Gjendebu, Tourist cabin in Vågå, Norway
Gjendebu sits on the western shore of Lake Gjende at 995 meters elevation and accommodates up to 119 guests in its rooms and dormitory spaces. The cabin functions as a base for mountain hikers and nature enthusiasts exploring this high alpine region.
The Norwegian Tourist Association established Gjendebu in 1871 as their first cabin, initially sheltering twelve visitors in a small structure. Over the decades, the facility expanded to accommodate growing numbers of mountain travelers.
The cabin serves traditional Norwegian mountain meals using local ingredients, maintaining ties with regional food producers and regional agricultural traditions.
The cabin is reachable only by boat, requiring a 45-minute journey from Gjendesheim pier since no road connects directly to this location. Visitors should plan accordingly for this water-based access.
During winter and autumn months, the cabin operates as a self-service facility where guests must bring a DNT key for independent access. This allows visitors to stay during periods when the regular caretaker is absent.
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