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Jotunheimen Tour
Arrival day: Arrive at Gjendesheim
The long-distance bus from Oslo calls at Gjendesheim, the largest hut in the DNT network and one of the main ways into the Jotunheimen National Park. This is a large hut, more like a hostel, beside the road and beautiful Lake Gjende.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
The long-distance bus from Oslo calls at Gjendesheim, the largest hut in the DNT network and one of the main ways into the Jotunheimen National Park. This is a large hut, more like a hostel, beside the road and beautiful Lake Gjende.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 1: Gjendesheim to Glitterheim
Red 3 (grade) 21km with 950m ascent, 565m descent
From Gjendesheim it's a stiff ascent North, away from the lake, crossing moorland before following the sandy shore of lake Russvatnet. As you reach the high pass of the day the ground becomes increasingly rocky with snow patches likely in early Summer. The Glitterheim hut can be seen on the descent over boulderfields. It's a long first day but you're now well into the Jotunheimen National Park.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Red 3 (grade) 21km with 950m ascent, 565m descent
From Gjendesheim it's a stiff ascent North, away from the lake, crossing moorland before following the sandy shore of lake Russvatnet. As you reach the high pass of the day the ground becomes increasingly rocky with snow patches likely in early Summer. The Glitterheim hut can be seen on the descent over boulderfields. It's a long first day but you're now well into the Jotunheimen National Park.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 2: Glitterheim to Spiterstulen
Black 3 (grade) 15.5km with 1100m ascent, 1380m descent
Today is an exciting ascent of Glittertind's snowy summit. Ascend from the Glitterheim hut to meet the snowline and climb gradually to the flat summit. The descent to Spiterstulen is long, rocky and in places very steep. (Our routecards give an alternative via the Veslglupen lakes which makes the day a Red grade; this is a worthy day in its own right and involves much boulder-hopping.)
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Black 3 (grade) 15.5km with 1100m ascent, 1380m descent
Today is an exciting ascent of Glittertind's snowy summit. Ascend from the Glitterheim hut to meet the snowline and climb gradually to the flat summit. The descent to Spiterstulen is long, rocky and in places very steep. (Our routecards give an alternative via the Veslglupen lakes which makes the day a Red grade; this is a worthy day in its own right and involves much boulder-hopping.)
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Optional Stage: Ascent of Galdhopiggen from Spiterstulen
Black 4 (grade) 12km with 1440m ascent, 1440m descent
This optional day's walk is an out-and-back ascent from Spiterstulen. This stage is not included as standard in our main trip so please do ask if you'd like to add this in; we then book a second night at Spiterstulen for a 7-stage trip. The route is popular with Norwegian walkers and is an achievable summit for strong walkers, not involving technical terrain. The route does however cross extensive snow slopes near the summit, even in high Summer. The summit view is exceptional. A small manned hut at the summit serves coffee, snacks and souvenirs. Galdhopiggen (2,469m) is something of a pilgrimage for Norwegians and you will see many more walkers coming from the Juvashytta glacier route to the North.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Black 4 (grade) 12km with 1440m ascent, 1440m descent
This optional day's walk is an out-and-back ascent from Spiterstulen. This stage is not included as standard in our main trip so please do ask if you'd like to add this in; we then book a second night at Spiterstulen for a 7-stage trip. The route is popular with Norwegian walkers and is an achievable summit for strong walkers, not involving technical terrain. The route does however cross extensive snow slopes near the summit, even in high Summer. The summit view is exceptional. A small manned hut at the summit serves coffee, snacks and souvenirs. Galdhopiggen (2,469m) is something of a pilgrimage for Norwegians and you will see many more walkers coming from the Juvashytta glacier route to the North.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 3: Spiterstulen to Leirvassbu
Red 3 (grade) 15km with 425m ascent, 75m descent
Enjoy a less challenging day after yesterday's endeavour! Our path follows the wide valley, ascending gradually and surrounded by walls of glacier-formed peaks. Eventually pass beside a string of small lakes and under the sharp peak Kyrkja before arriving at the Leirvassbu hut. This large hut serves one of the best 3-course meals of our Norwegian huts. Outside, incongruously for the mountains, sits the bus to Oslo which arrives in the evening and departs in the morning.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Red 3 (grade) 15km with 425m ascent, 75m descent
Enjoy a less challenging day after yesterday's endeavour! Our path follows the wide valley, ascending gradually and surrounded by walls of glacier-formed peaks. Eventually pass beside a string of small lakes and under the sharp peak Kyrkja before arriving at the Leirvassbu hut. This large hut serves one of the best 3-course meals of our Norwegian huts. Outside, incongruously for the mountains, sits the bus to Oslo which arrives in the evening and departs in the morning.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 4: Leirvassbu to Gjendebu
Red 3 (grade) 18km with 250m ascent, 650m descent
A short, stiff climb leads to the Hogvaglen pass and the revelation of the long valley ahead. Pass the turning to Olavsbu and an isolated hut on a promontory in the lake. Before the final valley descent to Gjendebu we drop beside the huge waterfalls Hellerfossen. Finally Gjendebu is perhaps the best sited of our huts at the head of lake Gjende. Watching the afternoon ferry is great fun: it feels like here we are shipping in and out of the mountains.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Red 3 (grade) 18km with 250m ascent, 650m descent
A short, stiff climb leads to the Hogvaglen pass and the revelation of the long valley ahead. Pass the turning to Olavsbu and an isolated hut on a promontory in the lake. Before the final valley descent to Gjendebu we drop beside the huge waterfalls Hellerfossen. Finally Gjendebu is perhaps the best sited of our huts at the head of lake Gjende. Watching the afternoon ferry is great fun: it feels like here we are shipping in and out of the mountains.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 5: Gjendebu to Memurubu
Black 3 (grade) 10km with 580m ascent, 575m descent
Steep rocky paths guard a plateau at either end, especially steep on the way up from the shore of lake Gjende. This is the well-known Bukkelaegret, helped by chains. The middle section of the day gives high and wild views to the North. Arrive at Memurubu in a grassy setting by the shore. (An alternative path misses the ascent of the Bukkelaegret and makes the day a Red grade.)
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Black 3 (grade) 10km with 580m ascent, 575m descent
Steep rocky paths guard a plateau at either end, especially steep on the way up from the shore of lake Gjende. This is the well-known Bukkelaegret, helped by chains. The middle section of the day gives high and wild views to the North. Arrive at Memurubu in a grassy setting by the shore. (An alternative path misses the ascent of the Bukkelaegret and makes the day a Red grade.)
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 6: Memurubu to Gjendesheim
Black 3 (grade) 14km with 1100m ascent, 1100m descent
On the last day we take in the famous Besseggen ridge. After a stiff ascent away from the Gjende lake, the path continues over rocky ground with dramatic views over the lake. The rocky path comes to the foot of the Besseggen ridge, famous within Norway and enjoyed as a Summer daywalk by so many. On the ridge, some use of the hands is needed, but the steps are solid and the situation exceptional above the lakes. The long, occasionally steep, descent to the Gjendesheim hut is a worthy finish to the trek. We take the local bus to Otta, for a hotel and to be on the Oslo train line ready for the morning. (A lakeside alternative keeps the day at Red grade but misses the spectacular ridge.)
Hotel in Otta (breakfast)
Black 3 (grade) 14km with 1100m ascent, 1100m descent
On the last day we take in the famous Besseggen ridge. After a stiff ascent away from the Gjende lake, the path continues over rocky ground with dramatic views over the lake. The rocky path comes to the foot of the Besseggen ridge, famous within Norway and enjoyed as a Summer daywalk by so many. On the ridge, some use of the hands is needed, but the steps are solid and the situation exceptional above the lakes. The long, occasionally steep, descent to the Gjendesheim hut is a worthy finish to the trek. We take the local bus to Otta, for a hotel and to be on the Oslo train line ready for the morning. (A lakeside alternative keeps the day at Red grade but misses the spectacular ridge.)
Hotel in Otta (breakfast)
Departure Day from Otta
Departure from Otta after a superb Norwegian breakfast. There are well-timed trains to Oslo via Oslo Lufthavn. Or, to travel further within Norway, please ask us for recommendations.
Departure from Otta after a superb Norwegian breakfast. There are well-timed trains to Oslo via Oslo Lufthavn. Or, to travel further within Norway, please ask us for recommendations.
Options
Our 6-stage Jotunheimen Tour is suitable for strong hikers who are happy to walk for long distances over uneven terrain for consecutive days. Due to the spacing of huts along the trail, it isn't possible to shorten any of the stages, but longer and shorter itineraries are possible. We describe the options in detail and please ask if you'd like more information.
Make the trip shorter
Making the trip shorter is possible by starting your trek at either Spiterstulen or Leirvassbu (each accessible by bus from Lom) to complete the final 4 stages (from Spiterstulen) or 3 stages (from Leirvassbu) of our classic 6-stage route back to Gjendesheim. It is also possible to skip the final 2 stages along lake Gjende by taking the ferry from Gjendebu to Gjendesheim. (Due to the spacing of huts, it isn't really possible to complete the entire route in fewer than our normal 6 stages.)
Add a rest day
We don't include a rest day as standard on our Jotunheimen Tour; however, if you'd like to add in a rest day, we'd recommend taking one at Spiterstulen as this gives you the option to have a rest (maybe taking the morning bus to Lom and afternoon bus back) or to climb Galdhopiggen. At 2,469m Galdhopiggen is Norway's highest mountain and can be summitted on a day trip from the Spiterstulen hut. This day is graded at Black 4. Please let us know if you'd like to add an extra night here.
Make the trip longer
A great way to extend your trip is to add 2 further stages, making 8stages in total (9 if you also include the ascent of Galdhopiggen). This fantastic extended tour would see you hike to Leirvassbu as normal and then split off to walk to Skogadalsboen, Fondsbu and then Gjendebu before completing the final 2 stages as normal. It's worth noting that the stage from Skogadalsboen to Fondsbu is probably the toughest of the whole tour due to its length and its bouldery terrain, often with no visible path.
Hike with a leader
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and all arrangements taken care of. You're welcome to walk on any dates within our season and we can adjust the hike to suit your needs. Please ask for more details.
Stage 4 (8-stage Tour): Leirvassbu to SkogadalsboenRed 3 (grade)18.5km with 80m ascent, 670m descent
This is a wonderful walk at an easier level though the Gravdalen valley following a lush network of waterways. The path then traverses the side of the Utla valley through birch trees, gaining height as the views open up. Skogadalsboen is a full-serivce but remote hut, something special in its atmosphere.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 5 (8-stage Tour): Skogadalsboen to FondsbuBlack 4 (grade)23.5km with 860m ascent, 630m descent
Perhaps our toughest but most captivating day in the Jotunheimen; consistently rocky and mostly pathless underfoot. Ascend from the valley onto a high plateau where a rocky valley leads to a beautiful pair of lakes. At the far side, descend to Eidsbugarden at the head of lake Bygdin, with the superbly organised Fondsbu hut.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 6 (8-stage Tour): Fondsbu to GjendebuRed 3 (grade)15km with 400m ascent, 450m descent
A fine all-round day in the Jotunheimen on solid paths. The route follows lake Bygdin before ascending to cross a plateau with wide Norwegian views. The path is solid underfoot. After the plateau follow a wide, rocky valley to Gjendebu.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Prices
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Jotunheimen Tour 17 July to 27 Aug 2022 and 15 July to 26 Aug 2023 |
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| Dorms |
Private Rooms Groups of 2+ |
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| Self-guided | |||
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3 stages (4 nights) Long-weekend |
GBP 720 Singles 40 |
GBP 780 Singles 40 |
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6 stages (7 nights) |
GBP 990 Singles 40 |
GBP 1,110 Singles 40 Main Trip |
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8 stages (9 nights) Extended Tour |
GBP 1,170 Singles 40 |
GBP 1,310 Singles 40 |
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| Private guided | |||
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6 stages (7 nights) Group of 4 or more |
GBP 1,690 Singles 40 |
GBP 1,810 Singles 40 |
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8 stages (9 nights) Group of 4 or more |
GBP 2,070 Singles 40 |
GBP 2,210 Singles 40 |
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Smaller group Group of 1, 2 or 3 |
Please ask us | ||
| Options | |||
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Baggage transfer |
Not available | ||
Accommodation
Where we stay
The Norewgian hut system is possibly our favourite of any nation and typifies the Norwegian culture. For example, it is expected that you will be trekking with a thermos flask, as is the Norwegian way. Each evening guests line up their flasks on a trolley, labelled with their name and hot beverage of choice and miraculously come breakfast they are full. Food in the huts is chiefly Norwegian; it's hearty mountain food for dinner as you might expect! A packed lunch is also incuded at every hut. Guests make sandwiches from the breakfast buffet and wrap them in special DNT greaseproof paper. There is an art to the Norwegian hut sandwich!
The huts are comfortable, spacious and organised with most offering the option of private rooms. Meals are taken at communal tables and give an excellent opportunity to dine and chat with local hikers. Norwegians are proud of their excellent English. As standard we'll book your final night in a hotel in Otta. If you prefer to stay your last night in the Gjendesheim hut, this is an option and please ask us.
Private rooms
At all huts apart from Skogadalsboen, there is the option for private rooms which we can book for you if requested. At Skogadalsboen, we are unable to fix the room type you recieve; however, there will always be a space for you to sleep. Unfortunately, because of the way the huts operate, for solo hikers it is not possible to book private rooms.
Single Supplement
The single supplement covers the difference in cost between a single room and a double room on a per person basis and is only added for a single room at the hotel in Otta on your final night.
DNT Membership
We are delighted to be able to include membership of the Norwegian DNT as part of your trip cost. The DNT (Den Norske Turistforening) is the Norwegian trekking and travel association and your membership will be valid for the year of your trip. Membership allows us (and you) to access discounted rates at huts and this saving is accounted for in our prices. Memebership also gives you benefits like discounts in DNT shops and discounted stays at huts across Norway (and Sweden), and also supports the maintenance of the national parks.
In the run-up to your trip we will ask the date of birth of everyone in your group, as it's required for the DNT membership, and also a phone number to which your membership details can be texted. You can then use the DNT app on your Android or iPhone to show your membership to hut wardens and others.
The Norewgian hut system is possibly our favourite of any nation and typifies the Norwegian culture. For example, it is expected that you will be trekking with a thermos flask, as is the Norwegian way. Each evening guests line up their flasks on a trolley, labelled with their name and hot beverage of choice and miraculously come breakfast they are full. Food in the huts is chiefly Norwegian; it's hearty mountain food for dinner as you might expect! A packed lunch is also incuded at every hut. Guests make sandwiches from the breakfast buffet and wrap them in special DNT greaseproof paper. There is an art to the Norwegian hut sandwich!
The huts are comfortable, spacious and organised with most offering the option of private rooms. Meals are taken at communal tables and give an excellent opportunity to dine and chat with local hikers. Norwegians are proud of their excellent English. As standard we'll book your final night in a hotel in Otta. If you prefer to stay your last night in the Gjendesheim hut, this is an option and please ask us.
Private rooms
At all huts apart from Skogadalsboen, there is the option for private rooms which we can book for you if requested. At Skogadalsboen, we are unable to fix the room type you recieve; however, there will always be a space for you to sleep. Unfortunately, because of the way the huts operate, for solo hikers it is not possible to book private rooms.
Single Supplement
The single supplement covers the difference in cost between a single room and a double room on a per person basis and is only added for a single room at the hotel in Otta on your final night.
DNT Membership
We are delighted to be able to include membership of the Norwegian DNT as part of your trip cost. The DNT (Den Norske Turistforening) is the Norwegian trekking and travel association and your membership will be valid for the year of your trip. Membership allows us (and you) to access discounted rates at huts and this saving is accounted for in our prices. Memebership also gives you benefits like discounts in DNT shops and discounted stays at huts across Norway (and Sweden), and also supports the maintenance of the national parks.
In the run-up to your trip we will ask the date of birth of everyone in your group, as it's required for the DNT membership, and also a phone number to which your membership details can be texted. You can then use the DNT app on your Android or iPhone to show your membership to hut wardens and others.
Route
Our approach to the Jotunheimen TourThis Tour is a wonderful circuit of the Jotunheimen National Park visiting the main valleys of the National Park and experiencing the best of hiking available, in one week. We link fantastic catered huts with solid days of walking in the amazing Norwegian scenery. We also offer the option, as an additional extra, to climb Norway's heighest mountain (Galdhopiggen).
Alpine Exploratory's 2021 research on the Jotunheimen Tour will be led by Steph Ward in July
The Terrain
The terrain encountered on the Tour varies greatly. Most days are generally a combination of good paths, and boulder fields where progress is slower and care must be taken. On these sections the path is less well defined but cairns mark the way, generally visible on the horizon for navigation in poor visibility. Small streams are quite common and mostly easily crossed. Throughout summer there is a good chance of snow patches lying on the higher paths (and the snow slopes of Glittertind are guaranteed) but the lower paths are likely to be snow-free. There are also short sections of scrambling where hands will be needed for stability. These sections are within the realm of normal mountain walking and are not via ferrata.
Is it for me?
If you’re a confident hiker with experience of mountain walking and navigation then you should love the Norwegian hiking style. We recommend extra care when considering the Jotunheimen for those with old injuries or niggles in their knees and ankles that tend to get worse on uneven terrain, as the terrain is more consistently rocky underfoot than our other trips, especially on our 8-stage hike.
Difficulty
Three stages on our normal 6-stage trek involve some Black-graded terrain, all of which can be missed by taking paths at Red grade as described in our routecards. These are the Glittertind ascent (routecard JHT2), the Bukkelaegret beyond Gjendebu (JHT5) and the Besseggen ridge (JHT6). The Besseggen ridge is a highlight and it would be a shame to miss it; we can advise further on its difficulty.
Our 8-stage trek includes a fourth section of Black terrain, being the extensive bouldery ground around Uradalsvatnet and Kvitevatnet (JHT8) that is difficult to bypass. Thus we recommend our 8-stage trek only to parties happy with especially bouldery and rocky ground.
Jotunheimen Tour Walking Guide - more about the trail
The making of our Jotunheimen Tour - photos from our research trips
How to get there
Your holiday starts at the roadside mountain hut Gjendesheim and ends in the small town Otta. The most convenient airport is Oslo with Bergen also feasible. Travel to Gjendesheim is on the excellent Norwegian bus network and from Otta the train goes quickly to Oslo.
Of special note about the Jotunheimen Tour is that travel must be carefully planned so as not to need an extra day. This is because, unlike on our Alpine routes, Norwegian buses and trains run 2 or 3 times a day as opposed to every hour throughout the day. We make sure your arrangements are suitable and we are here for advice any time. As an example, the Oslo to Gjendesheim bus runs in the afternoon and we advise by what time to arrive by air. On the way back from Otta, you can plan afternoon flights from Oslo after a certain time.
If your plans include extra time in Norway then travel times are less critical. Please let us know your ideas and we'll be glad to advise what to see in Norway, and how to get about.
At Alpine Exploratory we travel widely in the countries we visit and we love to try unusual routes to the mountains, so equally we love to advise hikers on their travel plans.
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We take care to give the most useful notes possible about all the travel options. We supply these both on booking and in your info pack, and we offer personalised tips at any point. The aim is that our trekkers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
Included
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at each hut plus a packed lunch and a refill of your thermos flask on each day walking (this would be 6 nights our main trip)
- Detailed Routecards JHT1-6 (or JHT1-9 on our extended tour plus JHT10 for the ascent of Gladhopiggen) of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- The 2 topographical hiking maps needed
- Membership to the Norwegian DNT for the year of your trip
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive 'Season Update' following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (9am until 9pm in Scandinavia)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Local transport whilst on the trip unless specified
- Travel insurance
- Additional snacks and drinks not specified above. Evening meals in the towns (this would be 1 night on our main trip; in Otta)
- Baggage transfers (not available on this route)
Baggage transfer
Although baggage transfer isn't available on this hut-based trip, it's no problem to leave your baggage at the Gjendesheim hut while you trek. There is one possibility of luggage, using the ferry along lake Gjende. This can be organised on the ground and we give details in the info pack.
Got questions about the Jotunheimen Tour?
Feel free to ask us any questions you have about any aspects of your planning and preparations! Lucy, Steph, Nicky, Dan and Rob will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time walking our routes and more broadly exploring ski and hiking trails around the world so do feel free to ask anything at all.
  Jotunheimen Tour enquiry form
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If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time Monday to Friday |
| Australia | 02 8319 2266 |
| Canada | 416-548-4819 |
| New Zealand | 04 889 4515 |
| USA | 646-757-1102 |
Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Along with the UK, our best-represented countries are the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Please use our national-rate numbers for a cheaper call to contact our office in Edinburgh.
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Spiterstulen to Leirvassbu on Stage 3
Alpine Exploratory
+44 (0)131 214 1144
