I loved how almost barren it looked too! Like walking through the end of the world at some points, with not even a tree in sight. It sure was beautiful.
I slept further down near the Gjendesheim cabin and ferry point, about 500m away in my tent, by a rushing river that made me feel like an Arctic explorer! 😂 I think you could camp anywhere along the hike though, as long as there is a spot just off the path of the trail 😊