Besseggen -an overrated hike?

The hike across Besseggen is rated as one of the most beautiful hikes in Norway and is therefore also one of the most popular ones. The hike goes from Memurubu to Gjendesheim in Jotunheimen National park. To get to Memurubu most people take the ferry from Gjendesheim. It is possible to make the trip one day longer by taking the ferry a bit further and starting the hike at Gjendebu. Then you hike across Bukkelægret to get to Memurubu. A rather steep hike at times, but nice indeed:)

Besseggen is famous for its wonderful view with a green lake on one side and a blue one on the other. The view was beautiful, but the rest of the hike was disappointing. For me the hike got ruined by all the people everywhere, it was like walking down the main shopping street in a big city on a Saturday. Not what  I prefer when I am up in the mountains. So even though I understand why it has become so famous, I think the popularity is damaging the experience.

One of the most positive things about Besseggen, was that it gave a great view over to Knutshøe. This mountain seemed so fun to hike that the trip was extended by an extra day. And it was absolutely worth it! The hike was very nice, but maybe a bit more difficult than Besseggen. We only saw a handful of other people on the hike so it was hard to imagine that Besseggen was only minutes away.  

The cabins around Besseggen are very big and nice, but for me they were to similar to a hotel. They lacked some of the personality and charm the cabins in Trollheimen have.

All in all a nice trip, but Besseggen will never be one of my favourites. It is a hike that is fun to have walked, but that I will never do again. I can only recommend the hike to those who doesn't mind hiking in a huge crowd.

Besseggen

On my way to the top of Knutshøe=)

Satisfied with the hike 

Knutshøe

Vinjerock

Vinjerock is a three-day festival for people who enjoy the outdoors. It is located at the boarder of Jotunheimen National Park at Eidsbugarden. At this height and being up in the mountains mean that one has to prepared for all sorts of weather and especially low temperatures. Another challenge when going to the festival is how to get there. Since I am living at a place with close to no public transportation and it is the same with Eidsbugarden, I was glad to get a ride with my friend, Cecilie, even though it meant an extra day of travelling. The detour ended up being very nice indeed; spending an evening at Cecilie's cabin and seeing new parts of Norway=)

It was beautiful at Cecilie's cabin:)

New roadblock: goats!

Since I got my ticket last minute, I had not have time to figure out who of my friends where going. But I knew there would be plenty of familiar faces, and it did not take long to see one of them. Already when we parked the car someone yelled my name=) And at the festival area it took ages to get to our camp spot because we ran into friends and people I haven't seen for ages every ten meters. It was very nice to see everybody, and the smile I got stayed on my face the whole weekend:) Neither was it difficult to get to know new people: everyone at the festival were smiling, being friendly and nice.

The atmosphere of the festival itself was also cosy. It did not seem people had come to binge drink, but to enjoy themselves. Of course there was drinking, but not too much. I did not see a single episode of arguing or fighting the whole weekend. Sadly this is abnormal for Norwegians after they've had some alcohol.
Most of the food and the beers that were sold at the festival was local and that influenced the atmosphere in a positive way. So did the art that was put up at every toilet too.

There were paintings at every toilet at festival. Made those nasty things a bit nicer:)
"A good conscience is a sign of bad memory"

Apart from the amazing program of artist who were playing, there were also arranged other activities. There was a library, a radio show, knitting courses, a multi-sport competition and guided hikes among other things. We chose to take a trip on our own to Gravafjellet on friday. It was a short, nice hike, but still some snow up in the mountains.

Ready for a hike:)

Do you trust me? jump!

Lunch at the top of Gravafjellet

And then of course a beer=)

A cold hairwash

Luxury 

Who's in?

At one of the pubs in the festival area, very nice indeed:)

Nothing but happy faces and smiles through the whole festival:)

Not bad for an after-party at this place. Too bad it was to freezing to play for long. 

One of the posts in the multi-sport competition 

An other post in the competition

A library, for those who feel for it:)

Locally made beer. Very tasteful!

Lerche singing before the electric equipment started working, impressive!

A big thank you to everyone making the festival so incredibly awesome!=)