Jo Gjende, the Mountain Man Who Became Part of the Soul of the Gudbrandsdalen valley

Meet our very own Jo Gjende at this year’s Christmas markets

Who was Jo Gjende? The reindeer hunter and first mountain guide in Jotunheimen

Jo Gjende is one of the most distinctive figures in Norwegian mountain history. For us in Skåbu and Gudbrandsdalen, he is more than a historical figure. He stands as a symbol of freedom, independence and closeness to nature, and of daring to go your own way. He lived by his own rules in the heart of the mountains, at a time when society had far stricter expectations of how people should live.

Jo (1794 to 1884) was a reindeer hunter from Vågå who lived year-round by Lake Gjende. He is said to have shot around 500 to 600 reindeer and is regarded as the first mountain guide in Jotunheimen. Many also believe he was the inspiration for Ibsen’s Peer Gynt. And then there was his trademark red knitted hat, which everyone recognises him by.

Why Jo Gjende still matters in Gudbrandsdalen

He reminds us that the mountains are part of our identity, and he links Skåbu to the wider history of Jotunheimen. His story helps keep local cultural heritage alive!

Jo Gjende chose the mountains, and so have we here in Skåbu.

The red Jo Gjende hat: A knitting project with 17,000 stitches

Our good friend Lisa thought Henrik needed a hat like Jo Gjende’s for his days selling our local food at markets. It became her biggest knitting project ever, and she is a remarkably skilled knitter! First she had to search systematically for the pattern, which she eventually tracked down through an elderly lady in Valdres. Then came 17,000 stitches on tiny needles. A true feat of knitting!

Christmas markets 2026: Meet Jo Gjende and buy local food from Skåbu

This year you can meet Henrik, our very own Jo Gjende, at a number of Christmas markets. Come say hello and stock up on homemade local food from Skåbu Høyfjellsmat and Skåbu Fjellhotell for Christmas!