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 and sleeping at historical accommodations serving local food. The terrain in Jotunheimen is rockier than what you may be used to. But with day stretches at about 12 kilometers and 5-600 accent meters, 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 easier peaks in the area.

Highlights

  • Svartdalen – “Norway’s most beautiful valley”
  • High peaks with panoramic views
  • Cultural history, and local food at historic accommodations

Included

  • Bus transport from/to Oslo
  • Boat cruise x 2
  • Luggage transport
  • Accommodation x 5
  • Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner x 5
  • Detailed tour description
  • Map

Season and Price 2024

June – September
– daily departures
 

First arrival day: 26.06.2024
Last arrival day: 28.08.2024

Price:
1 person in doubbelroom:
NOK  12.995

Singel room supplement:
NOK 2.600

Map

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!

Day to day

Day 1: Transport from Oslo to Bygdin

Transport

Bus, Valdresekspressen from Oslo to Bygdin

Possible hike: Synshorn

Time: 1-2 hours, Distance: 5 kilometers, ↑ 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.

Accommodation: Bygdin Høifieldshotell

Day 2: Bitihorn

Activity, Hike Bitihorn

Time: 3-5 hours, Distance: 10 kilometers, ↑ 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 simpler 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 Høyfjellshotell

 

 

Dag 3: Svartdalen

Transport, Boat cruise

You will sail with historical M/B Bitihorn from Bygdin to Torfinnsbu, where your hike starts (45 min).

Activity, Hike Svartdalen (the Black Valley)

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

Svartdalen is a very beautiful valley with views of many 2000-meter peaks and glaciers. However, it is not an easy hike since the trail is quite rocky and 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-cabin

Day 4: Restday or day-hike

Restday

This day you can enjoy a rest day in the beautiful environment at Gjendebu.

Alternative 1 Hike Gjendetunga

Time: 3-5 hours, Distance: 10 km, ↑520 meters

Gjendetunga towers over the cabin Gjendebu and is a trip you will not want to miss if you are in this area. On a clear day, we enjoy 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 shorter steep section that can be a bit challenging especially when wet.

Alternative 2 Hike Bukkelægre round tour

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. And then the last 4 kilometers you follow the river Storåa back to Gjendebu. Be aware, this hike has got an even steeper and longer steep section with changes to hold on to, than the hike to Gjendetunga.

Accommodation: Gjendebu DNT-cabin

Day 5: Veslådalen

 

Activity, Hike Veslådalen

Time: 5-7 hours, Distance: 16 kilometers,
↑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-cabin

Day 6: Transport Eidsbugarden - Bygdin - Oslo

Departure, Boat cruise to Bygdin

Your mountain adventure ends with a beautiful journey across Bygdin Lake with historic M / B Bitihorn. On board “Bygdinbåten” you will see many of Jotunheimen’s mighty peaks towering along the water.

Transport

You will catch the bus Valdresekspressen back to Oslo.

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

Go 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 1.485

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

Extra night in Oslo
Price on request

If you are interested to see the capital of Norway, or your flight is arriving late, you can ad one extra night in Oslo, including breakfast. You can also ad it on the end of the trip.

    Important details

    To fully enjoy your hiking adventure in the mountainous areas, 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, and sunscreen and sunglasses. It is not recommended to wear trail runners, 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 a toilet and shower. In the Dnt cabins, you will meet a traditional atmosphere where the rooms have bunk beds and bathrooms and showers are in the hall.

    Bygdin Høyfjellshotell:
    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 sure to be the highlight of your stay. Dinner is made from local ingredients and comes to taste great.

    Gjendebu DNT-cabin:
    At 990 m.a.s.l. at the west end of Gjende Lake, you will find Gjendebu totally remote except for access by hiking or boat. The DNT accommodation consists of several cabins and a main house with a beautiful dining room, with good local food – This is the oldest cabin of DNT, built in 1871.

    Fondsbu DNT-cabin:
    Fondsbu is located in beautiful Eidsbugarden. The cottage is widely known for its good atmosphere, hosts, and great location. A popular place for hikers.

    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.

    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 a physical map and gpx files from us on arrival and a detailed tour description for orientation

     

    Diffuculty

    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 tours are usually around 5-7 hours. It can be rocky and demanding surfaces, which require that you are in normal to good physical shape. On some of the tours, there may be exposed parties, but most of these are possible to avoid by choosing another variant.

    Equipmentlist

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

    Transport

    Travel green by using public transport.

    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.

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