Jotunheimen Haute Route

The Norwegian Haute Route equivalent! This five-day tour takes you through the finest of Norwegian mountains, Jotunheimen.

This trip requires good physical condition and good skiing skills, and that there are stable snow conditions.
The trip starts with a dinner at Gjendesheim the evening before the first day of the trip. The first day begins with transportation from Gjendesheim to Krossbu, where the journey commences. If conditions permit, we will attempt to cross Jotunheimen and visit the mountains Storebjørn, Galdhøpiggen, and Norway’s second-highest mountain, Glittertind, before returning to Gjendesheim. We will stay in cabins along the way, where a three-course dinner, breakfast, and packed lunches will be provided.
It’s important to be aware that the weather and avalanche risk can be unpredictable in Jotunheimen. The trip description above assumes favourable conditions. Breogfjell will always adapt the route and the journey based on the conditions, and guests should be prepared for changes in the itinerary in case of poor weather or avalanche conditions.

Jotunheimen Haute Route day by day

Day 0
Meeting at 7 pm at Gjendesheim. Here we have dinner followed by a briefing and packing of equipment.

Day 1
Krossbu – Leirvassbu, total approximately 15 km, 1200 meters altitude. The day starts with car transport to Krossbu. We ascend Leirbrean to Bjørnebreen and Storbjørn (2222moh), and descend the Smørstabbre massif to Leirvassbu. Much of the journey is on a glacier. Alternatively, we descend Storbrean. This depends on the weather and conditions.

Day 2

Leirvassbu – Spiterstulen. If coditions allow it, this day stage can be extended over the mighty Galdhøpiggen (2468 m above sea level), Norway’s highest mountain, and up to three other 2000-meter peaks. The shortest alternative is approximately 19 km in total with a cumulative elevation gain of 1600 meters, making it a challenging day stage. In case of bad weather, the alternative is to go directly to Bukkeholsbandet from Leirvassbu.

Day 3

Spiterstulen – Glitterheim –, total approximately 17 km, 1100 meters in altitude. Over Norway’s second-highest mountain – the mighty Glittertind, 1100 meters in altitude from Spiterstulen and Visdalen. A long uphill climb and a long descent before heading down to the well-known Glitterheim, where we will spend the night.

Day 4

Glitterheim-Memurubu, total approximately 24 km with an elevation gain of 1600 meters. We are attempting to summit Store Surtnigssue at 2368 meters above sea level (Norway’s 7th highest mountain). This is a long day with a significant amount of ascent and some longer transportation segments.

Day 5

The last day goes through the glacier massif Smørstabbren. We go up to Bjørnbreen Glacier and ascent Mt.Storebjørn before we go back to Sognefjellsroad for pickup with bus. In total ca 15km 1200 meters ascent

Alternatives

If the weather and/or snow conditions is bad, or any participants have problems, it is possible to choose to go all or part of the stages along marked ski trails in the valleys or alternative routes.

Highly qualified guides

All Breogfjell Mountain Guides are qualified IFMGA Mountain Guides (called “Tindevegledere” in Norwegian) or approved in Norway by Norsk Fjellsportforum. They also know the area like their own pocket. For ski mountaineering we only use IFMGA certified guides or aspirant guides.

This could be the adventure you seek

You must have good skiing skills (able to ski controlled downward) and good physical condition. The ski tour can be organized with varying difficulty, but some steep slopes is unavoidable. The snow conditions can be variable. We will ski on glaciers and in potentially dangerous avalanche terrain. This ski tour require up to 1700 meters ascent and up to 24 km every day. Several daily stages requires good visibility and stable snow conditions to be implemented. The alternative then is marked routes in the valleys. We therefore strongly recommend lightweight apine ski touring equipment.

Equipment and clothing for Jotunheimen Haute Route

This trip requires lightweight pack strategy! Do not bring more than what is on the list. Glacier and avalanche equipment can be borrowed by Breogfjell if noticed in advance.

Backpack, 40 liter (must enable to attach ski and ice axes)
Randonèe or telemark skis with skins (preferably tech bindings)
Skins
Ski crampons (Important!)
Ski boots
Poles

Glacier equipment (can be borrowed by Breogfjell)

Ice axe
Crampons
Harness
2 screw carabiners
1 prusik sling (6 mm)
1 120cm webbing- or ropesling

Avalance equipment (can be borrowed by Breogfjell)

Beacon
Shovel
Probe

Clothing

wind/waterproof shell
gloves / mittens / hat (wind and waterproof)
Socks (inkl. spare)
insulating underwear (wool)
insulation midlayer (wool, fleece or thin down west)
insulation jacket (down, primaloft or wool)

Annet

Sunglasses and goggles
Sunblock (strong!)
Headlamp (important!)
Toothbrush etc. (inkl. toiletpaper)
Wipes (for washing hands)
Personal medicine
Sleeping liner
Earplugs
Camera
Bottle / thermos

The guide brings

Small repair kit
First aid kit
Emergency bivouac
Glacier rescue equipment
GPS, map and compass

At the cabins, there is possible to rent towels and linens for between 60,- and 100,- at each cabin.

Accomodation and food

Along the tour we stay at staffed mountain lodges. There is accommodation in dormitory, but if you want a double room during the trip we can arrange this. You will be served a three course dinner in the evening, breakfast in the morning and you can buy lunch and drinks for the following day. You should be able to carry about 2 liter of water every day. If you like to have a hot drink, you can get your thermos filled at the cabins.
If the tour bypasses the scheduled dates we will be staying in self service cabin at Glitterheim and Memurubu.

Transport

You need to get yourself to and from Gjendesheim lodge. The nearest Town is Otta. The trip ends the same place the trip begins. All transportation during the trip is included. .