Mountains to Fjords Hut to Hut
Oslo, Norway
Trip Highlights
- New Trip Offering
- Jotunheimen National Park
- Diversity of Stunning Scenery
- Famous Hikes
- Mountains, Valleys, Lakes & Fjords
- Exquisite regional cuisine
- Explore with Light Packs
- Hike the Famous Besseggen Ridge
- Charming Mountain Huts
- Amazing Fjord Cruise
Description
Our Mountains to Fjords Hut to Hut Trek is an incredible way to explore Norway’s best landscapes and most famous National Park, Jotunheimen. This Park boasts the highest mountains not only in Norway, but all of Northern Europe; the name Jotunheimen literally means “home of the giants.”
Utilizing Norway’s fantastic hut system, we intimately enjoy the Park and all of its spectacular trails and jaw dropping vistas. After soaking up panoramic mountain views for days, we take you on a visit to one of Norway’s other famous natural features, the Nærøyfjord. This spot is so amazing and unique it is featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and we are proud to enjoy it via a sustainable, zero emissions cruise.
Also, this trip starts in the capital city of Oslo and ends in the charming town of Bergen, so we have the opportunity to see a large swath of Norway and learn about its many traditions and rich cultural history in one spectacular hiking-centered itinerary. Come explore the land of the Vikings with us on foot!
$310 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
The single supplement on this trip provides for single rooms at our hotel stays on nights 5, 6, and 7. The mountain hut accommodations on nights 1-4 do not allow for single rooms.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip has long, strenuous days of hiking (up to 10 miles) with significant elevation gain (up to 3,350 feet), which is why this trip is given a Level 4 difficulty rating.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 10 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-20 lbs
Terrain:
Significantly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
3346 ft
Heights Exposure:
Significant
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-20 lb backpack for 7-9 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Hiking with occasional, significant heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Norway hike a solitude 3. You can expect several hours of solitude at a time.
For this Norway trek you will need to fly into Oslo, Norway and out of Bergen, Norway. We recommend guests travel into Oslo a day before their trip begins and spend a night in Oslo near the city center. We recommend the Thon Hotel Opera (website) for convenience. This hotel is a 1-minute walk from the central train station, where you can get off the airport train and into the city. It is central, right next to the Opera House, National Gallery and Peace Center. You will meet the group and guide(s) on the morning of Day 1 for an orientation meeting.
On the last day of the trip, guests are together for breakfast and will have a scheduled transfer to the Bergen Airport at 9am-10am. This is included in the price of the trip. Departing flights should not be planned before 12pm to utilize our provided airport transportation this day. Any airport transportation needs outside of this will be at the guest’s expense.
Flights to Oslo Airport and from the Bergen airport are the guest’s responsibility. Multiple airlines operate flights into Norway from many U.S. and European international airports. Some of the primary U.S. departure cities include Atlanta, Denver, Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Dallas and Minneapolis.
Minimum of 4 Guests
We require a minimum of 4 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 45 days before the departure date.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
- 6-10 People: Rate x 1.15
- 11-12 People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsItinerary
DAY 1
- Driving Time: 4-5 hours
- Accommodations: Gjendesheim Hut
This Norway trek begins with rendezvous at the Thon Opera Hotel in Oslo for an orientation meeting with your guides and group. We’ll walk to the bus station to catch a comfortable coach to our lodging in Jotunheimen National Park. The drive takes 4-5 hours and includes a bathroom/snack break near the half-way point. The bus has deluxe seating and wifi available during the trip. Once we arrive at our destination, we’ll settle into our accommodations and enjoy a short walk to stretch our legs before sitting down for a 3-course dinner. Tomorrow our Jotunheimen hiking adventure begins!
DAY 2
- Hiking Mileage: 8.4 miles (13.5 km)
- Elevation Gain: 3346 feet (1020 m)
- Elevation Loss: 3346 feet (1020 m)
- Accommodations: Memurbu Hut
After enjoying breakfast and preparing lunch Matpakke style, the Norwegian traditional way of making lunch, we’ll pack our bags and ferry them down to the dock to be transferred to our next night’s lodging via boat. Our hike today is possibly the most famous route in Norway and a rite of passage for any Norwegian hiking enthusiast. Besseggen Ridge is a challenging yet rewarding hike that allows for amazing views of towering coastal mountains and sprawling lakes. Bessvatnet and Gjende Lakes make up the majority of the day’s scenery with their spectacular contrasting colors. Once we arrive at tonight’s hut, we’ll rendezvous with our baggage at the dock and transport it up to our rooms. Tonight’s dinner is well-deserved after our fantastic day trekking across Norway’s most famous ridge!
DAY 3
- Hiking Mileage: 6.2 miles (10 km)
- Elevation Gain: 2494 feet (760 m)
- Elevation Loss: 2494 feet (760 m)
- Accommodations: Gjendebu Hut
Our hike today is another fulfilling one and chocked full of more amazing scenery to reward our efforts. After dropping our luggage at the docks, our deeper exploration of Jotunheimen National Park continues by hiking up to the high mountain plateau above us. From the plateau the views are expansive with many small mountain lakes to enjoy, as well as possible wildlife sightings such as the vast herds of Reindeer that live in the National Park. We’ll stop for lunch at one of these lakes before descending off the plateau to our next night’s lodging again on the shores of Gjende Lake. The way down is steep and has chains to assist, but the comfort of Gjendebu hut, a hot shower, and another traditional Norwegian dinner will soothe our body’s after the day’s efforts and earned memories.
DAY 4
- Hiking Mileage: 10 miles (16 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1640 feet (500 m)
- Elevation Loss: 1640 feet (500 m)
- Accommodations: Fondsbu Hut
A breakfast buffet starts off our day before we carry our bags to the dock to be ferried yet again to our next hut. Today our bags travel a bit farther then we do and we may actually beat them to our next hut. (It is important to pack a few extra items in your pack if you desire fresh clothes immediately after arriving at tonight’s hut.) The hike is more relaxing today than our past two hikes, but the views remain absolutely outstanding. Our trail takes us up out of the Gjende Lake Valley and over a mountain pass. Once over the pass, we’ll start to see more lakes and rolling mountains as we descend down into another large lake valley. Bygdin Lake makes up the large body of water here and is a stunning backdrop for our last night’s lodging in the Park. Tonight, we stay in a legendary mountain hut full of tradition. The host of this hut is famous in Norway for her kindness, initiative, and voice. If we are lucky maybe we can hear a Norwegian mountain song before dinner!
DAY 5
- Hiking Mileage: 8 miles (13 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1640 feet (500 m)
- Elevation Loss: 1640 feet (500 m)
- Drive Time: 45 minutes
- Accommodations: Filefjellstuene Lodge
Today is our final day of hiking in Jotunheimen National Park. This time we climb up between two of Norway’s most famous mountains, Uranostind and Falketind. As we pass under these giants and more pristine mountain lakes our goal will be to reach Uradalsvatnet, one of the larger lakes. Here we will enjoy a nice picnic lunch prepared by your guide before descending down to our awaiting vehicle and driver. As stunning as the views from our hike are today, the views from our drive are equally amazing. Tonight’s lodge is a perfect place to relax and refuel with a sauna available and delicious 3-course meal served for dinner. We deserve it!
DAY 6
- Hiking Mileage: 3.7 miles (6 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1896 feet (578 m)
- Elevation Loss: 1896 feet (578 m)
- Driving Time: 1.5 hours
- Accommodations: Vangsgaarden
After a full breakfast we’ll shuttle to today’s trailhead. En route we will stop by one of Norway’s National Heritage sites, Borgund Stave Church. This fabulously unique building is 800+ years old, and is a wonderful place to stop, stretch our legs and appreciate the history of Norway. Our drive continues to take us out of the mountains to the fjords. And what an amazing transition it is! Fjords are long, narrow strips of ocean tucked between towering cliffs. Often these natural features are created by the geologic submergence of glaciated valleys. Our hike today is up to the summit of Prest Mountain for stunning views down into the fjords. Our accommodations tonight are far below in the small town of Aurland. Dinner tonight will be right on the water’s edge overlooking the fjord, a truly unique Norwegian experience.
DAY 7
- Boat Ride Time: 2.5 hours
- Train Time: 3 hours
- Drive Time: 15 minutes
- Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Admiral
Our last day of exploration takes us to one of Norway’s most famous fjords, Nærøyfjord. Here we’ll enjoy a 2.5 hour ecologically friendly boat cruise down the narrow sea inlets of this breathtaking channel. High towering cliffs will frame every magical shot along the way. After our dazzling boat ride we’ll head to Flåm for a relaxing lunch before continuing on by train to Myrdal. In Myrdal we will catch our last leg of transportation of the day on a relaxing 2 hour train ride to our final lodging of the trip in the charming coastal town of Bergen. Tonight we have plenty to celebrate and will celebrate with a final farewell dinner out in Bergen’s popular neighborhood, Bryggen.
DAY 8
- Shuttle to Airport: 20 minutes
Today we enjoy one last breakfast together. Afterward we’ll have a shuttle planned for those who need a ride to the airport for morning flights. What an exciting, fun, and challenging 8 days it’s been!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- Access to our Adventure Consultant team 7 days a week
- Transportation for the duration of the tour starting on Day 1 with a bus transfer to Jotunheimen National Park and ending Day 8 with the morning airport shuttle.
- Lodging for the duration of the tour
- Use of backpack and trekking poles
- All meals from Lunch day 1 to breakfast on day 8
- Experienced, professional Wildland Trekking certified guides
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to Oslo, Norway
- Transportation from Bergen, Norway
- Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (strongly encouraged)
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Clothes, rain gear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Bar bills, drink bills, extra snacks, telephone bills, wifi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/laundry/spa or sauna)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles
- Gratuity for guide(s) (industry recommendation is 10% of total trip cost; NOK is recommended, USD is accepted.)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
MEALS: WHAT TO EXPECT
Norwegian cuisine is very traditional and features a simple approach to breakfasts and lunches. Norwegians often eat Matpakke, which is a cold lunch made from breakfast supplies. Norwegians focus a lot of their diet on meat, fish, root vegetables and heavy sauces. For dinners, ingredients are very high quality and are traditional Norwegian dishes. Menus are often set, and there is not an option to order something else at most of our accommodations. The ability to choose your meal off a menu depends on the restaurant and can be organized beforehand when possible.
We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some countries may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.
GEAR WE PROVIDE
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Norrøna backpacks
- Leki trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
WHAT GEAR TO BRING
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
WHAT CLOTHES TO BRING
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required.
Trip Logistics
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
WHERE DO WE MEET?
You will meet your guide and group will in Oslo, Norway on the first day of the trip. The meeting time will vary the morning of day 1 of the itinerary. It is dependent on the trip’s start day and the bus schedule for that day (approximately 10am-1pm bus departures are common). Typically, we will meet 1.5 hours before the bus is scheduled to leave for an orientation meeting and to get to know each other before walking to the bus station together. We recommend guests arrive in Oslo the day before and stay the night in a city central hotel. Your guide will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to coordinate and confirm your rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Your safety is our top priority. This trek is led by professional hiking guides along with additional support staff. All of our guides are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and all tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
GUIDES
This trip is led by expert, local Wildland guides. Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
GUIDE WORKING PARAMETERS
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
GROUP SIZE AND AGE RESTRICTIONS
The standard group size on this hiking tour is 12 guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
TRIP INSURANCE
For your protection, we strongly recommend the purchase of field evacuation, repatriation, and medical trip insurance. International travel is expensive, and the modest cost of trip insurance is a sound investment in an uncertain world.
If you wish to purchase trip insurance, we recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance.
For information on recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
For even greater information, or if you simply prefer communicating with a real, live person, feel free to contact our exclusive agent Michael Bennett. Michael will help you identify the best product for your needs, and there is no cost associated with his assistance. You may contact him at:
Email: WildLandTrekking@EasyToInsureME.com
US by Phone: 877-305-9083
Direct/International by Phone: 702-448-3664
If you already have insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.
If you secure an insurance policy please bring a copy of it to provide to your guides at the orientation meeting.
WEATHER IN THE NORWAY
Norway’s weather is generally cool and wet. Precipitation is common, but least common in July and August. However, in July and August, it still rains most days if just small amounts. Weather changes quickly in the mountains of Norway, from bright warm and sunny, to windy and rainy. Guests need to be prepared for any weather on this trip. In Bergen, on the west coast of Norway, rain is extremely common.
Over the last 5 years, summers have been getting increasingly warm, with highs in the 30s Celsius (high 80s, low 90s Fahrenheit). In Jotunheimen National Park, the average high temperature in July is 19 degrees Celsius (66°F), with a low of -5 (23°F). In August, the average high temperature is 16 degrees Celsius (61°F) with a low of -1 (30°F). Wind in July and August is at its lightest of the year, and has an average of 12-14 m/s. Average rainfall in July is 69mm, August is 82mm.
Accommodations
MOUNTAIN HUTS
4 NIGHTS
The mountain huts we stay in are warm, cozy, basic accommodations in stunning locations. They feature double or communal rooms most often with bunkbeds (single rooms are not available in the huts.) They have hot water with showers, flush toilets, and some have wifi.
FILEFJELLSTUENE LODGE
1 NIGHT
This wonderful lodge puts us right in the action for making the most of our journey from the mountains to the fjords, as its situated in a stunning location overlooking a deep, majestic valley. This lodge features private rooms (double or single) with private bathrooms, wifi…etc.
VANGSGAARDEN LODGE
1 NIGHT
Surrounded by towering mountains and deep fjords, this lodge has been operated by one family since the 18th century. This is where the salmon-fishing British gentry came to fish throughout the nineteenth century. The historic buildings have been updated to modern, wonderful accommodations.
CLARION HOTEL ADMIRAL
1 NIGHT
This hotel is perfectly situated in central Bergen with wonderful views of the harbour and Norway’s surrounding mountains as well as easy access to the bustling fish market. With plenty of character, it is a modern, comfortable hotel that was converted from an early 20th century maritime warehouse.
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
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