Norway Trekking – Tour of Jotunheimen

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Jotunheimen, home of giants, and of the highest mountains in Norway
Description: a guided five day circuit of the legendary Jotunheimen national park
Dates:
23rd-29th August 2026
Trip Length: 7 days (5 days trekking, 6 nights accommodation, plus arrival/departure)
Group Size: 4-10 people
Cost: 1650€ per person based on dormitory accommodation, upgrades available
Trip grading:
Physicalfour marmotsTechnical four marmots

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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.

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Overview
Pricing
Detailed Itinerary
What to bring
Booking

Practical Information
About Jotunheimen
Gallery
Reviews
Terms & conditions

Lake Gjende - a long lake between mountain ridges
Lake Gjende

What is included:

  • Bus travel from Oslo to Gjendesheim
  • Five days guided hiking
  • Six nights accommodation in shared dormitories
  • Breakfasts, evening meals and packed lunches

What is not included:

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

Itinerary
Arrival day: Bus from Oslo to Gjendesheim
Day 1: Gjendesheim to Glitterheim
Day 2: Glitterheim to Spiterstulen
Day 3: Spiterstulen to Gjendebu
Day 4: Gjendebu to Memurubu
Day 5: Memurubu to Gjendesheim
Departure day: Bus 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 (minimum of 2 to confirm trip)

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

“Did you ever go to a place…I think it was called Norway? … Won an award, you know. Lovely crinkly edges.”

Douglas Adams, The Hichhikers Guide to the Galaxy, 1979

Prices

The standard price is 1650 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: 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. For a 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 (this is the policy of the lodges we stay in). It may be that private rooms are not available in all accommodation at the time of booking, in which case we can discuss a partial upgrade where we book the rooms that are still available.

Linen and towel hire: 130 euros
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.

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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

Gjendesheim mountain lodge - the starting point for the Tour of Jotunheimen
Gjendesheim 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

Russvatnet lake in Jotunheimen
Along the shores of Russvatnet
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 its summit glacier has melted. As we descend into Visdalen we’ll see Galdhøpiggen, the current highest mountain, ahead of us. Swinging left, the path descends to reach Spiterstulen Lodge.
Distance: 16km
Ascent: 300m
Descent: 600m
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Footpath on a mountainside
The path from Glitterheim
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

Visdalen valley in Jotunheimen
The upper Visdalen valley
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

Reindeer on the skyline of a hillside.
Reindeer above Memurubu
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

The Besseggen ridge - a famous ridge hike in Jotunheimen
Besseggen

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:-

  • Backpack 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
  • Travel towel
  • Water bottles (1-2 litres)
  • 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)
  • Phone
  • Charger, plus Euro- 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.

Signpost in Jotunheimen showing Bessheim, Memurubu and Gjendesheim
Signpost on the descent to Gjendesheim

Practical Information

Click or tap to expand the sections below

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.

If you prefer to make your own way to Gjendesheim or are arriving 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.

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

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’ll definitely need a head for heights on Besseggen ridge.

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

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 is in remote terrain with no road 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.

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 you can upgrade to a private room with sheets and towels included.

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.

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.

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.

We aim to have a between four and ten people in a group. However, we will commit to running a trip once we have two people booked onto it.

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 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 can’t propose a policy to non-French-residents.

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Bessvatnet and Besshøe

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.

Bessegen - the final climb on the Tour of Jotunheim
Approaching Besseggen from Memurubu
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 on one side while Gjende lies 400 metres beneath on the other.

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, just above 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.

Summit of Galdhøppingen peak in Jotunheimen national park
Galdhøppingen summit ridge
Cultural influence

Some of the most famous names in Norwegian history visited Jottunheim and produced works inspired by it. One example is Ibsen’s Buckride in act 1 of Peer Gynt. The poem has the eponymous hero telling how he rode a reindeer along the Gjendin-eggen 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 inspired by the scenery here as well. Pieces like Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King have become better known than the play itself.

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”.

Have you ever
Been upon the ridge of Gendin ?
Fully half a mile it stretches,
At the top as sheer and narrow
As a scythe-blade. Looking downward
Past the slopes and past the glaciers,
Past the grey ravines and gullies
Either side you see the water
Wrapped in dark and gloomy slumber
Half a mile at least beneath you.

Henrik Ibsen’s description of Besseggen in Peer Gynt, 1867

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

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Hiker on a large cairn at the summit of Veslfjellet
Veslfjellet summit with a snow capped Besshøe to the right

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