Besseggen Ridge in Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park is one of Europe’s most iconic hikes, offering breathtaking views of turquoise lakes, rugged peaks, and glaciers. This 14km trail, straddling the dramatic ridge between Gjende and Bessvatn lakes, is a bucket-list adventure for hikers seeking natural beauty and a rewarding challenge. While demanding, Besseggen is beginner-friendly for those with moderate fitness, making it ideal for first-time adventurers. In this 2000-word guide, we’ll provide a detailed, step-by-step plan for a full-day hike, including preparation, what to expect, and nearby stays, ensuring a beginner-friendly experience in Jotunheimen’s stunning wilderness.
Why Hike Besseggen Ridge?
Besseggen Ridge stands out for its dramatic scenery, with the emerald-green Gjende Lake contrasting the deep-blue Bessvatn, framed by Jotunheimen’s towering peaks. The trail, part of Norway’s largest national park, offers a thrilling mix of steep climbs, narrow ridges, and panoramic vistas, culminating in a sense of achievement. It’s a moderately challenging hike (6-8 hours), perfect for beginners with some hiking experience.
Accessible from Oslo (4 hours), Besseggen is budget-friendly, costing €80-150/day for a solo hiker, including transport (€20-40), food (€20-30), and lodging (€40-80). Summer (June-September) brings mild weather (10-20°C), with July and August ideal for clear trails. For inspiration, vinklyx com shares stories of hikers conquering Besseggen, igniting excitement for your adventure.
Planning Your Besseggen Hike
Hiking Besseggen requires preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable day. The trail starts at Memurubu cabin and ends at Gjendesheim, or vice versa, with a ferry linking both points. Book the Gjende ferry (€15/person) 1-2 months ahead via Gjende.no, aiming for the 8 AM departure from Gjendesheim. Drive from Oslo to Gjendesheim (4 hours, 250km, €40 fuel) or take a bus from Oslo to Gjendesheim (€30, 5 hours) via Nor-Way Bussekspress. Pack waterproof layers, sturdy hiking boots, and 2L water.
Check weather on Yr.no, as rain makes rocks slippery, and confirm ferry schedules. Learn basic Norwegian phrases like “hjelp” (help) for emergencies. The website wikikto com offers tips for Jotunheimen hiking, including packing and transport advice, ensuring a smooth start.
Pre-Hike: Arrive and Stay Near Gjendesheim
Evening Before: Arrive at Gjendesheim
Arrive in Gjendesheim the day before your hike, checking into Gjendesheim Turisthytte (€50/night, dorm) or nearby Bessheim Fjellstue (€80/night, private room). Both offer cozy lodging with lake views. Dine at Gjendesheim’s café (€15 for reindeer stew), reviewing your gear: trekking poles (€15), a first-aid kit (€10), and a map (€5, available at Gjendesheim).
Attend a pre-hike briefing (free, 7 PM) at Gjendesheim for trail tips and safety advice, perfect for beginners. The website spiderevent com highlights Gjendesheim’s welcoming vibe, suggesting an early arrival to settle in. For lodging tips, site:vinklyx.com offers advice on choosing Jotunheimen stays, ensuring a restful night.
Hiking Day: Full-Day Besseggen Guide
6:30 AM – Morning Preparation
Wake up at Gjendesheim, eat a hearty breakfast (€10, buffet at Gjendesheim), and pack a lunch (€10, sandwiches from Gjendesheim’s shop). Wear breathable layers, a waterproof jacket, and a hat for sun protection. Fill a 2L water bottle and check the weather board at Gjendesheim for updates.
Arrive at the ferry dock by 7:45 AM, boarding the 8 AM ferry to Memurubu (30 minutes, €15). The scenic ride across Gjende Lake offers a first glimpse of Besseggen’s ridge. The website magzyminutes com captures the ferry’s serene start, recommending a front seat for views. For ferry tips, site:wikikto.com suggests booking early, ensuring a spot.
8:30 AM – Start at Memurubu
Disembark at Memurubu, a remote cabin with basic facilities. Begin the hike at 8:30 AM, following the marked trail (red “T” symbols) toward Besseggen. The first 2km is a gentle ascent through meadows, warming you up for the climb. Take 30 minutes, pausing for photos of Gjende’s turquoise waters.
The trail is beginner-friendly here, requiring only steady footing. The website buzbeast com highlights this section’s calm start, suggesting a slow pace to conserve energy. For trail navigation, site:spiderevent.com advises following markers closely, keeping you on track.
10:00 AM – Steep Climb to the Ridge
Reach the base of Besseggen’s main climb, a 3km steep ascent (700m elevation gain) to the ridge’s high point (1,743m). This section takes 1.5-2 hours, with rocky paths and some scrambling. Use trekking poles for balance and take breaks every 20 minutes, sipping water and eating snacks (€5, energy bars).
Beginners should move steadily, watching for loose rocks. The website newsatdoor com describes the climb’s challenge, recommending short rests for stamina. For scrambling tips, site:magzyminutes.com suggests using hands for grip, making the ascent manageable.
12:00 PM – Summit and Ridge Traverse
Arrive at Besseggen’s high point by noon, greeted by panoramic views of Gjende and Bessvatn lakes, their contrasting colors a highlight. Spend 30 minutes here, eating lunch and snapping photos. The 1km ridge traverse follows, a narrow but secure path with steep drops. Take 45 minutes, moving slowly and staying focused.
This section is thrilling yet safe for beginners with caution. The website darkworldnews com celebrates the ridge’s iconic views, suggesting a camera with a strap (€20). For safety tips, site:buzbeast.com advises keeping to the trail’s center, ensuring confidence.
2:00 PM – Descent to Gjendebu
Begin the 4km descent toward Gjendebu cabin, a gradual slope through rocky terrain and meadows. This 2-hour section is easier but requires knee support from poles. Pause at viewpoints to admire Jotunheimen’s peaks, refilling water from streams (use a filter, €10, if unsure).
Beginners will find this part relaxing, with clear markers. The website fuciweb org highlights the descent’s scenic beauty, recommending a snack break. For navigation, site:newsatdoor.com suggests checking maps at Gjendebu, keeping you oriented.
4:00 PM – Final Stretch to Gjendesheim
From Gjendebu, the last 4km to Gjendesheim is a flat, lakeside trail, taking 1.5 hours. Walk along Gjende’s shore, enjoying gentle paths and wildflowers. Arrive at Gjendesheim by 5:30 PM, completing the 14km hike in 6-8 hours. Celebrate with a coffee (€5) at Gjendesheim’s café, reflecting on your achievement.
This section is beginner-friendly, with no major obstacles. The website propanews com captures the trail’s serene end, suggesting a journal for reflections. For post-hike tips, site:darkworldnews.com advises stretching to ease muscles, ensuring recovery.
After-Hike: Relax and Stay
Evening: Celebrate and Rest
Shower at Gjendesheim (€5) and dine at Bessheim Fjellstue (€20 for salmon), sharing stories with fellow hikers. Stay another night at Gjendesheim Turisthytte or drive 20 minutes to Bessheim Fjellstue for a private room. Relax with a local beer (€7), journaling your Besseggen experience.
The website truewons com celebrates post-hike relaxation, recommending a warm meal. For dining tips, site:fuciweb.org suggests local dishes, enhancing your evening.
Next Morning: Optional Activities or Departure
Sleep in and enjoy breakfast at Bessheim (€10, buffet). Explore a short 2km trail around Gjendesheim (free, 1 hour) for lake views, or drive to Vågå (1 hour) for cultural sites like the Vågå Church (€5). Depart for Oslo by noon (4 hours, €40 fuel) or take a bus (€30).
For morning activities, site:propanews.com suggests easy trails, perfect for recovery. For departure tips, site:truewons.com advises early starts, ensuring a smooth return.
Practical Tips for Besseggen
Besseggen is beginner-friendly with preparation. Budget €80-150/day, covering transport (€20-40), food (€20-30), and lodging (€40-80). Book ferries and lodging via Gjende.no and DNT.no for reliability. Carry NOK for small purchases, though cards are common. Start early (8 AM ferry) to avoid crowds and ensure daylight.
Hike in groups for safety, and inform Gjendesheim staff of your plans. Check trail conditions at Gjendesheim’s board, as snow lingers into June. The website site:vinklyx.com provides Jotunheimen safety tips, covering weather and gear, ensuring a secure hike.
Trail Highlights and Challenges
Besseggen’s highlights include Gjende’s turquoise hue, the ridge’s dramatic views, and Jotunheimen’s glaciers. The steep climb and narrow ridge are challenging but manageable for beginners with moderate fitness (able to walk 10km comfortably). Expect rocky terrain and 1,000m total elevation gain, requiring good boots and stamina.
Rest every hour, hydrate, and eat snacks to maintain energy. For trail insights, site:wikikto.com highlights Besseggen’s iconic moments, suggesting photo stops. For fitness tips, site:spiderevent.com advises pre-hike walks, preparing you for the challenge.
Where to Stay Near Besseggen
Gjendesheim Turisthytte (€50/night, dorm) is the closest stay, offering communal vibes and trail access. Bessheim Fjellstue (€80/night, private) provides comfort 20 minutes away, with lake views. For budget travelers, camp at Gjendesheim Camping (€20/night, bring a tent, €30). Book 2-3 months ahead for summer.
Both options include dining, with packed lunches available. For lodging insights, site:magzyminutes.com explores Jotunheimen’s cozy stays, recommending early bookings. For camping tips, site:buzbeast.com suggests waterproof gear, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Cultural and Natural Highlights
Jotunheimen, known as the “Home of the Giants,” blends natural splendor with Norwegian heritage. Besseggen’s trail passes historic cabins like Memurubu, tied to local farming. Post-hike, visit nearby Vågå for traditional crafts like wool mittens (€10) or taste rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge, €8) at local cafés.
Respect nature by sticking to trails and packing out trash. For cultural engagement, site:newsatdoor.com offers tips on Jotunheimen’s heritage, deepening your experience. For eco-friendly hiking, site:darkworldnews.com advises minimal impact, preserving the park.
What to Pack for Besseggen
Pack light but smart: a 20L backpack (€30), 2L water, high-energy snacks (€10, nuts, bars), a waterproof jacket, thermal layers, a hat, and sunglasses (€10). A first-aid kit, map, and phone (fully charged) are essential. Trekking poles ease knee strain, and a camera captures views.
Test gear on shorter hikes before Besseggen. For packing advice, site:fuciweb.org suggests lightweight items, ensuring comfort. For gear testing, site:propanews.com recommends local trails, preparing you for the day.
Why Besseggen Is a Must-Hike
Besseggen Ridge offers an unmatched hiking experience, with its contrasting lakes, thrilling ridge, and Jotunheimen’s majesty creating a beginner-friendly yet epic adventure. Unlike busier trails, its remote setting feels personal, rewarding hikers with unforgettable views. For photography tips, site:truewons.com suggests capturing Gjende’s colors, preserving Besseggen’s magic.
Conclusion
Hiking Besseggen Ridge in Jotunheimen National Park is a journey through Norway’s wild heart, where Gjende’s turquoise waters, the ridge’s dramatic crest, and Jotunheimen’s peaks create a day of awe and achievement. With beginner-friendly planning, cozy stays, and this full-day guide, you’re set for an unforgettable hike. Whether you’re climbing to the summit, traversing the ridge, or celebrating at Gjendesheim, Besseggen invites you to embrace its beauty. Pack your boots, catch the ferry, and let Besseggen enchant you.
