A hike on the Besseggen - Day 2

Saturday 27 June:

The next morning we check-out and have breakfast at the Bergo Hotel.












We start our tour to the Besseggen leaving Beitostølen in direction to Gjendesheim in the Jotunheimen Nationalpark where we park the cars:






















In Gjendesheim, at the bottom of the Nationalpark's biggest lake Gjende, we get on board the boat bringing us to Mumurubu, starting point of our hiking tour which will lead us via the Besseggen back to Gjendesheim:

























Mumurubu, the tour starts... and noone knows yet what awaits us. Join me in this trip by scrolling down all those many beautiful pictures.

I know it will be a lot of pictures, but I reduced the pictures taken (by me and by my colleagues) during the whole weekend already from 700 to now ca. 230... not easy as one picture was more beautiful than the other.

At this place a short description of what follows:

There is a rather steep incline on the way up from Memurubu during the first hour, before the terrain gradually levels off and you descend towards the "strip" between the lakes of Bessvatn (1,374 m.a.s.l.) and Gjende (984 m.a.s.l.). Many visitors choose to take a little rest here and enjoy the view of the dark blue Bessvatn Lake and the emerald green Lake Gjende before proceeding along the actual ridge. There is a roughly 400 metre drop straight down to Lake Gjende in this area. Segments of the ridge are very narrow, and manoeuvring can be challenging if one meets hikers walking in the opposite direction. However, this situation is resolved through good cooperation! Once you have ascended the ridge, it is common to enjoy your lunch pack now, if you haven't already taken a food break at the "strip". And be sure to turn around and enjoy the view towards Gjende and the Gjende Alps! The hike continues along a well worn trail towards Gjendesheim over Veslefjell Mountain. You pass a large pile of rocks at the top of the mountain, which marks the highest point of the hike at 1,743 m.a.s.l. There is a fork in the trail about one kilometre from Gjendesheim, the route to the left goes towards Glitterheim and Bessheim, and the other one leads down towards Gjendesheim and Gjende. The hike down from Veslefjell Mountain can be steep in areas, but the trail is excellent. Due to the high volume of traffic over Besseggen, the DNT is working on pitching the trail with stones. It is therefore asked that you only walk along the trail itself, and not beside it. This will prevent unnecessary erosion on the vegetation and nearby terrain. This hike covers a total distance of 17 km. [read more]

So let's see. It sounds promising. Enjoy it with me!









The particle-laden glacial water that flows into Gjende gives the lake an emerald-green colour in summer.


























































































































































Yes, we will climb up this steep mountain on the left in the picture!!!











Ok, let's go. Let's hike up to the top!












We made it: we've reached the top! Amazing!









Already on the way back down... but still 2 hours to go.







































Arrival: the last steps... after 8 hours!


Back to Gjendesheim we continue by car to Randsverk, Sjoa and to Vinstra...



... where we check-in for our overnight stay in Fefor at the beautiful historical Fefor Høyfjellhotell which we also use for our groups and FITs.
Below some pictures taken from the hotel room in the evening. It's beautiful.









Conclusion: what an exhausting but amazingly beautiful day! Incredible!

Sleep well!