Jotunheimen National Park

About this place

Jotunheimen National Park, «home of the giants», is a national park in Norway regarded as one of the country's finest hiking and fishing regions, and its centre is about 32 km in a straight line south of the village of Lom. It covers 1,151 square kilometres, is part of the wider Jotunheimen mountain region, and spans Innlandet and Vestland counties. More than 250 peaks in the park rise above 1,900 m, including the three highest in Northern Europe: Galdhøpiggen at 2,469 m, Glittertind at 2,452 m and Store Skagastølstind at 2,405 m. Glaciers have carved the hard gabbro massifs, leaving countless valleys and peaks. Long turquoise lakes stretch between towering mountains, mirroring the peaks and sunset colours on calm evenings, with rounded pebbles and big boulders on their shores. Lichen and shrubs cover the high plateaus, glaciers and snow gleam on the summits, and lynx, moose, red deer, reindeer and wolverines live in the park. Entry is free, and the park has mountain huts and many trails, including the famous Besseggen ridge. Weather on the heights changes fast and snow lingers on high trails into early summer, so bring warm clothes and a map.