Grand Tour Jotunheimen (10-days)
The Grand Jotunheimen route, perfect for the expert hiker who wants to see it all. The route does not offer luggage transportation and is tailored with the experienced hikers in mind.
Transfer:
- Included
Meal plan:
- Hiking Board: Breakfast, Lunch to go & Dinner
Accommodation:
- Day: 1 - Vetti Gard Turiststasjon
- Day: 2 - Skogadalsbøen DNT
- Day: 3 - Fondsbu DNT
- Day: 4 - Gjendebu DNT
- Day: 5 - Leirvassbu Fjellstue
- Day: 6 - Spiterstulen turisthytte
- Day: 7 - Glitterheim DNT
- Day: 8 - Memurubu
- Day: 9 - Gjendesheim DNT
Itinerary
Agenda day 1:
Hiking: Hjelle - Vetti Gård
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hour(s)
Distance: 5 kilometers
Ascent height: 160 metersVetti can be reached by foot or by horse-carriage from the nearby Hjelle farm to the south. The scenic route between Hjelle to Vetti Gård is well marked and is more like a well groomed road than the normal trails we are used to in Jotunheimen. Vetti is no longer regularly inhabited, but it is now used as a cafeteria and bed and breakfast for mountain hikers during summer months. During your hike you will be walking next to rivers and surrounded by mountain peaks, and passing several waterfalls. The hike is suitable for all ages and fitness level.
Hiking: Vetti Gård - Vettisfossen (Round-trip)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour(s)
Distance: 3 kilometers
Ascent height: 150 metersContinue from Vetti Gård up into the beautiful Utladalen. The green wild nature and the river along the hike creates a superb scenery all the way on to Vettisfossen. With a free fall of 275 metres, Vettisfoss is the highest waterfall in Norway which has not been regulated. The short hike has some short steep parts, but is overall an easy route.
Hiking: Vetti Gard - Vettifossen peak (Round-trip)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-3 hour(s)
Distance: 7 kilometers
Ascent height: 500 metersVettisfossen is one of Norway's tallest waterfalls, and the 284th tallest in the world. Most people hike to the base of the waterfall for a view of Vettisfossen. It's also possible to hike to the top. The route and climb is longer than to the base. But while you are at Vetti Gård this is a great scenic hike to combine with any tour. On your way to the top you will get a great view of Vetti Gård and the surrounding area. Once you reach the top of the waterfall you will have a great view Utladalen. But be careful of moving too close to the edge, as there is a free fall for almost 300 meters down.
Accommodation: Vetti Gard Turiststasjon
Vetti Gard Turiststasjon is a small mountain farm, rebuilt into a classical and historic hiking station. The facilities and rooms are simple, but well maintained in a traditional style. This is a perfect location to start or end your multi-day hike, or a great destination for a hike from Hjelle as a day tour.
Agenda day 2:
Hiking: Vetti Gård - Skogadalsbøen
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 12 kilometers
Ascent height: 1021 metersAccommodation: Skogadalsbøen DNT
This little pearl lies at 14 km from the nearest road. They say that it's as if time stands still here and the peaceful and beautiful surroundings make it easy for guests to relax.
Agenda day 3:
Hiking: Skogadalsbøen - Eidsbugarden (via Mjølkedalen)
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 8-10 hour(s)
Distance: 24 kilometers
Ascent height: 900 metersAccommodation: Fondsbu DNT
Fondsbu DNT is run by Solbjørg and is located at Eidsbugarden on the bank of lake Bygdin. Here you have access to many popular hikes, inculidng glaciers hikes.
Agenda day 4:
Hiking: Veslådalen (Gjendebu → Eidsbugarden)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 5-7 hour(s)
Distance: 16 kilometers
Ascent height: 516 metersThe hiking route between the Gjendebu and Eidsbugard takes you from Lake Gjende to Lake Bygdin through Jotunheimen National Park. Starting off from the birch forest by Gjendebu you follow the Veslådalen valley before heading down to Lake Bygdin and Eidsbugard.
The hike is long but moderate with no steep ascents. Most of the trail is on soft soil and along the way are views of many of Jotunheimen’s highest peaks.
Eisbugarden and Fondsbu Lodge have welcomed royalty, celebrities, and hikers from all over the world. This region is the most-visited mountain area north of the Alps.
Accommodation: Gjendebu DNT
Gjendebu is DNT’s oldest tourist lodge, built in 1871. Its located at the bank on the West of Gjende lake, at 990 m.a.s.l. The lodge has 119 beds, good room standard and shared showers and toilets facilities. Take the boat from Gjendesheim to the end of the lake and enjoy a night or two at Gjendebu!
Agenda day 5:
Hiking: Gjendebu - Leirvassbu
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 9-11 hour(s)
Distance: 19 kilometers
Ascent height: 600 metersAccommodation: Leirvassbu Fjellstue
By the shores of Lake Leirvatnet, stunning mountain scenery and ski territory surrounds this lodge. The town of Lom is 45 km away while there is an on-site restaurant. Leirvassbu’s restaurant serves a daily 3-course menu using local ingredients.
Agenda day 6:
Hiking: Leirvassbu – Spiterstulen
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 5 hour(s)
Distance: 15 kilometers
Ascent height: 300 metersAccommodation: Spiterstulen turisthytte
Spiterstulen is a former mountain farm, now a tourist station in the valley Visdalen in Lom in Oppland, Norway. Spiterstulen lies 1,100 metres above sea level, between the two highest mountains in Norway, Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind. It is the largest tourist cabin in Jotunheimen, with around 230 beds.
Agenda day 7:
Hiking: Spiterstulen - Glitterheim via Skautflye
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 6-7 hour(s)
Distance: 16 kilometers
Ascent height: 600 metersAccommodation: Glitterheim DNT
Glitterheim DNT lies at the foot of Glittertid. From here you can access many 2000 meter peaks in the area. This is a family run accommodation, run by the Vole family.
Agenda day 8:
Hiking: Glitterheim - Memurubu
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 7-9 hour(s)
Distance: 19 kilometers
Ascent height: 500 metersAccommodation: Memurubu
Memurubu can be found at the end or start of the famous Besseggen hiking trail. The lodge is originally an old mountain pasture dating back to 1872. The lodge is accessible by boat from Gjendesheim, or by hiking th famous Besseggen trail.
Agenda day 9:
Hiking: Besseggen (Memurubu ↔ Gjendesheim)
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 7-9 hour(s)
Distance: 13 kilometers
Ascent height: 1300 metersThe popular Besseggen ridge is a route route of about 6-8 hours (breaks included). The Besseggen hike takes you over the spectacular, steep, and some places very narrow trails which plunge four hundred meters straight down into the lake below.
Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT
Gjendesheim has a long history all the way back to 1878. The cabin is run by DNT and located in the heart of the Norwegian mountains, with Besseggen as its neighbour.
Agenda day 10:
Bus: (Nor-Way) Gjendesheim → Oslo: 17:30 → 22:07
Time: 4 hour(s)Ride with Valdresekspressen!
Enjoy the scenic journey through the countryside roads passing, through small towns and surrounded by lakes and fields. As you get further into the country, you will see the mountains in the distance and before you know you’ll find yourself climbing the steep roads that take you straight into the national park. The coach has adjustable seats, free WiFi, outlets with USB charging ports and toilet facilities on board.