Svartdalen

The popular hiking route from Torfinnsbu to Gjendebu takes you through Svartdalen, which is often referred to as Jotunheimen’s most beautiful valley. As you hike through this lush valley, majestic towering peaks will surround you, several of which are over 2,000 feet high. Svartdalen is located in the eastern part of Jotunheimen, and takes you through the municipalities Vågå in Gudbrandsdalen and Vang in Valdres. The route is 14 kilometers long, and has an ascent of 610 meters.

Svartdalen hike

• Difficulty: Demanding

• Distance: 14 kilometers (start to finish)

• Ascent: 610 meters

• Duration: 5-8 hours

  The journey starts from Bygdin, where you follow the historic Bygdin boat M / B Bitihorn to Torfinnsbu. Here, by the shores of Bygdin, you will find the DNT cabin which has the best access to the most 2000-meter stops of them all. From here the path goes steeply up, and leads into Svartdalen. There, the terrain flattens out, and is relatively easy to walk for eight kilometers.

  During the last part of the trip, the majestic mountain Knutsholstind will be your companion. This 2342 meter high giant – also known as the king of the Gjenda Alps – was in earlier times considered Norway’s highest mountain. However, it is the 13th highest.

  When you pass this pyramid-shaped majesty, and leave the beautiful valley behind you, you embark on a very steep descent towards Gjende. About 500 meters above sea level over just a few kilometers, to be exact. When you approach Gjendebu – which is DNT’s oldest cabin – you will move through mountain sides densely covered with birch forest, and walk through beautiful flower meadows with grazing cows while the landscape opens up towards Gjendebu. As you move down the mountainside, a stop is recommended to enjoy the beautiful views of Gende’s emerald green shores.

  From Gjendebu you hop on one of the Gjende boats, which takes you to Gjendesheim, where the trip ends. The time spent on the hike through Svartdalen will be somewhere between 5-8 hours. However, since the trip depends on two boats, it only gives you 6.5 hours to complete the trip in one day. Should it prove to be difficult, you can also spend the night at Gjendebu. Located at 995 meters above sea level, in the middle of the crossing between high mountains and forests, with a rich selection of peaks and glaciers you can explore, as well as opportunities for mountain fishing, or even beach life with swimming and volleyball, it may not be a bad option in at all.

Svartdalen Jotunheimen

The mountain lakes Gjende and Bygdin, and surrounding mountain areas, are considered the birthplace of DNT, and the historically significant Norwegian mountain tourism.

The area was previously considered to be home to Norway’s highest mountain peaks, several of which have been the root of quarrels between mountain climbers in earlier times. The “King of the Gjenda Alps” was originally considered to be the region’s most demanding peak to climb, but the English mountain climber William Cecil Slingsby – who was the first to climb Store Skagastølstinden (2405 masl), and who is often referred to as “the Norwegian peak sport” father “- took a local farm girl on her journey up Knutsholstinden, to prove that” even women “could handle this.

Gjendebu has also had its name written in Norwegian music history, as Gjendine Slålien, who was born here in 1871, enchanted the world-famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg with his beautiful folk song at the end of the 19th century. Gjendine was a great inspiration to Grieg, and he used many of her folk songs in his world-famous music.

Who can walk Svartdalen 

The trip is considered demanding, and is recommended for you who are in good physical shape. Apart from the steep climb and descent at the ends of Svartdalen, the route is fairly easy.

The descent to Gjendebu is particularly steep, and becomes extra demanding if the rocks you walk on are wet and slippery.

Svartdalen History

The mountain lakes Gjende and Bygdin, and surrounding mountain areas, are considered the birthplace of DNT, and the historically significant Norwegian mountain tourism.

The area was previously considered to be home to Norway’s highest mountain peaks, several of which have been the root of quarrels between mountain climbers in earlier times. The “King of the Gjenda Alps” was originally considered to be the region’s most demanding peak to climb, but the English mountain climber William Cecil Slingsby – who was the first to climb Store Skagastølstinden (2405 masl), and who is often referred to as “the Norwegian peak sport” father “- took a local farm girl on her journey up Knutsholstinden, to prove that” even women “could handle this.

Gjendebu has also had its name written in Norwegian music history, as Gjendine Slålien, who was born here in 1871, enchanted the world-famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg with his beautiful folk song at the end of the 19th century. Gjendine was a great inspiration to Grieg, and he used many of her folk songs in his world-famous music.

Svartdalen packing list 

• Map, compass and map folder
• Fully charged mobile phone
• Nutritious food package, and fast carbohydrates
• Drinking water for several hours walk
• Wind and waterproof jacket and trousers
• Hat and mittens
• Extra change, preferably wool underwear
• Toilet paper, and toilet bag for paper
• Seat pads
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Gnawing plasters
• Simple first aid equipment

Svartdalen hikes