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 the stunning Lake Russvatnet. As you reach the high pass of the day the ground becomes increasingly rocky with snow patches likely. The Glitterheim hut can be seen on the descent over boulderfields. A long first day but you're now in the heart of 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 the stunning Lake Russvatnet. As you reach the high pass of the day the ground becomes increasingly rocky with snow patches likely. The Glitterheim hut can be seen on the descent over boulderfields. A long first day but you're now in the heart of 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. (We give an alternative via the Veslglupen lakes which makes the day a Red grade.)
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. (We give an alternative via the Veslglupen lakes which makes the day a Red grade.)
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. The route is popular and an achievable summit for strong walkers. The route does however cross extensive snow patches 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. The route is popular and an achievable summit for strong walkers. The route does however cross extensive snow patches 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! The 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.
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! The 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.
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, at the head of its lake, we drop beside the huge waterfalls Hellerfossen.
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, at the head of its lake, we drop beside the huge waterfalls Hellerfossen.
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 in its spectacular location. On the ridge some use of the hands is needed, but the steps are solid. The long, occasionally steep, descent to the Gjendesheim hut is a great finish to the trek. We take the local bus to Otta, for a hotel and to be on the Oslo train line. (A lakeside alternative keeps the day at Red grade but misses all of the spectacular high ground.)
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 in its spectacular location. On the ridge some use of the hands is needed, but the steps are solid. The long, occasionally steep, descent to the Gjendesheim hut is a great finish to the trek. We take the local bus to Otta, for a hotel and to be on the Oslo train line. (A lakeside alternative keeps the day at Red grade but misses all of the spectacular high ground.)
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, travel further within Norway, please do ask us for recommendations.
Departure from Otta after a superb Norwegian breakfast. There are well-timed trains to Oslo via Oslo Lufthavn. Or, travel further within Norway, please do ask us for recommendations.
Options
Our 6-stage Jotunheimen Tour trip 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's not possible to shorten any of the stages but longer and shorter itineraries are possible. We describe the options in detail below but please do ask if you'd like further information.
Make the trip shorter
Making the trip shorter is possible by starting your trek at either Spiterstulen or Leirvassbu (accessible by bus from Lom) to complete the final 3-4 stages 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 or Memurubu to Gjendesheim. Due to the spacing of huts, it's not possible to shorten the actual stages. Please do just ask us if you'd like more information on either of these schedules.
Add a Rest Day
We don't include a rest day as standard on our Jotunheimen Tour trip, however, if you'd like to add in a rest day, we'd recommend taking on at Spiterstulen as this gives you the option to have a rest or climb Gladhopiggen. Pleae do just let us know if you'd like to add in a rest day to your shedule.
Make the trip longer
Option 1: Add in a day to climb Galdhopiggen
We have a number of ways in which to extend your trip. The first option is to spend an additional night at Spiterstulen where we offer the option to climb Galdhopiggen (2,469m), Norway's highest mountain as a day trip from the Spiterstulen hut. This day is graded at Black 4. Please do let us know if you'd like to add in an extra day to allow for the ascent.
Option 2: Our 8 stage trip
A great way to extend your trip is to add 2 further stages, making 8-stages 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 it's length and bouldery terrain with no visible path.
Stage 4 (extended tour): Leirvassbu to SkogadalsboenRed 3 (grade)18.5km with 80m ascent, 670m descent
This is a wonderful walk 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 wonderfully remote hut.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 5 (extended tour): Skogadalsboen to FondsbuBlack 4 (grade)23.5km with 860m ascent, 630m descent
Perhaps our toughest but most captivating day of the tour; consistently rocky and almost 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 superb Fondsbu hut.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Stage 6 (extended 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 great views. After, follow a wide, rocky valley to Gjendebu.
Mountain Hut (breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch)
Prices
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Jotunheimen Tour (Self-guided) 19 July to 29 August 2020 18 July to 28 August 2021 |
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| Dorms |
Private Rooms Groups of 2+ |
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6 stages (7 nights) |
GBP 970 Singles 40 Main Trip |
GBP 1,090 Singles 40 |
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8 stages (9 nights) |
GBP 1,170 Singles 40 Extended Tour |
GBP 1,310 Singles 40 |
Specialised schedules |
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3 stages (4 nights) |
GBP 620 Singles 40 |
GBP 720 Singles 40 |
|
|
4 stages (5 nights) |
GBP 770 Singles 40 |
GBP 870 Singles 40 |
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| 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 and each evening guests line up their flasks, labelled with their name and hot beverage of choice and miraculously come breakfast they are full. Food in the huts is chiefly Norwegian and hearty mountain food is found for dinner as you might expect! A packed lunch is also incude at every hut, made in the morning before your depart.
The huts are comfortable, spacious and organised with most offering the option for private rooms. Meals are taken at communal tables and give an excellent opportunity to dine and chat with local hikers. English is also widely spoken. As standard we'll book your final night in a local hotel in Otta. If you prefer to stay in a hut on the last night that's also no problem, just let us know when you book.
Private rooms
As standard we book dormitory places at all huts. However, 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 dictate the room type you recieve however there will always be a space for you to sleep. Unfortunately, because of the way the huts operate, it's not possible to book private rooms in the huts for solo travellers.
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 to 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, discounted stays at huts across Norway (and Sweden) and also support 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 and each evening guests line up their flasks, labelled with their name and hot beverage of choice and miraculously come breakfast they are full. Food in the huts is chiefly Norwegian and hearty mountain food is found for dinner as you might expect! A packed lunch is also incude at every hut, made in the morning before your depart.
The huts are comfortable, spacious and organised with most offering the option for private rooms. Meals are taken at communal tables and give an excellent opportunity to dine and chat with local hikers. English is also widely spoken. As standard we'll book your final night in a local hotel in Otta. If you prefer to stay in a hut on the last night that's also no problem, just let us know when you book.
Private rooms
As standard we book dormitory places at all huts. However, 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 dictate the room type you recieve however there will always be a space for you to sleep. Unfortunately, because of the way the huts operate, it's not possible to book private rooms in the huts for solo travellers.
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 to 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, discounted stays at huts across Norway (and Sweden) and also support 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 just 1 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 Norways heighest mountain (Galdhopiggen).
Alpine Exploratory's 2020 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, 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 can be pretty rocky underfoot, especially on the 8-stage hike.
Difficulty
Three stages on our normal 6-stage trek involve some Black terrain, all of which can be missed by taking paths at Red grade as described in our routecards. These are the Glittertind ascent (JHT2), the Bukkelaegret beyond Gjendebu (JHT5) and the Besseggen ridge (JHT6). The Besseggen ridge is a highlight and would be a shame to miss; 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 Black ground.
We describe the difficulties of the trail and the alternatives on our routecards and you can always ask us to describe the route in more details if you would like. While your routecards make up the walking for the trip, you are of course free to walk wherever you choose, taking side trips or going by a different route of your own choice. Please note that if you follow your own route you will have left the holiday for the duration.
Boulder field on the ascent of Glittertind (Stage 2)
For an even more detailed read, please see our Jotunheimen Tour Walking Guide
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.
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.
Reindeer on the route
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 thermous on each day walking (this would be 6 nights our main trip)
- Detailed Routecards JHT1-6 (or JHT1-8 on our extended tour) 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 the Alps)
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.
Booking form
2020 and 2021
Your holiday
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, Hannah W, Hannah G, or Nicky 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!
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| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
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