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- Besseggen Ridge — The classic Jotunheimen hike: a sharp ridge between bright turquoise Lake Gjende and darker Lake Bessvatnet. Expect jaw-dropping panoramas, a solid workout, and one of Norway’s most photographed contrasts of water and rock.
- Galdhøpiggen — Norway’s highest peak (2,469 m) and an almost-mandatory summit for peak-baggers. You can walk up from Juvasshytta or take a guided glacier route; the views from the top make the effort worth every sore muscle.
- Glittertind — The second-highest summit, often snow-capped and dramatic, with routes that feel wilder and less crowded than Galdhøpiggen. Great for hikers wanting big mountain scenery without the busiest trail.
- Hurrungane Range — A jagged, alpine playground for experienced climbers and scramblers: knife-edged summits, steep couloirs,
- Besseggen Ridge — The classic Jotunheimen hike: a sharp ridge between bright turquoise Lake Gjende and darker Lake Bessvatnet. Expect jaw-dropping panoramas, a solid workout, and one of Norway’s most photographed contrasts of water and rock.
- Galdhøpiggen — Norway’s highest peak (2,469 m) and an almost-mandatory summit for peak-baggers. You can walk up from Juvasshytta or take a guided glacier route; the views from the top make the effort worth every sore muscle.
- Glittertind — The second-highest summit, often snow-capped and dramatic, with routes that feel wilder and less crowded than Galdhøpiggen. Great for hikers wanting big mountain scenery without the busiest trail.
- Hurrungane Range — A jagged, alpine playground for experienced climbers and scramblers: knife-edged summits, steep couloirs, and granite faces. It’s where Jotunheimen feels truly rugged and dramatic.
- Lake Gjende & the boat crossing — That unreal glacier-fed green color is even better from the water. The short boat hop from Gjendesheim lets you start (or finish) hikes at different spots and saves energy for Besseggen.
- Wild reindeer and alpine wildlife — Jotunheimen is one of the last strongholds for Norway’s wild reindeer; you’ll also see ptarmigan, arctic fox signs, and alpine birds. Wildlife encounters are honest and often happen right by the trail if you move quietly.
- DNT mountain huts & trail network — The Red Cross of the trail world: comfy, simple huts spaced for easy multi-day treks and resupplies (think Gjendesheim, Fondsbu, Leirvassbu). They make backcountry routes doable even on a tight budget and help you string together classic hikes without camping every night.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.