Synshorn Hike Guide + Via Ferrata Info, Beitostølen
The Synshorn trail is a quick and easy hike in Beitostølen near Jotunheimen National Park. If you’re looking for a family-friendly, fast trail featuring epic views – the Synshorn hike is perfect for you. In this guide I’ll go over everything you need to know about the Synshorn hike including the trailhead location, trail stats, parking info, and Synshorn via ferrata info..
The Synshorn hike was the perfect addition to my Norway road trip. It was such a quick objective that I ended up completing the nearby Bitihorn hike the same day to clock in some extra kilometres. Bithorn is on the opposite side of Bygdin Lake which provides the opposing view of what you see from the Synshorn summit.
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How to get to the Synshorn Trailhead
The Synshorn trailhead is located in Beitostølen which is in the Valdres region and very close to Jotunheimen National Park. The closest international airport to Beitostølen is in Oslo (3hrs, 15mins / 224kms) or Bergen (5hrs / 333kms). To get to the Synshorn hike you’ll need to rent a car as there’s no connecting bus or train.
Best Norway Car Rentals
Compare Rentals – I recommend using this site which compares the best rates for all local car rental companies in Norway.
Getaround – cost effective peer-to-peer car sharing platform. You can use my link to save $20 on your first rental.
You’ll arrive at the Bygdin Høyfjellshotell which owns the Synshorn trailhead parking lot (“Fagerstrand Parkering” on Google Maps). There’s a small fee to park so make sure you pay prior to starting your hike. The hotel has a small cafe if you need to purchase a light meal or baked goods.
From the hotel walk a bit further up the road. Not long after the parking lot there’ll be a small trailhead sign on your right. The official Synshorn trail starts here.
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Where to Stay in Beitostølen
Budget Stays: private room with a sauna and this family home with a full kitchen (sleeps 2).
Hiking trails right out your door: Bygdin Høyfjellshotell (Synshorn).
Best Rated: Riddergaarden Mountain Lodge and the Radisson Blue Resort.
Peaceful Cabins: Frøy&Frøya Hyttetun is budget friendly and sleeps 4. This chalet sleeps 8, and this cozy/modern cabin sleeps 9. If you’re travelling with a large group this dreamy cabin sleeps 14.
Winter Ski Trips: this holiday home is pet friendly and located close to both skiing and hiking areas.
Stay in Nearby Jotunheimen National Park
Jotunheimen is very close to Beitostølen and offers plenty of hiking trails. I recommend the following stays in Jotunheimen which are right down the road from Beitostølen. These are great options if you’re visiting Jotunheimen or Beitostølen for a weekend or for a few days.
Cost Effective Stays: Sjodalen Hyttetun og Camping (chalet sleeps 5) and Bessheim Fjellstue og Hytter (double rooms or cottages)
Gjendesheim Turisthytte: is a hostel offering dorm, double, and quadruple rooms. You can check their availability here.
Hindsæter: hotel with a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar. You can check their availability here.
About the Synshorn Hike
- Distance: 4.2kms
- Elevation gain: 385m
- Estimated time: 2hrs
- Type of Trail: out & back
- Time of year: June to October
The Synshorn hike in Beitostølen is a quick and easy trail leading to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the nearby lakes (Bygdin, Olefjorden, etc) as well as Bitihorn – another summit hike nearby. I completed both Synshorn and Bitihorn the same day.
Here’s my Bitihorn trail guide (coming soon)
The Synshorn trail gains steady, but relatively gentle elevation all the way to the summit. It remains muddy throughout the year and there’s running water on the trail constantly (small trickles later in the season). Along the way you’ll see a small waterfall too.
The Synhorn hike is extremely busy so you can expect the trail to be crowded. If you’d like to find some solitude on the Synshorn hike I recommend starting the hike early in the morning or going in the evening when the daytime crowds typically dissipate.
Instead of hiking there’s also a via ferrata route up the mountain. I have more info about this option below.
Hiking the Synshorn Trail
After you park and pay the fee, walk up the road until you see this sign on hikers right. This is where the Synshorn trail starts.
The Synshorn trail is usually very crowded so you’ll often end up in “traffic jams” as you navigate the packed terrain. Watch your step as there’s often slippery/muddy sections and small streams flowing in random places.
The Synshorn hike is quick and the terrain doesn’t change much. Early on you’ll start to see views of the surrounding lakes and mountains in the distance.
Closer to the top the Synshorn trail splits and there’s multiple paths – they all go to the same place. The trail is so busy that multiple trails have been created overtime to handle the mass quantity of people who do this hike.
Try your best to stay on one of the trails as the surrounding vegetation is fragile.
Around an hour after starting the Synshorn hike you’ll reach the summit which is typically quite crowded. There are plenty of beautiful spots to take photos and enjoy the view.
Very close by you’ll see Bitihorn (pictured below) which is another quick hike you could complete the same day if you’re feeling ambitious.
From Synshorn summit you can continue hiking toward the neighbouring peaks. I opted not to do this as I thought the view would be quite similar and I was planning to complete Bygdin the same day. The trail profile will not change much if you opt to continue on though. It will just add a bit of distance and some minor elevation changes.
The return hike to the parking lot follows the same trail. Many hikers detour to the waterfall on the way back to dip their feet.
Synshorn Via Ferrata Information
The Synshorn via ferrata lies between lake Bygdin and Vinstre lake in Beitostølen. The via ferrata is a nice alternative to the Synshorn trail as it provides a bit more of an “adventurous” approach.
The trip is led by a knowledgeable local guide who’ll climb with you to a height of 1,500m – Synshorn peak. Rather than hike the Synshorn trail, the via ferrata takes you up the side of the nearly vertical mountain face via iron bars. You do not need previous climbing experience to complete the Synshorn via ferrata and you will be provided with a helmet and ropes so you can clip into the bars along the way.
The Synshorn via ferrata takes 3-4 hours and you’ll cover around 400m elevation gain from top to bottom. There is a 12 year age limit to complete the Synshorn via ferrata.
You can book the Synshorn via ferrata here.
Norway Hiking Tips
Hiking season: is from June to September, but July and August are the most reliable months for good weather. You can hike in Norway in the winter months (October to May), but it can be challenging and dangerous.
- Be aware that avalanches can occur whenever there’s snow in Norway’s mountains. You can see avalanche ratings and warnings on this site.
Weather Changes Quickly: especially on the west coast and in the north. Always carry an extra layer. Packing a waterproof jacket and wearing Goretex boots is best practise as rain is frequent and trails are often muddy.
Safety: carry a satellite device. I use this one and purchase the corresponding annual Search & Rescue Insurance which covers helicopter rescue costs if accidents occur (no insurance company covers this). There is cell service on many Norway hikes – if you need to call emergency services in a cell service zone the number is 112.
Fees: there are usually parking fees at Norway’s trailheads. Payments can be made via Vipps (only for those with Norwegian bank accounts) or in cash. Carry small amounts of Norwegian kroner for this.
Trails: most trails are marked – look for the red “T.” Some “local” trails are not marked. Many Norway hikes are steep and demanding.
Wildlife: is usually not a problem in Norway, but there are sheep and goats everywhere. Make sure you close farmer gates after passing through.
Quick Norway Travel Guide
Travel Insurance: ALWAYS purchase reliable travel insurance before your trip. This insurance is trusted by backpackers and adventure sport enthusiasts around the world. You can also use my link to receive 5% off SafetyWing policies. Here’s a blog post with more trustworthy travel insurance options you can compare.
Currency is NOK (Norwegian Kroner); displayed as kr.
Visa: Generally not needed for stays up to 90 days; part of the Schengen Zone.
Phone: I purchased a MyCall local SIM card from Narvesen (convenience store) in the Oslo airport. They can also be found at 7Eleven. Please note you’ll have to show your passport and go through an approval process before your SIM is registered. You can only set up your SIM from Mon-Fri 9-5.
Norway is EXPENSIVE (obviously) and there’s limited infrastructure for backpackers. Plan your trip in detail and book everything (accommodations/activities) well in advance. Booking in advance will help you save a little $ too.
Public transportation is limited. Road tripping is the best way to see Norway’s beautiful nature. Getaround (car sharing platform) is the cheapest rental option in Norway. Use this link for $20 off your first rental.
Use Vy to find train schedules and NOR-WAY for bus schedules.
Make sure you purchase a travel adapter in advance; I like this one.
When to visit Norway: best for waterfalls in May and June, best hiking/camping in July and August, fall colours mid September to mid October, winter conditions November to April, polar nights (in the north) Dec 6 – Jan 5, northern lights are best in January and February. Weather is generally rainy in the shoulder seasons, especially in the west.
- Avalanche reports for hiking can be found here
Check out all my Norway travel guides and hiking resources.
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
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About the Author
HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.
After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.
I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.
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