Knutshoe

Knutshoe rises to 1,517 metres on the southern side of Gjende, directly across the water from Besseggen, and it offers the thing most people actually come for, the view down onto the green lake with Bessvatnet's blue water beside it, without the queues, the boat booking or the eight-hour day. The round trip is about ten kilometres with six hundred metres of ascent, four to five hours at a normal pace, starting from the same car park area as the famous route. The ridge itself has three small summits with short scrambling steps between them, exposed enough to be interesting but far shorter than Besseggen's. On a July Saturday when several hundred people are on the ridge opposite, Knutshoe may hold a dozen.

What you actually see

• The Gjende view - the green lake seen from the opposite side to Besseggen.
• The colour contrast - green Gjende against blue Bessvatnet.
• The three summits - small tops linked by short scrambling steps.
• The empty ridge - a fraction of the traffic on the famous route.

When to go

July to September, the same window as Besseggen; the ridge holds snow into early summer. Weekdays are quietest, though this route is rarely crowded even at peak times.

Honest expectations

There is real scrambling on the ridge with drops on both sides, so it is not a gentle walk despite the modest length. Parking at Gjendesheim fills early because of Besseggen traffic and is charged. Weather turns fast at this altitude.

Nearby

Besseggen runs along the opposite shore; Gjendesheim, Bessheim and Sjodalen are close by road.