Foto: Visit Norway

Discover Jotunheimen:
Red Route  

8 days, partially guided

On this trip, for experienced trekker, you get a little bit of everything in Jotunheimen National Park. Hikes through beautiful valleys, the famous Besseggen Ridge, and climbing the iconic Uranostind by crossing a glacier with a guide. In between demanding hikes, you can enjoy and rest at historical accommodations, being served delicious dinner every night based on local food. You need to be in good shape to enjoy the day stretches of up to 17 kilometers and over 1000 accent meters. The terrain in Jotunheimen might be rockier than what you are used to, so do not hesitate asking us for advices while telling us about your previous trekking experiences.

Highlights

  • Hikes in the heart of Jotunheimen
  • The iconic peak of Uranostinden
  • Besseggen ridge

Included

  • Bus transport from/to Oslo
  • 3x Boat cruises
  • Luggage transport
  • 7x Accommodation incl. bedlinen and towels
  • 7x Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
  • Guided hike to Uranostind
  • 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 – August
Daily departures
 

First arrival day: 24.06.2026
Last arrival day: 25.08.2026

Price:

Per person in double room:
NOK 23.000
Single room supplement:
NOK 4.700*

*not included in Gjendebu

Map

Here you can see the route you are hiking!

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

Dag 2: Bitihorn

Activity: Hike Bitihorn
Time: 4-6 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

Day 3: Svartdalen

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

Activity: Hike Svartdalen (the 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 with some rivers to cross and the descent to Gjendebu is steep. Under wet conditions, this part can be quite slippery too. Good surefootedness and poles are an advantage.  Take your time to come safely to the next cabin.

Accommodation: Gjendebu DNT-Lodge

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 4: Restday in Gjendebu

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: Besseggen

Transport: Boat cruise on Gjende Lake from Gjendebu to Memurubu, where your hike starts (30 min.).

Activity: Hike Besseggen
Time: 7-9 hours, Distance: 14 km, ↑ 1100 meters

Besseggen is one of Norway’s most popular hikes. On the whole hike, you will have fantastic views over the green  coloured Gjende Lake, glaciers and high mountains. The Besseggen Ridge itself looks steep but is doable for everybody without fear of heights. This is a long hike with a lot of ascent meters that will give you long-lasting memories.

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT-Lodge

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 6: Veslådalen

Transport: boat cruise on Gjende Lake from Gjendesheim to Gjendebu where your next hike starts (1h15).

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: Filefjellstuene

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 7: Guided hike to Uranostind

Transport: Together with your guide, you drive to the starting point of your hike to Uranostinden

Activity: Guided Hike Uranostind
Time: 8-10 hours, Distance: 16 km, ↑ 1050 meters

Uranostind 2.157 m.a.s.l. is an iconic mountain peak in Jotunheimen you can see from far away. You will cross a glacier, do some easy climbing and then crawl out on the top ridge and admire the spectacular view from the summit. This hike is a guided tour and includes glacier safety equipment.

There can be made changes because of weather or conditions on this guided hike.

Accommodation: Filefjellstuene

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 8: Departure

Transport: You catch the bus from Tyinkrysset and back to Oslo.

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

Single room supplement at Gjendebu DNT-Lodge
NOK 2.000

In high season, it is almost impossible getting a single room in Gjendebu and usually single travellers need to share room with other travellers when staying there. This is a common thing to do at DNT accommodations. We can still give it a try, if you are not comfortable with the idea of sharing a room. 

Travel to Bergen instead of Oslo
NOK 150

You can choose to end your trip in Bergen instead of Oslo. Then you will take the bus in the opposite direction from Tyinkrysset.

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

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

Extra night in Oslo or Bergen
Price on request

If you are interested in seeing the capital of Norway, or your flight is arriving late, you can add one extra night in Oslo, including breakfast. You can also add the extra night in Oslo at the end of the trip.
If you travel to Bergen after your trip, we are more then happy to book accommodation for you 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 and Filefjellstuene 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.

    Gjendesheim DNT-Lodge:
    Gjendesheim Turisthytte has a history dating back to 1878. The hut is run by DNT and is in the heart of the Norwegian mountains, with Besseggen ridge as a neighbor.

    Filefjellstuene:
    Here you will get a cozy cabin feeling. Food is served in the main building close by. Once a traditional mountain farm, now a modern mountain lodge with comfortable rooms in small buildings or cabins with en-suite bathrooms, and a great restaurant in the main lodge.

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

    Difficulty

    Hard

    Kilometer: up to 20 kilometers
    Ascent: up to 1500 ascent meter
    Terrain: Varied trail, where longer sections are hilly and rocky, there will also be features and exposed terrain.

    On these trips, we spend a lot of time in demanding terrain, and there are long ascents and descents. The tours are usually around 6-8 hours. These trips can also involve crossing glaciers and rappelling, this requires that the person participating in the trip has some previous experience and is in good physical shape.

    Please ask us if you are not sure about your level.

    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.

    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.

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