Hiking in Innlandet – 7 long-distance trails and mountain hikes from Gudbrandsdalen to Jotunheimen

Innlandet is Norway's second largest county by area. It was formed in 2020 through the merger of Hedmark and Oppland and includes Gudbrandsdalen, Valdres, Østerdalen, Hedmarksvidda, the Mjøsa area, Trysil, Engerdal as well as parts of Jotunheimen, Rondane, Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella and Femundsmarka.

This means large distances between hiking areas. A trip in Jotunheimen and a trip in Femundsmarka do not require the same transport planning, equipment or season. DNT's cabins can be manned , i.e. staffed, or unmanned , where you need to plan more independently. Use UT.no and DNT's current information to check trail status, cabin openings, booking and transport.

Here are seven clear goals for those who want to hike in the Inland Region with a focus on long-distance trails, stages and practical planning.

1. Besseggen and Historic Jotunheimen walking route

The classic Besseggen runs between Gjendesheim and Memurubu. The most common plan is to take the Gjendebåten to Memurubu and hike back over the edge to Gjendesheim. The trip is about 14 kilometers, has about 1,100 meters of elevation gain and often takes 6–8 hours.

The terrain alternates between paths, rocks and steeper boulder terrain. Besseggen is demanding, especially in rain, fog or queues on the narrower sections. Hikers should be able to handle the altitude, uneven rocks and long days without relying on the boat to handle all the logistics.

The longer Jotunheimen Historical Hiking Route runs approximately 59 kilometers from Gjendesheim via Memurubu and on towards Fondsbu. Normal planning is four days. Besseggen and Bukkelægeret are included in the route, which combines high mountain terrain with historical routes.

For example, plan:

• Gjendesheim–Memurubu over the Besseggen
• Memurubu–Gjendebu or further according to current route
• Stage towards Fondsbu
• End at Eidsbugarden/Fondsbu with further transportation

The Gjendebåten can shorten or connect stages, but check the timetable and possible booking separately. The boat is not a backup plan if the weather deteriorates.

Check: snow on the edge, water level, boat position, trail status and alternative return routes. Take a map, compass and offline map even on a well-traveled trail.

2. Galdhøpiggen from Juvasshytta or Spiterstulen

Galdhøpiggen is the highest mountain in Norway, Scandinavia and Northern Europe, at 2,469 meters above sea level. The peak is located in Lom municipality in the Inland region.

There are two main paths:

Juvasshytta: The shorter route is about 11 kilometers round trip and has about 650 meters of elevation gain. It goes over Styggebreen. The glacier passage requires an authorized guide, ropes and the right equipment. Crampons may be needed depending on the conditions. This is not a typical day trip for beginners without proper planning.

Spiterstulen: The longer route goes without a glacier but through steep rocky and boulder terrain. Expect about 13 kilometers round trip and about 1,350–1,520 meters of elevation gain depending on the route and how the climb is calculated. A glacier guide is not normally needed here in good summer conditions, but the trip requires mountain experience and good endurance.

The weather can change quickly. Snow, wind, fog and low temperatures occur even in summer. Sunscreen and sunglasses are important as snowfields can cause snow blindness.

Check: guide organizer, glacier conditions, route to starting point, weather forecast and current trail information. Leave a route plan and turn around on time.

3. The Triangle in Rondane – four to five days between cabins

The Trekanten in Rondane is a classic round trip of about 60 kilometers. Central cabins are Rondvassbu, Bjørnhollia and Dørålseter . Straumbu is a possible starting point, while Spranget/Mysusæter is often used as an entrance to Rondvassbu.

A common arrangement is:

1. Spranget–Rondvassbu, approximately 6–7 kilometers on an easier road
2. Rondvassbu–Dørålseter
3. Dørålseter–Bjørnhollia
4. Bjørnhollia–Rondvassbu
5. Rondvassbu–Spranget

The stages can be combined in different ways. The alternative via Høgronden is considerably more demanding than the route through Langglupdalen. The area lies partly between 1,000 and 1,500 meters above sea level and consists of rocks, mountain heath, bog and sometimes snowfields.

The DNT cabins allow you to hike with a lighter pack, but you need to check which cabins are serviced, unserviced or closed during your period. Do not expect food, sleeping space or transport to be available without current confirmation.

Check: cabin booking, boat transport on Rondvatnet if you use it, snow conditions, wading and wild reindeer restrictions.

4. Rondane Trail – choose a specific stage

The Rondane Trail is approximately 460 kilometers long and runs from Bjørvika in Oslo to Hjerkinn in Dovre. It follows the ridge east of Gudbrandsdalen before reaching Rondane. The trail is a collaboration between several DNT associations.

For a trip in the Inland, it is wiser to choose a clearly defined section rather than describing the entire trail as a single project. A practical example is Hjerkinn–Grimsdalshytta , about 20 kilometers with about 600 meters of elevation gain on a typical route. Expect a long day, often 7–8 hours of walking time depending on pace and route choice.

The terrain is open and exposed to the elements with rocks, bogs and mountain heath. Fog can make even marked trails difficult to follow. Always check the current stage description on DNT and UT.no.

5. Gudbrandsdalsleden over Dovrefjell

The Gudbrandsdalsleden, or Pilgrim's Trail, runs approximately 643 kilometers from Oslo to Trondheim. It runs through the Gudbrandsdalen valley and over the Dovrefjell mountains. It is a pilgrimage route through cultural landscapes, farms, valleys and historical environments – not a pure wilderness trail.

A clear high mountain section is:

• Budsjord–Fokstugu: approximately 13.2 kilometers
• Fokstugu–Hjerkinn: approximately 24.2 kilometers
• Hjerkinn–Kongsvoll: approximately 11.8 kilometers

The recommended season is June 1–September 1. Dovrefjell should not be crossed before mid-June. Snow, meltwater and missing bridges can create serious problems, while the calving of wild reindeer requires special consideration.

The surface is often paths, gravel roads and older routes, but the high mountain stages can be wet, rocky and windy. Choose stages based on transport and accommodation rather than squeezing in a certain daily distance.

Read current information at Pilegrimsleden before departure.

6. Høvringen – fjellstue to fjellstue in Rondane

Høvringen is suitable for those who want to hike for several days but sleep indoors. There are flexible hut-to-hut arrangements with marked trails to, for example, Smuksjøseter, Peer Gynt-hytta and Rondvassbu.

It is a good option when you want to carry less. The daily stages can be adjusted according to weather, strength and accommodation. From Høvringen, trails go through mountain heath and valleys, while the road towards Rondvassbu becomes more high-mountainous.

The surface is mainly path, gravel and stone. There are marshy areas and slippery rocks. Even with mountain hut accommodation, rainwear, reinforcement clothing, packed lunch, water capacity and navigation equipment are needed.

Check the accommodation's opening hours, luggage rules and transport to Høvringen. Høvringen Fjellstue and DNT's route descriptions are suitable starting points.

7. Femundsmarka from Røros towards Svukuriset

Femundsmarka offers a different kind of Inland: sparse forest landscape, lakes, bogs, blocky land and long distances between service points. A marked multi-day tour goes from Røros via Malmveien and on towards Langen, Ljøsnåvollen, Røvollen and Svukuriset. It can continue to Elgå.

Normally plan for five to six days, with daily stages often ending up around 15–22 kilometers depending on the variant. Malmveien is a historic, marked trail, while the rest uses the DNT trail network in and around Femundsmarka National Park.

Water planning is important here. There are lakes and streams, but water should be assessed based on location, animal husbandry, and cleanliness. Rocks, ravines, bogs, and denser forest make the pace slower than the map's contour lines suggest. Mosquitoes can be a bigger limitation than the climb.

Train to Røros and local transport onward may be practical, but check connections separately. See DNT's tour suggestions in Femundsmarka and the park's information before the trip.

The right of access to the public in Inland – and why the national parks require extra control

The right of public access also applies in the mountains, but distinguish between open space and private land . Open space includes, for example, forests, mountains and uncultivated land. Private land includes, among other things, farmyards, fields, pastures near buildings and private gardens.

In the open countryside, you are normally allowed to camp for a maximum of two days in the same place and at least 150 meters from inhabited houses and cabins. Camping in the countryside, near buildings or in special tent areas requires a permit or follows local regulations.

Fire bans apply in or near forests and other open areas between April 15 and September 15. Local fire bans may be stricter. An enclosed fire pit is often the safer option, but even that must be used with consideration for fire risk.

Dogs must be kept under control and on a leash from 1 April to 20 August. Municipalities and protected areas can extend the period. Motorised traffic in open areas is not included in the right of way.

The right of access is as important as the right itself: close gates, do not disturb animals or birdlife, leave no traces and show consideration for landowners and other hikers. Unlike the Swedish and Finnish right of access, Norwegian practice is not a free pass for all travel. Jotunheimen, Rondane, Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella and Femundsmarka are national parks with their own regulations. Camping, fires, dogs and access may be more restricted.

Rondane and Dovrefjell are also core areas for wild reindeer. During calving and hunting, access may be restricted. Do not approach the reindeer, keep your distance and stay on marked trails where indicated.

Packing for the Inland

Cabin-to-cabin requires less packing, but no less margin. When camping, you need a wind-resistant tent , a backpack that carries your equipment comfortably, and a sleeping pad that insulates against the cold of the ground. A sleeping pad that is too thin can cause cold of the ground and poor recovery, even in summer.

See HikingStore's mountain hiking packing list and compare sleeping bags or quilts. For technical details on CUIN, bird down and how fill weight affects warmth, read Bird Down in Sleeping Bags – The Complete Guide .

Bring a map, compass, GPS and offline maps. Plan water, packed lunch and spare time. Abandon your itinerary and turn around before fatigue, fog or weather changes take over. The best equipment is not the lightest on paper, but the one that works when conditions change.

The next part in the Norway series is Oslo.