Discover Jotunheimen:
The Classic Circuit

8 days, self-guided

This is the ultimate roundtrip in Jotunheimen, where you do a round tour through whole Jotunheimen National Park. Made for experiences hikers who can hike several days in a row without breaks.
One free day can be used to climb Galdhøpiggen – as a guided combined glacier hike or by yourself.

Highlights

  • Jotunheimen National Park
  • Besseggen
  • Unspoiled nature
  • Possibility to climb Galdhøpiggen

Included

  • Bus from Oslo to Jotunheimen and back
  • Luggage transport
  • Accommodation 7x
    Bedlinen and towels
  • breakfast, dinner, packed lunch x7
  • Cruise with Gjendebåt
  • Detailed tour description
  • Map
  • Jotunheimen Travel beeswax food wrap

Season and Price 2025

June – August
– daily departures 

First arrival day: 28.06.2025
Last arrival day: 12.08.2025

Other dates on request.

Price:
Per person in doubbelroom:
NOK 19.500

Singel room supplement:
NOK 1.700

Map

Description

This is an escape away many dream about – a hike in the house of giants, the renowned mountain area of Jotunheim! Enjoy the views and test your body in the raw Norwegian wilderness, whilst we arrange luggage transport, accommodation and meals!
This is a round trip for hikers not afraid to commit! We start big, with one of the more demanding hikes already planned for the first day, more than 20 km from Gjendesheim to Glitterheim! But fear not, you will have the chance to admire the unspoiled nature of Norway along different trails… At the Spitertsulen mountain hut, you can choose to give your body a well-deserved pause, or challenge your hiking skills; why not venture until the highest peak of the country, Galdhøpiggen? In case you feel extra adventurous you can even attempt a guided glacier hike to the summit! A superb combination, and our local guides will give you more insights to Jotunheimen, too.
Got enough height thrills? Now it’s the time for colour contrasts at lower latitudes! We descend towards the lake Gjende and the Besseggen ridge, area of popular hiking trails among Norwegians.
From Gjende you will take a short cruise to Memurubu, to the next hiking adventure! Even though not as tall as the previous peaks, Besseggen has a lot of admirers, and nothing to envy to higher mountains in terms of challenges!

Are you interested in an adapted program? Do you want to hike Bukkelægret too or add the glacier hike to Galdhøpiggen? Let us know, we can adjust the program to design your dreams.
However, whilst planning any extra activities during the schedule, remember that it’s important not to overdo it and to schedule a rest day; the trails in Jotunheimen are rocky and tough and can be a tough cookie, even for the toughest hikers.

Day to day

Day 1

Travel from Oslo to Jotunheimen

Welcome to Norway and to the “Grand Tour”! Your adventure starts in Oslo, where you will take the JVB bus from Oslo city center in the direction of Gjendesheim, where you will have the first touch with the Norwegian reality of DNT cabin huts, popular lodging for locals when venturing in the wilderness.

Transport; bus ride from Oslo Bus Terminal to Gjendesheim

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT. Established in 1878, is placed on the western side of the lake Gjende. The hut is run by the Norwegian Trekking Association and is popular among locals and tourists for its variety of activities in hikes, ski courses, and trail cycling.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2

Activity: hike Gjendesheim – Glitterheim.
Time: 8 hours, Distance: 22 kilometers, Ascent: ↑ 1000 meters

Your first hike of the tour follows the trail from Gjendesheim to Glitterheim, bordering the lakes Bessvatnet and Russvatnet in direction of the Jotunheim area. This hike is a lengthy one – 22 km with two demanding rises for a total ascent of 1000 meters – but the views are incomparable! Don’t forget to admire the view from Hestlægre pass!

Accommodation: Glitterheim DNT. Mountain hut is renowned for offering hikes over 2000 m.s.l. heights, fishing and canoeing possibilities, the cabin has its own smoking house, and stabburet. It is accessible only by hiking, skiing and cycling, but there’s the possibility for motorized transport during the winter.

 

 

Dag 3

Activity: Hike Glitterheim – Spiterstulen
Duration: 6-8 hours, Distance: 16 kilometers. Ascent: ↑ 400 meters

From Glitterheim, you will take a popular trail, which – although a bit demanding – do not present a very steep ascent.
You will cross the river Steinbuelve to turn west, along the foot of Ryggjehøe and from there, cross through mountain passes and rivers, and then downhill towards the Spiterstulen cabin at 1106 m.a.s.l.! Be aware that the last part towards Spiterstulen can be quite steep.
Extra challenge needed? Ascend the second-highest mountain of the country, Glittertind! You will have to elevate an extra 650 ascent meters before reaching today’s destination!

Accommodation: Spiterstulen. Former shepherd farm in the Visdalen valley, it’s the biggest cabin lodge in the Jotunheim area. It has a strategic position, between the highest and the second-highest mountains of Norway – Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind – which makes it attractive to hikers wishing to challenge themselves with altitudes over 2000 m.a.s.l. or with daily tours to the glaciers around the cabin.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

 

Day 4

Activity: Rest day or 2 alternative hikes

We are mountain people, we love being in nature and to challenge ourselves, but it’s equally important to give the body a bit of much needed pause; so why not unwind at Spiterstulen, whilst the eyes feast on majestic views?
Still with ants in your pants? Then why not check out these 2 optional hikes?

Alternative 1: Hike to Galdhøpiggen.
Time: 9 hours, Distance: 12 kilometers, Ascent: ↑ 1500 meters

Norway’s highest mountain! The proper aim to achieve on a hiking vacation! Be aware though, this is a long hike with a steep ascent, but worth the effort!

Alternative 2: Guided glacier hike via Svelnosbreen to Galdhøpiggen
Time: 12 hours, Distance: 12 kilometers, Ascent: ↑ 1500 meters

Wanna go out of the comfort zone? Try our hike over the Svelnos glacier! Don’t worry, we will provide all the necessary equipment, you just have to buckle up the harness, lace the crampons and follow your guide up to the «Eventyrisen» («Fairytale ice» in Norwegian) glacier to Galdhøpinggen. We’re sure you will have your daily share of thrills!

Accommodation: Spiterstulen

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Day 5

Activity
Hike: Spiterstulen – Leirvassbu
Time: 5-7 timer, Distance: 15 km, Ascent: ↑100

Today we descend south-west of Galdhøpinggen, following the glacier river Visa, towards the border between Innlandet and Vestlandet. This is not a long trail, but be aware that the terrain can be a bit rocky; we will cross two rivers and a short mountain pass before reaching our destinations. You will be immersed in fairytale sceneries, vibrant colours and fresh air… What better input for a nice hike in the heart of Norway?

Accommodation: Leirvassbu. Built in 1873 by one of the founders of the Norwegian Trekking Association, it is surrounded by more than 50 mountain peaks over 2000 m.a.s.l. and it’s a common stopping spot for every hiker, skier or mountain lover who needs a pause from modern rhythms.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed lunch and Dinner

Day 6

Activity
Hike: Leirvassbu – Gjendebu
Duration: 6-8 hours, Distance: 19 km, Ascent: ↑ 200 metres

Today we follow the ways of water… your hike has a quite flat terrain, but what lacks in height thrills, it’s compensated by the presence of lakes and rivers. Nice, relaxing water white noise as a background for the amazing views before reaching the Storåe valley… with this zen-like sounds, arrive your local hut with fresh mind and just in time for dinner!

Accommodation: Gjendebu DNT. Active since 1871, it’s the oldest cabin of the DNT, located on the eastern side of the lake Gjende, and accessible by trail or boat. It is celebrated for its jaw-dropping scenery, which cleanse the mind and test the body of anyone brave enough to venture the hikes available in the surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Day 7

Activity
Transport: Boat cruise
You will sail with one of the boats at Gjende Lake to Memurubu, where your hike starts (30 min).

Hike Besseggen
Time: 7-9 hours, Distance: 14 kilometers, Ascent: ↑ 1100 meters

Height thrills, open ridges from where the eyes can wander almost undisturbed, hues of green and blue from the lakes… Besseggen is without doubts one of the most popular trails in Norway, and we can understand why… Although with some minor difficulties at the beginning of the hike and a lot of ascent meters, those brave enough to test themselves will be rewarded with crisp air, and views worth of the best photographers!

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT-cabin. Established in 1878, it is placed on the western side of the lake Gjende. The hut is run by the Norwegian Trekking Association and is popular among locals and tourists for its variety of activities in hikes, ski courses, and trail cycling.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Day 8

Transport: Bus from Gjendesheim to Oslo

What to say? Ridges, lakes, rivers and the highest mountain of Norway… You’ve done it! You’ve experienced nature as just Vikings – or locals – would have done it! Not many can claim to have hiked on their own around Jotunheim, the house of the giants, therefore, be proud!

Options: take the bus to Bergen instead! Wanna experience the least Norwegian city in Norway? Hop off from the bus at Flåm and take the Express boat to Bergen; you will arrive at 08.45 pm, after a refreshing cruise along the deepest fjord of Norway. Bergen has attracted visitors and merchants since the Middle Ages and it’s known for its vibrant and cultural atmosphere! Sounds interesting? Let us know, we will help you arrange the transfer and accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast

 

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

Guided glacier hike to Galdhøpiggen
NOK 1.795

If you want to experience this combined glacier hike and hike to Norways highest summit, you can do so on your rest day. But be aware, that this is a long hike that takes up to 10 hours.

Add a night at Memurubu, to hike Bukkalægret
Ask for rate.

In the standard program, you will take the boat between Gjendebu and Memurubu skipping this wonderfull edge. Want to hike them all? Add a night at Memurubu, you will not regret it!

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 or Bergen
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. If you would like to explore Bergen we can take you there also. 

    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 Leirvassbu and Spiterstulen you will get a private bathroom with a toilet and shower. In all other cabins, you will meet a traditional atmosphere where the rooms have bunk beds and bathrooms and showers are in the hall.

    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.

    Glitterheim DNT-cabin
    Glitterheim is a Norwegian mountain lodge situated in a scenic location and accessible only by hiking or skiing. It offers stunning views, a peaceful atmosphere, and a unique experience for those seeking adventure in nature.

    Spiterstulen Turisthytte
    Spiterstulen is a mountain hut located in Jotunheimen National Park, Norway, and is known for its stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and peaks, as well as being a popular starting point for hikers climbing Galdhøpiggen, the highest mountain in Norway.

    Leirvassbu DNT-cabin
    Leirvassbu stands out for its stunning location in the heart of Jotunheimen National Park, surrounded by towering mountains, glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes. The hut offers a cozy and comfortable retreat for hikers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts, with excellent food and accommodations. Leirvassbu is also a hub for guided tours and outdoor activities, such as glacier walks and summit hikes, making it a perfect base for exploring the wilderness of Norway.

    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.

     

    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

    Medium – Hard
    The daily hikes are between 13 and 22 km and up to 1200 ascent meters per day. In addition, you will meet challenging rocky trails and you need therefore to be sure-footed. There is one rest day after the first two hiking days and the last day can be skipped by using a boat.

    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.

    You may also like