Bukkelægret: Memurubu ↔ Gjendebu

Bukkelægret has a steady steep climb/descent on both sides of the route, with a longer flat plateau in the middle. The hike will take you through a variety of beautiful trout-filled lakes – a great place to catch your lunch. The high mountain offer great views of Gjende. In the steepest areas the route is secured with chains and wires to hold on to.

 

Interactive map of Bukkelægret hike

 

 Hiking: Bukkelægret

Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 6-8 hour(s)
Distance: 10 kilometers
Ascent height: 760 meters

About Bukkelægret: Memurubu ↔ Gjendebu

Continue from Besseggen deeper into Jotunheimen from Memurubu to Gjendebu ( or the opposite way). A demanding but spectacular hike across Bukkelægret in Jotunheimen! The hike will take you on a steep walk up from lake Gjende and Memerubu then along the lake to Gjendebu. Passing superb scenery and great variety of plants along the route.

Most people hike Besseggen from Memurubu. But why not hike Besseggen from Gjendesheim? You can stay one night in Memurubu and continue your hike into Jotunheimen on the Bukkelægret hike. The trail is also the second stage in the known historical route Jotunheimen. The stage takes you from Memurubu Lodge up and over the Memurutunga plateau before descending to Gjendebu. The Bukkelægret hike offers fantastic views as well as challenging steep hikes during the trail. In rainy weather the route can be extra demanding and slippery on the steep mountain sides.

Bukkelægret Hike Description

From Memurubu, the trail climbs west, straight up to the mountain plateau, Memurutunga. You will hike for about 6 kilometers along the plateau among the lakes. After that you start the steep descent down to Gjendebu from Bukkelægeret. In the steepest sections of the descent to Gjendebu, you will find chains and wire which help make the journey safer. As you arrive at the DNT cabin, you enter the truly romantic areas of the Norwegian mountains. - The rustic farmlands where you will see cows roaming the luscious mountain pastures.

The Bukkelægret hike can be a bit steep some places, and as you walk across the ridges the winds can get heavy. But it's an exciting hike with very varied terrain.

Nature and the Surroundings

In the early summer the area is buzzing with natures wonders. The area around the Gjende lake is very green lush providing good ground for plants, birds and animals. A lucky combination of nice local climate, humidity and a good bedrock that provides rich soil, creates right the little "oasis" in Jotunheimen. Walking through the thick forest along the Gjende Lake, you'll probably hear the birds before you see them. but if you listen carefully you will at least hear them!

Where the forest ends and the rocky mountain becomes more visible you'll see a lot of nice plants and flowers, including Wolfsbane (Tyrihjelm).

On the side of the mountain towards Bukkelægret another interesting phenomenon can be seen. To the naked eye it looks as if something has plowed down the landscape, leaving the trees broken in half and creating vertical tunnels in the landscape. It is, however, not the result of vandalism, but the result of snow slides; every winter masses of snow heap up in the steep mountain sides overlooking Gjende, and when they eventually fall down they hit trees and plants with tremendous power, breaking them in half and cutting into the landscape.

Who is Bukkelægret Suitable for

This hike is medium and suitable for those in average physical shape

Season

The main season is summer/late summer. This is when the area is most suitable for trekking.

Accommodation

Stay at Gjendesheim, Gjendebu or Memurubu, located on the bank of the Gjende Lake

How to Get There

You can access the area from Gjendesheim, Gjendebu or Memurubu