Hiking from Fondsbu to Hjelle

This is a route with lots of variation. It starts in high altitude with almost no vegetation and ends up in the green valley, Utladalen, which is one of my favourite places! This valley is a special sight with view to the alpine peaks of Hurrungange and passing the hugh waterfall, Vettisfossen.

Geography

Western part of Jothunheimen, which is situated in the county, Oppland.

How to get there

Possibility 1, to Fondsbu: The bus, Valdresekspressen (160) with Norway Busekspress from Oslo to Tyinkrysset. A bus goes up to Fondsbu two times a day in the summer and part of the winter, see: www.jvb.no.

Possibility 2, to Fondsbu: The bus, Valdresekspressen (161) with Norway Bussekspress to Bygdin. By boat (M/B Bitihorn) in to Fondsbu (~2 hours) two times a day, from July to September. See: www.jvb.no.

Return from Hjelle: It used to be a bus down to Øvre Årdal, contact Skogadalsbøen for information. Eventually a taxi, 20 min. Valdresekspressen is going from Øvre Årdal to Oslo.

Cabins

Fondsbu – staffed

Olavsbu - self-service

Skogadalsbøen - staffed/unstaffed

Ingjerdbu - self-service

Map

Jotunheimen Vest, turkart (1:50'000)

Duration/Time

4 days, June 2002

Tour description

 Fondsbu - Olavsbu (~5 h. + break)

It is possible to start from Oslo in the morning and reach Olavsbu in the same day, because of the long daylight in the summer. The route is quite easy with much up and down. It is possible to experience snow-weather here in June! The route pass the spectacular peak, Mjølkedalstinden (2138 m). Possible to reach from Olavsbu for a dayexcursion. Olavsbu is a big and comfortable self-service cabin. Accessible with the DNT-key.

Olavsbu - Skogadalsbøen (~6 h. + break)

The next day, the track goes down the valley, Rauddalen. By the lake, Rauddalvannet the route continues in two directions, both of them leads to Skogadalsbøen. The one down the valley, Skogadalen is the longest, but should after recommendations be the nicest. The last part has more vegetation and the track goes along a river. Skogadalsbøen is situated on a ledge with view over the alpine peaks of Hurrungane. Staffed during summer and easter, self-service in the off-season.

Skogadalsbøen - Ingjerdbu (~5 h. + break)

This part is one of the most spectacular route of Norwegian mountains. The track is always following on a ledge of one side of the valley, Utladalen and on the other side are the alpine mountainchain, Hurrungane. The surroundings of Ingjerdbu are unique. It is situated on mountain plateu (679 m) with much vegetation and still with the spectacular view. This place is called Vettismorki. The cabin has self-service and was built in 2003. Only accessilbe with the DNT-key.

Ingjerdbu - Hjelle

Close to Hjelle is the waterfall, Vettisfossen. It is possible to see it from the top and also from the bottom of the valley. It is a quite steep descend down to Vetti with an altitude difference of 500 m. It continues on a road from Vetti down to Hjelle.

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