Gjendehøe Hiking Trail

The short hike up to Gjendehøe is a quick adventure with lovely views over Gjende Lake and the surrounding mountains. 

Public Transportation
A public bus stops at Gjendesheim and connects to Oslo and Bergen. From Oslo, take the NW161 Valdresekspressen. This route runs from Oslo bus terminal to the stop Gjendesheim. Or the route NW160 Valdresekspressen to Årdalstangen and change to NW161 Valdresekspressen.

From Bergen, take the NW163 Øst-VestXpressen to Fagernes. Change to NW161 Valdresekspressen to Gjendesheim. You can buy one ticket for the entire journey.

Car
From Oslo, head north on E16, towards Bergen, for 185 kilometers. When you reach Fagernes, follow signs to road 51, towards Vågå/Beitostølen. From Beitostølen keep following road 51 towards Bygdin. Keep on driving past Bygdin for another 22 kilometers until you reach the signs for Gjendesheim lodge on your left. Follow the road to the very end.

From Bergen drive via E16 towards Vossevangen. Then drive to Beitostølen either through Vang or Fagernes. Follow road 51 for another 34 kilometers before you see the sign for Gjendesheim.

Note: Road 51, “Valdresflya”, is typically open from the end of April through December. Check the road status.

Parking
If you’re visiting for the day or beginning a multi-day trek, park at Reinsvangen long-term parking. The parking lot is on the right-hand side shortly after turning off Road 51 and on to the road to Gjendesheim. Parking costs 150 NOK for 24 hours and longer stays are available. Pay by card at the machine. A shuttle runs the 1.7 kilometer trip between the parking lot and the quay every 15 minutes.

For overnight guests at Gjendesheim, free parking is available.

At Gjendeosen, the area by the quay, there is free parking for up to 2 hours. You still need to collect a ticket from the machine.

The hike starts off with a small boat ride across Gjendeosen to the beginning of the trail. You can borrow a boat at the convenience store at Gjendeosen or ask if they can row you across the lake. 

Once you are at the other side of the lake find the trail with red markers and follow this trail towards Nedre Leirungen Lake. At the lake, you get to a trail junction where you want to take a right on the trail going up to Gjendehøe. Near the summit, there are two different trails going up the last bit, and you can choose which one you want to follow. 

• The trail can be quite wet so bring waterproof shoes
• Fill up your water bottle before leaving Gjende Lake

• Free toilet by Reinsvangen parking lot and by the quay
• Convenience store by the quay where you can buy drinks, something to eat and a few grocery items

Gjendesheim Turisthytte is a great place to stay in this area and is located at the start of the trail.