Being outdoors ourselves is one of the things that all our team members like a lot. When working on new bookings and new products having the local knowledge of the region and all its opportunities in mind is one of the key things that we can count on. One of our favourite hiking daytrips is for sure the hike through the famous Svartdalen, the black valley, here in Jotunheimen.
The cool thing about this hike is that you can combine a cool mountain hike as a round trip with two boat cruises on the two big lakes in Jotunheimen, Gjende and Bygdin.
So here we go, thit is how it is to go on this hike, like we did as a team last year in the beginning of the season to get some fresh mountain air and impressions and of course to meet some of our partners we are working with like the hosts of the lodges along the route or the staff on board of the boats.
Let’s get this hike started
You can park your car at the Bygdin Hotel like we did or of course take on of the Nor-Way busses form Beitostølen straight there. If you would like to do the hike as a daytrip you must start early and take the first departure of M/B Bithorn boat around 9:00 in the morning. Starting the trip with a relaxed boat cruise is perfect, the ideal way to calm down from hectic everyday life on board this historic boat. Grab yourself a coffee and enjoy the view to some of the highest mountains of Norway around lake Bygdin.
The relaxed cruise takes approximately 45 minutes and we disembark the boat at Torfinnsbu, which is a remote self-serviced cabin of Norwegian hiking association DNT and is located right at the shoreline of the lake.
We fill our water bottles, check our backpacks and the map for the right direction and start our hike with a moderate uphill right behind the cabin. The weather is good, the track is easy to follow and soon when reaching the top of the first ascent we enjoy a great view over the lake and its surroundings. The trail ascends continuously, leading you into the heart of Svartdalen.
As we enter Svartdalen, the terrain levels out, offering a relatively gentle path flanked by towering peaks such as Store Knutsholstinden and Svartdalspiggen. We are crossing a stream by using a comfortable bridge before we need to overcome a terrain ledge. The pulse rises a little when we reach the big lake we will follow for the next kilometers.
Truely one of the best hikes in Jotunheimen
So far, the underground and track are quite easy to hike, but of course like always in Norway, its not a maintained smooth path, so we need to take care a little to avoid slipping or fall. But when stopping and looking around the surrounding delivers: The valley’s raw beauty is accentuated by glacial-fed lakes, rushing streams and the high and rough mountain tops high above the valley
We must cross some wider streams, but luckily, we do not need to take off our shoes. Time for our lunch break has come soon after the crossings and we are having a relaxed break with the best views you can imagine.
The hike continues in easy terrain, just one river crossing separates us from the last stretch down to Gjendebu Lodge from DNT. But again, we are lucky, even if it is early in the season right after the melting of the snow the water level is good to manage, and we cross over to the other riverbank without major problems and without taking of the shoes.
The last descent to Gjendebu
Exiting the valley, we must prepare for a challenging descent of approximately 500 meters over a few kilometers. As the weather is good, we are not facing any problems while hiking downhill, but in case it is raining or foggy, then you need to be careful on this stretch and you must watch your steps. Just take your time and then you enter the landscape down by the lake that transforms into lush birch forests and vibrant meadows.
We are so happy about this cool hike! Yes, the last downhill is steep, and you need to take it slow there, but it is manageable when you follow the markings of DNT, but on the other hand, this hike, with all its great views, the rough nature and the high mountains along the route combined with the boat cruises is a great reward for the efforts! We toasted the day with a cold beer at Gjendbu before heading to the boat pier where we are stepping onboard the boat back to Gjendesheim on the other end of the lake. The cruise takes around one hour and is such a cool ending to this day. Again, the views to the high mountains around us are mind-blowing and the green glacier water in the lake is such a special contrast to the rough atmosphere of the dramatic mountain landscape here in the heart of Jotunheimen, the highest mountains of Norway.
When sitting on the bus back from Gjendesheim to Bygdin where our trip started everyone is a little tired after a long day out there in mountains, but also everyone is smiling and looking really relaxed and satisfied. We all walked together one of the most beautiful hikes here in the area, and we will come back soon, that is for sure!
If you also want to enjoy this fantastic hike, no problem, we can arrange this for you! Just check our website and we can make this happen!
