HIKING IN NORWAY AND JOTUNHEIMEN
Welcome to the heart of Norway! Lace up your hiking boots and join us on a hike in Jotunheimen or one of our other hiking destinations. From day trips to multi-day hikes, we offer self-guided trips for every level and taste! Experience our majestic, unique Norwegian mountains from the deep, lush valleys and fjords to the highest peaks. Learn about the rich history of our region, feel the freedom while on the trail and create memories for a lifetime. We drive you from Oslo or Bergen straight into the mountain adventure, where we also take care of luggage transport (where possible), and arranging accommodation in cozy mountain lodges, with local culture and traditional dishes.
Very important for you to know: Even though you find a specific program to each hike, we are more than open to change things up a bit according to your needs! Need a day or two more at one accommodation? Want to include a guided glacier hike in between hiking days? Or take away one night? Tell us about your ideas and we make it happen for you. Get in touch with us at [email protected]
Our Hikes in Jotunheimen
Jotunheimen is our home turf – here we are the locals and experts to offer you premium outdoor trips in the light of a sustainable approach to self-guided and guided active adventures. Our heart beats for the rough peaks and majestic valleys of this spectacular national park. We are eager to show you around and take you on a trip that holds memories for a lifetime for you! Take a look at our mostly self-guided hikes in Jotunheimen, including luggage transport and comfortable lodging.
Jotunheimen National Park – literally translating to the “home of the giants” – is home to most of the highest peaks in the whole country of Norway, including Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind. It has been known for its rich centuries-long mountaineering culture, but since trails are well accessible, hikers of every level from around the world enjoy spectacular hikes such as the famous Besseggen ridge.
The traditional mountain lodges play a huge role inside the trail network of Jotunheimen as a gathering spot for mountain enthusiasts. The oldest is Gjendebu, which was opened 1871.
Multi-Day Hikes in Jotunheimen
Our key products! From short overnighter to crossing the whole mountain range: We arrange a fantastic hike for you in Jotunheimen between 2 and 8 days – all including accommodation, luggage transport and transfer from/to Oslo or Bergen. If you look for a guided hike, please contact us at [email protected].
Day Hikes in Jotunheimen
Looking for a short, nice getaway or escape from everyday life? Our daytrips make for a great adventure in the middle of the mountains! We can arrange accommodation before and after your trip, arrange guiding where needed and take care of luggage transport, if applicable – all so you can have a carefree and memorable adventure day!
Sognefjord
Sognefjord in Western Norway is the country’s longest and deepest fjord, stretching over 200 km with steep mountains, waterfalls and scenic villages. It connects to UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and lies near several national parks, offering hiking, kayaking, fjord cruises and cultural experiences. The region is recognised as a Sustainable Destination and many local businesses hold the Eco-Lighthouse certification. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport, choose certified providers and practice low-impact travel while exploring the fjord landscape and cultural heritage responsibly.
Our Hikes At Sognefjord
Femundsmarka
Femundsmarka National Park in Norway is one of the oldest and largest continuous wilderness areas in southern Scandinavia, spanning forests, lakes and wetlands. Protected since 1971, it supports rare plant and animal species and offers hiking, canoeing and fishing in unspoiled nature. Visitors are encouraged to respect wildlife and vegetation and follow rules to minimise impact. Local information centres provide guidance on culture, landscape and responsible outdoor practices, reinforcing sustainable use of this protected area.
Our Hikes in Femundsmarka
Rondane & Dovre
Rondane and Dovre National Parks in Innlandet, Norway, include Norway’s oldest national park (est. 1962) and the expansive Dovre wilderness, both protecting high mountain plateaus, diverse flora and fauna, and one of Europe’s last wild reindeer habitats. The landscape of peaks, valleys and trails offers low-impact outdoor activities year-round. Visitors are encouraged to follow marked routes and visitor rules to minimise disturbance to wildlife and fragile vegetation, preserving natural and cultural values for local communities and future generations. Musk ox safaris are carried out by knowledgeable guides who prioritize not to disturb the animals by keeping a suitable distance.
Our Hikes in Rondane and Dovre
Langsua
Often referred to as Jotunheimen’s little sister, Langsua National Park in Norway is a protected area of low mountains, forests and wetlands with rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Established in 2011, its landscapes include birch and old-growth conifer woods, rare plants and varied wildlife. Visitors can hike, cycle and ski on marked trails, and learn about historic land use.
Transport options include bus and train to nearby towns, with guidance on responsible behaviour to protect nature and cultural values.
Our Hikes in Langsua
Skarvheimen
Skarvheimen is a high mountain area between Jotunheimen and Hardangervidda in southern Norway, known for varied landscapes of broad valleys, rugged peaks and traditional mountain routes. It offers extensive hiking and ski touring networks with marked trails and cabins managed by DNT, enabling low-impact multi-day outdoor experiences.
Historic mountain paths and accessible transport options, including rail and bus, support sustainable visitation. Its natural openness and cultural heritage make it a valued destination for responsible mountain tourism.
Our Hikes in Skarvheimen
Inspired by DNT – Our Special Cabin-to-Cabin Hikes for Adventurers
For everyone who is looking for an adventurous self-guided cabin-to-cabin hike in original Norwegian style, this collection is for you! These trips are a little bit different from the majority of our hikes. Curious? Check out the page behind the link below.
Inspired by DNT
As a proud partner of Den Norske Turistforening (DNT), the Norwegian Trekking Association, we offer a collection of hikes along the network of traditional DNT mountain cabins. Our goal is to provide you with the most authentic hiking experience, the core of Norwegian mountain culture.
General Information: Hiking Trails in Norway
We at Jotunheimen Travel want to make it easy for you to experience Norway’s magnificent hiking trails. So this is why we not only arrange everything around your hiking in Norway, but also want to give you some impressions and facts on what it is like to hike here in the summer time.
1. Norway’s Highest Peaks in Jotunheimen
In Jotunheimen, you hike amongst the highest mountains of the country, reaching up to over 2400 masl. Some of them are “just” a challenging hike and don’t require climbing. Do you like to include a summit trip to Norway’s highest mountain Galdhøpiggen in your trip? Give us notice!
2. Be prepared
Even in the high summer season, you can expect rapid changes of weather or drops in temperature in the mountains. Always have some extra clothing and a rain jacket in your daypack, in order to stay warm and dry when you need it.
3. Water everywhere!
You don’t need to carry your body weight in water when hiking in Jotunheimen. In the countless streams and mountain rivers, you find the clearest water to drink from. Just have you cup or bottle handy and endulge! (Be aware of lemming years, you need to be more conscious about where to take water there). Read more in our FAQs below.
4. Hiking From Lodge to Lodge
In Norway’s popular hiking areas and beyond, you find a network of trails connecting cabins and lodges, which everyone can use for a magnificent multi-day trip with overnight stays in the mountains. The lodges can be private or run by the DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association).
5. Glacier Hiking in Norway
We will not be able to see glaciers with our own eyes forever, so this is your chance to walk on this ancient ice and experience exciting glacier hiking in Jotunheimen with us! We provide guiding and all equipment for the hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Hikes
Do I need to carry all my luggage on my Jotunheimen hike?
No! Jotunheimen Travel takes care of your luggage between the various accommodations, so that you can enjoy your trip with just a small backpack.
Luggage transport and handling are included in all our mountain hikes in Jotunheimen.
How demanding is it to be on a hike in Jotunheimen in the summer?
When you are on a mountain hike in Jotunheimen, you will stay mostly over 1000 meters. For this reason the climate can vary quite a bit – from sunny and warm days where you just want to jump in every single water you encounter along the way, to windy, wet and cold days where you need warm and waterproof and windproof outerwear.
An equipment list will be provided to you when you book with us.
When you are on a self-guided tour you will walk on well marked trails and it will be easy to find. The trail can go over marshes, you may have to cross some small streams, and there can be a lot of wet trail parts and rocks that can be demanding to walk in. It is important not to underestimate the challenges, and read carefully through tour descriptions. We have trips for most people, and probably also a trip that suits you.
Where do I spend the nights?
On a trip with us in Jotunheimen, you will spend the night in selected, cozy high mountain hotels and DNT cabins.
For us, it is important that you feel safe when you arrive, that you can relax after a long day with a lot of impressions outside, and that you can enjoy a good night’s sleep, so that you are ready to continue the adventure with new forces the day after.
All our guests basically stay in double rooms. Most accommodations have en suite bathrooms. in some cases, when there is a large demand for accommodation, you can expect to share a room with others. In that case, we will notify you when ordering.
Read more about our cozy mountain lodges:
Bygdin Høifieldshotel
Fondsbu DNT
Memurubu DNT
Gjendesheim DNT
Gjendebu DNT
Now, you probably wonder what a DNT cabin is?
A DNT cabin is run by the The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). They run more than 550 cabins all over Norway!
What about food on the Jotunheimen hikes?
We believe that the meals are a big part of the experience on the trip, therefore the accommodation places serve you good local food in cozy surroundings. A rich breakfast buffet is served daily, providing enough energy for a long day in the mountains. Here you can make a packed lunch, and bring a hot drink in a thermos. In the evening, a 2-3 course dinner is served, which for most people will be one of the highlights of the trip.
All food and beverages are included in the price. There are usually opportunities to order a la carte food, and buy snacks and other items at the accommodation if you want something extra.
What do the color categories of the hikes mean?
We offer different tour categories on our hikes. The tours are adapted to different levels, so you can find the tour that suits you best. The tours take you on everything from the finest trails, to the most beautiful valleys and summit hikes, with unforgettable views.
The White Route is best suited for beginners. The walks are nice and short, with low climbs, but the views are still amazing!
The Green Route is adapted for walkers with somewhat more experience. The trips are longer, and some are also day trips.
The Red Route is challenging and has more summit trips than the green route. All trips are day trips.
The Black Route is a demanding multi-day trip. It includes two very demanding, guided summit hikes, where extra equipment is needed to reach the peaks.
Is there always mobile coverage?
No, mobile coverage is not always available in the mountains. In more remote areas and valleys, signal can be weak or non-existent. It’s best to be prepared for limited or no mobile coverage during parts of your trip in Jotunheimen.
What shoes should I bring?
The terrain can be challenging, you should bring sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support, a waterproof membrane (like Gore-Tex), and durable soles with strong grip. These will provide protection, stability, and comfort on rocky and wet trails.
Can I drink water from the streams/rivers?
Yes, in most areas, stream and river water is safe to drink, but with a few precautions:
- Ensure the water is running and clear.
- Check that the water has no smell or unusual taste.
- Avoid water near animal feces or dead animals (e.g., dead lemmings).
- Avoid water near grazing animals or water with runoff from agricultural areas.
Are there shelters for having a break?
The hikes or daily stages we provide are never so long that you won’t reach your destination or need to find shelter to take a break. The area is part of a national park, meaning it is protected and characterized by vast, untouched nature. If you need to seek shelter along the trails for any reason, it’s always a good idea to look for large rocks or trees that can provide some cover.
How are the trails?
The trails in Jotunheimen vary in difficulty. Well-marked and maintained trails are common for popular routes, ranging from easy, flat paths to steep and rocky terrain. Some tracks may involve crossing rivers or snowfields, especially at higher elevations.
How is the marking?
The trails in Jotunheimen are well-marked with red T’s painted on rocks and cairns. These markings make it easy to follow the paths, even in more remote areas. Signposts are often placed at key intersections, showing distances and directions to cabins or destinations.
Which Routing–App is recommended?
You can use various apps, but the one we currently recommend is Komoot.
Can I have GPX Files for the routes?
You will receive the GPX files along with your tour description and voucher at the latest 1-2 months before departure.