Glacier hike to Falkebreen

This experience will show you the great power of nature. You will hike on ice in differents shapes of blue that is thousands of years old and is at all times moving and making beautiful shapes and crevasses, but it is happening so slowly that you can not notice. Surrounded by the impressive summit of Falketinden, we will explore the glacier together with an experienced guide, there will teach you how to use the special equipment you will need. A glacier hike that fits average hikers and even families.

Highlights

Hike on a glacier connected to the great and iconic mountain, Falketind
Hike in Jotunheimen National Park

Included

Guide
Glacier equipment

Season & price 2023

From July to September

NOK 1 590 per person
(min. 4)
NOK 6 350 for a group (max 8 per guide)

Description

This trip got a lot of Norwegian mountaineering history. Falketind is the first alpine peak to be climbed in Norway, already in 1820. That is almost 50 years before other alpine peaks were achieved. This iconic peak stretches up from the Falkebreen and is a powerful and majestic sight. In the 60s and 70s, they used small aircraft to fly tourists up to the glacier. They would have a walk on the glacier, enjoying lunch before returning. Today this is not very legit, so we do the short hike from the valley up to the glacier. We will explore the glacier close up and enjoy the view of this big piece of ice capturing thousands of frozen years.

Map

This is the route you are going! The black line is the transfer into Koldedalen, and the red line is the hike to the glacier.

Program

How to

Meeting time at Tyinholmen: 10.00 am or after appointment.

There will be a short transfer into Koldedalen, an experience itself.

Our hike starts first by following a gravel road for some hundred meters. From here, we take off the round and start the climb up a quite steep hill on a small path up the moraine (300 ascent meters). This part can be slippery and steep.

After about 1,5 hours we will arrive at the glacier that is laying right under the steep walls of Falketinden. Here you will get an introduction to how to put on and use glacier equipment like the crampons and ice axe. Depending on the group and conditions we will do a round trip, exploring the glacier.

After returning we have time for a longer lunch before we are heading back to the car.

Practical information

Below you will find practical information about the glacier hike to Falkebreen. If you don´t find the information you need, please reach out to us by mail or call us – we will help you!

Arrival/Departure

10:00 am. at Tyinholmen, pick up
4.00 pm. Back at Tyinholmen

Adress: Eidsbugardvegen 1600, 2985 Tyinkrysset

Meals

This trip is not included lunch. After a hike like this you probably feel hungry and thirsty. Make shure to pack enough energy and water for 6 hours outside.

Accomodation

If you need accommodation before or after the trip, please let us know and we can recommend and book a place for you close by.

Equipment

You will need to wear ankle-high mountain hiking boots, and wear wool underwear, and bring worm isolation clothes including a hat and gloves. You will receive a detailed equipment list after ordering the trip. There is always a cold wind coming from the glacier, even on warm sunny days.

The guide will bring all the glacier equipment, so remember to save some space for that in your backpack. This will be a helmet, harness, crampons, and ice-axe.

Transportation

Let us know if you need a bus from Oslo or Bergen, and we will help you!

See more of our hikes in Jotunheimen

Opplev Jotunheimen med oss!

Day to day

Day 1: Oslo - Gjendesheim

Bus: Valdresekspressen fra Oslo

Transport from Oslo bus Terminal (Oslo Airport).
If you are coming from Oslo Airport, you must count about 1 hour to transfer to Oslo Bus Terminal.

If the time schedule does not fit your flight we can help with accommodation in Oslo, adding one extra night. Let us know.

Accomodation: Gjendesheim turisthytte DNT

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.

Day 2: Knutshøe

First ridge: Knutshøe

Level of difficulty: medium
Duration: 4-6 hours
Distance: 13 kilometers
Ascent: 700 meters

Knutshø is called Bessegens little brother. The mountain has a very cool shape and are exposed with lakes on both sides. The ridge has two challenge points where you will have to use all hands and feet.

Accomodation: Gjendesheim turisthytte DNT

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.

Day 3: Boat cruise to Gjendebu

Boat: Boat cruise to Gjendebu

I dag skal dere ta den flotte båtturen over Gjendevannet. Hvis dere ønsker en kortere båttur, kan dere vandre langs den første delen av innsjøen.

Alt. hike from Gjendesheim to Memurubu

Level of difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2-3 hours
Distance: 10 kilometers
Ascent: 400 meters

This hike is a nice and easy walk alongside the lake.

Accommodation: Gjendebu Turisthytte DNT
At 990 masl at the west end of Gjende Lake 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: Bukkelægret

V

Hike: Bukkelægret

Level of difficulty: Medium
Duration: 5 hours
Distance: 11 kilometers
Ascent: 850 meters

Bukkelægret is an exciting, steep walk with a longer flat section in the middle. The trip takes you through several mountain lakes packed with mountain trout - a perfect area to have lunch. The high route gives a great view over the water Gjende. In the steepest parts of this route you can hold on to the chain for extra safety, or hike an alternative route.

Accomodation: Memurubu DNT
Memurubu is a tourist hut at the end or start of the famous Besseggen hiking trail. Memurubu is originally an old mountain pasture dating back to 1872, but has had tourists just as long. Cows are still grazing around the tourist hut, which lies at the mouth of the river Muru in the valley Memurudalen.

Day 5: Besseggen

Hike: Besseggen

Level of difficulty: Medium
Duration: 6-8 hours
Distance: 14 kilometers
Ascent: 1132 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 Lake 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: Gjendebu Turisthytte DNT

At 990 masl at the west end of Gjende Lake 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 6: Gjendesheim - Oslo

Bus: Gjendesheim - Oslo

Transport from Gjendesheim to Oslo bus Terminal (Oslo Airport).
If you are going to Oslo Airport, you must count about 1 hour to transfer from Oslo Bus Terminal.

If the time schedule does not fit your flight we can help with accommodation in Oslo, adding one extra night. Let us know.

See bus departures from Gjendesheim below Practical information.

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!

Departures from Oslo

Monday-Wednesday

8.30 am – 1.05 pm

Thursdays

8.30 am – 1.05 pm
3.05 pm – 7.05 pm
5.00 pm – 9.05 pm
5.20 pm – 9.03 pm (Directly from Oslo Airport)

Friday

8.30 am - 1.05 pm
1.05 pm – 5.45 pm
5.20 pm – 9.03 pm (Directly from Oslo Airport)

Saturday

8.30 am - 1.05 pm
10.20 am – 1.35 pm

Sunday

10.20 am – 1.35 pm
12.20 pm – 4.50 pm
5.20 pm – 9.03 pm (Directly from Oslo Airport)

Luggage transport

We will send your luggage from cabin to cabin, so you only need to bring a daypack.

Departures from Gjendesheim

Monday-Friday

2.00 pm – 6.35 pm

Saturday

10.00 am – 2.45 pm
2.00 pm – 6.35 pm

Sunday

10.00 am – 2.45 pm
10.00 am -2.21 pm (Directly to Oslo Airport)
4.00 pm – 8.20 pm
5.35 pm – 10.00 pm

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 to lunch for the day. Use your beewax food wrap. It is possible to fill a thermos, check with the accommodation. Dinner will be served in the afternoon/evening.

Accomodation

Gjendesheim Turisthytte DNT:

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.

Gjendebu Turisthytte DNT:

At 990 masl at the west end of Gjende Lake, 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.

Memurubu Turisthytte:

Memurubu is a tourist hut at the end or start of the famous Besseggen hiking trail. Memurubu is originally an old mountain pasture dating back to 1872, but has had tourists for just as long. Cows are still grazing around the tourist hut, which lies at the mouth of the river Muru in the valley Memurudalen.

Trails and weather

The conditions in the autumn are wonderful, but it can also give some challenges. You need to be prepared to walk in the snow in case of snowfall. We have also described alternative routes for the steepest parts if the exposure or conditions makes it uncountable. In September, normal temperature is between 0-10 degrees.

All the paths are well-marked. The terrain varies from flat and easy to rocky and hilly. All the hikes as a short steep, exposed crux where you will have to use both legs and arms. Thou these sections can be avoided by walking an alternative route around.