An unforgettable weekend in the mountains
The weekend of August 22nd–24th, we went on a trip to the mighty Fannaråken in Jotunheimen. We were two adults and two ten-year-olds who set out on a weekend with the goal of reaching Fannaråkhytta, 2068 meters above sea level.
This is a trip we can highly recommend to other families, but it requires some planning and good preparation. Here we share our experience and practical tips.
First stop: Sognefjellshytta
We started the trip by car up to Sognefjellshytta, where we stayed from Friday to Saturday. This is a perfect starting point for the trip up to Fannaråkhytta. The cabin has a nice atmosphere and everything you need before starting the trip – including a selection of Norvis products at the reception, which made us a little extra proud.
The trip up to Fannaråken
On Saturday we set off on the hike around 10 a.m. The hike up normally takes 5–7 hours, and we landed in the middle of it: We reached the cabin around 4:30 p.m. The hike is demanding, especially with children, but it is an experience of a lifetime.
The highlight was without a doubt the glacier crossing. With fantastic guides we walked in rope teams across the glacier – safe, exciting and educational for the children. It is a powerful feeling to walk on blue ice with a rope and harness, and the children really got to experience the feeling of mastery.
Welcome to Fannaråkhytta
Fannaråkhytta is Norway's highest serviced tourist hut, 2068 m above sea level. When we arrived, a fantastic atmosphere, warm cinnamon buns and a good, hot meal awaited us - just what we needed after a long day. The atmosphere at the hut is something all its own; warm, social and full of mountain joy.
On Sunday, we headed back down, with tired legs but smiles on our faces.
Facts about the trip to Fannaråken
- Length: Approx. 11 km from Sognefjellshytta to Fannaråkhytta
- Time: 5–7 hours one way (depending on pace, weather and breaks)
- Elevation difference: Approximately 850 meters ascent
- Season: July to September (depending on snow and weather)
Recommendation:
- The trip should be done with a guide over the glacier if you do not have any experience with glacier hiking.
- Tips when taking children on a mountain trip
- Prepare the children mentally: Talk about the trip in advance, show pictures and explain what it will be like to walk in a tightrope.
- Breaks are golden: Little legs need frequent stops. Bring energy-rich snacks like nuts, chocolate, and dried fruit.
- Create small milestones: For example, “we’ll go to the next cairn” – this makes the trip more manageable for the children.
- Proper clothing: The weather in the mountains changes quickly, so pack layers and always bring a hat and gloves.
- Make the trip an adventure: The glacier, the rope, and the guides were the highlights for the children – it made the trip exciting, not just tiring.
The Norvis products we used on the trip
For us, it is important to test our own products in all environments and situations, and this weekend we really got to use several of them:
- Sun, weather and wind: The wind on the glacier was bitter and cold, but the sun was shining so we put on a layer of Sun, weather and wind 20 on our faces to avoid dry and red skin.
- Chafing ointment : Long days in hiking boots can quickly cause chafing, but we lubricated our feet before the trip and avoided blisters.
Lip balm : Mountain air, wind, and sun quickly dry out lips – here lip balm became a lifesaver.
In summary
Fannaråken is a tough but fantastic hike for both adults and children. With the right equipment, good guides and a little extra patience, it will be an experience that will give you memories for life. For us, the hike was a confirmation of how important good, natural skincare products are when traveling in a harsh mountain climate.
We can highly recommend this trip – both for the adventure and for the sense of accomplishment. And remember: Good breaks, good mood and proper skin and foot care make all the difference!
