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Besseggen.
Photo: Beitostølen Resort

Hiking in the Jotunheimen area

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Peaks and parks

Jotunheimen is a vast area of untouched nature with beautiful lakes and majestic mountains. The area includes two top-of-mind hiking destinations: The National Park region and Valdres, both with a long tradition for outdoor recreation and easy access to classic routes like Besseggen.

Hiking in the National Park Region

The National Park Region constitutes a vast, mountainous area of surprising altitude. This is where Northern Europe’s highest peak Galdhøpiggen (2,469 metres above sea level) can be found, in good company with another 200 peaks over 2,000 metres.

The area also boasts the narrow and fairly challenging hike to the Besseggen mountain ridge, where you are rewarded with an astonishing view over one blue and one green lake on each side of the ridge.

Those who prefer to stay closer to the ground may choose to stroll through the flatter parts of the national parks. There are no less than six of them in the Fjell Norway region – Dovrefjell, Rondane, Jotunheimen, Breheimen, Reinheimen and Dovre.

The National Park Region is situated between Oslo and Trondheim.

nasjonalparkriket.no

Hiking in Valdres

Fresh air, grand views, peace and quiet – and a myriad of hiking trails, many of which are suitable for the whole family. The local tourist office has identified 30 family-friendly tour suggestions in the idyllic countryside in Valdres. The hikes vary in length and difficulty, but they are all easily accessible and clearly signposted.

Another benefit of Valdres is that it gives you the perfect base for hiking adventures in the Jotunheimen National Park, including the classic hike to Besseggen.

Hiking in Valdres can be combined with other outdoor activities like cycling, fishing, horse riding and dog sledding. Visits to traditional summer farms where you can try local delicacies are also highly recommended.

Situated in the middle of Southern Norway, Valdres is easy to get to from Oslo and Gardermoen (around three hours), and there are bus services from Bergen, Lillehammer, Gjøvik and Gol.

Stay safe

Video: Hiking the Besseggen ridge

Getting here and around

By car

Jotunheimen is located midway between Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim. The easiest way to move around in the region is by car. Follow the E6 from Oslo, or the E16 via Lærdal from Bergen.

Three national tourist routes go through Jotunheimen: Sognefjellsvegen, Strynefjellsvegen and Valdresflya.
By plane

Travel by plane to Oslo or Bergen and continue by car or bus to the region, about 200 kilometres from Oslo.
By train

Hop on the Bergen Railway, the train that goes between Oslo and Bergen, or Dovrebanen, which goes between Oslo and Trondheim. Book your ticket at NSB (the Norwegian State Railways).

Safety in the mountains

Return to hike another day

Norway is an incredible place to explore, with untamed mythical landscapes, mountains, valleys, and fjords. Before you enter the outdoors, get familiar with the nine simple rules of the Norwegian mountain code to help you stay safe.

Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.

Read the mountain code with supplementary comments.

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Hiking in the Jotunheimen area