Hike to Gaustatoppen from Rjukan

This challenging hike to Gaustatoppen from Rjukan is about 10 km one way and takes around 6-8 hours. With an ascent of around 1,600 metres, this is a full-day adventure for experienced hikers!

Hike to Gaustatoppen from Rjukan

This challenging hike to Gaustatoppen from Rjukan is about 10 km one way and takes around 6-8 hours. With an ascent of around 1,600 metres, this is a full-day adventure for experienced hikers!

Hike to Gaustatoppen from Rjukan

This challenging hike to Gaustatoppen from Rjukan is about 10 km one way and takes around 6-8 hours. With an ascent of around 1,600 metres, this is a full-day adventure for experienced hikers!

The route in brief

Start: Rjukan Rutebilstasjon 
Length: 10,2 km one way 
Time: 6-8 hours 
Vertical rise: ca 1559 m (approx. 324-1,883 metres above sea level) 
Difficulty: Difficult 
Child-friendly: No
MAP

Getting there

The hike starts in Rjukan and takes you up the northern side of Gaustatoppen. If you prefer a slightly shorter hike, you could start and hike Selstali Seter to Gaustatoppen instead.  

Park at Rjukan Rutebilstasjon and start the hike there. This is the toughest part of the hike. The trail from Rjukan up to Selstali Seter is steep and very tough. When you get to Selstali Seter, follow the same trail as the hikers who are beginning their hike from there. The last part from Selstali Seter is a bit flatter, but it’s also tough.  

Useful information

The mountain-top hike to Gaustatoppen from Selstali Seter is easier than the hike from Rjukan, but it’s still steep and you’ll need to be physically fit. You can take this trail from mid-June to September. Make sure that you always bring a change of clothes because the weather can change quickly in the mountains. 

As the hike has an ascent of around 900 metres and contains rocky sections, it’s marked as a ‘medium-difficulty’ hike. 

Hiking to Gaustatoppen

Gaustatoppen from Stavsro
A popular and easy hike

Begin your Gaustatoppen adventure from the Stavsro parking lot and follow the popular route along the southern side.

Gaustatoppen from Svineroi
Short & steep

Experience a fantastic summit hike from Svineroi to Gaustatoppen and be rewarded with a spectacular view from Norway's highest mountain.

Gaustatoppen from Selstali
Beautiful and challenging

Take part in an exciting summit hike from Selstali to Gaustatoppen and experience the beautiful nature up close.

Gaustatoppen from Rjukan
For experienced hikers only

With a climb of 1600 meters, the north side of Gaustatoppen is a full-day adventure if you start from Rjukan.

Hikes on Gausta

Hike around Skipsfjell
Easy

Start: Pose & Sekk Grocery
Length: 5.1 km round trip
Time: 1–2 hours
Child-friendly: Yes

Hike to Ørnenipa
easy/moderate

Ørnenipa is a popular mountain in Vatnedalen, located in the northeastern part of Gausta with fantastic view.

Hike to Toreskyrkja from Heddersvatn
Moderate

This moderate hike to Toreskyrkja starts at Lake Heddersvatn next to Stavsro. 

Hike to Toreskyrkja from Vatnedalen
Moderate

This challenging hike takes you from Vatnedalen to Toreskyrkja at 1,371 metres above sea level. 

BOOK A GUIDED TOUR

Guided tours at Gausta

During the summer, you can book one of the many guided tours in the Gausta area. A great way to discover more of the mountains! 

BOOK A GUIDED TOUR

Guided tours at Gausta

During the summer, you can book one of the many guided tours in the Gausta area. A great way to discover more of the mountains! 

BOOK A GUIDED TOUR

Guided tours at Gausta

During the summer, you can book one of the many guided tours in the Gausta area. A great way to discover more of the mountains! 

Remember

Remember

Dress appropriately and follow the Norwegian mountain safety code, which is a set of rules and advice that you should always have with you when you go out in the mountains. For example, make sure that you always plan your hike carefully and be prepared for bad weather and the cold, even on short hikes.

Download the Gausta app

Download the Gausta app

Would you like to download the map to your phone? Download the Gausta app from App Store or Google Play! The app also has plenty of other useful information for your visit to Gausta.