Jotunheimen is mainland Norway's highest mountain massif, featuring an extensive trail network and numerous cabins surrounded by the country's tallest peaks. A reliable bus network connects visitors directly to several of the primary trailheads and starting points in the region.
Bus to the cabin
During the summer season, scheduled boat services operate on the large lakes of Gjende and Bygdin, allowing for practical point-to-point hikes and round trips. In the winter, select cabins are accessible via tracked snowcat transport.
Below is an overview of the public transport options available for reaching the main entry points into Jotunheimen:
Gjendesheim/Gjende
Gjendesheim is situated at the eastern end of Lake Gjende and is accessible by road year-round. It is the most common starting point for hikers doing the Besseggen ridge walk. The lodge is also an excellent base for treks toward Glitterheim, Memurubu, and Gjendebu.
The scheduled boat service across Lake Gjende departs from the pier adjacent to Gjendesheim.
Bus
During the summer season, scheduled bus services run to Gjendesheim. Timetables vary throughout the season; you can plan your journey and find departures via: En Tur
Green Travel Voucher
If you arrive at Gjendesheim by bus, you will receive a green travel voucher worth NOK 100. This can be used for food, non-alcoholic beverages, or activities at the lodge.
The Gjende boat operates daily scheduled routes between Gjendesheim, Memurubu, and Gjendebu from June to October, connecting directly with scheduled bus arrivals. The boat service also offers luggage transport, allowing hikers to send their heavy backpacks ahead and walk with a lighter daypack over ridges like Besseggen or Bukkelægret. Timetables and ticket booking at gjende.no
In addition, the historic vessel M/B Bitihorn operates on scheduled routes across Lake Bygdin. This service can be combined with the Gjende boat and various hiking stages to create multi-day loop routes through Jotunheimen. Timetables and ticket booking for M/B Bitihorn
Fondsbu/Bygdin
Fondsbu is located at Eidsbugarden, at the western end of Lake Bygdin. The lodge is accessible by road during the summer season, and via scheduled snowcat transport from Tyin during the winter.
Fondsbu serves as a practical starting point for treks toward Olavsbu, Gjendebu, Torfinnsbu, Yksendalsbu, and Thomashelleren. It is also the western terminus for the scheduled boat service across Lake Bygdin.
By bus from/to Oslo
During the summer season, daily bus services run all the way to Eidsbugarden and Fondsbu. You can take the express bus from Oslo or Årdal, with a connection at Tyinkrysset. When planning your journey, search for departures to or from "Eidsbugarden".
The vessel M/B Bitihorn operates daily routes between Bygdin Fjellhotell and Eidsbugarden/Fondsbu from July through September. The boat also calls at the self-service cabin Torfinnsbu along the route.
Connecting public transport is straightforward, as the Valdresekspressen (Norway Bussekspress) network services both trailheads at Bygdin Fjellhotell and Eidsbugarden/Fondsbu.
Winter Access via Tyin
During the winter season, you can take the express bus from Oslo or Årdal to Tyin, with a connection at Tyinkrysset.
From Tyin, you have two options to reach the lodge:
Snowcat: Continue all the way to Fondsbu via scheduled snowcat transport. Skiing: Ski across Lake Tyin along a winter-marked trail (staked with branches).
Booking and Timetables
Bus: Plan your journey and purchase tickets via Norway Buss or on Entur.
Snowcat: View timetables and book transport directly with Norway/JVB.
By snowcat from Tyin to Eidsbugarden
During the winter season, JVB operates daily scheduled routes between Tyin and Eidsbugarden/Fondsbu using a fleet of 12 classic Bombardier snowcats. This tracked transport provides winter access to the lodge and the high-mountain area when the road is closed. See timetables and book at JVB.
Leirvassbu
In the summer, you can take the bus all the way to Leirvassbu. Then you will be in the middle of the DNT route network and have hiking opportunities in all directions.
By bus in summer
From Oslo, you can either take a direct bus to Lom and catch a connecting bus to Leirvassbu, or take the train to Otta and transfer to a bus from there. You can find more information about timetables on Innlandstrafikk's website.
Sognefjellshytta and Krossbu are excellent starting points for the hike to Fannaråkhytta, as well as for treks across the Smørstabbreen glacier towards Skogadalsbøen and Leirvassbu. They are also ideal for journeys north into Breheimen.
By bus in summer
Throughout the summer season, when the Sognefjellsvegen mountain road is open, you can take the Øst-Vest Xpressen bus to Krossbu or Sognefjellshytta. There are daily departures, including a night bus, with a transfer in Lom. Find timetables for entur.no.
