From July 15 to 29, 2025, a group of athletes from Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (KNUTD) together with members of the Kyiv Tourist Club “Krokus” of the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University completed a Level IV mountain hiking expedition in one of the most spectacular regions of Scandinavia – the Stølsnos and Hurrungane mountain ranges located in Jotunheimen National Park in central Southern Norway.
Representing KNUTD on the expedition were Tetiana Bulhakova, PhD in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Interior and Furniture Design and head of the University’s sports tourism section, and Aliona Balashova, a third-year student of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion, Group BShMK-22. Conquering some of the toughest mountain passes in Norway, they proudly unfurled the KNUTD flag at the summits – a powerful symbol of strength, resilience, and true team spirit.
The 150-kilometer route was completed in 15 days and stretched across two mountain massifs of Jotunheimen National Park – a vast mountainous region in Eastern Norway covering about 3,500 km². The area, renowned for its dramatic natural beauty, is home to Norway’s highest peak, Galdhøpiggen, and is surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and flower-filled valleys.
Over the course of 15 days, the expedition team crossed seven mountain passes and summited one peak. Four of the passes were technically demanding and had not previously been traversed by any known sports tourism group: Viking Pass (2B), Ramnaskar Pass (2A), Soleikard Pass (2B), and Dyrhaug (2B). Navigating these routes required the use of specialized mountaineering equipment and techniques, including rope railings, belay systems, ascenders and descenders, and ice axes. The participants also faced the typical challenges of the region – rocky ridges, snowfields, and glaciers – but thanks to their rigorous preparation and teamwork, all obstacles were successfully overcome.
The expedition will be submitted for consideration in the Ukrainian Championship of Level IV Mountain Hiking Expeditions. The first ascents accomplished during the journey mark this route as a significant milestone in the history of Ukrainian sports tourism.
The KNUTD Sports Tourism Section invites everyone interested to join the team. This is a unique opportunity to combine a love of nature with the development of endurance, leadership, and teamwork skills.
Section Head: Tetiana Bulhakova, Associate Professor of the Department of Interior and Furniture Design
Contact Phone: +38 (067) 793 61 14
02.09.2025
