit is Kongsvoll station, 4.2 km W. That makes the mountain accessible from the rail corridor in the area, although the final approach still takes place on foot across mountain terrain. The nearest mapped communication mast is 3.8 km W, and there are seven masts within 10 km.
In this part of Norway, weather and visibility can change quickly, so route-finding matters even on apparently simple terrain.
Climate and weather
These figures are estimates from NASA POWER climate data, adjusted to summit height. At the summit, the warmest month is July, at about 6 °C, and the coldest is January, at about -11 °C. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 1,400 mm, with the wettest month in July at about 160 mm and the driest in April at about 80 mm.
Typical hazards here are wind, sudden cloud, cold rain, lingering snow and poor visibility. Even in summer, the summit climate is cool enough that exposed sections can feel winter-like when weather systems move through.
Best time to visit
At summit level, the months with a mean temperature above freezing are June, July, August and September. That is the main window for a climb without full winter conditions, although snow patches and wet ground can still remain well into the season.
For easier footing and longer daylight, midsummer into early autumn is usually the most practical period. April is the driest month on average, but it is still a cold mountain month, so the lower precipitation does not make it a summer climbing season.
Nature and wildlife
At this elevation in central Norway, the mountain environment is generally open and sparse, with hardy alpine plants, mosses, lichens and low shrubs where the ground allows. Higher slopes are often exposed to wind and snow, while lower ground around the range can support more continuous tundra-like vegetation.
Wildlife in such terrain is usually adapted to cold, open country: birds of the uplands, small mammals, and larger animals that move through the wider mountain system. The exact mix changes with season, snow cover and distance from sheltered valleys.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Knutshøa,s, a certified guide is most useful if you want help with route-finding, winter conditions or poor visibility. In Norway, the national mountain guide association is the Norwegian Mountain Guides Association (Norske Tindevegledere, NORTIND), which is an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the Norwegian Climbing Federation (Norsk Klatreforbund).
Examples of established guiding companies working in Norway’s mountains include Jostedalen Breførarlag in Jostedal and Lofoten Mountain Guides in Kabelvåg. A guided ascent usually covers route choice, timing, safety decisions and equipment advice; the cost depends on the number of days, group size, hut nights and gear needs.
Safety and preparation
Knutshøa,s is a high mountain summit, so visitors should be ready for cold wind, rapid weather changes, wet ground and snow patches outside the warmest part of the season. Good footwear, layered clothing, map and compass or a reliable navigation app are sensible even in summer, because ridges and passes can look similar in poor visibility.
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
Knutshøa,s is the highest of 479 named peaks in the Store Orkelhøa. The nearest higher major summit in the wider region is not among the immediate neighbours listed here; instead, the mountain sits below the larger western giants such as Snøhetta and Larstind within 25 km.
Its local prominence in the range comes from being the top-ranked peak in Store Orkelhøa, while the surrounding named tops are all lower. That makes it a central reference point for the local mountain group.
FAQ
How high is Knutshøa,s? It rises to 1,690 m.
Where is Knutshøa,s located? It is in Oppdal municipality, Trøndelag county, in Norway.
What range is Knutshøa,s part of? It belongs to the Store Orkelhøa range within the Southern Scandes.
What are the nearest peaks to Knutshøa,s? The closest are Midtre Knutshøin 0.9 km NW and Nordre Knutshøin 2.3 km NW; Sprenbekkskardet is the nearest pass.
Is there water on the way to Knutshøa,s? The summit area is high, open mountain ground, so water should be treated as a planning issue rather than assumed. Carry about 1.5-3 litres for a day, depending on heat and route length, and expect to rely on what you bring unless you have a confirmed water source on your chosen approach.
Are there huts on Knutshøa,s? 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.
Is mobile phone coverage likely on Knutshøa,s? There are 7 mapped communication masts within 10 km, and the nearest is 3.8 km W. On an open summit with masts in sight, a signal is likely, but it often fails in deep valleys and behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.