Included: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 7-day trekking tour in Jotunheimen (5 days of hiking) Accommodation for 6 nights in mountain lodges (dormitory accommodation) All breakfasts and dinners, plus a packed lunch you assemble yourself at breakfast each morning Return bus ticket from Oslo to the meeting point at Gjendesheim lodge DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) membership, valid until the end of the year, which brings discounted prices at DNT cabins, access to unstaffed cabins, a quarterly magazine, and other discounts around Norway Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout) Private room upgrade (in two- or three-bed rooms where available) Bed linen and towel hire at each lodge (saving you from carrying a sleeping bag liner and towel) Not included: Transportation to Norway Flights or travel to Oslo Drinks and snacks Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above Insurance — recommended, available at checkout Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

In order to join this Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour, excellent fitness is required as well as regular hill walking experience . The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 25 km (15.5 mi) , with up to 1,100 m (3,609 ft) of elevation gain . The long days and the big climbs never land on the same day, but you should still be ready for up to 9 hours of walking on your feet. Nights are spent in mountain lodges, so you only carry what you need for the trek rather than camping gear, though the Besseggen ridge on the final day is technical and exposed. This is one of the tougher trips your guides run, so get in touch if you’re unsure whether it suits you. Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover our collection of hiking adventures in Norway !

What do I need to bring?

Since you’ll be sleeping in mountain lodges, you can travel light on this Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour. Water bottles get refilled and packed lunches get made at breakfast, but you still need enough kit for several days of hiking. Most people keep their pack down to 7-8 kg (15-18 lbs) , plus water. Gear: Backpack big enough to carry everything, around 30L Water bottles (1-2 L) Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner — possible to rent at checkout Travel towel — possible to rent at checkout Trekking poles (optional) Phone, charger, plus a Euro adaptor if needed Clothing & footwear: Sturdy hiking boots Waterproof jacket Waterproof trousers Warm jacket T-shirts or base layers Jumpers or long-sleeve tops Long trousers (shorts are fine too, but bring long trousers as well) Spare underwear and socks Warm hat Sun hat or cap Sunglasses Other: Sunscreen Toothbrush and toothpaste Soap, shampoo, or shower gel (a solid shampoo bar saves weight) Any personal medication Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: It takes a minimum of 2 people for this Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour to operate. The usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The usual group is 4-8 people , and the maximum group size is set at 8 participants . Jotunheimen National Park hiking tours can be arranged for larger groups, contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18 , you’re good to go. Minors older than 16 may be permitted to join the Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. The trip is not suitable for children under 16 . If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy room available?

This Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour is based on dormitory accommodation, but a private room upgrade can be arranged at an additional fee where the lodges have them. You can add it to your booking at checkout. If you choose to upgrade, expect that two or three people booking together will share a two- or three-bed room. Solo travelers will be booked into a single room where available, though the lodges may ask you to share a two-bed room with another guest, as that’s their own policy. If private rooms aren’t available at every lodge on your dates, your guides can discuss a partial upgrade covering the ones that are.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour is Gjendesheim lodge , at the eastern end of Gjende lake. To get there, most people fly into Oslo Airport (OSL) . A return bus ticket from Oslo to Gjendesheim is included, along with clear instructions for the journey. Since everyone arrives at different times of day, your guides won’t travel with you on the bus, but you’ll all meet up at Gjendesheim lodge on the arrival day.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Gjendesheim to Glitterheim over Hestlægerhøe — Hiking in Norway

Jotunheimen | Norway

Jotunheimen Trekking Tour: 7-Day Hut-to-Hut Hike to Besseggen

Name: Jotunheimen National Park Hiking: Hut to Hut
Brand: 57hours
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

7 days | Challenging | 5.00

From $2,040 ()

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Jotunheimen is where the giants lived, according to Norse legend, and after a day on these ridges you’ll see why the stories stuck. Think of the Scottish Highlands scaled up: peaks close to 2,500 m (8,202 ft), glaciers hanging off their flanks, and long green valleys that let you walk right through the middle of it all. Over five days we trek hut to hut above Lake Gjende, sleeping in Norway’s famously comfortable mountain lodges and finishing on the Besseggen ridge, a narrow rock edge squeezed between two lakes of completely different colors. Expect long Nordic evenings, big days on foot, and a light pack. Fit hikers will love this one!

Ian

UIMLA Mountain Leader, BASI Ski Teacher, Rock Climbing Instructor

Adventure Highlights

Besseggen ridge finale: We finish on Norway’s most famous ridge walk, with emerald Gjende on one side and deep blue Bessvatnet on the other
Sleep in Norwegian mountain huts: DNT lodges mean hot dinners, proper beds, and a pack that stays under 8 kg (18 lbs)
Sorted from Oslo onwards: Your return bus ticket to Gjendesheim, all breakfasts and dinners, packed lunches, and DNT membership are included

Duration

7 days

Season

July through August

Group size

Up to 8 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

This is a seven-day loop that starts and finishes at Gjendesheim, at the eastern end of Lake Gjende. You'll travel out from Oslo by bus on the arrival day and meet the group at the lodge that evening. From there we cross passes, follow lakeshores, and drop through long valleys to a different mountain lodge each night: Glitterheim, Spiterstulen, Gjendebu, then Memurubu. Days run from 11 to 24 km (7 to 15 mi) and up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of climbing, with up to nine hours of walking. The Besseggen ridge is the finale, with a lakeside alternative if the weather turns.

Day 1: Arrival day: Oslo to Gjendesheim

Arrival day: Oslo to Gjendesheim — Hiking in Norway

Make your way to Oslo, where a bus ticket to Gjendesheim is waiting for you. Since everyone arrives at a different hour, your guides won’t ride along, but you’ll get clear instructions for the journey well in advance. Once you reach the lodge at the end of Gjende lake, the rest of the evening is yours to settle in, meet the group, and watch the long Nordic summer light work its way across the water. Dinner is at the lodge, and an early night is a good idea before the first big day on the trail.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Gjendesheim Lodge

Day 2: Gjendesheim to Glitterheim over Hestlægerhøe

We get going with a climb over the eastern slopes of Veslfjellet, and the views over Gjende open up almost straight away. Look left and you’ll spot the Besseggen, a teaser of what’s coming on day five. The climb brings us to the shore of Bessvatnet before we drop down to Russvatnet, then we follow that lakeshore for a good while with nothing but remote, wide-open scenery around us. A final pull over the Hestlægerhøe pass delivers us to Glitterheim Lodge, where dinner and a bunk are waiting. It’s a long day, so we’ll pace it and take our time.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Distance: 23 km (14.3 mi)
Elevation: +900 m (+2,953 ft) / -500 m (-1,640 ft)
Accommodation: Glitterheim Lodge

Day 3: Glitterheim to Spiterstulen via Veslglupen pass

Glitterheim to Spiterstulen via Veslglupen pass — Hiking in Norway

A shorter day, and a chance to walk in the shadow of Norway’s giants. Our route crosses the Veslglupen pass just south of Glittertinden, once the country’s highest mountain until its summit glacier melted away and knocked it into second place. As we drop into Visdalen, Galdhøpiggen, the current title holder, stands right ahead of us. The path then swings left and descends gently through the valley to Spiterstulen Lodge. With fewer kilometres underfoot, there’s time to stop, take photos, and enjoy the scale of the place before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Elevation: +300 m (+984 ft) / -600 m (-1,969 ft)
Accommodation: Spiterstulen Lodge

Day 4: Spiterstulen to Gjendebu through Urdalen

Spiterstulen to Gjendebu through Urdalen — Hiking in Norway

Leaving Spiterstulen behind, we head on up Visdalen and into Urdalen. A string of small lakes keeps us company as we make our way to the watershed at Urdalsbandet, then the ground drops gently into Storådalen. From there it’s a long, easy-going valley walk that carries us all the way to Gjendebu Lodge, sitting at the far end of Gjende lake from where we started on day 1. It’s our biggest distance of the week, but the climbing is modest and the valleys do a lot of the work for us.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Distance: 24 km (15 mi)
Elevation: +600 m (+1,969 ft) / -700 m (-2,297 ft)
Accommodation: Gjendebu Lodge

Day 5: Gjendebu to Memurubu along Sjugerdtinden

Gjendebu to Memurubu along Sjugerdtinden — Hiking in Norway

We start out on a path along the lakeshore, then tackle the tricky climb at Bukkelægret to gain the Lågtunga plateau. Up top we thread between small lakes on the way to the ridge of Sjugerdtinden. The sharp arete takes us down, step by step, to Memurubu Lodge on the shore of Gjende. It’s the shortest day of the trek, so there’s time to take it slowly, watch for reindeer on the skyline, and enjoy sitting by the lake once we arrive.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Distance: 11 km (6.8 mi)
Elevation: +600 m (+1,969 ft) / -600 m (-1,969 ft)
Accommodation: Memurubu Lodge

Day 6: Memurubu to Gjendesheim across the Besseggen ridge

Memurubu to Gjendesheim across the Besseggen ridge — Hiking in Norway

A steep climb out of Memurubu puts us on a contouring path high above Gjende. The way ahead can look impenetrable as the trail picks its line through steep ground. We pass Bjørnbøltjønne tarn and wind through rocks to reach the end of Bessvatnet, the lake we walked past at the other end on day 1. Here the famous Besseggen ridge begins, a narrow edge squeezed between the two lakes and the most technical stretch of the whole trek. The ridge takes us to the summit of Veslfjellet, followed by a still-demanding descent to Gjendesheim. If the weather rules out a safe traverse, we follow the lakeside trail instead. Our last night is at the lodge, with dinner and a final evening together, then breakfast the next morning before your bus back to Oslo.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, plus breakfast the following morning
Distance: 14 km (8.7 mi)
Elevation: +1,000 m (+3,281 ft) / -1,000 m (-3,281 ft)
Accommodation: Gjendesheim Lodge

Day 7: Departure

Wooden trail signpost with three directional arrows on a barren, rocky mountain plateau under cloudy sky in Norway

After breakfast at Gjendesheim, we pick up a packed lunch and take the bus back to Oslo. The ride takes about four and a half hours and arrives in the early afternoon, in good time to catch a flight home or spend a few extra days in Norway.

Meals: Breakfast

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Photo gallery

Braided river winding through a broad green valley seen from a rocky scree slope with patches of snow in Norway

Lodging & food

Norwegian mountain lodges

Every night of this trek we sleep in Norwegian mountain lodges, most of them run by DNT, the Norwegian trekking association. Known as hytter, they’re bigger than Alpine huts and kept to a high standard, with drying rooms for wet gear, warm common rooms, and a window view that’s usually a lake or a glacier. The standard booking is shared dormitory accommodation, and an upgrade to two- or three-bed private rooms can be arranged where the lodges have them. Bed linen and towel hire is also available if you’d rather not carry a sleeping bag liner and travel towel. DNT membership is included, which gets you reduced rates at their cabins and a few useful perks around Norway.

Meals

All breakfasts and dinners are included, served in the lodges after we’ve peeled off our boots. Evening meals are hearty, hot, and sized for people who’ve just walked 20-odd kilometres, eaten together around long tables with the rest of the group. At breakfast you assemble your own packed lunch from the spread, so you can pick exactly what you fancy eating halfway up a pass, and fill your water bottles before heading out. Drinks and snacks aren’t included, so bring a little cash if you’d like a beer with dinner.

Adventure, packed to go

Jotunheimen Trekking Tour: 7-Day Hut-to-Hut Hike to Besseggen

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Ian

UIMLA Mountain Leader, BASI Ski Teacher, Rock Climbing Instructor

Ian started climbing at five and skiing at seven, and he has spent most of his life in the mountains since. After studying physics at the University of Sheffield, he began teaching skiing in Scotland in 2004 and has since taught on three continents. He qualified as an International Mountain Leader in 2018 and has guided many hut-to-hut treks, including the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges, and the Walkers’ Haute Route. Ian co-founded the company in 2017 and is now based in Chamonix. He speaks English, French, and Spanish and guides many of the trips himself.

5.00

Stine

Hiking guide

Stine co-founded an adventure company with Ian in 2017 and moved to the Alps full time in 2019, after years of spending more and more time in the mountains. With a PhD in nuclear physics and a background as a quantitative analyst, she runs the business side of things, from the website to bookings and pre-trip communication. That hands-on approach means every enquiry is handled personally by the people behind the trips. When she’s not working, you’ll find her running, cycling, or ski touring around Chamonix.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (1 review)

Kenneth Roberts

Wonderful trip with a great guide! Ian was knowledgable, considerate and friendly and picked a route that worked so well for us and made sure that everything ran incredibly smoothly. Will definitely use again.

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 7-day trekking tour in Jotunheimen (5 days of hiking)
  - Accommodation for 6 nights in mountain lodges (dormitory accommodation)
  - All breakfasts and dinners, plus a packed lunch you assemble yourself at breakfast each morning
  - Return bus ticket from Oslo to the meeting point at Gjendesheim lodge
  - DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) membership, valid until the end of the year, which brings discounted prices at DNT cabins, access to unstaffed cabins, a quarterly magazine, and other discounts around Norway
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout)
- - Private room upgrade (in two- or three-bed rooms where available)
  - Bed linen and towel hire at each lodge (saving you from carrying a sleeping bag liner and towel)
Not included:
- - Transportation to Norway
  - Flights or travel to Oslo
  - Drinks and snacks
  - Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
In order to join this Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour, excellent fitness is required as well as regular hill walking experience. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 25 km (15.5 mi), with up to 1,100 m (3,609 ft) of elevation gain.

The long days and the big climbs never land on the same day, but you should still be ready for up to 9 hours of walking on your feet. Nights are spent in mountain lodges, so you only carry what you need for the trek rather than camping gear, though the Besseggen ridge on the final day is technical and exposed. This is one of the tougher trips your guides run, so get in touch if you’re unsure whether it suits you.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover our collection of hiking adventures in Norway!
Since you’ll be sleeping in mountain lodges, you can travel light on this Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour. Water bottles get refilled and packed lunches get made at breakfast, but you still need enough kit for several days of hiking. Most people keep their pack down to 7-8 kg (15-18 lbs), plus water.

Gear:
- - Backpack big enough to carry everything, around 30L
  - Water bottles (1-2 L)
  - Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner — possible to rent at checkout
  - Travel towel — possible to rent at checkout
  - Trekking poles (optional)
  - Phone, charger, plus a Euro adaptor if needed
Clothing & footwear:
- - Sturdy hiking boots
  - Waterproof jacket
  - Waterproof trousers
  - Warm jacket
  - T-shirts or base layers
  - Jumpers or long-sleeve tops
  - Long trousers (shorts are fine too, but bring long trousers as well)
  - Spare underwear and socks
  - Warm hat
  - Sun hat or cap
  - Sunglasses
Other:
- - Sunscreen
  - Toothbrush and toothpaste
  - Soap, shampoo, or shower gel (a solid shampoo bar saves weight)
  - Any personal medication
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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Group sizes and pricing:
- - It takes a minimum of 2 people for this Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour to operate. The usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  - The usual group is 4-8 people, and the maximum group size is set at 8 participants.
  - Jotunheimen National Park hiking tours can be arranged for larger groups, contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors older than 16 may be permitted to join the Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. The trip is not suitable for children under 16.
  - If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
This Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour is based on dormitory accommodation, but a private room upgrade can be arranged at an additional fee where the lodges have them. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

If you choose to upgrade, expect that two or three people booking together will share a two- or three-bed room. Solo travelers will be booked into a single room where available, though the lodges may ask you to share a two-bed room with another guest, as that’s their own policy. If private rooms aren’t available at every lodge on your dates, your guides can discuss a partial upgrade covering the ones that are.
The starting point of your Jotunheimen National Park hiking tour is Gjendesheim lodge, at the eastern end of Gjende lake. To get there, most people fly into Oslo Airport (OSL). A return bus ticket from Oslo to Gjendesheim is included, along with clear instructions for the journey. Since everyone arrives at different times of day, your guides won’t travel with you on the bus, but you’ll all meet up at Gjendesheim lodge on the arrival day.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
- If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
- If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
- If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
- Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.

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