Photo: Anne Katrin Taagvold

Gjende Ridges – Knutshøe and Besseggen

4 Days | Self-guided | Autumn | Hiking | Jotunheimen

Immerse yourself in the wonderful autumn tones of Jotunheimen! Safely hike along the exposed ridges enjoying breathtaking views. After hiking, relax with local delicacies at your cozy accommodation. Experience the perfect blend of serenity and excitement as you explore fantastic places during the quieter time of the year. 

Highlights

  • 2 famous and spectacular ridges

  • Autumn colours

  • Local food

Included

  • Bus transport from/to Oslo

  • Boat cruise

  • Transfer to/from Knutshøe
  • 3x Accommodation incl. breakfast and bedlinen/towels 

  • 3x Dinner

  • 3x Packed lunch

  • JVB App with access to maps, tracks, vouchers and all necessary travel documents

  • Organizational support and backup from our team
  • CO2 compensation

Season and Price 2026

August – September

Daily departures

Last arrival day:
11 September 2026

Price
Adult (double room): NOK 9.500
Single room suppl.: NOK 2.000 
Children (12-16 yrs): NOK 7.500

Autumn in Jotunheimen

Designed for outdoorsy adventurer, this trip let you experience two of the most beautiful ridges in Jotunheimen – Besseggen and Knutshøe. Autumn is an enchanting season in Norway and the perfect time of the year to visit this region: soft colours, quiet paths paired to snow-sprinkled tops. Shall we talk about the views? Peaks starting from 1517 up to 1743 m.a.s.l. paired with the lakes Gjende and Bessvatnet, 400 metres below; no wonder that the National Geographic has chosen this area as home to some of the best hikes in the world! Experience the perfect blend of serenity, physical exercise and excitement as you explore the fantastic landscape. This package ensures an extra touch of warmth, comfort, and alternative routes for steep sections, in case if the conditions become too challenging. An unforgettable autumn getaway for a long weekend in the mountains.

Map

This is the route:

Day to day

Practical information

Day 1: Oslo - Gjendesheim

Transport: Arrival by bus in Gjendesheim

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT-Lodge

Meals: Dinner

 

Day 2: Knutshøe

Transport: transfer to the departure of the hike

Activity: Hike Knutshøe
Time: 4-6 hours, Distance: 13 km, ↑ 550 m

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

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT-Lodge

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 3: Besseggen

Transport: Start the day with a boat cruise to Memurubu

Activity: Hike Besseggen 
Time: 7-9 hours, Distance: 14 km, ↑ 1000 meters

Besseggen is one of Norway’s most popular hikes. On the whole hike, you will have fantastic views over the green coloured Gjende Lake, glaciers and high mountains. The Besseggen Ridge itself looks steep but is doable for everybody without fear of heights. This is a long hike with a lot of ascent meters that will give you long-lasting memories.

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT-Lodge

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner

Day 4: Departure

Transport: You catch the bus from Gjendesheim and back to Oslo.

Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch

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

Extra night in Oslo – Price on request
We recommend you starting your stay with a night in the Norwegian capital for a more relaxing start of your trip in addition to enjoying the vibrant city of Oslo. This gives you more flexibility in case of flight delay or missing suitcase. Let us know if you want us to take care about it.

Important details

To fully enjoy your hiking adventure in the mountains, 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, sunscreen and sunglasses. It is not recommended to wear trail running shoes, everyday shoes or sneakers. You need to be prepared to walk in some 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.

Accommodation

At the DNT-lodges, you will meet a traditional mountain atmosphere where the rooms have bunk beds and bathrooms and showers are in the hall.

Gjendesheim DNT-Lodge:
Gjendesheim Turisthytte has a history dating back to 1878, ten years after DNT was established. The hut is run by DNT and is located in the heart of the Norwegian mountains. Across the water from the restaurant you will see some old log cabins, one of them is Jo Gjende´s cabin. Jo Gjende (1794 – 27 February 1884) was a Norwegian outdoorsman and freethinker. He is believed to have been the model for Henrik Ibsen´s Peer Gynt. A famous photo of Jo is in the picture book.

Meals

Gjendesheim offers food based on local ingredients. For breakfast there will be buffet. Here you also need to make yourself a packed lunch that you bring to lunch for the day. It is possible to fill a thermos, check with the accommodation. Dinner will be served in the afternoon/evening.

Route

Our selected daily hikes are 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 an access to our JVB-app before travelling. This one contains GPX-files, itineraries description and detailed information for your trip.

 

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.

Equipment list

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

Transport

Travel green. 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.

Experience the convenience of choosing from various departure times and travel destinations along our express bus routes. Share your travel plans with us, and we’ll take care of the arrangements, ensuring a stress-free experience for you.

See more of our autumn hikes

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.

Equipment list

We will send you equipment-list when ordering. 

Opplev Jotunheimen med oss!

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