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Jotunheimen’s peaks & lakes (short version)

€1395 per person

A self-guided trekking tour that takes you to the heart of Jotunheimen National Park in Norway – a place far from the modern lifestyle and iconic with its outlook and natural heritage. One can not resist the divine beauty of the landscape, dotted with thousands of fjords, guarded by majestic sharp peaks. Historical and typical accommodations (lodges, cabins, hotels) are hidden between the green hills, most of them always built next to gurgling rivers or emerald glacier lakes. The itinerary passes through the famous Black Valley (Svartdalen), takes you to the magnificent Bitihorn peak (1607 m) and many more sites of interest. A free day is left for you to decide how to spend it: relax or explore at a lower pace the surrounding mystical areas, where on a foggy day you will have the feeling that the mythical trolls jotner, are looking for you behind the hills.
Give yourself a break from the hurried lifestyle and go on a short independent hiking tour in Norway!

  • Destination
  • Duration
    6 Days I Level: 3/4 (of 5)
  • What is included
    Hiking-board (breakfast & dinner + lunch pack (preparing your own from the buffet breakfast or accommodation providing lunch packs); accommodation in cabins (private 2- or 4-bed rooms, shared facilities) and hotels (the first 2 nights; private and en-suite room (in most cases; subject to availability WC/shower may be shared); bed linen and towels; luggage transportation and all ground transfers (public bus tickets from/to Oslo; boat tickets); route notes and maps (incl. GPS tracks); emergency support phone line
  • What is not included
    Drinks and other meals, boat tickets for one of the optional hikes on Day 4, printed materials/maps (all documents will be sent by email and you need to print them at home before you go)
  • Best period
    July, August, beginning of September
1
Day 1. Arrival in Oslo and departure for Jotunheimen
Plan your arrival in Oslo where you will proceed further to the shores of Lake Bygdin (bus ride). Enjoy your first overnight in a nice and cozy hotel, surrounded by snowy peaks and the blue waters of the Lake. The bus normally leaves Oslo around noon (or in the morning in busy season) and the ride takes some 4hrs (most people prefer to book a pre-tour night in Oslo in order to be on time for the bus journey). It is also possible to start earlier from Oslo and get a short walk above Lake Bygdin later in the day (1,30-2hrs, 5km, +450m/-450m).
2
Day 2. Hike to Bitihorn (10 km; 5-8hrs; +/-600m)
A warm up hike will mark the beginning of your independent walking trek across Central Norway - a trek to Bitihorn peak 1,607 m.a.s.l.  The trail is pleasant and as you gain elevation, you will be able to see more and more from the sea of jagged peaks and numerous glacier lakes. The last stage before the peak is a bit steep but your efforts will be rewarded with great panorama towards the whole Jotunheimen Park and the calm waters of Lake Bygdin.
3
Day 3. Bygdin to Gjendebu (Svartdalen hike) (14 km; 5-8hrs; +/-610m)
Today’s trek will take you on a walking journey to the most beautiful part of Jotunheimen National park - the Black Valley or also known among Norse people as Svartdalen. The first part of your adventure will start with a trip on the historic Bitihorn boat that crosses the Lake and drops you off at Torfinnsbu (appr. 45min boat ride). You will ascend steeply on the first stage of the trail until you reach a stunning waterfall, followed by a rocky path which takes you through a small peak to totally 3 lakes in the Valley Svartdalen. From here the terrain gets more flat and easy and the rest of the hike will be a pleasant stroll between the hilly landscape until you reach your final destination -  the emerald waters of the Gjendebu. You will have many excuses to stop for short picnics and in clear weather the panorama is spectacular! The highlight of today’s trek will be the majestic pyramid of Knutsholstind known as the King of the Gjende Alps.
4
Day 4. Free day at Gjendebu (optional hike)
During the free day you can relax at your accommodation, take some short strolls around or simply skip the lazy part and do one of the below options: 1) a circular trek to Gjendetunga (10km; 3,30-4,30hrs; +/-550m). Easier than option 2 (though not an easy one!), this trek is meant for people who like enjoy another bunch of splendid panoramic views! Considered as a “must do hike” in the area, this independent walk will take you to a heights where you can have lunch, overlooking the calm waters of Lake Gjende; 2) a more challenging roundtrip trek to lake Bukkelægret (involving steeper stages as compared to the first option (14km; 3-6hrs; +/-550m).
5
Day 5. Gjendebu - Eidsbugarden (Veslåedalen hike) (16 km; 5-7hrs; +/-520 m)
Enjoy your strong breakfast before setting off for the next self-guided walk. Boat cruise from Gjendesheim to Gjendebu. The path starts crossing the river Veslåe over two bridges, revealing nice views of the area. A nice birch forest will add some fairy-tale feeling that you are passing through the kingdom of mythology creatures. Leaving the forest behind, you will start hiking through a vast rocky valley, passing through some small peaks with wonderful views. Soon the Bygdin Lake will appear at sight and you will end by its shores, this time at the opposite side of where you great independent trekking has started. The area is known for its culinary delights so if you have missed all the chances to experiment something unique, now you have one last opportunity to do so and try the variety of cheeses or some cured meat! Overnight at Fondsbu DNT.
6
Day 6. Departure to Oslo by bus (or Bergen by bus and/or speed boat)
Take a boat from Eidsbugarden to Bygdin (boat ride appr. 1,45hrs; around noon) and then change for the bus to Oslo (where you should arrive late in the evening (appr. 20:30; subject to timetable).
It is also possible to proceed for Bergen instead of Oslo: By bus: 1) extra fee of 30 Euros/person applies; please advise at the time of booking!; 2) you will need to take a taxi from Eidsbugarden to Tyinkrysset and from there take a bus to Bergen (arriving in Bergen around 18:00). By speedboat from Flåm along scenic fjords (take the bus for Bergen as per above and get off in Flåm; Once in Flåm you will have appr. 25min to get to the pier and catch the speedboat, which travels appr. 5,30hrs and reaches Bergen around 21:00 (several stops on the way). If you wish to book this ride, this should be advised at the time of booking and will cost 195 Euros per person (snacks and drinks can be purchased on board, but not real dinner).

TOUR LOCATION

Price
1395 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (first/last arrival dates: 27.06.2025 / 28.08.2025)
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement*: 320 Euro
Solo traveler supplement*: 390 Euro
* Single room cannot be guaranteed for the nights when you stay in the cabins! Travelers, who paid single or solo traveler supplement, get their own roоm as far that is possible. In the mountain cabin, operated by the Norwegian mountain association, as a rule everybody who arrives will get a bed. If it is very busy, single room bookings will be moved into other rooms together with people same gender. No refund is possible for any of the nights if single room is not provided. Triple rooms for odd number of travelers is available on request.
Tips
Daily arrivals between the end of June and the end of August. The trails in Jotunheimen are well marked, but they are not groomed. Sometimes you need to cross streams and small rivers. The trails become trails out of wear and tear, thus the surface is demanding. The trails may be rockier than you may be used to. In a short stretch it varies from boggy marshland to stepping from one stone to the other or even from boulder to boulder, and then to comfortable grass-covered paths. Good mountain boots are a must and we advice bringing walking poles for extra support as well. The weather in Jotunheimen is unpredictable. It can be warm and pleasant, with sunshine from a cloudless sky. Moments later, it can be grey and gloomy, with pouring rain and cold mist. In fact, it can snow in every summer month in Jotunheimen. Hat and gloves are essential as well as sunglasses and sunscreen. The cabins of the Norwegian trekking association (DNT) and the other accommodations in Jotunheimen is a meeting place for hikers and nature lovers. Compared to other hotels they are spartan but cozy. Here are some tips of what to bring for a pleasant stay: We are not allowed to use mountain boots inside buildings. Some extra softer footwear is also a welcome change from the boots. Indoor trousers and clean shirt/t-shirt for the evenings. There is no tradition of dressing up for the evening, but dry and clean garments is essential. Headlamp/flashlight is always good to bring along. Some rooms are often in a different building than the main building. Please note mobile/phone coverage is limited in Jotunheimen! Plan your phone use accordingly. The huts close to the roads are usually always covered. But smaller cabins in the mountains can have limited to no coverage. Gjendebu DNT, Torfinnsbu and Svartdalen for example have no phone coverage.
Accommodation
A combination of private and en-suite rooms in hotel (Day 1 and Day 2; subject to availability WC/shower may be shared) and traditional cabins (shared facilities) of the Norwegian trekking association (DNT). Triple rooms may also be used in the hotel in case this is the group size. 2- and 4-bed rooms will be used in the DNTs. 2 pax will be normally accommodated in a twin room there, but if the group comprises 3 pax they will be put in a 4-bed room. Although these are rare cases, the DNT's have policy to not leave a hiker without a bed (as long as such are present at all inside the property) and unknown person in this case may be put inside the 4-bed room too. In very rare cases, and if there are no 2- or 4-bed rooms, beds in dorms will be booked instead (we do our best to avoid this option whenever possible). Breakfast is included everywhere with 2/3-course dinner, or full buffet with a 3 course option. Lunchpacks are prepared by yourself during breakfast buffet to bring with you on your hikes. Sometimes this may be prepared by the accommodation itself. Coffee, tea, warm water or other hot beverage is usually available to fill your thermos bottle as well. Drinks during dinner are normally not included in the price. On Day 1 only dinner is included, while on Day 6 - only breakfast.

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