Foto: Visit Norway

Discover Jotunheimen: Red Route  Partially guided (8 days)

Our 8-day Red Route in Jotunheimen National Park is intended for hikers in good physical shape, who are used to walking in the mountains. On the hardest stage, to the glacier Uranostind, you go with a guide. This is an extended variant of the green route and is adapted to those who are able to climb more and who want a more challenging trip with the reward of wonderful nature experiences. 

Highlights

  • Iconic Besseggen ridge
  • Guided glacier/summit hike to Uranostinden 
  • Svartdalen – a lush paradise between high mountains
  • 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
  • Local guide Uranostind
  • Map

Season and Price

June – August – daily departures 

First arrival day: 28.06.23
Last arrival day: 20.08.23 

Price
Doubbelroom: NOK 16 995
Singelroom: NOK 18 595

Map

Here you can see the route you are hiking!

 

Day to day

Day 1: Oslo - Bygdin

Day 1: Oslo – 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 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 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 Hotel. It is one of the simpler 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 the entire Valdres region.

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.

Day 3: Svartdalen

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

Day two begins with a beautiful journey across Bygdinvannet with historic M / B Bitihorn. On board Bygdinbåten you see many of Jotunheimen’s mighty peaks towering along the water.

Hiking: Svartdalen

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

Svartdalen is a very beautiful valley with views to many 2000meter 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

Hiking: Gjendetunga (From Gjendebu)
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.

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 5: Besseggen

Boat: (Gjendebåten) Gjendebu → Memurubu:

Day two begins with a beautiful journey across Gjendevannet with Gjendebåten. On board Bygdinbåten you see many of Jotunheimen’s mighty peaks towering along the water.

Hiking: Besseggen (Memurubu ↔ Gjendesheim)
Difficulty: Difficult
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: (Gjendebåten) Gjendesheim → Gjendebu: 

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

Hiking: Veslådalen (Gjendebu → Eidsbugarden)
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 5-7 hour (s)
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 the beautiful Eidsbugarden in Jotunheimen. The cottage is widely known for its good atmosphere, hosts and great location. A popular place for hikers.

 

Day 7: Glacier hike and Uranostind

Guided tour: Uranostind
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 9-12 hours
Distance: 17 kilometers
Height at the top: 2157 meters
Ascent: 1050 meters
Descent: 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 included glacier safety equipment. 

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 8: Departure

Boat: (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 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 journey includes all transport to / from Oslo, and between accommodations.

 

Luggage transport

All luggage transport between all accommodations is included in the price, and includes:

From Bygdin Høifieldshotell to Gjendebu DNT
From Gjendebu DNT to Gjendesheim DNT
From Gjendesheim 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.  

    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)

    • Day: 1 – Bygdin Høifieldshotell
    • Day: 2 – Bygdin Høifieldshotell
    • Day: 3 – Gjendebu DNT
    • Day: 4 – Gjendebu DNT
    • Day: 5 – Gjendesheim DNT
    • Day: 6 – Fondsbu DNT
    • Day: 7 – Fondsbu DNT
    Packing list

    You will receive a packing list after ordering.

    Trails

    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. 

    You may also like