Photo: Cathrine Dokken

Discover Jotunheimen:
Green Route

6 Days – Self-guided

Experience the nature of the magical Jotunheimen National Park, by hiking through valleys to see some of Norway’s highest peaks while sleeping at historical accommodations serving delicious local food. This trip combines epic hikes with time to relax and cool down. The terrain in Jotunheimen is rockier than what you might be used to. But with day stretches around 12 kilometers and 5-600 meters accents, this should be affordable for the trekkers in average shape and with some hiking experience. You will also get the chance to reach some of the easiest peaks in the area.

Highlights

  • Hikes in the heart of Jotunheimen
  • Boat cruise with the historic M/B Bitihorn
  • Svartdalen – “Norway’s most beautiful valley”
  • Historical accommodations

Included

  • Bus transport from/to Oslo
  • 2 x Boat cruise
  • Luggage transport
  • 5 x Accommodation incl. bedlinen and towels
  • 5 x Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
  • JVB App with access to maps, tracks, vouchers and all necessary travel documents
  • Organizational support and backup from our team
  • CO2 compensation

Season and Price 2026

June – September
Daily departures
 

First arrival day: 24.06.2026
Last arrival day: 11.09.2026

Price:
Per person in double room:
NOK 16.500

Single room supplement:
NOK 2.500*

*Single room in Gjendebu not included

Map

Day to Day

Day 1: Arrival in Jotunheimen

Transport: Arrival by bus in Bygdin

Activity: hike Synshorn

Time: 1-2 hours, Distance: 5 km, ↑ 450 meters

Synshorn is located at 1457 m.a.s.l. and offers a fantastic view of Jotunheimen. The trails are easy to walk and vary between some soft terrain and more rocky terrain near the top. This is an ideal short hike if you have a bit time for a walk after your arrival.

Accommodation: Bygdin Høifieldshotell

Meal: Dinner

Day 2: Bitihorn

Activity: Hike Bitihorn

Time: 3-5 hours, Distance: 10 km, ↑ 600 meters

Bitihorn is an iconic mountain at 1607 m.a.s.l. and is a classic route at Bygdin. It is one of the easiest peaks in the area and is well-suited for beginners and mountaineers. At the top, you get a fantastic panoramic view of large parts of Valdres.

Accommodation: Bygdin Høifieldshotell

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

 

Dag 3: Svartdalen

Transport: Boat cruise with M/B Bitihorn from Bygdin to Torfinnsbu (45 min.), where your hike starts.

Activity: Hike Svartdalen (Black Valley)

Time: 6-8 hours, Distance: 14 km,
↑ 610 meters

Svartdalen is a beautiful valley with views of many 2000-meter peaks and glaciers. However, it is not an easy hike since the trail is quite rocky. Good surefootedness and poles are an advantage. In the end, a steep downhill awaits you – under wet conditions, this part can be quite slippery too. Take your time to come safely to the next cabin.

Accommodation: Gjendebu DNT-Lodge

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 4: Restday or hike

Restday

Today you can enjoy an easy day in a beautiful area of Gjendebu or chose between the suggested hikes.

Alternative 1: Hike Gjendetunga

Time: 3-5 hours, Distance: 8 km, ↑520 meters

Gjendetunga towers over Gjendebu and is a trip you do not want to miss if you are in this area. On a clear day, enjoy a lunch at the top with a 360-degree beautiful view of green Gjende, and the mountain massifs to the east and west. But be aware that there is a short steep section that can be a bit challenging especially when wet.

Alternative 2: Hike Bukkelægre

Time: 3-6 hours, Distance: 14 km, ↑550 meters

If you are up for something more challenging, this hike is beautiful and exciting. You start by the lake before climbing a steep hill up almost 500 meters to Bukkelægre. Up at the ridge you hike in easy terrain towards beautiful Storådalen. The last 4 kilometres you follow the river Storåa back to Gjendebu. Be aware, this hike is more technical than the hike to Gjendetunga, with an even steeper and longer steep section where you find chains to hold on to.

Accommodation: Gjendebu DNT-Lodge

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 5: Veslådalen

Activity: Hike Veslådalen

Time: 5-7 hours, Distance: 16 km, ↑516 meters

The hike between Gjendebu and Eidsbugarden goes between the lakes Gjende and Bygdin in Jotunheimen National Park. From Gjendebu, the trip goes through Veslådalen before ending at Eidsbugarden.

Accommodation: Fondsbu DNT-Lodge

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 6: Departure

Transport:Boat cruise with M/B Bitihorn across Bygdin Lake from Eidsbugarden to Bygdin and bus from Bygdin to Oslo.

Note: On some departures in September, there is no boat cruise on the last day, but we will arrange transport from Eidsbugarden to the bus to Oslo at Tyinkrysset.

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch

Practical Information

Below you will find practical information about this trip.
Can not find what you are looking for? See our frequently asked questions page, or send us an email – we will help you!

 

Add-on

Travel to Bergen instead of Oslo
NOK 150

You can choose to end your trip in Bergen instead of Oslo. Then you will skip the last cruise to Bygdin and take the bus from your last accommodation.

Fjord cruise from Flåm to Bergen (5 hours)
NOK 1.495

When ending your trip in Bergen, you can travel the last bit by boat from Flåm to Bergen. This is a perfect way to also experience Norway’s beautiful and deep fjords.

Extra night in Oslo or/and Bergen
Prices on request

If you are interested to see the capital of Norway, or your flight is arriving late, you can add one extra night in Oslo, including breakfast. You can also add it on the end of the trip.
Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city, surrounded by mountains and fjords. Well worth seeing. If you would like to end your trip there, we are more than happy to help you find accommodation here also.

    Important details

    To fully enjoy your hiking adventure in the mountains, it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and local temperatures. For a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we recommend wearing warm, waterproof clothing, sturdy mountain hiking boots that provide ankle support, sunscreen and sunglasses. It is not recommended to wear trail running shoes, everyday shoes or sneakers. We also recommend bringing hiking poles in this type of terrain.

    Luggage transport

    We will send your luggage from cabin to cabin, so you only need to bring a daypack. 

    Accommodation

    At Bygdin you will get a private bathroom with toilet and shower. At the DNT-lodges, you will meet a traditional atmosphere where the rooms have bunk beds and bathrooms and showers are in the hall.

    Bygdin Høifieldshotell:

    This hotel has a long tradition of hosting active mountain people who want to visit Jotunheimen. Even though many rooms were renovated you will get a historical atmosphere. The food is for sure one of the highlights of your stay. Dinner is made from local ingredients and is delicious.

    Gjendebu DNT-Lodge:

    At 990 m.a.s.l. at the west end of Gjende Lake, you will find Gjendebu. Totally remote and only accessible by foot or boat. The DNT accommodation consists of several cabins and a main house with a beautiful dining room serving good local food. This is the oldest DNT-cabin, built in 1871.
    Single room: single rooms are difficult to get and are not included in the price; you may need to share the room with another hiker.

    Fondsbu DNT-Lodge:

    Located in Eidsbugarden, on the western end of Lake Bygdin at 1,065 m.a.s.l., the cabin was originally established in 1932 with the name “Den Glade vandrer” (“The happy wanderer”) but then bought by DNT in 1993 and renamed as Fondsbu. The mountain lodge is a very popular place for mountain lovers and widely known for its good atmosphere, longtime host and great location. Some would call it a home away from home. The food that is served in Fondsbu is tasty and made from locally sourced ingredients.

    Difficulty

    Medium

    Kilometer: up to 15 kilometers
    Ascent: up to 1000 ascent meter
    Terrain: Varied trail, where longer sections are hilly and rocky, there may also be sections with exposed terrain.

    On these trips, there is mountainous terrain, and there can be long ascents and descents. The stretches are usually around 5-7 hours. There can be rocky and demanding trails, which require that you are in good physical shape. On some of the tours, there may be exposed parts, but most of these are possible to avoid by choosing another variant.

    Equipment List

    When you book with us, we’ll provide you with a packing list to ensure you have all the necessary clothing and gear.

    Meals

    All restaurants offer food based on local ingredients. For breakfast, there will be a buffet. Here you also need to make yourself a packed lunch that you bring for the day. At arrival, you will receive from us a food wrap you can use to pack your lunch. It is possible to fill a thermos. Dinner will be served in the afternoon/evening.

    Transport

    Travel green. Enjoy the trip from the big city towards Valdres and Jotunheimen! The express buses take you straight from the capital to the heart of Norway. On the way you will pass mountains, valleys, rivers, and beautiful farms.

    Experience the convenience of choosing from various departure times and travel destinations along our express bus routes. Share your travel plans with us, and we’ll take care of the arrangements, ensuring a stress-free experience for you.

    Route

    Our selected daily hikes are well-marked, and you will meet other hikers. The trails are narrow, often rocky, and sometimes you need to cross rivers and streams. Therefore, we recommend ankle-height mountain boots and hiking poles.

    You will receive an access to our JVB-app before travelling. This one contains GPX-files, itineraries description and detailed information for your trip.

     

    You May Also Like

    👤
    DD dash MM dash YYYY