Trail comparison

Besseggen Ridge vs Trolltunga: Which Should You Hike?

Choose Besseggen Ridge if you want a shorter point-to-point day with a boat ride and a steep, hands-on scramble along an exposed spine; choose Trolltunga if you want a long out-and-back day across a rolling plateau to a famous ledge, with the option of camping out. Both are demanding and need a clear weather window.

Wide view of a narrow trail climbing a rocky slope above a long blue glacial lake in high mountains

Besseggen Ridge and Trolltunga at a glance

Besseggen Ridge is a point-to-point route in Jotunheimen, normally hiked between Memurubu and Gjendesheim with a one-way boat crossing of Lake Gjende. Trolltunga is an out-and-back hike in Hardanger to a rock ledge, usually a very long day on foot. People weigh them against each other because both are famous Norwegian mountain days that reward early starts, good fitness and careful weather planning.

	Besseggen Ridge	Trolltunga
Place	Jotunheimen · Norway	Hardanger · Norway
Distance	~14 km (8.7 miles), point-to-point between DNT's Gjendesheim and Memurubu huts (most hikers cross Lake Gjende by boat one-way and walk the other)	27 km (16.8 miles) round trip from the main P2 Skjeggedal trailhead (20 km / 12.4 mi round trip from the higher P3 Mågelitopp trailhead)
Elevation gain	~1,200 m (3,937 ft) cumulative ascent/descent over the full route	~800 m (2,625 ft) from the main Skjeggedal trailhead
Difficulty	Strenuous / Demanding (DNT-affiliated sources describe it as demanding over its full length); the narrow ridge section itself (~1 km) involves exposed scrambling	Very strenuous; usually a long day (commonly 8-12 hours), often split with an overnight stay
Route type	point-to-point (day hike, normally combined with a one-way boat crossing on Lake Gjende)	out-and-back
Official season	Late June to September, once the ridge is snow-free	Mid-June to September; outside mid-summer conditions are harder and guiding is often advised
Managed by	Norwegian Environment Agency & DNT	Regional tourism & landowners

Effort and difficulty

Besseggen Ridge is about 14 km (8.7 miles) with roughly 1,200 m (3,937 ft) of cumulative ascent and descent, and is described as strenuous or demanding. Its hardest moment is the roughly 1 km ridge, which involves exposed scrambling. Trolltunga is 27 km (16.8 miles) round trip from the Skjeggedal trailhead with about 800 m (2,625 ft) of gain, and is rated very strenuous, commonly taking 8-12 hours. Trolltunga is the bigger commitment in distance and time; Besseggen packs more climbing and exposure into fewer miles. Starting Trolltunga from the higher P3 trailhead cuts the distance to 20 km (12.4 miles).

Hiker using hands and poles to climb steep rock steps out of a green fjord valley

Season, permits and booking

Besseggen's official season runs late June to September, once the ridge is snow-free. Trolltunga's runs mid-June to September, and outside mid-summer conditions are harder and a guide is often advised. Neither hike requires a permit. For Besseggen, the boat schedule shapes the day, and the park board has issued a 2026 notice about path repair above Memurubu. For Trolltunga, plan an early start and a firm turnaround time. Always confirm current rules and notices with each managing authority before you go.

Which one is right for you?

Choose Besseggen Ridge if…

Pick Besseggen Ridge if you are comfortable with steep scrambling and exposure and want a day that is shorter in distance but intense in character. It suits hikers who enjoy a boat-and-trail logistics puzzle, big views of two lakes, and large, solid holds underhand. Choose a clear, dry day, and plan around the boat timetable. If heights or hands-on climbing worry you, think carefully before committing.

How to hike Besseggen Ridge — Jotunheimen

Choose Trolltunga if…

Pick Trolltunga if you have the stamina for a very long day and prefer sustained walking over scrambling. It suits hikers who are happy on rolling, marked plateau terrain with bare rock, bogs and lingering snow, and who will respect a turnaround time. It also fits those who like flexibility: you can ride up to the higher trailhead or split the trip with a night camping on the plateau.

How to hike Trolltunga

What the two have in common

Both are demanding, exposed mountain days in Norway that need a stable weather window and an early start. Neither requires a permit. Both follow marked routes over rough, rocky high ground where a worn path is often hard to see, and both have a defining feature that draws the crowds: the ridge on one, the ledge on the other. Each rewards careful planning around transport, timing and conditions.

How your choice changes what you pack

Besseggen is a single point-to-point day, so a compact day pack with layers, water and food usually does the job, and you will want gloves or grippy hands for the scramble. Trolltunga's length means more food, full layers and a larger pack, and a camping version adds shelter, sleeping and cooking gear. Plan layers for exposed, changeable weather on both.

Two hikers crouched over an unfolded paper map beside a half-loaded backpack at a trailhead

Common questions

Which hike is harder?

It depends on what challenges you. Trolltunga is longer and rated very strenuous, often taking 8-12 hours. Besseggen Ridge is shorter but described as demanding, with roughly 1 km of exposed scrambling and about 1,200 m (3,937 ft) of cumulative climbing and descent.

Which is better for first-timers?

Neither is a beginner route. Besseggen suits those comfortable with steep, exposed scrambling, while Trolltunga suits those with stamina for a very long day. Build up experience on shorter mountain hikes first, and consider a guide, especially for Trolltunga outside mid-summer.

Do I need a permit for either hike?

No permit is needed for either one, according to the facts for this page. For Besseggen, check the boat schedule and any current park notices, including the 2026 path-repair notice above Memurubu. Confirm current rules with each managing authority before you go.

Can I split either hike over two days?

Trolltunga is commonly split by carrying camping gear onto the plateau for a night, which puts you at the ledge early. Besseggen is normally a single long day, though some hikers sleep at Memurubu and start at first light before walking the ridge.

Sources

Norwegian Environment Agency & DNT — dnt.no: official information for Besseggen Ridge.
Regional tourism & landowners — visitnorway.com (Visit Norway, national tourist board): official information for Trolltunga.

Conditions, permits and access rules change without notice — confirm current information with each managing authority before you go. See our editorial policy.