Gjendesheim
The DNT lodge at the eastern end of Lake Gjende, where Besseggen begins and ends. The water is green because the Muru river carries glacial silt into it — the colour is powdered rock, not algae, and it shifts with how fast the glacier melts.
The facts
| Elevation | 995 m |
| Coordinates | 61.4964, 8.8125 |
| Time to allow | 2 h |
What to see
- Gjendebåten Activity
The boat to Memurubu and Gjendebu. It decides whether Besseggen happens today — last sailing 11:35. - Besseggen Hike
- Gjende Sight
- Knutshø Hike
Four hours up and back, overlooking the whole of Gjende — the hike for the day the boat is full.
In winter
Rv51 over Valdresflye closes from the first snow until late May. Gjendesheim is then reachable on skis only, and the boat on Gjende does not run.
Month by month
| Month | Daylight | Day high | Wet days | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.3 h | -6.8 °C | 14 | Closed |
| February | 9 h | -6.5 °C | 11 | Closed |
| March | 11.7 h | -3.3 °C | 12 | Closed |
| April | 14.7 h | 1.4 °C | 11 | Closed |
| May | 17.5 h | 5.7 °C | 12 | Closed |
| June | 19.4 h | 11.1 °C | 16 | Open |
| July | 18.6 h | 14.8 °C | 18 | Open |
| August | 15.9 h | 13.4 °C | 17 | Open |
| September | 13 h | 8.8 °C | 14 | Open |
| October | 10.1 h | 2.4 °C | 14 | Closed |
| November | 7.2 h | -2.9 °C | 13 | Closed |
| December | 5.4 h | -6.1 °C | 13 | Closed |
Background
Gjendesheim Turisthytte has been a staffed lodge with Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (Norwegian: Den Norske Turistforening – DNT). It is located in the heart of the Norwegian mountains in Vågå Municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. DNT Oslo og Omegn has been the proprietor since 1878.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
On these routes
- Otta–Flåm — Besseggen, Galdhøpiggen and the Sognefjell road — straight through Norway's high mountains, from the Dovre Line to the Bergen Line.