Article Besseggen ridge crossing

The trek starts at the Gjendesheim hut. It takes about 5 hours by bus from Oslo. After arriving in Gjendesheim, you have practically two options for completing the trek. There is a regular boat line on the Gjendesheim – Memurubu route. You can start the trek directly in Gjendesheim and go to Memurub, from where you can get back by boat, or first get transported to Memurub, from where you can go trek to Gjendesheim. The vast majority of people choose the Memurub-Gjendesheim variant because it is simpler. When choosing the Gjendesheim – Memurub variant, the first part of the trek still climbs to the highest point of the trek, the Veslfjellet peak (1743 m above sea level), from where there is a wonderful view of the more distant peaks of the Jotunheimen National Park. After reaching the summit, there is a very challenging steep descent to the natural dam Bandet, which separates Lake Gjende from almost 400 meters above Lake Bessvatnet. Although this part of the trek is the most challenging, it is also the most beautiful. The views of both lakes are unbelievable. From the Bandet dam, the road starts to climb again practically to the crossroads of hiking trails, where one leads to Memurub and the other continues to the national park to another tourist hut Glitterheim, from where the ascents to Norway's second highest mountain Glittertind begin. In the case of a trip only to Memurub, there is practically only a descent to the tourist hut and departure back to Gjendesheim.

Boat transport on Lake Gjende, which transports tourists on the route Gjendesheim – Memurubu

You can enjoy wonderful views as you climb to the highest point of the trek

Although the mountains in Norway are not dizzyingly high, they in Jotunheimen resemble the majestic peaks of the Alps.

Although the two lakes are separated only by a natural dam, their altitude differs by almost 400 meters!