Discover Jotunheimen: Self guided tour on the green route (6 days)

Photo: Cathrine Dokken

Discover Jotunheimen: Green Route
Self-guided (6 days)

This hike is designed for hikers of average fitness levels, with some basic hiking and outdoor skills. This route takes you straight into the heart of Jotunheimen, across the beautiful Bygdin Lake, through stunning valleys and peaks with wonderful views. It is a combination of round trips and cabin to cabin stretches, which means there will be a point of no return. The tour takes you to some of the most historic accommodations in the Jotunheimen area, with delicious food and Norwegian outdoor life charm. The total route is about 50 km depending on the length of the day tours.

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
Luggage transport
Accommodation incl. Towels and linen
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Detailed tour description
Map

Season and Price

June – September – daily departures

First arrival day: 28.06.2023
Last arrival day: 22.08.2023

Price:
Doubbelroom: NOK 11 500
Singel room: NOK 13 020

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: Oslo - Bygdin

Bus: Valdresekspressen from Oslo to Bygdin

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.

Early arrival – possible hike: Synshorn
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Distance: 5 kilometers
Height at the top: 1457 meters
Ascent: 450 meters

Synshorn is located at 1457 masl 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
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: Bitihorn

Hiking: Bitihorn

Difficulty: Medium
Time: 5-8 hours
Distance: 10 kilometers
Height at the top: 1607 meters
Ascent: 600 meters

Bitihorn at 1607 masl is a classic route at Bygdin. It is one of the simpler peaks in the area and is well suited for both beginners and more mountaineers. At the top you get a fantastic panoramic view of large parts of Valdres.

Accommodation: Bygdin Høifieldhotell

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

Dag 3: Svartdalen

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

Difficulty: Challenging
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 Gjendevannet you will find Gjendebu. The hotel offers a traditional and historic atmosphere, with good local food – and is the oldest cabin of DNT, built in 1871.

Day 4: Gjendetunga

V

Hiking: Gjendetunga
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 3-5 hours
Distance: 10 kilometers
Ascent: 520 meters
Descent: 520 meters

Gjendetunga is the trip where we enjoy a shorter distance, but without missing majestic views. 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.

Day 5: Veslådalen

Hiking: Veslådalen (Gjendebu → Eidsbugarden)
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 16 kilometers
Ascent: 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
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 6: Eidsbugarden - Bygdin - Oslo

Departure day

Boatcruise: (M / B Bitihorn) Eidsbugarden → Bygdin:

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 as when you want to travel to Bergen instead 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 journey includes all transport to / from Oslo, and between all accommodations.

Luggage transportation

Luggage transport is included in the price and includes:

From Bygdin Høifieldshotell to Gjendebu DNT
From Gjendebu DNT to Fondsbu DNT

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.

Accommodation

Day: 1 – Bygdin Høifieldshotell
Day: 2 – Bygdin Høifieldshotell
Day: 3 – Gjendebu DNT
Day: 4 – Gjendebu DNT
Day: 5 – Fondsbu DNT

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.

Packing list

You will receive a packing list after ordering.