Epic Summer 2024 Guide To Besseggen Day Hike In Jotunheimen National Park

The hike over the Besseggen ridgeline is one of Norway’s most famous mountain hikes, and its popularity is undoubtedly justified. Thanks to the beautiful views accompanying hikers along the trail, Besseggen is considered the most spectacular hike in Jotunheimen National Park.

12 Things To Know Before Hiking The Besseggen Ridgeline

After spending six frigid and rainy weeks in the Lofoten Islands, I decided enough was enough. Even though I planned to spend the whole summer season up North, from one day to the next, I booked a ferry back to the mainland and then drove for two days straight to get back South.

Craving sunshine, I was excited to see a perfect bluebird day in the forecast. Without hesitation, I booked the boat to the Besseggen trailhead and spent the next day hiking and soaking up the sun.

If you want to hike the Besseggen ridgeline, this article will teach you everything you need to know about this famous trail.

1. Besseggen day hike: the stats

• Total distance: 15.4 km / 9.6 mi
• Time required: 6-8 hours
• Total Ascent: 1134 m / 3720 ft
• Type of hike: One-way relocation
• When to go: Mid-June – Mid-October
• Parking: Gjendesheim
• Parking fee: 150 NOK
• Boat transfer fee: 260 NOK

2. About Besseggen Ridgeline

The ridgeline is located in Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park, known as the “Home of the Giants.” The park contains 29 of Norway’s highest peaks, including the highest one, Galdhøpiggen.

Since Besseggen is a relocation hike, a boat transfer across the Gjende Lake is required at either the start or the end of the trail.

Besseggen sees a high volume of hikers traffic daily, with a few hundred people tackling the trail during good weather days like I had. An estimated 30.000 people walk this trail every year. For more facts about Besseggen, visit its Wikipedia page.

3. The map of the Besseggen hike

Above, you can see the path I followed from the Memurubu hut, where the trail begins, to Gjendesheim cabin, where it ends.

The trail can be walked in either direction, but most people, including me, hike it from West to East. This means you take the ferry before you start, then follow the trail back to the bus stop.

4. How challenging is the hike along Besseggen?

The trail is manageable for the most part, even for people who may not have much hiking experience. However, before you get too excited, remember that there is one difficult section along the trail where scrambling is involved.

If you have good balancing skills and a head for heights, you shouldn’t have a problem tackling this section. If not, you have plenty of other fantastic trails in Norway to choose from.

You should also be in good shape, as this is a full-day hike with over 1000 meters of elevation gain. Remember that any trail can turn from easy to difficult in bad weather conditions. Always come prepared and know your limits.

This trail is easy to navigate. Plenty of trail markings and signs have been placed along the whole route.

5. The timeframe for hiking Besseggen Ridgeline in Summer 2024

The timetable for hiking Besseggen corresponds with when ferries, who carry passengers to the trailhead, operate on Lake Gjende.

During the summer season of 2024, the first departure takes place on Saturday the 8th of June and the last departure is on Saturday the 5th of October.

6. How to get to the Besseggen trailhead

The trail can be walked in both directions: East to West or West to East; however, most hikers choose the latter.

The advantage of hiking the trail from West to East, from Memurubu hut to Gjendesheim cabin, is that you get the transfer boat before you start the trail and are not pressed for time to finish it.

Where to book the transfer ferry tickets?

You can book your transfer here. Tickets cost 260 NOK for adults and 130 NOK for children under 15. Children 5 years and younger travel for free. I could take my dog with me, but I had to stand outside on the deck for the entire journey.

During the summer season, there are up to 7 departures every day, but you should still pre-book your journey. This is a trendy route.

I hiked this trail in the summer of 2021 when tourism was still slowly recovering after the pandemic. I was able to book a spot on the boat just the day before; however, I wouldn’t count on it in 2024.

Bus transfer between the parking lot and ferry terminal near Gjendesheim cabin

Even though Gjendesheim Cabin, where the ferry terminal is, can be reached by car, only guests with an overnight reservation can do so. Otherwise, you must park at a parking lot approximately 2 kilometres from the ferry terminal and take the bus.

TIP: Buses run at regular intervals throughout the day. Reservation is required. The bus ride takes only 5 minutes. Make sure to plan enough time to get to the boat.

7. The highlights of the Besseggen hike

The absolute highlight of the Besseggen trail is the unique view around halfway through the hike. It consists of two lakes in a beautiful mountain setting: Gjende Lake, which has a distinct turquoise colour, on the left side of the ridge and the blue lake Bessvatnet on the right side.

They are interesting because Lake Bessvatnet lies 400 vertical meters above Lake Gjende.

Lake Gjende gets its colour from glacier runoff containing clay and rock flour. The tiny particles reflect in the sun, giving it a beautiful Emerald hue.

8. Facilities along the Besseggen trail

Toilets are available at the bus stop near the parking lot, the Gjendesheim cabin, and the Memurubu cabin.

There are no toilets along the trail, and I have seen toilet paper flying around everywhere. Please always bring what you bring, including any tissues and toilet paper.

There is a little shop at the Gjendesheim cabin where you can buy last-minute snacks or a restaurant where you can eat after completing the trail. They also sell ice cream!

Water cannot be filled anywhere along the trail unless you carry a water purifier system that filters water from the lake.

9. Besseggen Ridge: short trail description

When you reach Memurubu hut, the first 10 minutes of the trail are on a gentle incline. Then, you start climbing up to the ridgeline along a path made of big stones.

The trail initially felt crowded because everyone who got off the boat started simultaneously. I decided to slow the pace a bit and let everyone else pass.

Once you reach the ridgeline, the trail is a mix of flat bits, uphill bursts, and some downhills.

The most challenging part of the Besseggen hike comes after you pass Lake Bessvatnet. It’s a sharp ascent along big rock slabs. Scrambling with the help of hands is required. Once at the top, you made it halfway.

The path continues along a vast and rugged plateau before you return to Gjendeheim’s cabin. Keep your eyes out for some reindeer. I saw a few on the descent.

10. What to bring and wear on the Besseggen hike

11. Where to stay near Besseggen Ridge Trail 

If you are travelling in a campervan, there is a lovely campsite called Besseggen Fjellpark Maurvangen on the other side of the parking lot. You can also rent a cottage there.

A little further on road no. 51, you have the Bessheim Fjellstue Cabins, directly on Sjodalsvatnet Lake. The Besseggen trailhead is only a 7-minute drive away, and the cabins are a great place to explore the Jotunheimen National Park further.

12. How to incorporate Besseggen hike into your Norway itinerary

I included this hike in my 10-day road trip itinerary around Norway, starting and ending in Bergen. The road trip aims at active travellers who want to tick off a few spectacular day hikes in Norway.

Some of the highlights of this road trip include Næroyfjord World Heritage Park, Jotunheimen National Park, Geiranger Fjord, and the West side of the Jostedalsbreen National Park.

Other hikes and activities to experience nearby

Valdresflye Scenic Road

Valdresflye Scenic Road is a high alpine plateau road considered the gateway to the Jotunheimen National Park. It is on the official list of 18 national scenic roads of Norway. At the highest point of the road, make sure to stop at the beautiful Flye 1389 café.

Galdhøpiggen Summit Hike

Jotunheimen National Park is famously known as home to Norway’s highest peak – Galdhøpiggen. You can hike to its summit with the help of a guide. The path involves crossing the Stygebreen Glacier.