Discover Jotunheimen:
Besseggen & Svartdalen

4 days, self-guided
This is a highlight combination of two of the best hikes in Jotunheimen, Svartdalen and Besseggen. The Besseggen trail is one of the most popular hikes in Norway and offers spectacular views from the narrow ridge of Besseggen. The hike through Svartdalen Valley is an easier but challenging hike through a beautiful valley with views of the dramatic mountains and glaciers towering over you from all sides. The tour is a great fit for hikers in good physical condition and with some previous hiking experience

Highlights

  • Besseggen – Norway’s most popular mountain hike
  • Svartdalen – a lush paradise between high mountains
  • Delicious local food at historic accommodations

Included

  • Bus transport from/to Oslo 
  • 2x boat cruises 
  • Luggage transport 
  • Accommodation x 3 
  • Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner x 3
  • Detailed tour description 
  • Map 

Season and Price 2025

 

June – september

Daily departures between:
First arrival day: 27.06.2025
Last arrival day: 28.08.2025
(Ask for later arrivals)

Price:
Per adult in Doubbelroom:
NOK 9.750

Singel room supplement:
NOK 1.750

Map
This is the route.

Day to day

Day 1: Arriving from Oslo to Bygdin

Transport

Arrival by bus to Bygdin

Activity, 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: Hike 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 3: Hike Besseggen

Transport, Boat cruise
You will sail on Gjende Lake to Memurubu, where your hike starts (30 min).

Activity, Hike Besseggen
Duration: 7-9 hours, Distance: 13 kilometers, ↑ 1300 meters

Besseggen is one of Norway’s most popular hikes. There is a fantastic view of majestic Jotunheimen on a trip over the narrow, airy ridge. With the green Gjende 400 meters straight down on one side, and the deep blue Bessvatnet lake on the other, you will have an experience you will never forget

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT -cabin

Day 4: Departure Gjendesheim to Oslo

Departure

Bus from Gjendesheim 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 1.525
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.

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

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.

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

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.

You may also like