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Mountaineering Jotunheimen

Join us on a mountain hike to Norway’s roof! In Jotunheimen you will find most peaks over 2000 meters in Norway – Galdhøpiggen, Glittertind, Uranostinden, Falketinden, Torfinnstindane to name a few, but also Bitihorn, Synshorn and Bessegen are a favorite with many. Here you can find mountain hikes that suit all levels.

We drive you from Oslo or Bergen straight into the mountain adventure, where we also take care of luggage transport, and arranging accommodation in cozy mountain lodges, with local history and traditional dishes.

To the high peaks in Jotunheimen

With Jotunheimen Travel you can experience mountain hikes and climbs to many exciting peaks with our local guides. You can choose between day trips, or multi-day trips where you get to feel the freedom and mastery having hundreds of meters of solid rock underneath your feet.

Remember, you should be in good shape to join a mountain hike. It is mostly more than 1000 meters of altitude in very demanding terrain. In part you will cross glaciers, and on some peaks there will climbing.

Frequently asked questions about Mountaineering 

You probably have many questions when it comes to mountaineering in Jotunheimen. Here we have gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you are wondering about anything else, feel free to contact us.

What type of equipment do I need on a mountain hike in Jotunheimen?

You should bring a good day bag (20-30 l) where you have enough space for some extra clothes, a bottle of water, a thermos and food. Despite good weather, you must be aware that you usually move in areas above 1000 meters and the weather can turn quickly. When you start down in the valley, it can be warm and warm, but up at the top it can be a lot of wind and many degrees colder. It is important to be able to replace a sweaty sweater with a dry one on top so that you can enjoy the break without getting chilled before going down again. Summer wool is nice as the innermost layer. It is necessary with waterproof and windproof outerwear, mittens, hat / headband and preferably a buff. It is important to have the height of the mountain shoes that stabilize your ankles, and ensure that your feet are well protected, and have a good grip in demanding terrain. We also recommend that you bring a small first aid kit, a fully charged mobile and a charging bank.

We take responsibility for special equipment needed to cross glaciers, and climbs.

How many are in the hiking group on a mountain hike in Jotunheimen?

All our guides are certified with relevant education within the tours they guide. For simple summit hikes, there is a maximum of eight participants in the tour group. These are trips where it is relatively easy to move in the terrain, and you do not need further equipment. On our glacier trips, there are also a maximum of eight participants. On the demanding mountain hikes we offer in Jotunheimen; which involves difficult parts, rappelling or climbing with ropes, there are only two to four participants per guide. Feel free to read carefully through the tour description, where you will find more detailed information about this. For Jotunheimen Travel, it is important that you get a safe and nice experience, and we will always have your safety in focus when traveling.

Do I have to be in good physical shape to participate in the mountain hikes?

Yes, it is important to be in good physical shape when you participate in our mountain hikes. We will mostly stay above 1000 masl in occasionally demanding terrain, with steep climbs. The mountain hikes we offer vary between easier to more advanced and demanding where the mountain hike involves climbing and crossing glaciers. This is described in more detail during each trip.

Our Mountaineering hikes

 

Experience Jotunheimen with us!

Day to day

Day 1: Oslo - Lemonsjøen

Transport

Arriving by bus from Oslo to Lemonsjo

Accommodation: Lemonsjø Fjellstue

Day 2: Lemonsjøen - Ruten

Cyckling from Lemonsjøen to Ruten

Time: 3-6 hours, Distance: 59 km, ↑ 750 meters

On your first day, you will travel on a gravel road through wooded Murudalen and along several mesmerizing rivers until you come to the village of Skåbu. From there it is not far to your next accommodation.

Accommodation: Ruten Fjellstue

Day 3: Ruten - Bygdin

Cycling from Ruten à  Bygdin

Time: 4-5 hours, Distance: 63 km, ↑ 870 meters

Today you will follow “Jotunheimvegen”, cycling from wooded Espedalen towards the mountains above the treeline. You will pass many summer farms along the way and follow the big lake Vinstra. On the horizon you can see the mountains of Jotunheimen and the summit of Bithorn.

Accommodation: Bygdin Høifieldhotell

Day 4: Bygdin - Tyinkrysset

Hiking suggestion: Sysnhorn

Time: 1-2 hours, Distance: 5 kilometers, ↑ 450 meters

Synshorn is located at 1457 m.a.s.l. and offers a fantastic view of Jotunheimen. The trails are easy to walk and vary between some soft terrain and more rocky terrain near the top.

Boat: (M / B Bitihorn) Bygdin → Eidsbugarden

Cruise with the historical M/B Bitihorn over lake Bygdin (1,5 hours).

Cycling from Eidsbugarden to Tyinkrysset

Time: 2-3 hours, Distance: 23 km, ↑ 400 meters

After you reached Eidsbugarden by boat you can follow the gravel road to Tyin along the big Tyin Lake. You can do a detour into Koldedalen from Tyinholmen crossroad, to come closer to the iconic mountains like Falketinden, Uranostinden and the impressive glaciers along the way. From Tyin you cycle down the paved road to Tyinkrysset, where you can find Filefjellstuene.

Accommodation: Filjellstuene

Day 5: Tyinkrysset - Syndinstøga

Cycling from Tyinkrysset to  Syndinstøga

Time: 4-6 hours, Distance: 53 km, ↑ 974 meters

From Tyinkrysset you will follow the main road and partly the “Kingsroad” down to Lake Vangsmjøsa. From here you will follow this beautiful lake along steep hillsides until you need to climb again to reach Syndin plateau and Syndinstøga at approx.1000 m.a.s.l. This stretch is the most challenging leg of the Mjølkevegen route.

Accommodation: Syndinstøga

Day 6: Syndinstøga - Vaset

Cycling from Syndinstøga to Vaset

Time: 2-4 hours, Distance: 29 km, ↑ 423 meters

A shorter day awaits you and a more lively region with many summer farms, cabins, and farm animals on or along the gravel roads. You will reach today the Vaset region – a very popular cabin region amongst Norwegians.

Accommodation: Gomobu Mountain Lodge

Day 7: Vaset - Kamben

Cycling from Vaset to Kamben

Time: 2-3 hours, Distance: 35 km, ↑ 330 meters

From Gomobu you will follow “Panoramavegen” – like the name says with a panoramic view over the rolling and cultivated landscape of Golsmountains.  In between you have the chance to visit a summar farm and the famous café Langestølen.

Accommodation: Kamben Høyfjellshotell

Day 8: Departure

Departure

We will bring you to the bus at Fagernes (30 minutes drive)

Bus from Fagernes to Oslo

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!

 

Transportation

The journey includes all transport to / from Oslo, and between accommodations.

Luggage transport

We will send your luggage (1x luggage per person) from accommodation to accommodation, to make your daily experiences as light and easy as possible. 

Meals

Tour pension includes breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. If you want another drink for dinner or snacks / chocolate on the trip, this can be bought at the cabins. It is possible to fill the thermos with hot drinks (for a fee) and drinking bottles with water (free of charge) at all accommodation.

 

Accomodation

 

We choose our accommodations carefully with focus on cyclist specific services and delicious local food. 
All accommodations offer a place to lock your bicycle, charge the battery and have some basic tools if you need to fix your bicycle.  

Packing list

You will need a light backpack for day trips, preferably between 20 and 30 liters. A waterproof "duffel bag" for the rest of the luggage is recommended. The luggage is moved from place to place and may be exposed to rain and other elements during transport.

Wool socks, thin
Wool underwear or track underwear
Rain, and windproof jacket and trousers
Shirt, or sweater of wool or fleece
Rain, and windproof jacket and trousers
Lue
Buff / scarf
Mittens / cycling gloves
Cycling shorts / trousers
Shorts
T shirt
Indoor footwear
Extra underwear
Extra indoor pants

Toiletries
Toilet paper and clogged paper bags
Garbage bags
Gnawing plasters

Thermos and water bottles
Seat pads
Camera
Mobile
Charging bank
Sunglasses
Sunscreen

For self-guided bike rides:
Map and tour description
Map app on mobile - eg Norway map
Small first aid kit

Bicycle:
You are welcome to bring your own bike if you have one, or you can rent a bike from us.

All the bikes we rent out are mountain bikes with front dampers that are well adapted to the gravel roads you will be riding on. You can choose between a regular bike or an electric bike. If you want to cycle Mjølkevegen Nord, it is only possible to rent an electric bicycle. Helmet and repair kit are included in the rent. When you have arrived at your last accommodation, we will take care of the bike for you.

Do you have your own bike you want to bring?

It is possible to bring your own bike, subject to free luggage space on the bus. Enter the desired when ordering.

The roads along Mjølkevegen and Tour de Dovre mainly consist of gravel roads with some sections of path and asphalt. We recommend a so-called hardtail, ie a mountain bike with a front damper. We recommend tires with a little width and good studs. Electric bike is incredibly nice to ride Mjølkevegen with, then you get enough energy to enjoy the ride, and the nice surroundings around you. We also recommend having a mini tool set, patchwork for tires, and a mini bike pump. Then you have the opportunity to quickly move on if the injury should occur.

 

Bicycle rental

You are welcome to bring your own bike if you have, or you can rent a bike from us.

Renting an electric bike (Giant Talon/Giant Raom) for the Grand Tour costs NOK 5 500
Then you can rent a men's bike, a women's bike and/or a junior bike. Everyone costs the same. Junior fits height 145-165cm.

It is also possible to rent a bike trailer for NOK 1 700.

All the bikes we rent out are electric bikes with front suspention forks that are well suited to the gravel roads you will be riding on. A helmet and repair kit are included in the rent. When you have arrived at your last accommodation, we will take care of the bike for you. (It is not possible to use bikre trailer on thesse bikes).

It is also possible to rent a mountain bike (Diamant Mogul) for NOK 4 400. On these bikes you can use bike trailer, it costs NOK 3 275)

Do you have your own bike you want to bring? The roads along Mjølkevegen consist mainly of gravel roads with some sections of paths and asphalt. We recommend a so-called hardtail, its a mountain bike with front suspention fork. We recommend tyres with some width and good lugs. Electric bikes are incredibly nice to cycle Mjølkevegen with, then you get enough energy to enjoy the ride, and the nice surroundings around you. We also recommend bringing mini tool kits, patches for tires, and a mini bike pump. Then you have the opportunity to quickly move on if the accident should occur.

 

Trails

Mjølkevegen (the Milky Way) consist mainly of gravel roads. Partly you will cycle paved roads and as well single trails. You share the road with cars – but traffic is very limited. What you more often will meet are cows, goats and sheep along your way. 

The route is well marked. However, you will get the original Mjølkevegen map from us and in addition gpx files for all routes for your own navigation.