Hike and dine Jotunheimen - Jotunheimen Travel

Hike and dine in Jotunheimen

Sail across lake Bygdin with the motorboat M/B Bitihorn to the small village Eidsbugarden. The tour between Bygdin and Eidsbugarden is a 1 hour and 45 minutes superb boat tour in itself. Once you arrive at Eidsbugarden you will have time to enjoy a lunch at Fondsbu DNT before you explore the closer region. Solbjørg, the chef is known in the region for her delicious food and her commitment to use as much as possible local produced ingredients. A round trip that fits everyone.

Highlights

Boat cruise over lake Bygdin
Local food at Eidsbugarden

Included

2x Boat ticket M/B Bitihorn (Bygdin lake)
Lunch at Fondsbu DNT
Detailed tour description

Season and price 2025

Adult: NOK 950
Child: NOK 600
0-5 yrs.: NOK 0

From 28.06.-31.08.
05.09.-07.09 & 12.09.-14.09.

Description

This round trip over lake Bygdin is a possibility to explore Jotunheimen in an easy way – the nature and local food.

The motorboat M/B Bygdin leaves at 09.05 from Bygdin and will cross in 1 hour and 45 min the lake to Bygdin until you arrive at the western end, where you will departure the boat at Eidsbugarden.

Eidsbugarden is a small village with long tradition – accessible in summer by car on a gravel road and in winter time only on ski or with snowcoaches.

Hiking possibilities are endless around Eidsbugarden. We recommend a hike to “Utsikten” – the View – that will give you a nice view over the region as the name already indicate. The hike takes 2-4 hours and is 6 km long with 410 ascent meters. Just drop into the accommodation Fondsbu DNT beforehand to arrange, when your lunch should be served – before or after your hike. At Fondsbu DNT you can get more help and recommendation for hikes in the region. If you do not want/cannot go to Utsikten, you can also wander around Eidsbugarden.

At 15.30 M/B Bitihorn will depart from Eidsbugarden with you. Enjoy the ride over this big lake with a view over the impressive mountains of Jotunheimen – the home of giants as we say, since they contain the highest summits from Norway.

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!

Program

Add-on (Bus: (Nor-Way) Beitostølen → Bygdin: 08:45 → 08:58)

Cruise: M/B Bitihorn – Bygdin -> Eidsbugarden: 09:05 – 10:50

Individual hiking tour around Eidsbugarden

Lunch at Fondsbu DNT

Cruise: M/B Bitihorn → Eidsbugarden –> Bygdin: 15:30 →17:15

Add-on: Bus (Nor-Way) Bygdin → Beitostølen: 17:25 → 17:58

Please take note of these departure times to ensure a smooth and timely journey.

Add on

Bus from Beitostølen to Bygdin return
Adult: NOK 190
Child: NOK 86
0-5 yrs.: NOK 58

Departure/Arrival

Departure: M/B Bitihorn – from Bygdin: 9:05 a.m. (09:05)

Arrival: M/B Bitihorn → Eidsbugarden –> Bygdin: 15:30 → 17:15

See more of our daytrips in Jotunheimen

Opplev Jotunheimen med oss!

Vandreturer

Fjellturer

Sykkelturer

Sommereventyr

M/B Bitihorn

Langrenn

Vintereventyr

Beltebil

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.

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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.