SummitClimbs Field Note: Tjørnholstind (also spelled Tjønnholstinden) rises to 2,331 m (7,648 ft) in Vågå Municipality, deep inside Jotunheimen National Park. It is a twin-summit mountain: the higher western top and the lower eastern top, Steinflytind (2,318 m / 7,605 ft), are joined by a narrow ridge. On the north side the mountain drops 400 metres straight down to the Nordre Tjønnholet glacier. It is not a technical climb in summer, but the classic round trip is a long, demanding day in alpine terrain, and the ridge needs a steady head and good weather.
Why Tjørnholstind Belongs on a Norway Mountain Plan
Tjørnholstind sits south of Lake Gjende and north of the Leirungsdalen valley, about 50 km southwest of Vågåmo and 25 km northwest of Beitostølen. It is surrounded by a ring of named peaks: Bukkehåmåren, Høgdebrotet and Eggen to the northeast, Rasletinden to the southeast, Tjønnholsoksle to the south, Skarvflytindene and Leirungstinden to the southwest, and Surtningssue to the north. That position makes it a superb viewpoint over the core of eastern Jotunheimen.
Both summits are reachable from the west and the east, so you can bag the pair in one outing. The connecting ridge gives a genuine sense of exposure without ropes in good conditions, which is exactly the step up many hikers look for after the busier Jotunheimen classics. Tjørnholstind is far less crowded than Besseggen or Galdhøpiggen, but still close to the lodge country around Gjende.
The SummitClimbs Snapshot
- Height: 2,331 m (7,648 ft), western summit; 2,318 m (7,605 ft), eastern summit Steinflytind
- Prominence: 352 m
- Location: Vågå Municipality, Innlandet, Jotunheimen National Park
- Nearest villages: Vågåmo (about 50 km northeast) and Beitostølen (about 25 km southeast)
- Classic summer route: Round trip from Vargebakkane over Bukkehåmåren, Kvassryggen and Høgdebrotet to Steinflytind and Tjørnholstind, down via Steinflya
- Difficulty: Demanding. Needs good stamina, good summer weather and a long day, much of it in alpine terrain
- Key hazard: 400 m vertical drop to the Nordre Tjønnholet glacier on the north side; the final ridge can be icy or snowy late into summer
The Classic Round Trip From Vargebakkane
The summer round trip described by Bessheim fjellstue starts at the half-circle parking area at Vargebakkane, 6.7 km from Bessheim towards Valdresflya. The path climbs past Øvre Leirungen and crosses the bridge over Leirungsåa, then follows the ridge to the small lake Bukkehammertjernet (1,594 m) and on to the top of Bukkehåmåren (1,910 m).
From Bukkehåmåren you cross the narrow Kvassryggen ridge to Høgdebrotet (2,276 m). Kvassryggen needs your full attention and caution; this is not the place for anyone bothered by heights. From Høgdebrotet you follow the ridge west and southwest to Steinflytind and on to Tjørnholstind itself, before descending via Steinflya back to the bridge and your car.
It is a long day with several summits over 1,900 m, so start early and keep an eye on your pace. You want to be on the final ridge with time and energy to spare, not racing incoming weather.
In winter
Bessheim also describes a ski route: from Heimdalsmunnen, 10.2 km from Bessheim towards Valdresflya, into Leirungsdalen, up Tjønnholsoksle (2,145 m), down the far side and directly up to Tjørnholstind, returning the same way. Their advice for skiers is not to continue to Steinflytind.
What to Watch For
The north face and the glacier
The 400 m drop to Nordre Tjønnholet is unguarded. The standard routes do not cross the glacier, so stay well back from the edge, and do not approach the rim for photos. Snow cornices can form on the lee side early in the season.
Ridge conditions
The ridge between the two summits is straightforward on dry rock but treacherous when wet or icy, and it can hold snow and ice late into the summer. Assess it before you commit, and turn around if it is not in good condition.
Two gorges with similar names
The mountain takes its name from the gorge Tjønnholet: tjønn means a tarn or small lake, hol a hollow or gorge, and tind a mountain peak. There are two of these gorges, Nordre Tjønnholet to the north and Søre Tjønnholet to the south. Mixing them up in poor visibility can lead to navigation errors.
Weather
Jotunheimen weather changes fast. A clear morning can turn into an afternoon of wind, rain or snow and near-zero visibility. Check the forecast on yr.no, start early, carry a map and compass as well as a phone or GPS, and be ready to turn back. The ridge is no place for a whiteout.
Loose rock
Loose rock is common on the ridges. If you are moving in a group, keep spacing on steep ground, and consider a helmet.
Logistics
The road over Valdresflya (Rv 51) gives access to the eastern trailheads, and Bessheim and Gjendesheim are the natural bases nearby. There are no huts on the mountain itself, so plan to return to the valley the same day. Above the lower slopes you will need to carry your own water, and you will want food for a full mountain day, warm layers and full waterproofs even in July.
The SummitClimbs Take
Tjørnholstind is a solid, honest mountain. It won’t test your technical skills, but it will test your stamina and your judgment. The ridge traverse is the highlight, and the views from both summits stretch across Jotunheimen’s core, with Gjende to the north and Leirungsdalen to the south. It suits hikers who are comfortable on exposed terrain and know when to call it. If that describes you, put it on your list; if you are still building confidence, work up to it on shorter Jotunheimen objectives first.
Height, location, neighbouring peaks, the north face and name origin from Wikipedia (Tjørnholstinden). Summer and ski routes from Bessheim fjellstue. Always check current conditions before you go.
