Foto: Mountains of Norway

Discover Jotunheimen: Svartdalen

Daytrip- Selfguided

The popular hiking route from Torfinnsbu to Gjendebu takes you through Svartdalen – meaning “The Black Valley” –, which is often referred to as the most beautiful valley in Jotunheimen. You will first take M/B Bithorn to cross lake Bygdin to reach the start of your hike and when you arrive at Gjendebu, the next boat passage over lake Gjende awaits you. Included bus transfer from Beitostølen return. 

Highlights

  • Hiking in Jotunheimen National Park 

  • Boat cruise over lake Bygdin and lake Gjende 

Included

  • Bus from Beitostølen/return
  • Boat ticket M/B Bitihorn (Bygdin lake) 
  • Boat ticket Gjende (Gjende lake) 
  • Detailed tour description 
  • Map

Add on
Accommodation x 1, incl.
dinner, breakfast, packed lunch and luggae transport

Season 2024

June – September

Daily departures
First arrival: 28.06.2024
Last arrival: 01.09.2024

Extra dates:
6, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15. 09.2024

Price
Adult: NOK 799
Child, 12-17 years: NOK 399

Add-on:
Person in double room NOK 1.999

 

Map

This is the route

Svartdalen

Program

Transport, bus
Bus from Beitostølen to Bygdin in the morgning. (About 15 minutes).

Departure at 8.45 am

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

Departure at 9.05 am

Activity, Hike Svartdalen (the Black Valley)
Time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 14 kilometers, ↑ 610 meters

Svartdalen is a very beautiful valley with views of many 2000-meter peaks and glaciers. However, it is not an easy hike since the trail is quite rocky and good surefootedness and poles are an advantage. In the end, a steep downhill awaits you – under wet conditions, this part can be quite slippery too. Take your time to come safely to the next cabin.

Transport, Boat cruise
You will sail on Gjende Lake to Gjendesheim. (About 45 minutes).

Departure at 4.25 pm

Transport, bus
Bus from Gjendesheim to Beitostølen. (About 40 minutes).

Departure at 5.30 pm

(Day 2)

Optinal stay at Gjendebu DNT-cabin

If you do not want to think about reaching the boat from Gjendebu, where you have to do the hike in 6 hours and 30 minutes, you are welcome to stay one night at Gjendebu before you take the boat and bus back to Beitostølen on day 2.

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!

Add- on

Stay a night at Gjendebu DNT-Cabin

You are welcome to stay one night at Gjendebu. The DNT accommodation consists of several cabins and a main house with a beautiful dining room, with good local food – This is the oldest cabin of DNT, built in 1871.

Important details

To fully enjoy your hiking adventure in the mountainous areas, it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and local temperatures. For a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we recommend wearing warm, waterproof clothing, sturdy mountain hiking boots that provide ankle support, and sunscreen and sunglasses. It is not recommended to wear trail runners, everyday shoes, or sneakers. We also recommend bringing hiking poles in this type of terrain.

(Luggage transport)

If you decide to stay one night at Gjendebu, we will send your luggage to your cabin from the bus, so you only need to bring a daypack on your hike.

(Accommodation)

Gjendebu DNT-cabin:

At 990 m.a.s.l. at the west end of Gjende Lake, you will find Gjendebu totally remote except for access by hiking or boat. The DNT accommodation consists of several cabins and a main house with a beautiful dining room, with good local food. In the Dnt cabins, you will meet a traditional atmosphere where the rooms have bunk beds and bathrooms and showers are in the hall. – This is the oldest cabin of DNT, built in 1871.

Meals

You must bring all the food you need for a long day out hiking from Beitostølen. That said, there are kiosk goods at Bygdin Høyfjellshotell by the pier at Bygdin (little time) and Gjendebu DNT cabin.

When they stay at Gjendebu, they 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 for the day. Upon arrival you will receive from us a packed lunch you can use to pack lunch. It is possible to fill a thermos. Dinner is served in the afternoon/evening.

Route

The route is well-marked, and you will meet other hikers. The trails are narrow, often rocky, and sometimes you need to cross rivers and streams. Therefore, we recommend ankle-height mountain boots and hiking poles.

You will receive a physical map and gpx files from us on arrival and a detailed tour description for orientation.

Difficulty

Medium
Kilometer: up to 15 kilometers
Ascent: up to 1000 ascent meter
Terrain: Varied trail, where longer sections are hilly and rocky, there may also be sections with exposed terrain.

On these trips, there is mountainous terrain, and there can be long ascents and descents. The tours are usually around 5-7 hours. It can be rocky and demanding surfaces, which require that you are in normal to good physical shape. On some of the tours, there may be exposed parties, but most of these are possible to avoid by choosing another variant

Equipmentlist

When you book with us, we’ll provide you with a packing list to ensure you have all the necessary clothing and gear.

Transport

Bus
Beitostølen – Bygdin:
08.45 am – 09.00 am

Boat
Bygdin – Torfinnsbu:
9.05 am – 10.00 am

Boat
Gjendebu – Gjendesheim:
4.25 pm – 5.15 pm

Bus
Gjendeheim – Beitostølen:
5.30 pm – 6.pm
                             

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