Besseggen from Bessheim, via lake Bessvatn
Hiking:
The trail starts at Bessheim, leading you up the slope behind the buildings. The path is well marked
and heavily used. It is steep at places but never difficult. After ascending 400 vertical meters you
reach the lake Bessvatnet, at 1373 MASL. An adult walk up in one hour.
At Bessvatnet you get a splendid view both of Besshø and Sjodalen. The border of Jotunheimen
National Park runs close to the shore of the lake when you come from Bessheim. The hike itself is
beautiful, at times going close to the wild river Bessa. Halfway you can find places near, but not in,
the river that are perfect for bathing on warm summer days.
You follow the lake Bessvatnet on the right hand side. After 7 km you reach Bandet, the narrowest part where you have Bessvatnet right by you and Gjende 400 meters below. You are now on the path between Memurubu and Gjendesheim and start on the climb up Besseggen. You reach the tallest point at 1743 MASL, and a little after the path splits. Here you take left towards Bessheim and you reach Bessvatnet again. Cross the river and walk back down to Bessheim.
See also the description of roundtrip to Bessvatn and Gjende (legg inn link!)
Skiing:
Follow to the marked trail towards Glitterheim from Bessheim up to lake Bessvatn. It is 400 high meters and about one hour to ski. Lake Bessvatn is 7 km and you ski at the ice to Bandet. The ice use to be safe here in our winterseason (February-May). Most often it is snow on the ice. At Bandet you tie your skies on your backpack and walk/climb up the Besseggen ridge. At the top you buckle on your skies again, ski to the higest point wich is named Veslefjell (1743 MASL). It is pretty flat on the top of this mountain. A bit after the top it is a sign to Bessheim. It is downhill almost the whole way down to Bessheim, via lake Bessvatn.