🏞️ Jotunheimen in 3 days: from Besseggen to the Stuggebreen glacier
Jotunheimen is known as the ‘Roof of Norway’—it is home to 29 peaks over 2,000 metres, the emerald Gjende Lake and alpine glaciers, all within easy reach of a weekend break. We offer a compact 3-day itinerary combining the iconic Besseggen ridge, an overnight stay in a mountain hut and a grand finale – a traverse of the Stuggebreen glacier with an ascent of Gullfoss (2,469 m). The route is designed for hikers with basic hiking experience who are prepared to walk 12–18 km per day with a light pack and use the well-developed DNT infrastructure.
If you are interested in picturesque nature, national parks and active holidays in Norway, take a look at our special selection of routes and locations.
Quick facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| 📅 Season | June 7 – October 4 (Gjendebåtene ferry schedule) |
| 🥾 Total distance | ≈ 42 km on foot + 1 hour by boat |
| ⛰️ Elevation gain | ~2,000 m |
| 🛌 Overnights | Gjendesheim (Day 1) • Juvasshytta (Day 2) |
| 💰 Budget | 606 NOK/night (non-member), 470 NOK (with DNT membership, incl. half board) — DNT price list |
| ⚠️ Difficulty | Medium (DNT “red” level — Besseggen section) |
How to get there
Oslo → Gjendesheim. Express bus NOR‑Way NW161 Oslo Bussterminal → Beitostølen (4 hours), then local shuttle to Gjendesheim (40 minutes).
Booking the Gjendebåten boat. Opens on June 7; minimum fare is NOK 220. Tickets are only available online and sell out 2–3 weeks in advance.
Gjendesheim → Juvasshytta (day 2). Morning bus Vy 430 via Lom (1 hour 40 minutes), transfer to the Juvasshytta shuttle (40 minutes). Tickets can be purchased from the driver (≈320 NOK).
Day 1 – Classic Besseggen traverse
| Stage | Distance | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🛶 Boat Gjendesheim → Memurubu | 20 min | 07:45 or 08:45 |
Allows hiking the ridge "in reverse" — helps avoid crowds.
Ferry schedule |
| 🥾 Memurubu → Veslfjellet Peak (1,743 m) | 3 km ↗ 700 m | 2 hrs | Steep stone zigzag trail; first panoramic views over turquoise Gjende lake. |
| 🧗♂️ Besseggen Ridge | 1.2 km | 1 hr | Scrambling along the granite “knife edge” — hands may help, no rope needed. |
| ⬇️ Veslfjellet → Gjendesheim | 7 km ↘ 1,000 m | 3 hrs | Gentle slabs, forest path and camping area near the DNT hut to finish. |
Accommodation: Gjendesheim Turisthytte (DNT). In the evening, try the revitalising Sami soup bidos and check the weather forecast: winds > 15 m/s make Besseggen unsafe. The route is marked with T-crosses; a GPX file is available at jotunheimen.com.
Day 2 – Transfer to the highlands and acclimatisation
- Transfer Gjendesheim → Juvasshytta (see ‘How to get there’).
- Easy acclimatisation hike to the Bøverbrean viewpoint (4 km round trip, +120 m). Feel the altitude of 1,840 m and test your first aid kit: headaches at high altitudes are a sign that you need to drink more water.
- Briefing with the guide (6 p.m.). Sign up for the morning departure, receive your alpine harness, and pick up your crampons on site.
Tip: There is no Telenor mobile coverage in Juvasshytta, but Wi-Fi is free.
Day 3 – Stuggebreen Glacier and Hallhøpigen (2,469 m)
| Stage | Distance | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚶♂️ Juvasshytta → glacier edge | 1.5 km ↗ 200 m | 40 min | Loose moraine slope, trekking poles recommended. |
| 🧗♀️ Rope team across Styggebrean | 2 km ↗ 150 m | 50 min | Guide secures rope team of 8–10 people. Snow-covered ice with visible crevasses in summer. |
| ⛰️ Final ridge and pass | 1 km ↗ 300 m | 1 hr 10 min | Rocky scree slope, usually snow-free in summer. |
| 🏔️ Galdhøpiggen summit | 2,469 m | — | Congratulations! Enjoy hot cocoa at the stone hut and get your summit stamp. |
| ⬇️ Return the same way | — | 2 hr 30 min | Be careful: descent over rocky terrain is tiring. |
The tour runs daily during the season, minimum age is 7 years old; price is 420 NOK (cats included).
Equipment (Lightweight ≤ 10 kg)
- Category B/C trekking boots – stiff sole on a rock.
- 3L membrane jacket (500 g) + micro down (300 g).
- 0.7 L thermos – there is no water on the Besseggen ridge.
- Travel kit: 1:50,000 map, compass, GPX on your phone + 10,000 mAh power bank.
- Mountaineering/glacier walking insurance (covers helicopter rescue up to NOK 100,000).
Weather and safety
- Wind > 15 m/s on Besseppen – a reason to cancel the trip (fallen tourists appear in rescue reports every year).
- Temperature in Juvasshytta in summer ranges from 0 to +8 °C; always bring gloves.
- Rain turns the kurum into an ice rink — poles with removable ‘feet’ are a must-have.
Budget per person
| Item | Amount (NOK) |
|---|---|
| 🚌 Bus Oslo → Gjendesheim (round trip) | 1 200 |
| 🛶 Gjende ferry | 220 |
| 🏕️ 2 nights in huts (non-member, half board) | 1 212 dnt.no |
| 🧗♂️ Glacier guide (Styggebrean) | 420 |
| 🍫 Extra expenses (snacks, gas, etc.) | 400 |
| 💰 Total | ≈ 3 450 |
(Save ~330 NOK per night by signing up for DNT membership.)
Final checklist before departure
- Book the Gjende boat and Gjendesheim cabin at least 3 weeks in advance.
- Download offline maps and weather forecasts from Yr.no for Lom and Juvasshytta.
- Pack crampons/ice axe? No need – the guide will provide them.
- Check your insurance: ‘glacier walk / mountaineering’ in your policy.
- Inform your loved ones of your route via UT.no Trip‑planner – the system will send an SMS in case of delay.
Ready for an adventure? Jotunheimen shows its best in 70 hours: emerald waters, cloud-capped ridges and crystal ice under your crampons. On the way back, enjoy hot cinnamon buns at Lom Bakery and make plans to return for the longer Haute Route Jotunheimen tour.
