Norway Trekking – Tour of Jotunheimen

Jotunheimen, home of giants, and of the highest mountains in Norway

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We’ve had this trip in the pipline for a while now, as the Norwegian mountains are among the most breathtaking places we’ve ever visited. So we’re beyond thrilled to launch our first trips in Scandinavia with the Tour of Jotunheimen.

Our five-day trek takes you from eastern end of Lake Gjende, past more beautiful lakes to reach Glitterheim. The second day crosses the Veslglupen pass, threading between high peaks on the way to Spiterstulen. A long and remote and trek along the Urdadalen and Storadalen valleys brings us to the far end of Lake Gjende. The final two days follow the mountains along the north side of the lake, with a night in Memurubu before the grand finale of the dramatic Besseggen ridge.

Quick links:
Overview
Pricing
Detailed Itinerary
What to bring
Booking
Practical Information
About Jotunheimen
Gallery
Reviews
Trip terms and conditions

What is included:

What is not included:

• Flights or travel to Oslo
• Drinks and snacks
• Insurance

Itinerary
Arrival day: Bus from Oslo to Gjendesheim
Day 1: Trek from Gjendesheim to Glitterheim
Day 2: Trek from Glitterheim to Spiterstulen
Day 3: Trek from Spiterstulen to Gjendebu
Day 4: Trek from Gjendebu to Memurubu
Day 5: Trek from Memurubu to Gjendesheim
Departure day: Bus from Gjendesheim to Oslo

Suitability: The Jotunheimen Tour is a challenging hike, suitable for regular, fit hill walkers. We will be walking for up to 9 hours a day. Days can be up to 25km or have up to 1100m height gain (but not both on the same day!). The trip is not suitable for children under 16, and we ask ththat 16-17 year olds are accompanied by an adult. This is one of the most challenging trips we run, so feel free to reach out if you’re not sure whether it’s for you.
Accommodation: Accommodation throughout will be in mountain lodges with dormitory accommodation unless you purchase an upgrade package.
Meals: All breakfasts and dinners are included in the price, along with a packed lunch that you can assemble yourself at breakfast each morning.
Transport: We’ll provide a return bus ticket from Oslo to our meeting point at Gjendesheim lodge.
Group Size: 4-10

Take a look at at the photo gallery to see more images of the stunning Norwegian scenery.

Prices

The standard price is 2000 euros per person, based on sleeping in shared dormitories.
If you are 25 or younger, we can offer a discount as the lodges have a reduced price.

Private rooms upgrade: 200 euros per person
Upgrade to two- or three- bed rooms where available. If there are two or three people booking you will share a two bed or three bed room. If there is one person booking, we will book single rooms if available but you may be asked to share a two bed room with another person depending on availability.

Linen and towel hire: 130 euros per person
Hire bed linen and towels at each lodge to save carrying a sleeping bag liner and towel.

As this trip is sold as a package, specific terms and conditions apply in addition to the general White Marmotte terms and conditions. You also have extra rights under EU and French Package Travel rules.

Tour of Jotunheimen – Detailed Itinerary

Arrival day: Oslo to Gjendesheim

From Oslo we’ll provide a bus ticket to Gjendesheim. As people will be arriving at different times of the day, we won’t be able to accompany you on this journey, but we’ll provide clear instructions. Once you arrive, we’ll spend the long Nordic summer evening soaking up the scenery from Gjendesheim lodge at the end of Gjende lake.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 1: Gjendesheim to Glitterheim – a day of lakes

We start with a climb over the eastern slopes of Veslfjellet, giving us wonderful views over Gjende. Looking left we glimpse the Besseggen, a preview of what’s to come on day five. The climb brings us to the shore of Bessvatnet before we descend to Russvatnet. We’ll follow the edge of the latter lake for a while, enjoying stunning and remote views, before a climb over the Hestlægerhøe pass takes us to Glitterheim Lodge.
Distance: 23km
Ascent: 900m
Descent: 500m
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 2: Glitterheim to Spiterstulen – in the shadow of the giants

Today takes us over the Veslglupen pass just south of Glittertinden. Once the highest mountain in Norway, Glittertinden has been relegated to second place as it’s summit glacier has melted. As we descend into Visdalen we’ll see Galdhøpiggen, the current highest mountain, ahead of us. Swinging left, we’ll reach Spiterstulen Lodge.
Distance: 16km
Ascent: 300m
Descent: 600m
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 3: Spiterstulen to Gjendebu – a day of valleys

Leaving Spiterstulen behind, us we continue up Visdalen and into Urdalen. We’ll pass a series of small lakes to the watershed at Urdalsbandet and drop gently into Storådalen. The valley leads us all the way down to Gjendebu Lodge at the far end of Gjende lake from our start point on day 1.
Distance: 24km
Ascent: 600m
Descent: 700m
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 4: Gjendebu to Memurubu along the northern edge of Lake Gjende

We begin on a path along the lakeshore before a tricky climb at Bukkelægret gains the Lågtunga plateau. We thread between small lakes to reach the ridge of Sjugerdtinden. The sharp arete leads us all the way down to Memurubu Lodge on the shore of Gjende.
Distance: 11km
Ascent: 600m
Descent: 600m
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 5: Memurubu to Gjendesheim – the Besseggen ridge

Leaving Memurubu, a steep climb brings us to a contouring path high above Gjende. The way ahead looks impenetrable at times as the path threads through steep terrain. We’ll pass Bjørnbøltjønne tarn and wind through rocks to the end of Bessvatnet – the lake we passed the other end of on day 1. This is the start of the famous Besseggen ridge, which forms a narrow edge between the two lakes. Technically, this is the most difficult section of the trek. The ridge leads us to the summit of Veslfjellet and a still technical descent to Gjendesheim.

If weather conditions are not suitable for a safe traverse of the ridge, we will follow a lakeside trail from Memurubu to Gjendesheim
Distance: 14km
Ascent: 1000m
Descent: 1000m
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

What to bring on the Tour of Jotunheimen

As we’ll be staying in mountain lodges overnight, we can travel light on this trip. You’ll be able to fill up your water bottles make packed lunches at breakfast each day. You’ll still have to carry enough kit for four days hiking though. You should be able to keep the weight down to seven or eight kilos, plus water. You’ll need the following items:-

• Rucksack big enough to carry everything – about 30 litres
• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof trousers
• Warm jacket
• T-shirts or base layers
• Jumpers or long-sleeve tops
• Long trousers (you can wear shorts, but please bring long trousers too)
• Spare underwear and socks
• Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner (available from Decathlon)
• Travel towel
• Water bottles (1-2 litres – please fill up before we leave Geneva)
• Sunscreen
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soap/shampoo/shower gel – Top tip: try a solid shampoo bar to save weight
• Any personal medication
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Sun hat or cap
• Trekking poles (optional but recommended)
• Phone (you’ll want to take plenty of photographs)
• Charger, plus European adaptor if needed

If you have any questions or concerns about equipment, just ask and we’ll be happy to advise you.

Booking

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Click the button to book online, or send us an email to bookings@whitemarmotte.com to request more information.

Please note that specific terms and conditions apply to this trip, so make sure you read these before booking.

Practical information

Can I stay longer in Jotunheimen?

If you want to stay longer, you can book extra nights at Gjendesheim, or other accommodation nearby and we can arrange the bus tickets to suit you. If you want to travel elsewhere in Norway, we can offer advice on what your options are.

I don’t need transfers, can I get a discount?

If you prefer to make your own way to Gjendesheim or are travelling from elsewhere in Norway, we can offer a small discount as we won’t need to book the bus tickets. Get in touch for details.

What flights can I book?

The bus times from Oslo to Gjendesheim have not been published yet. We’ll update this page as soon as we have this information.

Do I need to be fit or experienced for the Tour of Jotunheimen

While you don’t need to be a marathon runner, you do need to be able to hike on hilly terrain for up to eight hours per day. The Tour of Jotunheimen is a strenuous route with days of 23 and 24 kilometres over hills. There are some technical sections where you’ll need to use your hands and you definitely need a head for heights.

The first three days are long and physically hard, while the last two days are shorter but more technically difficult.

I have a medical condition, can I book onto this trip?

We do not recommend that you come on this trip if you have a condition that could lead to a life threatening emergency, e.g. severe allergies, severe diabetes or severe uncontrolled epilepsy. This is because much of the trip, including all of the overnight accommodation, is in remote terrain with no vehicle access. Evacuation may entail a long wait, particularly at night or in adverse weather conditions.

We reserve the right to refuse to take you on the trip or to ask for a letter from a physician before accepting your booking if you have a medical condition of this type. 

We also would not recommend this trip if you have any condition which impacts your ability to perform strenuous exercise for long period or to walk safely on exposed and uneven terrain.

What is the accommodation like on the Tour of Jotunheimen?

The Norwegian mountain lodges are the best mountain accommodation we have stayed in. They tend to be bigger than Alpine huts and have good facilities. They offer both dormitory beds and private rooms, and are equipped with hot showers, saunas and a bar. We book dorm beds with no linnen hire, so you’ll need a sleeping bag liner and towel. If you want more of a hotel experience we can upgrade you to a private room with sheets and towels included.

I don’t have trekking poles, a travel towel, sleeping bag liner or another item on the list. Where can I buy them?

We find Decathlon is great for picking up these items at a reasonable cost. If you have any difficulty finding something, let us know and we’ll see what we can organise for you. Some items can also be bought at the lodges we’ll stay in

What is the weather like in Jotunheimen?

The weather is very varied in the Norwegian mountains. As you can see from the photographs, you can have beautiful sunny days, but it can be cold, windy, rainy or even snowy. Come prepared with warm clothes.

Money

You can usually pay by bank card in Norwegian mountain lodges. The currency is the Norwegian Kroner, which may be useful in case of any problem with card payments. There are no cash machines on the trek – the nearest ones are in Beitostolen and Lom. So you’ll need to withdraw any cash you need before you leave Oslo.

How big will the group be?

We aim to have a between four and ten people in a group. However, we will commit to running a trip from the first booking, so even if only one or two people book we will guarantee to run the trip. If you are the only person to book, we’ll give you the option of coming on your own (with private guiding), transferring the booking to another White Marmotte product, or cancelling for a full refund.

What happens if I miss the meeting time on day one?

If you arrive late on the first day, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. We will do our best to organise for you to meet the group, but it will be difficult to join if you are not at Gjendesheim Lodge by Monday morning. You would need to take a bus to Lom and a taxi to Spiterstulen lodge where we will finish day two. Any additional transport and accommodation will be at your expense.

Insurance

Insurance is not included in the cost of this trip, so you’ll need to have your own insurance which covers search and rescue, as well as emergency medical care in Norway. This is a mandatory requirement in order to protect both you and us in the event of an emergency.

If you’re a French resident, you can purchase a suitable policy at www.sport.lycea.fr. As we’re a French company, we don’t have a policy to offer to non-French residents.

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About Jotunheimen

Jotunheimen was the home of the giants in Norse mythology. Looking around the scenery it is easy imagine old battles between the Asgard gods and the giants of legend. The region is reminiscent of the Scottish highlands on a giant scale, with 2500 metre high mountains and huge glaciers. Wonderfully long and scenic valleys cut between the high peaks, allowing for easier hiking tours. Add in the superb network of Norwegian mountain huts and you have a trekkers paradise.

Den Norske Turistforening

Most of the mountain cabins are run by Den Norsk Turistforening (DNT), the Norwegian trekking association. Known in Norwegian as “hytte”, they offer half-board accommodation in rooms or dormitories. They tend to be larger than Alpine huts, and of a high standard.

We include DNT membership in the price of this trip. It lasts until the end of the year and gives discounted prices at all of their cabins, access to unstaffed cabins, a quarterly magazine, and many discounts when you’re in Norway. If you already happen to have DNT mebership, let us know when you book.

Besseggen

The Besseggen is the west ridge of Veslfjellet, a 1743m peak above Gjende. The ridge, which is far better known than the peak itself, is a steep and narrow slice of rock squeezed between two lakes. The green waters of Gjende to the south contrast with the dark blue waters of Bessvatnet to the North. The ridge starts from the col at Bandet, where Bessvatnet laps at your feet, while Gjende lies 400 metres below, with steep cliffs in between.

Egg means edge and the -en suffix means the, so Besseggen simply means The Bess Edge. The area immediately north of Gjende has many places named Bess – Bessvatnet lake, Besshøe peak, and Bessheim Fjellstue lodge for example. Besseggen is the most famous hike in the area, and one of the best known in Norway. Many visitors take the Gjenede boat from Gjendesheim to Memurubu to climb Besseggen in a day. It would be a long hike to ascend the ridge and get back to the nearest road in a day without the boat.

Galdhøppingen and Glittertinden

The two highest mountains in Norway lie a few kilometres apart on opposite sides of the Visdalen valley. Historically, Glittertinden was the higher of the two. In 1911 it was measured at 2485 metres above sea level, sixteen metres higher than Galdhøppingen’s 2469 metres. However, the summit of Glittertinden was comprised of a glacier, tens of metres thick, while Galdhøppingen’s summit is bare rock. As the climate has warmed, Glittertinden’s ice has thinned. In 2008 the summit was at only 2465m, and by 2022 the summit glacier had melted completely. The mountain now stands at 2457m.

Although neither mountain retains a summit glacier, both have extensive glaciers on their flanks and many ascent routes involve glacier crossings.

Cultural influence

Some of the most famous names in Norwegian history visited Jottunheim and produced works inspired by it. Perhaps the best known is Ibsen’s Buckride in act 1 of Peer Gynt. The poem has the eponymous hero telling how he rode a reindeer along the Gjendiseggen ridge, a renamed Besseggen. The composer Edvard Grieg also visited and stayed at Bessheim lodge, just around the corner from Gjendesheim. His Peer Gynt Suites, written to accompany the play, were also inspired by the scenery here.

Edvard Munch, painter of the Scream, was another guest at Bessheim lodge and walked from there to Vågåmo in 1895. There is a marked Munch trail that follows his route, with some lodges offering a “Munch menu”.

If you want to be part of White Marmotte’s Norwegian adventure in 2026, click book now to send an enquiry, or send us an email to bookings@whitemarmotte.com.

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