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The Heart of Jotunheimen Hiking – Red Route

  • Hike iconic peaks like Synshorn, Bitihorn, Besseggen, and Uranostind

  • Cross glaciers, rocky ridges, and alpine valleys

  • Enjoy boat cruises across Lake Gjende and Bygdin

  • Stay in cosy mountain lodges with all meals included

  • Choose easier or more technical hikes like Bukkelægre or Gjendetunga

  • Prefer a gentler route? See the Green Route version of this tour

BOOK THIS TRIP

From £2,052 per person (excluding flights)

This is based on two people sharing a room for 7 nights with breakfast, dinner and packed lunches, including return bus travel from Oslo, baggage transportation, tour description and maps.

This roughly converts to 2,442 EUR | 2,647 USD

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Departures: This is a set 7 night tour with flexible arrival days from June to August.

ITINERARY

After arriving in the Jotunheimen region from Oslo by coach, check in at Bygdin Høifieldshotell, your base for the next two nights. Once settled, take a short stretch of your legs on the Synshorn hike, reaching 1,457 metres above sea level.
 
The trail is a gentle introduction to Jotunheimen Hiking, with soft paths underfoot that give way to rockier terrain near the summit. In just 1–2 hours, you’ll cover approximately 5 km and gain 450 metres in elevation, rewarding your efforts with panoramic views over the surrounding mountains. This makes for an ideal introduction of Norway’s dramatic alpine scenery after your journey.
 
Return to your accommodation in time for dinner, enjoying the comfort of your mountain lodge and the anticipation of the days ahead.
 
Bygdin Høifieldshotell

Bygdin Høifieldshotell

Located at the eastern edge of Lake Bygdin at the foot of the Jotunheimen mountains, Bygdin Høifieldshotell is a historic mountain retreat that offers a step back into Norway’s golden age of alpine exploration. Established in 1897, this charming hotel has maintained its traditional character for over 125 years, featuring wood-paneled lounges and original 1930s furniture. It serves as a welcoming base for hikers and skiers, run with a personal touch by the Oxhovd/Svalesen family, who provide a warm atmosphere complete with a crackling fireplace and local mountain hospitality.

The hotel is a premier gateway to the “Gjende Alps,” situated over 1,000 metres above sea level and ideally placed for exploring famous trails like Bitihorn. In summer, the historic M/B Bitihorn boat departs from the hotel’s doorstep to ferry adventurers across the lake, while winter transforms the landscape into a cross-country skiing paradise with trails connecting to nearby Beitostølen. After a day in the wilderness, guests can enjoy hearty three-course dinners and famous homemade cinnamon rolls, making it a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and traditional comfort.

After breakfast at the hotel, set out on today’s hike to Bitihorn, one of the most iconic peaks in the Jotunheimen area. Standing at 1,607 metres, Bitihorn is a classic route from Bygdin, with trails suitable for both beginners and more experienced walkers.
 
The hike covers approximately 10 km with 600 metres of elevation gain and usually takes 4 - 6 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the surrounding scenery. Along the way, the paths offer gentle slopes that gradually rise toward the summit. Once at the top, take in sweeping panoramic views across Valdres and the dramatic Jotunheimen landscape. Take a moment to pause and appreciate Norway’s high mountains.
 
A packed lunch en route keeps your energy up before returning to Bygdin for a well-earned dinner.
 
Photo Credit: CH - VisitNorway.com
 
After you have had breakfast and checked out, begin the day with a scenic boat cruise on the M/B Bitihorn to Torfinnsbu, taking in the reflective waters and mountain scenery along the way. From there, lace up your boots for the hike through Svartdalen, one of Jotunheimen’s most striking alpine landscapes.
 
The trail covers around 14 km with 610 metres of ascent, typically taking 6-8 hours. The path is rocky and demands surefootedness, especially during the steep descent at the end, which can be slippery in wet conditions. Trekking poles are recommended for stability, and taking your time ensures a safe journey.
Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by towering 2,000-metre peaks and glaciers, offering some of the most dramatic scenery in the Jotunheimen National Park. A packed lunch provides a welcome break in this wild setting.
 
Finish the day at a cosy mountain cabin where you can relax and enjoy a hearty dinner, reflecting on the day’s adventure.
 
Gjendesheim DNT Lodge

Gjendesheim DNT Lodge

Gjendesheim is arguably the most famous mountain lodge in Norway, serving as the primary gateway to the iconic Besseggen Ridge. Situated at 1,000 meters above sea level on the shores of the vibrant, turquoise Lake Gjende, it offers a dramatic and scenic setting within Jotunheimen National Park. Unlike many more remote cabins, Gjendesheim is accessible by car and public transport during the summer, making it a bustling and popular base for hikers, families, and mountain enthusiasts.

The lodge is one of the largest in the DNT network, offering 185 beds with a range of accommodation standards. Guests can choose between private 1-, 2-, or 4-bed rooms, or opt for a more budget-friendly stay in the dormitory located in a separate building. While the lodge provides more variety in room sizes than smaller cabins, it maintains the traditional trekking ethos where social interaction and shared experiences are central to the stay.

In keeping with the standard DNT facilities, bathroom and toilet facilities are shared and located in common areas rather than inside the guest rooms. The lodge is renowned for its high-quality local food, often serving traditional dishes from the surrounding Valdres and Gudbrandsdalen regions. As with other staffed cabins, guests are required to use a sleep sack or rent bed linen, and the property operates on a “Full Pension” model for reservations, ensuring that breakfast, dinner, and a self-packed lunch are part of the experience.

After breakfast at the lodge, enjoy a day at your own pace with two optional mountain hikes, or simply take a rest day to soak in the stunning surroundings of Jotunheimen National Park.
 
Option 1 Gjendetunga: This moderate hike takes 3–5 hours over 8 km, with 520 metres of elevation gain. The trail climbs to Gjendetunga, offering 360-degree views over the emerald-green Lake Gjende and surrounding mountain massifs. Pause for lunch at the summit on a clear day to enjoy the scenery. There is a short, steep section that can be slippery when wet, so take care and use trekking poles if needed. This is a must-do if you want a classic Jotunheimen Hiking experience from Gjendebu.
 
Option 2 Bukkelægre: For those seeking a more technical challenge, the Bukkelægre hike covers 14 km with 550 metres of ascent in 3–6 hours. Starting by the lake, the trail climbs steeply, assisted by chains in sections, to the ridge of Bukkelægre. From here, enjoy easier terrain along the Storådalen Valley before descending along the river Storåa back to Gjendebu. This route is more demanding than Gjendetunga, with longer and steeper sections, but rewards hikers with dramatic alpine scenery and a sense of accomplishment.
Return to your accommodation for a relaxing evening and dinner, resting up for the next stage of your Jotunheimen Hiking adventure.
 
Photo Credit: Fredrik Ahlsen - Visit Norway
After breakfast, begin the day with a scenic boat cruise across Lake Gjende to Memurubu, taking in the emerald waters and surrounding peaks. From here, set out on the iconic Besseggen hike, one of Norway’s most famous trekking experiences.
 
The trail spans around 14 km with 1,100 metres of ascent, typically taking 7-9 hours. As you climb the ridge, enjoy panoramic views of the green Lake Gjende on one side and the deep blue Lake Bessvatnet on the other. While the ridge appears steep, it is manageable for hikers without a fear of heights. This is a demanding but immensely rewarding day, leaving you with lasting memories of Jotunheimen at its finest.
 
A packed lunch provides a welcome break along the way, and after completing the hike, settle in at Gjendesheim for dinner and a well-earned rest.
 
Photo Credit: Terje Rakke - VisitNorway.com
After breakfast and check out, enjoy a scenic boat cruise back to Gjendebu (around 1 hour 15 minutes) before setting out on today’s hike through Veslådalen. This trail winds between Lake Gjende and Lake Bygdin, taking you through the heart of Jotunheimen National Park and offering some of the region’s most dramatic alpine scenery.
 
The hike covers approximately 16 km with 516 metres of ascent, typically taking 5-7 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass serene lakes, rugged peaks, and quiet valleys, giving a true sense of the park’s scale and natural beauty.
 
Finish the day in Eidsbugarden, where you’ll stay at Filefjellstuene for the next two nights and enjoy a well-earned dinner, resting up for the final day of hiking.
 
Photo Credit: Terje Rakke - VisitNorway.com
Filefjellstuene

Filefjellstuene

Situated at the crest of the Filefjell mountain pass, Filefjellstuene is a modern mountain lodge that serves as a premier base for exploring the high-altitude wilderness between Valdres and Lærdal. At 900 metres above sea level, the property offers a sophisticated take on the traditional Norwegian “fjellstue,” blending contemporary Scandinavian architecture with a focus on local culinary experiences. It is a year-round destination, popular in winter for its proximity to the Tyin-Filefjell ski resort and in summer as a key stop along the historic King’s Road (Kongevegen).

The accommodation is designed to cater to various group sizes, ranging from hotel-style rooms to independent mountain cabins.

After breakfast at Filefjellstuene, embark on a guided transfer to the trailhead for today’s mountaineering adventure to Uranostind, one of Jotunheimen’s most iconic peaks at 2,157 metres above sea level. This full-day guided hike is the pinnacle of your Jotunheimen Hiking journey, combining glacier travel, easy climbing, and a dramatic summit ridge.
 
The route spans 16 km with 1,050 metres of ascent and typically takes 8-10 hours. You will cross a glacier and scramble over rocky sections, using provided glacier safety equipment. Conditions may vary with the weather, so the guide may adjust the route to ensure safety, but the reward remains the same: spectacular, panoramic views from the summit, with a true sense of achievement in Norway’s high mountains.
 
Return to Filefjellstuene in the evening for a well-deserved dinner, reflecting on a week of memorable trails, valleys, lakes, and peaks in the heart of Jotunheimen National Park.
 
Photo Credit: Tomas Brekke - Scanout
After breakfast at Filefjellstuene, it’s time to say farewell to the mountains. Board the Valdresekspressen coach for your transfer back to Oslo, taking with you memories of a week spent hiking, exploring, and experiencing the dramatic landscapes of Jotunheimen National Park. A packed lunch will also be provided for your journey. 

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The Heart of Jotunheimen Hiking – Red Route

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