Geiranger: Great Views and Waterfall

After a phenomenal and scenic ferry ride along the Geirangerfjord, I arrived in Geiranger. Our hotel was perched high up looking down to the town and the fjord – a perfect setting.

Geiranger, waterfall, geirangerfjord, hiking in norway, unesco world heritage site in norway
Looking down to the fjord

The visitor center for the waterfall trail (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is right across the street. One can do an easy walk along a metal sidewalk overhanging the terrain and see parts of the waterfall right there and up close, while also passing some local houses and viewing the end of the fjord straight ahead and down.

Geiranger, waterfall, geirangerfjord, hiking in norway, unesco world heritage site in norway
Geiranger, waterfall, geirangerfjord, hiking in norway, unesco world heritage site in norway
Geiranger, waterfall, geirangerfjord, hiking in norway, unesco world heritage site in norway

Waterfall hike in Geiranger

For those inclined for more of a hike, the hike to the Storseterfossen waterfall, can be started from right there. It is a 3.5 mile in-and-out up the side of a mountain. The trail can be covered with sheep droppings so that adds to the fun! It was not a perfectly maintained trail though I would learn throughout the next two weeks of my Norway hiking trip that that is standard.

Geiranger, waterfall, unesco heritage norway, world heritage, hiking in norway , Storsaeterfossen , geirangerfjord
Along the trail
Geiranger, waterfall, unesco heritage norway, world heritage, hiking in norway , Storsaeterfossen , geirangerfjord
Other paths along the way
Geiranger, waterfall, unesco heritage norway, world heritage, hiking in norway , Storsaeterfossen , geirangerfjord
Destination in sight!
Geiranger, waterfall, unesco heritage norway, world heritage, hiking in norway , Storseterfossen , geirangerfjord
They are watching you every step!
Geiranger, waterfall, unesco heritage norway, world heritage, hiking in norway , Storseterfossen , geirangerfjord
Storseterfossen

Anyway, hope this short post gave you a glimpse into Geiranger, made famous by the fjord but beautiful thanks to the waterfalls on the town. From here, we would we one day closer to start our great hike in Jotunheimen National Park!

Day 5 in the Jotunheimen NP Circuit

The circuit hike is beginning to approach its conclusion on day 5. However, it is not a time to assume it will all be easy now! The Gjendebu to Memurubu hike on day 5 presented the most scary section of the six hikes I did at Jotunheimen.

The trail that day would be about 6.75 miles and about 2,400 ft elevation gain. It took us almost 5 hrs (durations cited include breaks taken).

It was our earliest departure to-date at 8:10 AM. The day was a little rainy as we departed Gjendebu, walking past the ferry pier (that could take you to Gjendesheim). We proceeded along a forest expecting fast elevation gain, which was true after maybe 1.25 miles, when we cleared the forest.

Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega
Just cleared the forest and started to climb

As usual in Jotunheimen, rocks and water mix to become THE trail. These trails are not groomed, folks. Walk on them. Carefully.

Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega

Neat views and narrow trails

The terrain was STEEP. The trail hugged the side of the ridge VERY tightly as the next two photos show. Of course, offering great views.

Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega

Chain me up to leave Gjendebu

And, at some point high up, we hit 4 rock faces that required chains to go up. The first segment was the worst as it had no toehold/foothold to help support the body weight. It was pure arm strength to pull oneself (and the backpack) up to the next level. Mind you, behind me was a steep drop as the segment was very vertical so that added to the adrenaline… The next two segments offered some toeholds which certainly made it a tad easier.

Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain trail
Yep, that is straight down
Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain trail
On the 2nd or 3rd segment where there were footholds

However, I had no idea how many of these were ahead and of what kind so it was a little concerning not having trained for it. Thankfully, there were only four chain sections and the last one required chain to walk and not slip vs. needing to pull up.

Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
The 4th segment’s chain and terrain. That is a STRAIGHT drop right there!

A bit after the fourth section, I was able to exhale believing we were done with the chains – which we were! At the end of the day, looking back, it was fun to have faced this challenge and glad to know I was fit enough to do it. We reached the top of this massive climb around mile 2.1. The elevation gain in less than a mile had been about 1.500 ft.

And a nice, beautiful, kind trail…

After that, the terrain consisted of climbs and descents of moderate levels with some flat segments in between. We were sort of walking along a ridge, going up to the various high points of the ridge (sort of “summits”). They went on probably for 5 miles or a little less. The scenery was amazing – a great reward for the steep-and-scary elevation gain earlier on.

Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
Kind trail: flat, no water, almost rock-free
Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
Beautiful trail
Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
Kind and beautiful trail; almost forgot about the chains!
Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
Trail going up the ridge
Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
Two of the climbs along the ridge – not too bad!
Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
Just spectacular views!

… until the final, cruel descent to Memurubu

Before getting to the final summit on the ridge, we spotted our target: Memurubu turisthytte!

Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
The cabin is where the river meets the lake

But, before the descent, we had a quick stop for lunch. The ham and cheese sandwich with cucumber was a favorite of mine! It is worth noting that you prepare whatever sandwich you want for lunch at the breakfast service before you leave the lodge you spent the night at. So you get to make yourself 1 or 2 sandwiches of whatever you want.

Jotunheimin, hiking in Norway, Lake Gjende, Gjendebu, Memurubu, norge, norvege, senderismo en noruega, chain, technical climb
And the descent to Memurubu begins…

We hit the final summit (at around 4,200 ft above sea level) after lunch and proceeded to descend to Memurubu which we could see during the final bit of the ridge hike. The descent was very steep and with a lot of loose rocks. It was not pleasant terrain at all but the views continued to inspire – as well as seeing the end goal so within reach 🙂 And, compared with descents like from Glittertind, this was easy stuff!

At Memurubu to rest, eat and… rest!

We arrived in Memurubu around 1:40 PM and reception was not open yet. There were quite a number of people around but many were just waiting for the ferry to Gjendesheim.

There were quite a number of people but many were just waiting for the ferry to Gjendesheim.
You can see part of the downhill trail on the right. It looks deceptively kind!

We were assigned to a room in a building near the main lodge. We opted for a private bath at this lodge which was nice. The common areas of the lodge were very nice, spacious and you really felt you wanted to hang out.

There were quite a number of people but many were just waiting for the ferry to Gjendesheim.

We enjoyed a beer after showering and before dinner. OK, maybe more than one. It was happy time at Memurubu!

There were quite a number of people but many were just waiting for the ferry to Gjendesheim. Ringnes beer

Check out Day 4 (Leirvassbu to Gjendebu)

Or, read on to the final day: Day 6 (Memurubu to Gjendesheim!)

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