Welcome to Høgruta i Jotunheimen

On day 1, the route follows the marked winter trail from Gjendesheim lodge or Bessheim lodge to the east end of Bessvatn lake. If you walk from Bessheim lodge, you are walking directly westward and the sun is therefore not too fierce. During Easter, when the sun is blazing in the mountains, this can actually be an advantage. From Bessvatn lake, you follow the ridge up to Bukkehø mountain and onward to the summit of Besshø (2258 meters above sea level). It is a pleasant trip going up with a gradual and manageable ascent. Besshø is an impressive mountain, a transition between the gentle mountain formations in the east and their more alpine, jagged counterparts on the north and west side. The view is incredible. Facing south, the view overlooks the region of Valdres and Gudrandsdalen valley. One of the most beautiful views from a summit on this side. You stand above Besseggen ridge, looking down on the Bessevatn and Gjende lakes. And you see your route onward.

The descent is made down the west couloir, alternatively the west ridge if there is an avalanche risk. The west couloir starts out rough and steep. The alternative is to walk down the ridge and enter the couloir at a lower point. From there, you follow the natural ridge to Memurubu lodge. If the weather is bad, you can go directly over Gjende lake to Memurubu, following a marked trail.

The descent down Styggehøbrean glacier to Veodalen valley is not particularly steep. If the weather and snow conditions allow, you can include more exciting descents. You can also summit Styggehøe mountain (1183 meters above sea level) for an extra descent down towards Glitterheim lodge. In case of bad weather, it is not necessary to go over Surtningssue mountain, and you can instead follow a shortened ski route from Memurubu lodge to Glitterheim lodge.

But look forward to the descent. It is very nice, going westward, down the ridge to the bottom of Steindalen valley. From here, you go over Skautkampen and down to Spiterstulen lodge. In case of bad weather, you follow a shortened route between Glitterheim lodge and Spiterstulen lodge.

Haute Route is the world's most famous multi-day randonée ski tour. Starting in Chamonix, France, the tour takes six days through the most stunning mountain areas in the Alps, from lodge to lodge, until you finally end up in Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland. Thousands of enthusiasts from around the world complete this trip annually. It is on the bucket-list of very many randonée skiing enthusiasts. Now we are working for this to become the new “must do” activity for experienced Norwegian and international skiers. The lodges are already in place and the mountains are perfectly suited for the trip.

Hopefully you have energy to spare. This is perhaps the most challenging day of the trip. The route follows the normal path up to Galdhøpiggen mountain. From the summit, you descend the southern couloir west of Keilhaus topp, and down Svellnosbreen glacier. Be aware of crevasses. From here, you go mid-way up Tverråtinden mountain and descend the south couloir to Tverråbreen glacier. From here, the route goes up to Bukkeholstinden mountain. The descent goes down the south-west side, down onto Søre Illåbrean glacier, and then up to Store Tverrbottind mountain ridge. The descent is made westward down to Leirholet inlet and onward down into Leirdalen valley and up to Leirvassbu lodge. In case of bad weather, you follow a shortened ski route.

Ascension of Storebjørn mountain following the ordinary route from the east, thereafter through Bjørnskaret and down onto Leirbrean glacier and down to the Krossbu lodge. In case of bad weather, the trip is completed down Leirdalen valley.

The choice of route must be varied depending on weather and snow conditions, physical condition and ambitions. The trip is not for beginners. Always think safety first. When we took this route last year, the weather was too poor for us to complete the final leg. We also had bad weather on day 4 and chose a route based on the snow conditions. We look forward to testing more alternatives. Jotunheimen Haute Route will be attempted when the sun is shining in April 2014. Perhaps we will see you there?