Besseggen is a spectacular day-hike in Jotunheimen National Park located between the lakes Gjende and Bessvatnet. Besseggen is maybe one of Norway’s most popular day hikes and has cult status among Norwegians. One day in your life, you have to climb the ridge of Besseggen if being a real Norwegian.
The Season of Hiking Besseggen
Depending on the year, the season starts from June to mid-September, and more than 30 000 hikers complete the hike. The first rule is to stay on the trail if you are making the hike! Due to heavy traffic, there has been severe erosion and destroyed vegetation. The DNT – Norwegian hiking Association are doing their best to repair the worst parts of the trail; the most crucial part is that people stay on the track and not walk into fragile vegetation. Please, respect nature!
Bessegen is Top 20 Best Hikes in the World by National Geographic
What to Expect: A long, steep hike above pristine lakes and beneath the high mountains in one of Norway’s most famous national parks.
– National Geographic
Planning is Vital to Perform a Good Day of Hiking in Norway
- Check the weather rapport
- Pack your backpack
- Bring right clothing
- Bring water 1,5-2,5 liter
- Prepare your food, bring extra chocolate.
- Where will you sleep when returning from the mountain
I have provided 7 Tips for hiking Besseggen, but it can also be used for all generally hiking in the mountains of Norway.
1. The Hike of Besseggen is 6-8 hours
Remember, if you see Norwegians of all ages doing the hike, and you think you can do the hike because this 78 old year grandpa is doing the hike, well, think again. This grandpa has been hiking in the mountains since he was born, and this is probably his 1100 hike of mountains being higher than 1000 meters. Know your capability!
Yes, You Need to Be Fit to Hike Bessegen
You need to be fit for the Besseggen hike; this is not the first hike you should do in the Norwegian mountains if you have never hiked before. Also, it would help if you had experienced a long hike before doing Besseggen. When was the last time you hiked for 4-8 hours?
The hike is around 6-8 hours walking time; it takes quickly more if you are resting along the way, which you should do. Our family group on the Besseggen hike was running from 18 to 78 years old. We used 8 hours on the hike, which included small breaks along the trail. We have all been hiking mountains since our childhood, and we know that you have to find your rhythm of speed when being on the mountain.
900 Meters of Elevation at Besseggen
It is 900 meters elevation with up and downhill included. It will take time, especially since the trail is very stony. I recommend using hiking boots with solid soles that offer excellent grip and support. I warn you; when you think you are getting close to the finish line, you are not! That can be painful. Remember, this is a Marathon of hiking!
2. Weather
What is the best hiking weather for Besseggen? The best weather is not to have rain, wind, and neither 32 degrees and sunny. The best hiking weather for being in the mountains is around 10-22 degrees, a bit sunny or slightly cloudy, and not too much wind. This weather will not make the hike too warm and neither too cold. If it is heavy wind sometimes, it’s not recommended to hike Besseggen. In September, there are chances of having snow on your hike.
I recommend having at least two days in the area and, in this way, increasing the possibility of having good weather when performing the hike to Besseggen. Remember that in the mountain, the weather conditions can change quickly. It can go from sunny to rainy in a couple of minutes. Please listen to advice from experienced hikers and local people. Do remember to pack for all weather changes when being in the mountains.
3. Clothing & Day-Pack
This point is critical for having a pleasant day hiking in Besseggen. The first thing that needs to be arranged is proper hiking boots supporting your ankles and giving you a firm grip on those slippery rocks. Even so, it’s summer. Remember to bring wind and waterproof clothing because you are high up in the mountain, the air is colder, and the wind is more robust.
Change of Wool Socks
Another recommendation is to bring a change of wool in sweaters and socks; the vital part stays dry and warm during the entire hike. Other things are a cap to cover the ear from the wind, gloves, and a scarf, which should all be in your backpack. Furthermore, sunscreen, sunglasses, trash bags for toilet paper, and other things, blister patches!
The Right Backpack for Besseggen
From 15 to 30-liter backpack should be great for this hike. If you start the hike late, bring a flashlight just in case.
Pack More Food Than Needed
Without food, the Hero will not work. That’s a Norwegian saying or an International one? Bring enough food and water. The hike will be your worst nightmare if you get empty of energy. Bring a sandwich, bananas, nuts, and chocolate to keep your energy level. Low blood sugar is not fun when being in the mountains.
Don’t get picked up with the Helicopter due to not bringing enough food and water. The last person who was picked up with the Helicopter was 24 years old.
Toilet Information on Besseggen
Toilet Information: There are few places you can sneak away to do either number 1 or 2. Remember that you need to plan a bit to make it happen. Many people are walking in the mountains; privacy is limited. I did find one big rock that I did hide behind and did my thing. Please bring your toilet paper back in your trash bag!!
4. Deciding Which Way to Walk at Besseggen
When hiking Besseggen, there are two options for hiking. It depends on your preferences on how you want to do it.
The kinder option is to take the boat to Memurbu and walk back to Gjendesheim. The Memurbu option gives you the independence of the boat time, and by this, you can use all the time you need to perform the hike without worrying about reaching the last boat out. Another essential part of taking this route, especially if you are afraid of heights, is climbing the ridge uphill instead of downhill. The downside is that you walk with you back away from the famous view and have to turn around to enjoy the spectacular sight.
From Memurbu to Gjendesheim
Our family did this hike, and it was for sure the best option for us, including having some family members a bit afraid of the heights. I was expecting the worst. I felt safe doing the climb, the rocks were big, and it was not straight down, but almost.
How to Hike the ridge of Besseggen
5. Hike Smart
Hiking smart is all about listening to your body. Don’t push yourself. Go in a study speed of emotion that works right for you and not for everyone else. If you need some extra time climbing that hill, that is fine. In the mountains, people have to take their time. Also, remember, why do you do this hike? Is it because of the rich nature experience, or is it a training trip? Take your time, stop, watch around, listen, see the flowers, and say hello to people.
Perform Breaks during the Hike of Besseggen
Take breaks, sit down and maybe even remove your hiking shoes for 5-minutes and if you are very sweaty on your feet, change socks. Do it before you have blisters. If you are starting to feel that blisters are on the way, put on blisters pads straight away and avoid rupturing the skin.
We had two long breaks, 25 minutes, and two short 10-minutes breaks.
Pre-Book Your Boat Ticket!
If you know that you are taking the boat, pre-buy the boat tickets online.
On our way back down, which was way longer than we hoped.
6. Photos of Bessegen
If Besseggen is your dream hike, and you want great pictures, my biggest advice is to take many photos. It will probably be a long time until the next time you want to perform the hike again. Or at least a week. The light is beautiful and constantly changing, not easy for an amateur like me, but I got some good ones out of 300 photos.
7. Eat, Sleep and Rest Well
Have yourself a cabin or a tent, or make sure that you have a base to return to when getting back from the hike. I do not recommend a long drive after this hike in the car. Most likely you will be drained of energy, and your legs are tired as hell. Hi, you made it! Now it’s time to eat and recover your energy for a more exciting adventure in Norway.
After ten years of talking, haha.
The Gjende Boat
When starting the hike, most people take the boat over to Gjende and start the hike from that end, and this is optional but most recommended.
Gjende boat, check departures on Gjende.no
Accommodation at Besseggen
Besseggen: Guide to accommodation, food, and activities
In the area close to Besseggen, there are seven different options for places to sleep and recharge batteries. Options from simple campsites to richly equipped campgrounds and mountain hotels with private baths and toilets in the rooms.
Overview of Accommodation at Besseggen
1. Besseggen Mountain Park Maurvangen
My family and I stayed in these cabins when we did Besseggen, and it was a perfect location for the family. There are twenty-six cabins, a sizeable year-round campground, shop, and restaurant/cafe. Walking distance to Gjende / Gjendeboat.
Distance to the ferry at Gjende: 6 min
At Bessheim, they have 170 beds divided into rooms in the lodge, cabins/apartments. Sixty-five of the beds are in the lodge. The beds are ready, and a shower and toilet are available in all rooms except from five.
Every morning there is a breakfast buffet where guests can take their lunch to bring along to the mountain hike. And a la Carte dinner and a 3-course dinner in the evening.
Distance to the pier at Gjende: 8 min
Sjodalen Hyttetun is nestled and idyllic in the forest valley just below the tourist road over Valdresflya 850 MASL. In the south, there is barely 20 km to Besseggen and Gjende.
Memurubu Tourist Lodge is idyllically located under Besseggen next to Gjende. The location to Memurubu is between Gjendesheim and Gjendebu, with Besseggen and Bukkelægeret on each side.
The mountain restaurant serves breakfast and three-course meals to everyone – both overnight guests and those dropping by for a tasty meal.
Breakfast is served from 08:00 to 09:00.
Distance to the pier at Gjende: 20 minutes
Lodge of Gejndebud is one of DNT’s (The Norwegian Tourist Association) oldest cabins.
The Tourist Lodge of Gjendebu offers accommodations in the middle of the Jotunheimen National Park on the west side of Gjende 990 MASL. Situated on an old farm Gjendebu has kept much of its old charm since it was a farmstead.
Hindsæter sits beautifully along the tourist road over Valdresflya at 950 MASL, just 15 km from Besseggen/Gjende. Stay at a cozy timber hotel from 1898 and enjoy the mountain scenery and the panoramic view of the Sjoa river, Sjoa valley, and Jotunheimen.
Distance to the pier at Gjende: 20 min
Location at the foot of Besseggen, and as the closest neighbor to the Gjendeboat, makes the lodge well visited throughout the summer.
Distance to the pier at Gjende: 1 min
The location to Memurubu Tourist Lodge is idyllically under Besseggen next to Gjende. The Lodge of Memurubu is located between Gjendesheim and Gjendebu, with Besseggen and Bukkelægeret on each side.
The mountain restaurant serves breakfast and three-course meals to everyone – both overnight guests and those dropping by for a tasty meal.
Breakfast is served from 08:00 to 09:00.
Distance to the pier at Gjende: 20 minutes
Off The Beaten Track?
If you think Besseggen sounds a bit crowded, you are right! You will not be walking alone. There will probably be around 300-1000 other people crossing Besseggen that day with you in high season. If you want another fantastic day hike, you should check out Romsdalseggen, close to the famous Geiranger Fjord and the Troll Road in Sunnmøre.
Other Cool Things to Read
How to Hike the ridge of Besseggen
Besseggen – The most spectacular hike in Jotunheimen
Rob Slade and his experience hiking Besseggen
8 Comments
You will most likely not get lost if hiking in the summer. Many people do the hike so trail should be easy to follow. Happy hiking 🥾
Loved reading this blog ! Interesting and very useful tips. Thank you !
I am planning to hike by myself during summer. Would you think the entire trail is obvious and I wont get lost since there will be many other hikers ?
Hi, I will say it is more challenging. If you have done Trolltunga you can do Besseggen as well. Remember start early and take breaks as needed😊
Hi. We did the Trolltunga hike before. My friend and I consider ourselves only medially fit. Do you think we are able to do this hike? Is it as challenging as Trolltunga or less challenging?
Hi Helen, I hoped you received my email with all the details. I wish you a great day with good weather and great experience in the Norwegian mountains. Remember good clothing and good shoes.
Hi Pauline,
I’m a 32 year old woman from the Netherlands planning to take this trip by myself end of August/early September. This was very interesting to read, thank you. I will fly to Oslo on the 29th of August and plan to take a bus up to Besseggen the next day. Do you have any recommendations on where to stay? Any nice accommodations where I’ll be likely to meet other hikers? Also, considering I don’t have a car, a place from where its easy to start the hike (walking distance or good bus transfer). Thank you!
Hei, tusen takk for det Tina 🙂 Jeg har lyst til å gå Romsdalseggen!! Er fornøyd med å ha gått Besseggen! 🙂 hehe
Mange gode tips her! Har veldig lyst å gå Besseggen en gang 🙂
Helt enig i din anbefaling om å gå Romsdalseggen, det er en fantastisk tur 😀