Knutshøe Ridge Trail
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Knutshøe Ridge Trail: Jotunheimen’s Quieter Ridge Scramble
HikeList Score
Knutshøe Ridge Trail scored 74/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 55
- Balanced challenge 80
- Scenery & wildness 98
- Varied terrain 71
- Accommodation 66
- Food & support 54
- Path quality 98
- Season flexibility 76
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
The Knutshøe Ridge Trail is a hard 13 km day-hike loop in south-eastern Jotunheimen National Park, Norway. Starting from Vargebakken on Road 51 over Valdresflya, it climbs the narrow crest of Knutshøe to 1,517 m, with steep drop-offs, rocky footing and two short Class 2 scrambling steps. It suits confident mountain hikers who are comfortable with exposure and unmarked paths. If you want a less-crowded alternative to the famous Besseggen Ridge, this is the obvious comparison.
Route Overview
This is a loop, not an out-and-back. From the small free Vargebakken car park, around 4–5 km south of the Gjendesheim turn-off, the route starts across flat meadows before rising steeply onto the rocky Knutshøe ridge. The best-supported circuit follows the crest over the 1,517 m summit, then descends to the flat Leirungsdalen valley path, which wraps around the base of the mountain back to the start. The trail is unmarked but usually clear for most of the walk. Road 51 over Valdresflya is summer-only, so access depends on the road being open.
Knutshøe and the Gjende Hiking Area
Knutshøe is a named 1,517 m summit inside Jotunheimen National Park, which was established in 1980. The mountain sits in the long-walked Gjende area, one of Norway’s classic mountain-hiking landscapes, made especially well known by the neighbouring Besseggen Ridge across Lake Gjende. No documented first-ascent story is given for this unmarked walkers’ ridge; today it is promoted mainly as a tougher, quieter alternative to Besseggen.
Notable highlights
- Knife-edge ridge with twin-lake drama: The crest drops steeply on both sides, with Lake Gjende on one flank and Bessvatnet / Leirungen on the other, around 400 m below.
- Views across to Besseggen: From Knutshøe you look straight across Lake Gjende to the much busier Besseggen Ridge, only about 1 km away as the crow flies.
- Summit of Knutshøe (1,517 m): The sharp summit gives wide views over the lakes and peaks of south-eastern Jotunheimen.
- Two hand-and-feet scrambles: Two short Class 2 scrambling steps near the start of the ridge are the crux, straightforward in dry conditions but intimidating when wet.
- A quieter Jotunheimen option: Hikers often report far fewer people here than on Besseggen; for other high mountain days nearby, compare the Galdhøpiggen Summit Trail and Glittertind Ascent.
Challenges to expect
Expect exposure, loose natural footing and short hands-on scrambling. The ridge is narrow and airy, with steep drops, so it is not suitable for hikers afraid of heights. The rock becomes very slippery when wet, making dry weather important. There is no reliable water refill on the ridge, and the path is unmarked despite being mostly clear.
HikeList Score
Knutshøe Ridge Trail scored 74/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 55
- Balanced challenge 80
- Scenery & wildness 98
- Varied terrain 71
- Accommodation 66
- Food & support 54
- Path quality 98
- Season flexibility 76
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
NorwayShow more data Show less
- Mountainous
- Valley
- Rocky
- Dirt
- Scree
- Hotels
- Campsites
- Pet Friendly
- None
Photos from hikers
Taken on the trail by people who've reviewed Knutshøe Ridge Trail.
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