Hiking: Besseggen (Memurubu → Gjendesheim)

Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 7-9 hour (s)
Distance: 13 kilometers
Ascent: 1300 meters

The Besseggen hike takes you over the spectacular, steep, and some places very narrow ridge with a spectacular view over the two lakes Bessvatnet and Gjende. This view of this different colored lakes in an absolutely amazing mountain scenery with steeps cliffs and high mountains, attracts every year many thousand visitors.  

Accommodation: Memurubu

Memurubu tourist cabin is located in Jotunheimen, along Gjende, at the foot of Besseggen. From the beginning, Memurubu was a stable, with active stable operation. Today, Memurubu is a modern tourist cabin with good comfort, traditional atmosphere, and local food.

Hiking: Bukkelægret: Memurubu ↔ Gjendebu

Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 10 kilometers
Ascent: 760 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 a 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.

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.

We planned this day as a rest day after two long hiking days. But the guide can guide you to a beautiful viewpoint close to the accommodation. 

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.

Svartdalen & boat/bus to Oslo 

Hiking: Svartdalen

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

The first kilometers are an easy hike through the forest at lake Gjende, before the trail suddenly climbs up into the Svartdalen valley. This part is very steep and can be slippery under wet conditions.  Svartdalen is not an easy hike since you need to cross some streams and the trail is quite rocky and good surefootedness is an advantage. 

Cruise: M/B Bitihorn 

When you arrive at Torfinnsbu, you need to take the boat M/B Bitihorn (departure at 16:30) over Bygdin lake to Bygdin from where the bus to Oslo leaves. 

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.

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