Kayak trip Bygdin - Jotunheimen Travel

Kayak trip in Jotunheimen

Join us on a kayak trip in the heart of the Norwegian mountains with our skilled and friendly guides. This day trip starts in Oslo, and after an afternoon full of experiences at Bygdin near our beautiful national park Jotunheimen, we lead you back to Oslo in one of our comfortable buses. We plan an introduction with basic training in the use of kayaks, where we paddle into the canal towards Bygdisheim and experience the beautiful nature around from the water.

Highlights

Kayak tour with guide
Spectacular scenery
Comfortable bus journey

Included

Guided kayak tour
Transport from/to Oslo

Season and price

9.07.-20.08.

Wednesday, Thursday

Adult: NOK 2490
Child: NOK 1 990 (14-17 years)
Min. 2 pax

Kayak adventure at the lake Bygdin

At the mountain lake Bygdin we offer a fantastic trip in a kayak together with a guide. Our guides are approved activity leaders from the Norwegian Paddle Association, who have followed the wet card ladder, and we offer the trip in safe surroundings. An introduction is given to participants prior to each trip. Bygdin is a mountain lake in Vang municipality in Innlandet county, Norway, located at about 1060 meters above sea level. It is located in the southeast of Jotunheimen. Bygdin is regulated as a reservoir for Øvre and Nedre Vinstra Power Plants, with a regulation height between 1,048 and 1,057 metres above sea level. The lake has an area of 40 km², and it is long and narrow – as the crow flies 25 km long. The greatest depth is 215 meters.

Requirements for participation: Must be able to swim
The duration of the trip is about 4 hours. You must expect some time afterwards for clean-up and shifting.

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!

Program

The tour starts by bus from Oslo bus terminal to Bygdin Høyfjellshotell.

Meet up in the banquet hall in the basement of Bygdin Høyfjellshotell after arrival, where equipment will be handed out and you will get to know our guides. There is a cloakroom with the possibility of changing and showering inside the hotel. We plan an introduction with basic training in the use of kayaks, where we eventually paddle into the canal towards Bygdisheim and experience the beautiful nature around from the water. We arrange for a small lunch on one of the beaches, so you should bring something to eat. It is also important that you bring enough drinks yourself in the kayak. If more than 8 m/s in wind speed is forecast, we can cancel the trip at Bygdin.

After the kayak trip, the bus goes comfortably back to Oslo bus terminal.

Equipment

For safety reasons, rental of dry suit, neoprene shoes and mittens is included in the price. It is important to dress according to the Norwegian temperatures. The water at Bygdin is very cold throughout the summer. The basic idea is that you dress for the water temperature. You will be sent a packing list when you have booked the trip. Pack everything in a waterproof packing bag so that the equipment does not get wet on the trip. We have a limited number of packing bags for rent.

During the kayak trip we arrange for a small lunch on one of the beaches, so you should bring something to eat. It is also important that you bring enough drinks in the kayak.

Good to know

Meal

We arrange for a small lunch on one of the beaches, so you should bring something to eat. It is also important that you bring enough drinks yourself in the kayak. Remember to bring some food for the bus trips as well.

Route

We paddle along the canal towards Bygdisheim and experience the beautiful scenery around from the water. If more than 8 m/s in wind speed is forecast, we can cancel the trip at Bygdin.

Equipment list

Will be sent to you when ordering the tour.

See more of our daytrips in Jotunheimen

Opplev Jotunheimen med oss!

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.