Illustrative artwork — an impression of Besseggen Ridge — Jotunheimen, not a literal photograph.
Besseggen Ridge, in Jotunheimen National Park, is Norway's best-known day hike: a narrow spine of rock running between two lakes that sit right next to each other in strikingly different colors, the emerald-green Gjende and the blue Bessvatnet. Most hikers ride the boat across Gjende to the Memurubu lodge, then walk back over the ridge to the Gjendesheim lodge, which means your night's lodging is decided before you ever start climbing.
Why hike here
The reason people come back to Besseggen isn't one viewpoint — it's the whole ridge unfolding as one long payoff. You start at lake level, climb a scramble where you're using your hands on rock with real exposure on both sides, and then the ridge narrows until you can see both lakes at once: Gjende a deep glacial green, Bessvatnet a colder blue, split by a wall of rock that looks too neat to be natural. Weather up there can turn quickly, bright one hour and gray and windy the next. Taking the boat to start at Memurubu also means the hardest climbing comes early, while your legs are fresh, leaving the long descent to Gjendesheim as a chance to look back at where you've been.
Getting there
Jotunheimen sits inland in Norway's mountains, so there's no airport near the trailhead — the realistic route is to fly into Oslo, then drive north into the park. Renting a car in Oslo is the simplest way to handle this last leg, since public transport that far into Jotunheimen is limited; the drive takes you up through the Vågå and Otta valleys before climbing into the park itself. If you're starting the classic route at Memurubu rather than Gjendesheim, you'd still drive to Gjendesheim first and pick up the boat across Gjende from there.
Where to stay
The realistic options, closest-to-the-trail first. Book through the official links — we don't list prices or availability because they change all the time.
Illustrative — evokes the setting, not a specific property. For example: Norwegian Trekking Association lodges at the start (Gjendesheim) and mid-lake (Memurubu, reached by boat)
Hikers doing the classic point-to-point — boat to Memurubu, then hike back over Besseggen.
The Gjende boat links the two lodges; book beds ahead in summer.
Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT)For example: Cabins, campsites and hotels in the valleys near the trailhead
Hikers basing a night either side of the ridge.
A road base for reaching Gjendesheim.
Nearby-area lodgingPermits & rules
No permit is needed. The classic route rides the Gjende boat to Memurubu and hikes back over Besseggen; the ridge is exposed with one steep scramble, so pick a clear, dry day and check the boat schedule.
Gear you'll want for this trip
Matched to the terrain and conditions here. Real products — check current price on Amazon.
Common questions
Do I need to book lodging before I go?
Yes — book ahead. Besseggen is one of Jotunheimen's most popular hikes, and the DNT lodges at Gjendesheim and Memurubu can fill up through the hiking season. If you're basing yourself in the Vågå or Otta valleys instead, book those rooms early too, especially for weekends in summer.
Which lodge should I stay at, Gjendesheim or Memurubu?
It depends on which direction you hike. The classic route takes the boat across Gjende to Memurubu, then walks the ridge back to Gjendesheim, so most people end up staying at Gjendesheim before or after and using Memurubu partway through. Either lodge works as a base — check the boat schedule when you plan your stay.
What's the best time of year to hike Besseggen?
Late June through September, once the snow has cleared from the ridge, is the realistic window. Conditions can vary year to year, so check current trail reports before you commit to dates, and expect the trail — and the lodges — to be busiest in the middle of that stretch. Outside this window, snow and ice make the exposed scramble far riskier.
Complete gearsets for this trip
Full curated kits built for exactly this kind of hike — what to bring, why, and links to similar gear.
Lodging details are compiled from official parks, refuge associations and reservation systems and can change without notice. We publish no prices, availability or ratings — always confirm current information on the official site before booking or setting out. Product links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; prices and availability are shown on Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.