Gjende and Sjodalen

Sjodalen is located in Vågå municipality. It is a broad valley beginning in the eastern part of Jotunheimen.

The valley has the name from the river Sjoa that runs from Gjende and down through Sjodalsvatnet lake. It is not far to either Besseggen or Gjende from Sjodalen. There are also great cross-country opportunities in the area.

Sjodalelen has many attractions based on nature and culture, and many of these are well worth a visit, such as the many catch tombs, "bua" after legendary Jo Gjende, cultural landscape, mountain pine, Ridderspranget and Hulderstigen.

In the winter time there are great opportunities for cross country skiing in the area. In the mountains of Jotunheimen there is a lot of snow, and a popular base for ski mountaineering and touring. The popular "Haute Route Jotunheimen" starts at Gjendesheim or Bessheim.

In Sjodalen you can also try Dog sledding, at Sjodalen Hyttetun or Jotunheimen Husky Lodge.