Photo: Tyin Aktiv

Discover Jotunheimen: Black Route
Partial guided (8 days) 

Join one of the more demanding hikes in Jotunheimen that suits the experienced mountain hikers in physically good shape. You will climb two peaks with a guide, Torfinnstind and Uranostind, otherwise you are self-guided on a trip through Jotunheimen’s most spectacular sights, where you experience Svartdalen, Bukkelægret and last but not least Besseggen. 

 

Highlights

  • Iconic Besseggen
  • Guided glacier/summit hike to Uranostinden 
  • Mountain lodges with good atmosphere and lovely local meals.

Included

  • Bus transport from/to Oslo 
  • Luggage transport
  • Accommodation incl. bedlinen/towels
  • Breakfast, dinner and packed lunch
  • Detailed tour description
  • Map
  • Guide hike to Uranostinden and Torfinnstinden 

Season & Price 2024

June – August
Daily departures

First arrival day: 27.06.2023
Last arrival day: 13.08.2023
(Ask for later arrivals)

Price:
Doubbelroom: NOK 23.250
Singelroom supplement: NOK 4.000

A tour package for the toughest

Our 8-day Black Route in Jotunheimen National Park has been specially put together for experienced mountain hikers, in very good physical shape, who want to push themselves! On the hardest stages, trip to the Uranostind glacier and summit trip to Østre-Torfinnstind, you go with a guide, but previous experience is still required.

Go Østre-Torfinnstind (2119 m), a steep and unique trip that takes you straight up to the top of one of the highest mountains in the area. Walk through Svartdalen, a lush paradise between high mountains. The rather tough trip combined with dramatic mountains towering over you on all sides can give the feeling of being in an old folk tale. On days with clear visibility, high (many snow-covered) peaks in the area come into view, including Knutsholstiden, which used to be considered the highest mountain in Norway. The trip from Gjendebu to Fondsbu through Veslådalen is a popular trip that connects two traditional DNT cabins, namely Gjendebu and Fondsbu.

Take a boat to Memurubu to cross Bukkelægret to Gjendebu; when you walk from Memurubu up along the ridge to Sjugurdtinden you will get an absolutely fantastic view; to the east you have Lake Gjende, to the north-west you see Memurudalen, to the west you have the mountain home and to the south, high mountain peaks. This is truly one of the best views in the area! On this trip, you will get both mountains, green nature and a bit of climbing.

On the last day, you go to the glacier, Uranostind (2157 m). On this demanding trip, you’ll cross crevasses, and you’ll also do some light climbing and scrambling.

Map

This is the route you are going!

Day to day

Day 1: Oslo - Bygdin

 

Different departure times available.

Bus: (Nor-Way) Oslo Bus Terminal → Fagernes → Bygdin: 

Different departure times available. 

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. The buses have free WiFi, power outlets with USB chargers and toilets. 

 

Accommodation: Bygdin Høifieldshotell
Right by Bygdinvannet and the pier to M/B Bitihorn you will find Bygdin Høifieldshotell. The hotel offers a traditional and historic atmosphere, with good local food. 

Day 2: Østre Torfinnstind

Boat cruise 

Day two starts with a boat trip with M/B Bitihorn to Torfinnsbu from where your hike to Østre Torfinnstind starts ((45 min) 

Guided hike 

You will meet your guide on the boat to Torfinnsbu. The guide will bring safety equipment you need to use on your climb. The hike to the summit is not difficult but partly exposed and you need to be free for fear of heights. The reward is a impressive view over Jotunheimen mountains.  

Time:  5-6 hours
Distance: 6 kilometers
Ascent: 1060 meter

Boat cruise 

Back with M/B Bitihorn to Bygdin 

Overnatting: Bygdin Høifieldhotell

Right by Bygdinvannet and the pier to M/B Bitihorn you will find Bygdin Høifieldshotell. The hotel offers a traditional and historic atmosphere, with good local food.

Day 3: Svartdalen

 

Boat: (M/B Bitihorn) Bygdin → Torfinnsbu: 

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

Hike: Svartdalen

Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 14 kilometers
Ascent: 610 meters 

Svartdalen is a very beautiful valley with views to many 2000 meter peaks and glaciers. However, it is not an easy hike since you need to cross some streams and the trail is quite rocky and good surefootedness is an advantage. At the end, a steep downhill awaits you – under wet conditions, this part can be quite slippery too. Take your time to come safe to the next cabin. 

Accommodation: Gjendebu DNT 
At 990 masl at the west end of Lake Gjende you will find Gjendebu. The DNT cabin offers a traditional and historic atmosphere, with good local food – and is the oldest cabin of DNT, built in 1871. 

Day 4: Bukkelægret

Hike: Bukkelægret: Memurubu ↔ Gjendebu

Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 760 meters

Bukkelægret is an exciting, steep walk with a longer flat section in the middle. The trip takes you along several mountain lakes and along a ridge that gives a great view over the Gjende lake. Some parts of this route are quite steep and in wet conditions slippery. At the steepest parts you can find chains you can hold yourself for extra safety. 

Accommodation: Memurubu 

Memurubu tourist cabin is located in Jotunheimen, along Gjende, at the foot of Besseggen. Memurubu is a modern tourist cabin with good comfort, traditional atmosphere, and local food 

Day 5: Besseggen

Hike: Besseggen (Memurubu → Gjendesheim)

Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 7-9 hours
Distance: 13 kilometers
Ascent: 1300 meters

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

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT 

Gjendesheim Turisthytte has a history dating back to 1878. The cabin is run by DNT and is located in the heart of the Norwegian mountains, with Besseggen as a neighbor. Here you will experience delicious local and ecologic food in a relaxed calm atmosphere.

Day 6: Veslådalen

Boat cruise 

Today you will take the Gjende-boat back to Gjendebu (45 min) to start your hike to Eidsbugarden. 

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

Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 16 kilometers
Ascent: 516 meters 

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

Day 7: Glacier hike & Uranostinden

Guided hike: Uranostind

Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 760 meters
Masl: 2157 meter

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 included glacier safety equipment. 

Accommodation: Fondsbu DNT 
At 990 masl at the west end of Gjendevannet you will find Gjendebu. The DNT cabin offers a traditional and historic atmosphere, with good local food – and is the oldest cabin of DNT, built in 1871. 

Day 8: Departure

Boatcruise: (M/B Bitihorn) Eidsbugarden → Bygdin: 11:30 → 13:15

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

Bus: Bygdin Høifjellshotel → Oslo 
Enjoy the trip home. The express buses take you straight from Jotunheimen and Valdres back to the city. On the way you will pass mountains, valleys, rivers and beautiful farms. The buses have free WiFi, power outlets with USB chargers and toilets 

Alternative:
You can choose to depart towards Bergen. Then you will take a taxi from Eidsbugarden to Tyinkrysset and from there the bus to Bergen.
Departure time Eidsbugarden: 11.25 
Arrival time Bergen: 18.00

Please contact us when you want to travel to Bergen instead of 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!

Transportation

The trip includes all transport to/from Oslo, and between accommodation.

Luggage transport

We will send your luggage (1x luggage per person) from cabin to cabin, so that you can hike just with a light day bag .

Meals

All accommodations focus on local food. At the breakfast table you will make yourself the lunch package. On request you can get as well warm tea with you on the hike. The dinner is a two to three course dinner.

Accomodation

 Standard at the accommodations is slightly different. At Bygdin you will have private bathroom. At Fondsbu DNT shared bathroom (as it is tradition at all cabins run by DNT (the Norwegian Trekking Association)

Trails and orientation

 

  • Our selected daily hikes are marked, and you will meet other hikers. The trails are narrow, often rocky and sometimes you need to cross rivers and streams.  

    For orientation, you will receive a physical map from us and a detailed tour description. On request as well gpx files for all trails. 

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