Jotunheimen in July
In July 2006, we hiked about 161 km through Norway’s highest mountain region: Jotunheimen. In eleven days, we climbed about 7250 m uphill. Temperatures (at 1000 m above sea level) were warm at 20°C. The sun shone nearly all the time.
Our goal was to spend days immersed in nature - and to travel light. So we slept in Norwegian mountain cabins of the DNT. Compared to dinner prices (about 33 Euro), a night in a dorm costs only 10–20 Euro for DNT members (2006).
After flying to Oslo and staying at the centrally located Anker Hostel, we took the bus to Jotunheimen the next morning. After five hours, we arrived at Gjendesheim and had time for our first mountain hike.
First hiking days
Over the next days, we walked with full backpacks (nearly 20 kg) under bright sun and with long breaks to cabins in Memurubu, Gjendebu, Olavsbu, and Leirvassbu. The cabins offer over 100 beds and a stocked kitchen. Every hiker is guaranteed a free bed or mattress.
We saw the long turquoise lake Gjende, steep mountains on both sides, and the ridge Besseggen. Soon, glaciers and snow fields appeared near our trail. And the sun kept shining...
To the Highest Mountain: Galdhøpiggen
From Spiterstulen, we hiked and climbed on day seven to Norway’s highest peak - Galdhøpiggen (2469 m). That meant 1366 m uphill and downhill. The marked trail leads over stones, rocks, and old snow fields. On the way down, you can slide down steeper snow slopes. Some hikers took the glacier Styggebrean to Juvasshytta.
Glittertind - The Second Highest Summit
The next day, we hiked from Spiterstulen through the high valley Skautflye and the rock lakes Veslgluptjønnen to Glitterheim. One day later, we reached Norway’s second highest summit - Glittertind (2464 m).
Unlike Galdhøpiggen, Glittertind’s summit region is completely covered in snow and glacier. In my opinion, Glittertind is the more beautiful of the two. Before reaching the top, we had to turn back due to a thunderstorm with hail.
Over the Ridge Between the Lakes
Later, we returned to well-known areas around Memurubu (the most expensive cabin). We saw Sjugurdtinden again - the peak we climbed on day three.
On day eleven, we sent our backpacks (now only 10 kg) by boat to Gjendesheim (boat runs between Gjendesheim, Memurubu, and Gjendebu) to lighten the hike over the famous ridge Besseggen. Besseggen is a classic postcard view - narrow and situated between Lake Gjende (984 m) and Bessvatnet (1373 m). Behind its narrowest part, the trail climbs steeply uphill - with some scrambling. All under bright sunshine. This was Jotunheimen in Norway.
Link Tips
- Norwegian Trekking Association hiking trails and cabins, Norwegian website
- Anker Hotel in Oslo
- Jotunheimen at Wikipedia
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... more hiking areas in Norway:
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... more glaciers:
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... more of Southern Norway and Scandinavia:
