The classic in Jotunheimen - A round trip on skis from cabin to cabin
The classic in Jotunheimen takes you on a 5-day mountain skiing adventure from twig to twig, and from cabin to cabin in classic high mountain terrain. While the established "Høgruta in Jotunheimen" goes up high peaks, the classic goes in lower and gentler terrain, which makes this trip perfectly suitable for mountain skiing. The entire route is a total of approx. 100 km, with daily stages varying in length from 14 – 26 km.
Published: February 26, 2025
Inspiration
About Box
Number of hiking days: 5 days
Type of tour: Round trip
Number of kilometers: 94.1 km
Altitude: 1974 m above sea level
The trip goes between these serviced tourist cabins in Jotunheimen: Gjendesheim - Glitterheim - Spiterstulen - Leirvassbu - Gjendebu - Gjendesheim.
In the period 21.03 to 01.04, it is possible to shorten the stretch between Gjendebu and Gjendesheim with an overnight stay at Memurubu.
Free parking and free mountain ski rental for those who book a stay at Gjendesheim as the first and last night of the hiking experience.
Click on image for larger map
Questions & Answers
Practical information about the trail
When can you go on the hike?
From March 15 to April 1, 2024
In the period 15 March to 1 April in 2024, you can complete the entire trip in Jotunheimen as a 6-day ski trip. All the cabins along Klassikeren are open in winter during this period and the routes between the cabins must be marked according to normal conditions.
Who is the trip suitable for?
This trip is graded as Demanding(red)
This means that the trip is suitable for those who:
Is experienced on backcountry skis
Has gone hiking in the winter mountains outside groomed trails before
Has good stamina
Has knowledge of maps and compasses
Can withstand walking stages longer than 20 km and with over 1000 meters of altitude
Are there groomed trails?
No, but DNT knots the entire trail for a period of time in winter.
What is limbing?
In winter, the most commonly used winter routes in the mountains of southern Norway are marked with twigs. The routes are laid out by experienced mountaineers who know where it is safe and best to go.
Practical information accommodation, booking and transport
What do I need to bring?
The weather in the mountains changes quickly and can be very demanding, so you must be prepared for extreme situations.
In DNT's packing list for winter hiking in the mountains, you get suggestions for clothes and equipment you should have with you when skiing from cabin to cabin in the winter mountains.
As a member of DNT, you get a discount on accommodation and you contribute to maintaining DNT's offer of marked trails and accommodation in cabins in the Norwegian mountains. If you are not a member, you can sign up here.
How do I get to Gjendesheim?
By car
There is a road all the way to the road and there is parking at Gjendesheim. From Gudbrandsdalen (E6) you drive via Otta or Sjoa to Randsverk and on to Gjendesheim. If you are coming from Valdres, drive via Fagernes to Beitostølen and over Valdresflya to Gjendesheim.
Valdresflya opens normally for the Easter holidays.
If you take the train to Otta, you can book a pick-up directly at Gjendesheim or you can taxi on to the cabin.
On this trip, you get to experience all the best Jotunheimen has to offer.
Stage by stage
Day 1 Gjendesheim to Glitterheim
Distance: 26 km Elevation gain: 1000 m above sea level Time: 8 hours
The best thing is to start the trip with a night at the serviced cabin Gjendesheim. The daily leg over to Glitterheim is 26 kilometers, so you should get off fairly early the next morning to avoid stressing unnecessarily about the ski trip. The trip takes you through classic high mountain terrain in Jotunheimen, first up to beautiful Russvatnet and further up to Vestre Hestlægerhøe. From here it is 400 meters of altitude with a fun descent to Glitterheim. Arriving at Glitterheim, a hot dinner and a soft bed awaits.
Distance: 17 km Altitude: 200 m above sea level Time: 7 hours
The trip from Glitterheim to Spiterstulen starts calmly along a marked trail into Veodalen, with Ryggjehøe on the right and Veotindene on the left. After approx. 7 km, the trip goes about 200 meters up and over beautiful Skautflye. Where you get a real plateau landscape and the terrain becomes easier to walk. Today's stage ends with 400 meters of altitude with a great descent to Spiterstulen.
Distance: 17.3 km Altitude: 300 m above sea level Time: 7 hours
After two stages with some altitude meters, a calmer and shorter stage now awaits. The hike from Spiterstulen to Leirvassbu follows Visdalen. Through Visdalen you have 2000-meter peaks in all directions of the sky. The trip is mostly in easy terrain, so here you have plenty of time to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
After a delicious breakfast, all you have to do is strap on your skis and put your backpack on your back. Today the trip goes southeast towards Gjende and Gjendebu. The trip starts by following a marked trail over Leirvatnet and up to the pass Høgvaglen, where you get a good view of the majestic Kyrkja. From here it goes downhill in easy and fantastic skiing terrain over Langvatnet and down beautiful Storådalen. Look forward to arriving at Gjende and to the hosts at Gjendebu.
Distance: 18.4 km Elevation: 0 m above sea level Time: 6 hours
The last stage goes over the iconic Gjende. Here the trail goes over the water. If you want a shorter stage, you can book an overnight stay at Memurubu. When you walk over Gjende, you have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful mountain peaks that surround the water, and in the distance you can glimpse Besseggen and Besshøe. Here you will have plenty of time to think about all the wonderful experiences you have had on the trip and when you arrive at Gjendesheim, a three-course dinner and a made bed awaits.
