Surtingssue
Surtningssue is one of the great high summits of Norway’s Jotunheimen mountains. Rising to 2,368 meters (7,769 feet) above sea level, the mountain stands north of the long, emerald-colored lake Gjende and commands an exceptional position among the glaciers, valleys, and 2,000-meter peaks of eastern Jotunheimen.
Although Surtningssue is among Norway’s highest mountains, reaching its summit does not normally require technical climbing or glacier travel on the standard marked route. The challenge comes instead from the mountain’s remoteness, considerable elevation gain, rocky high-alpine terrain, and the length of the hike from Memurubu.
It is also a mountain with an interesting historical mystery. Many references credit Norwegian statesman Johan Sverdrup with an ascent around 1840, but the historical evidence is uncertain. The first ascent that can be documented with confidence was made by Emanuel Mohn and Jens Tronhus in 1878.
🏔️ Overview
Surtningssue lies in the eastern part of Jotunheimen, one of Norway’s most celebrated high-mountain regions and part of the much larger Scandinavian Mountains.
The summit stands on the boundary between Lom and Vågå municipalities in Innlandet county, inside Jotunheimen National Park. It rises between the Gjende and Russvatnet areas, with glaciers occupying high basins on either side of the massif.
Surtningssue is remarkable not simply for its elevation but for its commanding central position. From the upper mountain, hikers can look across a vast portion of Jotunheimen, including glaciers, dark rocky ridges, deep valleys, and many of Norway’s highest peaks.
The standard ascent begins at Memurubu, a mountain lodge on the northern shore of Gjende. A marked route reaches the summit without crossing a glacier, making Surtningssue a hiking summit rather than a technical climbing objective under favorable summer conditions.
That does not make it easy. The usual round trip is approximately 21 kilometers and requires around 1,500 meters of total ascent.
⚡ Fast Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Continent | Europe |
| Country | Norway |
| State/Province | Innlandet |
| County/Region | Lom and Vågå municipalities |
| Range | Jotunheimen, Scandinavian Mountains |
| Parent Peak | Glittertind |
| Elevation | 2,368 m / 7,769 ft |
| Prominence | Approximately 720 m / 2,361 ft |
| Isolation | Approximately 12.9 km / 8.0 mi |
| NHN | Glittertind |
| Coordinates | Approximately 61.5342° N, 8.5726° E |
| Protected Area | Jotunheimen National Park |
| Standard Trailhead | Memurubu |
| Typical Round Trip | Approximately 20.7 km / 12.9 mi |
| Total Ascent | Approximately 1,495 m / 4,905 ft |
| Typical Hiking Time | About 9–10 hours |
| Main Hiking Season | June–September; July–August generally most favorable |
| First Documented Ascent | Emanuel Mohn and Jens Tronhus, 1878 |
| Possible Earlier Ascent | Johan Sverdrup, around 1840, but not conclusively documented |
| Alternative Names | Surtningssui, Surtningssua, Tjukningssuen |
| Name Origin | Surtning refers to “the black one” |
| Mountain Type | High alpine hiking summit |
📍 Location
Surtningssue stands in eastern Jotunheimen, north of Gjende and west of Russvatnet.
Its summit lies directly on the boundary between the municipalities of Lom and Vågå in Innlandet county. This places the mountain within one of the highest and most intensely glaciated portions of mainland Norway.
Several major landscape features surround the summit.
To the east is Blåbrean, a glacier occupying a high depression that extends northeastward from the mountain. To the west lies the larger Memurubrean glacier system.
South of the mountain is Gjende, one of the most recognizable lakes in Norway. Glacial sediment suspended in the water gives Gjende its famous blue-green to emerald appearance during the warmer months.
The Muru River drains through Memurudalen southwest of the mountain before entering Gjende near Memurubu.
Surtningssue therefore occupies an exceptional position between several classic Jotunheimen environments: glaciers, barren alpine ridges, high valleys, glacial rivers, and the deep Gjende basin.
📏 Elevation, Prominence & Isolation
Surtningssue reaches an officially cited elevation of 2,368 meters (7,769 feet).
Store norske leksikon currently places Surtningssue jointly at number six on its list of Norway’s highest mountains because it shares an elevation of 2,368 meters with Vesle Galdhøpiggen. Other lists describe Surtningssue as Norway’s seventh-highest summit when tied mountains are given consecutive positions.
Either way, it belongs firmly among the handful of highest mountains in the country.
Prominence
Peakbagger calculates Surtningssue’s topographic prominence at approximately:
719.6 meters / 2,361 feet
That is substantial for a mountain surrounded by so many other extremely high summits.
Prominence measures how far a climber would have to descend before reaching terrain leading to a higher mountain. Surtningssue’s prominence makes it a considerably more independent mountain than many neighboring 2,000-meter summits.
Isolation
Its topographic isolation is approximately:
12.87 kilometers / 8.0 miles
The nearest higher terrain is associated with Glittertind, Norway’s second-highest mountain.
The combination of high elevation, significant prominence, and nearly 13 kilometers of isolation helps explain the immense panorama visible from Surtningssue.
🏔️ The Surtningssue Massif
Surtningssue is more than a single isolated point.
The surrounding massif contains several secondary summits and high points, including:
- Sørtoppen
- Midtre Surtningssue
- Nestaustre Surtningssue
- Austre Surtningssue
Sørtoppen rises to more than 2,300 meters, while several of the other subsidiary summits exceed 2,000 meters.
Together these high points form a broad and complicated alpine massif surrounded by glacier basins and steep valleys.
The main summit—sometimes distinguished as Store Surtningssue—is the highest point.
🪨 Geology
Surtningssue lies within the extraordinary geological landscape of Jotunheimen.
Jotunheimen forms part of the Caledonian mountain belt, a vast geological system created during continental collisions hundreds of millions of years ago as the ancient Iapetus Ocean closed.
Much of the region belongs to what geologists call the Jotun Nappe Complex.
During the Caledonian mountain-building episode, enormous sheets of rock were transported and thrust across the Scandinavian crust. Rocks now exposed high in Jotunheimen preserve part of this ancient geological history.
Hard igneous rocks, including gabbro and related rock types, occur extensively throughout the Jotunheimen region.
The mountain landscape visible today, however, is much younger than the original Caledonian mountains.
Millions of years of erosion reduced the ancient mountain system, while later uplift rejuvenated the landscape.
Then came repeated Ice Age glaciations.
Moving ice carved deep valleys, excavated basins, steepened mountain walls, transported enormous quantities of rock, and created much of the dramatic alpine topography that surrounds Surtningssue today.
Modern glaciers such as Blåbrean and Memurubrean are remnants of this long glacial history.
🌿 Flora & Fauna
The environment changes dramatically between Gjende and the summit of Surtningssue.
Near Memurubu and in sheltered valleys, vegetation is comparatively rich. As elevation increases, birch woodland and lower alpine vegetation give way to heath, low shrubs, grasses, mosses, lichens, snowbed communities, and eventually almost barren rock.
At the highest elevations, plants must survive:
- Short growing seasons
- Persistent snow
- Freezing temperatures
- Strong winds
- Thin soils
- Repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Jotunheimen nevertheless supports an impressive variety of high-altitude plants.
Researchers have recorded 36 species of vascular plants above 2,000 meters within Jotunheimen. Among the remarkable alpine plants of the region is glacier buttercup (Ranunculus glacialis), one of the highest-growing flowering plants in Norway.
Purple mountain saxifrage, mountain aven, moss campion, and other cold-adapted species also occur in suitable parts of the national park.
Wildlife
The larger Jotunheimen ecosystem supports reindeer, wolverines, red foxes, mountain hares, lemmings, ptarmigan, and numerous birds of prey.
Eastern Jotunheimen is also an important area for domesticated reindeer herds.
Hikers who encounter reindeer should remain at a distance and avoid forcing animals to move, particularly when herds are resting or feeding.
Above approximately 2,000 meters, Surtningssue itself becomes an extremely austere landscape where exposed rock, scree, snowfields, and ice increasingly dominate.
🥾 Hiking Surtningssue
The classic Surtningssue hike begins at Memurubu, beside Gjende.
UT.no describes the round trip as a very demanding hike of approximately:
- 20.7 km / 12.9 miles
- 1,495 m / 4,905 ft of total ascent
- Around 10 hours
The trail is marked, but the combination of distance, elevation gain, rocky terrain, and rapidly changing mountain weather makes this a substantial undertaking.
Two main approaches can be combined into an excellent circuit.
Via Raudhamran
The route over Raudhamran is the shorter but steeper approach.
From Memurubu, the trail climbs steadily away from Gjende and quickly reaches open mountain terrain.
The route passes near Hesttjønne before climbing toward Raudhamran. As elevation increases, views expand dramatically across Gjende and the surrounding peaks.
The trail eventually descends slightly before joining the route coming from Memurudalen.
From there, hikers begin the steeper upper approach toward Surtningssue.
The one-way distance to the summit by this route is roughly 9 kilometers.
Via Memurudalen
The Memurudalen approach is longer but somewhat gentler.
Instead of climbing quickly onto the high ridge, the route follows the broad valley of the Muru River farther into the mountains.
The terrain rises more gradually before the trail eventually turns toward Surtningssue and joins the upper summit route.
The distance to the summit using this approach is approximately 12 kilometers one way.
The Best Combination
Many hikers make Surtningssue into a circuit.
A particularly attractive option is to:
Ascend via Raudhamran → reach the summit → descend through Memurudalen → return to Memurubu.
This provides changing scenery throughout the day rather than retracing the same trail.
🛖 The Surtningssue Emergency Shelter
One unusual feature of the ascent is a small stone shelter located at approximately 2,230 meters on the upper mountain.
A primitive stone hut was built just below the summit in 1899 by Ole Sveine, who managed Memurubu.
The shelter was later restored in 2008.
It provides a remarkable reminder of the early history of hiking in Jotunheimen and can offer emergency protection when conditions deteriorate.
It should not be treated as a substitute for proper clothing, navigation equipment, and weather planning.
🏔️ Field Guide Tip
Surtningssue may not require ropes on its standard summer route, but treat it as a major mountain day.
Starting at Memurubu rather than attempting to squeeze the hike between transportation connections makes the experience considerably less stressful. Check the Gjende boat schedule carefully if using the ferry, and allow generous time for slower progress over rocky terrain.
Carry insulating layers, waterproof clothing, food, water, navigation tools, and emergency equipment even when the weather beside Gjende appears calm.
At more than 2,300 meters, summit conditions can be dramatically colder, windier, and cloudier than conditions at the lake.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
The recognized hiking season for Surtningssue generally extends from June through September, but conditions vary enormously between years.
For most hikers, July and August provide the most dependable period.
By then:
- Much of the seasonal snow has normally melted
- Mountain lodges are operating
- Boat transportation on Gjende is available
- Days remain long
- Marked hiking trails are generally easier to follow
Snowfields may nevertheless remain well into summer.
High winds, fog, rain, sleet, and even fresh snow can occur during the summer months.
September can offer beautiful autumn colors and quieter trails, but daylight becomes shorter and the likelihood of freezing temperatures and early snowfall increases.
Winter and spring transform Surtningssue into a completely different mountaineering environment involving snow, avalanche hazards, difficult navigation, and potentially severe weather.
🧭 Getting to Memurubu
Most summer hikers approach Surtningssue from Memurubu.
Memurubu lies on the northern shore of Gjende between Gjendesheim and Gjendebu.
One of the most convenient approaches is by passenger boat across Gjende. The boat allows hikers to enter the heart of Jotunheimen without first completing a long approach on foot.
Memurubu is also connected to the surrounding mountain trail network, including the famous Besseggen route.
Because Surtningssue itself requires a long day, spending the night at Memurubu before the ascent can simplify logistics and allow an earlier start.
🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions
Surtningssue stands in a particularly spectacular part of Jotunheimen.
Store Memurutinden
Store Memurutinden rises northwest of Surtningssue and is another member of Norway’s small group of exceptionally high mountains.
At approximately 2,366 meters, it is only slightly lower than Surtningssue.
Store Hellstugutinden
West of Surtningssue stands Store Hellstugutinden, another of Jotunheimen’s major 2,300-meter mountains.
Its steep ridges and surrounding glacier terrain create a dramatically different mountaineering environment from the standard Surtningssue hiking route.
Glittertind
Farther north is Glittertind.
At 2,452 meters, Glittertind is Norway’s second-highest mountain and the nearest higher mountain to Surtningssue.
Gjende
Gjende stretches immediately south of the mountain.
The long glacial lake is famous for its striking blue-green color and forms one of the defining landscapes of Jotunheimen National Park.
Besseggen
The Besseggen ridge rises east of Memurubu between Gjende and Bessvatnet.
It is one of Norway’s best-known hiking routes and can be combined with an extended stay around Memurubu and Gjendesheim.
Memurudalen
Memurudalen extends inland from Memurubu along the Muru River.
It provides both one of the approaches to Surtningssue and a striking example of a broad glacial mountain valley.
📜 Climbing History
The early ascent history of Surtningssue is more complicated than many short mountain descriptions suggest.
A commonly repeated story says that Johan Sverdrup, who later became one of Norway’s most important political figures and served as prime minister, reached the summit around 1840.
This date is frequently presented as the mountain’s first ascent.
However, Store norske leksikon notes that the claim cannot be firmly documented.
Emanuel Mohn later wrote that he had been told Sverdrup climbed the mountain roughly 40 years before Mohn’s visit, but no independent evidence confirming that ascent is known.
The first people who can be stated with confidence to have reached the summit were therefore:
Emanuel Meyer Mohn and Jens Tronhus in 1878.
Mohn became an important figure in the early exploration and description of the Norwegian mountains.
It is entirely possible, of course, that local hunters reached Surtningssue before any of these recorded ascents. Reindeer hunting had taken place in the Jotunheimen landscape for centuries, long before recreational mountaineering developed.
🏷️ What Does Surtningssue Mean?
The unusual name has several recorded forms, including:
- Surtningssue
- Surtningssui
- Surtningssua
- Tjukningssuen
The element surtning has been interpreted as meaning “the black one.”
The mountain’s dark appearance likely played a role in the name.
Older explanations have also connected the final part of the name with the Norwegian word for a sow, leading to interpretations resembling “the black sow.”
Whatever its exact linguistic history, Surtningssue is the spelling normally used today in Norwegian geographical references.
💡 Fun Facts
- Surtningssue reaches 2,368 meters (7,769 feet).
- It is one of the seven highest summits in Norway.
- Store norske leksikon currently places it jointly sixth with Vesle Galdhøpiggen because both are listed at 2,368 meters.
- The mountain has approximately 720 meters of topographic prominence.
- Its isolation is almost 13 kilometers.
- Glittertind is its nearest higher neighbor.
- Surtningssue lies inside Jotunheimen National Park.
- The main hiking route begins at Memurubu beside Gjende.
- A typical circuit is roughly 21 kilometers long with around 1,500 meters of ascent.
- Two principal hiking approaches use Raudhamran and Memurudalen.
- A small stone emergency shelter stands at roughly 2,230 meters.
- The original stone shelter was constructed in 1899.
- The summit is surrounded by glaciers including Blåbrean and Memurubrean.
- Johan Sverdrup may have climbed Surtningssue around 1840, but the story has never been conclusively verified.
- Emanuel Mohn and Jens Tronhus made the earliest securely documented ascent in 1878.
- Despite its exceptional elevation, the normal summer route is primarily a demanding hike rather than a technical climb.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Surtningssue?
Surtningssue reaches 2,368 meters (7,769 feet) above sea level.
Where is Surtningssue?
Surtningssue is located in Jotunheimen in southern Norway, on the boundary between Lom and Vågå municipalities in Innlandet county.
Is Surtningssue one of Norway’s highest mountains?
Yes. It is among Norway’s seven highest summits.
Store norske leksikon currently ranks it jointly sixth because Surtningssue and Vesle Galdhøpiggen are both listed at 2,368 meters. Lists that assign separate positions to tied peaks frequently call Surtningssue the seventh-highest mountain in Norway.
Is Surtningssue difficult to climb?
The normal summer route is a marked hiking route and does not ordinarily require technical climbing.
However, it is a very demanding mountain hike because of the approximately 21-kilometer distance, nearly 1,500 meters of ascent, rugged high-altitude terrain, and exposure to rapidly changing weather.
How long does it take to hike Surtningssue?
Plan on approximately 9–10 hours for the standard round trip from Memurubu.
Actual time depends greatly on fitness, route choice, snow, weather, and trail conditions.
Where does the Surtningssue hike start?
Most hikers start at Memurubu, a mountain lodge on the northern shore of Gjende.
Do you have to cross a glacier to climb Surtningssue?
Not on the standard marked summer hiking route from Memurubu.
This is one reason Surtningssue is unusual among Norway’s very highest mountains: hikers can reach an exceptionally high Jotunheimen summit without a mandatory glacier crossing or technical rock climb.
What is Surtningssue’s prominence?
Peakbagger currently calculates its topographic prominence at approximately 719.6 meters (2,361 feet).
What is Surtningssue’s isolation?
Its topographic isolation is approximately 12.87 kilometers (8 miles).
What is Surtningssue’s nearest higher neighbor?
The nearest higher mountain is Glittertind, Norway’s second-highest summit.
Who first climbed Surtningssue?
The earliest securely documented ascent was made by Emanuel Mohn and Jens Tronhus in 1878.
Johan Sverdrup is traditionally credited with an ascent around 1840, but Store norske leksikon notes that evidence confirming the story has not been found.
When is the best time to hike Surtningssue?
July and August are generally the most favorable months for summer hiking.
The broader recognized hiking season extends approximately from June through September, but snow and winter-like weather can occur at high elevations even during summer.
Is Surtningssue inside Jotunheimen National Park?
Yes. Surtningssue lies within Jotunheimen National Park.
🔗 Related Articles
- Jotunheimen
- Glittertind
- Store Memurutinden
- Store Hellstugutinden
- Galdhøpiggen
- Scandinavian Mountains: Geography, Geology, Highest Peaks & Hiking Guide
📚 Sources
- Store norske leksikon — Surtningssue — elevation, location, subsidiary summits, glaciers, name variants, and detailed ascent history.
- Peakbagger — Surtningssue — elevation, prominence, coordinates, and topographic isolation.
- UT.no — Fottur til Surtningssue 2368 moh. — hiking distance, duration, elevation gain, route alternatives, season, and emergency shelter information.
- Jotunheimen National Park — About the Protected Area — geology, glaciers, landscape, hiking environment, and protected-area information.
- Jotunheimen National Park — Flora — high-alpine vegetation and plant species.
- Jotunheimen National Park — Wildlife — reindeer, wolverines, rodents, and other wildlife of Jotunheimen.
- Store norske leksikon — Norway’s Highest Mountains — current Norwegian mountain elevation rankings.
