GETTING THERE
Bergen – 190km (3,5-4 hours)
Oslo – 360km (6,5 hours)
Trondheim – 460km (7,5 hours)
Set GPS to Esebotn 4, 6889 Balestrand. If using Google maps, find “Keipen-starting place”.
In the curve of the fjord, there is a small parking lot.
I have not checked, but I believe it is free parking lot. It is small parking lot and it is not intended for overnight stay/camping.
If you do plan to stay overnight, few hounded meters down the road towards Balestrand, there is small pullover place, where you could camp overnight for free. Note that it is right by fairly busy road with trucks passing by.
TRAIL NAVIGATION
At the trail head there is map available.
As usual in Norway, follow red T marking on the trail.
There are no turns to other trails but once you reach the rocks the path is slightly less obvious at times. Still easy to follow but you need to pay attention.
TRAIL DETAILS
The trail is marked as red – challenging difficulty. Either way the trail will be more difficult/dangerous in rain or after heavy period of rain.
I have only hiked up to Gulleplenipa due to time limitation, however most people will hike further up to Keipen. The trail is shared up to Dagbu, so the trail details below apply also for Keipen. After Dagbu the trail is described as black – expert difficulty.
Once at the parking lot, cross the small bridge and turn immediately to the left. Trail starts at very mild incline by the river for few hundred meters, then it turns into grassy/forresty areas where the incline slowly increases up until Dalen at 180m. There is a lot of blueberries along the way and also sheeps roaming freely. It is very pleasant and easy walk up to this point. At Dalen cross small steel bridge.
After Dalen the fun part begins and the incline steepens. The trail is mixed ground with rocks and rock steps. I read that the steps have been placed by Nepalese sherpas in order to make the trail more accessible.
Once the forrest area ends, you are in the open and you need to cross big rocks. This is the part where you might want to pay better attention to the navigation. It might look like there is no trail, but for most part, there is actually designated path/steps. The incline here is not as intense, but still difficult.
Then you get to barren part, this part was quiet muddy when I was there as the moss held in all the water from recent rains. For the final part get ready for some rock hoping again, final steep portion until you reach Dagbu. From Dagbu get on the small path to the viewing point of Gulleplenipa. At Dagbu/Gulleplenipa you are treated to magnificent views, you will of course see fjord views on Sognefjord and Stebotn valley. But also you will get to see glacier lake Gulleplavatnet which is not visible while hiking. And then of course glacier Bjornabreen.
From here you return the same way back or continue to Keipen, which is about another 2,5km. From Keipen you also return same way back or continue down to the other side of the fjord, meaning you will end at completely different point. I would have loved to do the the full hike, or at least to Keipen, but I was limited on time. To reach Keipen you need to cross the glacier and further glacier crossing is required if hiking to Dalen.
TIP: From area around the Gulleplenipa it was very cold and windy. I had to put a layer to protect myself, especially if you want to stop to take a break and enjoy the views, I suggest to bring layer for this.
I hiked during weekend and I met very fit Norwegian people who were very fast even on the steep parts. It seems this trail is not very known by tourists, but well worth it.
FACILITIES
There are no facilities on the trail but also not at the trail start at the parking lot. Best place for facilities nearby is Balestrand (4,5km), which has free public toilets at the marina, several supermarkets and restaurants. It is also lovely small village to visit.
I completed this hike in August 2023.
