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Hikers in the Svartdalen Valley National Park

Jotunheimen National Park

Hiking in Norway's home of the giants

8 Days / 7 Nights
Mountain Hiking
Hikers in the Svartdalen Valley National Park

Those who enjoy being out in unspoiled nature will love this hike through one of Norway’s most beautiful regions. It takes you through the highest mountains in Scandinavia, affectionately known as the “Home of the Giants”. In the famous Jotunheimen National Park, typical Nordic birch forests and mystical moors meet turquoise-blue lakes and rushing rivers. The sweeping panorama of glaciers is magnificent. Listen to the cheerful chirping of the Scandinavian birds or observe impressive reindeer in the wild! On this hike you will pass fantastic viewpoints and inviting places to stop for a bite to eat. In the evening, you can cosy up with Norwegian waffles and a fragrant tea in front of the crackling fire to reflect on the exciting day of hiking.

From Oslofjord, you can take a bus to the national park. There, the Synshorn viewpoint and Lake Bygdin await you. You will take a boat across the lake, through the Black Valley to Gjendebu and later to the rustic cabin village of Eidsbugarden. The hike ends with the return to Oslo.

  • Oslo: There is much to discover in the Norwegian capital. The medieval town centre invites you to take a stroll. Historic castles meet pretty parks and a modern city flair.
  • Bitihorn: This beautiful mountain peak is located in southeastern Jotunheimen in Norway. It marks the border between the municipalities of Vang and Øystre Slidre. Bitihorn is also the name of a ship that has been sailing on Lake Bygdin since 1912.
  • Lake Bygdin: This paradisiacal lake is characterised by its deep blue colour because it has no inflows from glaciers. It has a long and narrow shape. The extension from west to east is about 25 kilometres. Experience the idyllic atmosphere and the power of nature first hand!

The route of this hiking holiday takes you along easily accessible hiking trails and paths in Jotunheimen National Park. While the trails through the hilly moraine and moor landscape are easy to walk, we recommend surefootedness for the rockier stages. In addition, a solid basic level of fitness is recommended, as the daily hikes can take up to five hours.

Itinerary at a glance

Enjoy the tranquility and mystical atmosphere in Jotunheimen National Park, the "Home of the Giants." The view from Bitihorn is enchanting, and the glaciers are truly magical. Additionally, Oslo awaits with its historic city center.

Discover the capital of Norway, a city steeped in history, whose medieval centre invites to an extensive visit of the historic fortresses, palaces and parks.

An exciting bus journey takes you from the Oslofjord up into the mountains. After your arrival in the heart of the national park, you can either embark on a relaxing hiking tour onto the Synshorn-peak with viewpoint or take a stroll along the glistening Lake Bygdin. Take your time and make sure you arrive poised and with all your senses ready to experience the special atmosphere of the Nordic nature scenery.

Today you explore the highest peak in the vicinity and hike across vast plateaus to Mount Bitihorn, where the stupendous view onto rugged crests and glistening lakes beckons. Enjoy the magnificent scenery and after that delicious, Norwegian baked goods in the local café or totally relaxed from the beautiful terrace of your hotel.

In the morning you board a small ship, which gently takes you across the heaving waters of Lake Bygdin. In the so-called ‚Svartdalen‘, the black valley, you discover the Nordic scenery along mystical trails framed by impressive gigantic mountains and traversed by little streams and roaring waterfalls. In Gjendebu you spend the coming nights in a traditional lodge of the Norwegian hiking club situated amidst the mountains.

Depending on what you fancy, you either leisurely ascend to the Gjendetunga-peak, from where you enjoy a fantastic view onto the turquoise-blue Lake Gjendesee and the surrounding glaciers. Or you take the boat to the mountain-lodge Memurubu and there follow the spectacular high-altitude path via the Bukkelægeret-ridge back to Gjdendebu. Allow the evening to leisurely end by the open fire enjoying a social interaction with other hikers from all over the world.

An idyllic start of your hiking day on your way through the dense Nordic birch forest, home of numerous bird species. Along the roaring river Veslåe you ascend via the sparse heath ‚Fjellheide‘, here with a bit of luck you may even get the chance to observe reindeer! Once you reach the shores of Lake Bygdin, you proceed into the idyllic hut-village Eidsbugarden. In the cosy lodge open yourselves up one more time to the unique location between lakes, ‚Fjellen‘ and glaciers.

As a finale to your holiday we recommend a detour to the viewpoint Utsikten, before boarding the ship and embark on your return journey to Bygdin. One last time you get to enjoy the beauty of Jotunheimen national park here in its full glory. By bus you arrive back in Oslo in the evening, where in its old part of town you get to look back onto an unparalleled hiking holiday.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Difficulty level

Mountain Hiking

You hike along well-maintained hiking paths, tracks and steep trails. The route through the hills and valleys of the Nordic moraine- and moorland scenery are easy to walk on, for some rocky sections’ surefootedness is required. A good basic fitness level is necessary for the daily tours with a walking time between 5 and 7 hours, in order to enjoy the distinctive nature scenery in Jotunheimen national park to the fullest.

Prices & Dates

* Limited availability of single rooms in Gjendebu

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

  • Accommodation 2x 3***-/4****-hotel (Oslo), 2x comfortable mountain inn (Bygdin) and 3x traditional lodges/cabins (shower/WC partly on the corridor)
  • Breakfast
  • 5 dinner (2x Bygdin, 2x Gjendebu, 1x Eidsbugarden)
  • 5 packed lunch (3rd to 7th day)
  • Transfers and ferry rides according to program
  • Luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person)

  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • GPS-data
  • Tourist tax, if due, is included in the price
  • Service hotline

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Airport Oslo. By train to the main station in the city center (www.flytoget.no) in about 20 minutes and in a few walking minutes to the first hotel.
  • Public parking garage near the hotel, approx. EUR 50 per day.
  • Please note that a valid passport is required for this trip.

Things to note

  • With bus journeys you need to take your own luggage with you (2nd and 7th day)
  • On request, the last overnight stay is also possible in Bergen
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation 2x 3***-/4****-hotel (Oslo), 2x comfortable mountain inn (Bygdin) and 3x traditional lodges/cabins (shower/WC partly on the corridor)
  • Breakfast
  • 5 evening meals (2x Bygdin, 2x Gjendebu, 1x Eidsbugarden)
  • 5 packed lunch (3rd to 7th day)
  • Transfers and ferry rides according to program
  • Luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person)

  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • GPS-data
  • Tourist tax, if due, is included in the price
  • Service hotline

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Airport Oslo. By train to the main station in the city center (www.flytoget.no) in about 20 minutes and in a few walking minutes to the first hotel.
  • Public parking house near the hotel, approx. EUR 50 per day and payable on-site. No reservation possible.
  • Please note that a valid passport is required for this trip.

Things to note

  • With bus journeys you need to take your own luggage with you (2nd and 7th day)
  • On request, the last overnight stay is also possible in Bergen
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

From our hiking blog

Sarah Manglberger

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Sarah Manglberger
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