"GIANT HOME FOR GIANT ADVENTURE" Top 5 Page for this destination Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark by mtncorg

Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark Travel Guide: 42 reviews and 68 photos

Looking for Peer Gynt on the Besseggen - Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark

The Jotunheimen is the literal high point of Norway. Within the Park there are more than 250 peaks rising above 1900 meters with over 60 glaciers. If that is not enough ice, just to the west of the Park is the Jostedalsbreen in the Breheimen - Home of the Glaciers - Europe's largest ice cap, covering 475 sq km, 1000 feet thick with 24 tongues coming down into surrounding valleys. Within the Jotunheimen Park, several ranges soar, separated by deep glacial valleys, wide glaciers and long fjord-like lakes. The local geography is fairly complicated but witihin the various peaks, valleys and glaciers you will find some of the most glorious alpine country - barely removed from the Ice Ages - that Europe has to offer. Highest peaks include Galdhopiggen - 2469 m and Glittertind - 2452 m (2470 m if you count the ice cap atop!). The rocky peaks of the Hurrangane attract rock climbers to the SW part of the Park. Tourists have been going intothe mountains since the last half of the century. Grab an old copy of 'Three Into the Mountains' for an amusing account of three intrepid late 19th century English visitors. The DNT - Norske Turistforegning - or Norwegian Hiking Association, has been building huts in the mountains, also, since the late 19th century and the club is responsible for many of the trails and huts in the mountains today. The Jotunheimen is one of the best organized regions for alpine touring with huts and lodges throughout connected by marked trails.

Access from Oslo is train to Otta - north from Lillehamar - and then bus to either the lodges on the Sognefjell road via the Boverdalen or via Randsverk to Gjendesheim. From Bergen, you catch a boat to Leikanger and bus to the Sognefjell lodges via Sogndal or you can catch another boat to Ardalstangen and bus to OVre Ardal to access the Park from trails coming in from the SW (Vetti-Skogadalsboen). The Park is not a car Park. For the non-hiker, your best views are from the Sognefjell highway where you can gaze out over the Smorstabbreen or from Gjendesheim where summer boats can take you up the long fjord lake of Gjende to Memurubu or Gjendbu. High mountains tower over head.

Over view map of Jotunheimen

Pros and Cons

Pros:Glaciers, Mountains, Laeks - Natural Drama worthy of Grieg and Ibsen
Cons:Huts can crowd up in the short summer; Skies can refuse to clear
In a nutshell:Europe's Premier Northern Alpine Park

Intro Updated May 19, 2006
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Reviews (14)

Relaxing outside a tourist hut after a long tour - Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark

TOURIST HUTS Hotels (1)

Staffed huts - both privat and associated with the DNT - allow wilderness esploration throughoutthe Park. DNT huts fully... more travel advice

Norwegians paying homage to Jotunheimen trolls - Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark

HIGH POINTS AND WAYSIDES Local Customs (1)

Trail junctions and high points are often marked by large piles of stones, added to by the mortal passerby, in thanks... more travel advice

Waiting for Gjende boat at Memurubu - Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark

LAKE BOATS Transportation (1)

Gjende is the best known lake in the Jotunheimen with boat service on its waters - though not the only one. The lake... more travel advice

Boat Dock at Memurubu - Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark

LAKE BOATS Warnings Or Dangers (3)

There is a boat service on Bygdin and Gjende which allows people to get into the wilderness of Jotunheimen quickly. You... more travel advice

Things to Do (8)
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Comments (13)

Rusket May 18, 2006 at 5:48 PM Report Abuse

Just finished my Dombås page. I made a link to this page in my hiking / climbing tip, hope you don't mind :-)
Trekki Aug 19, 2005 at 10:45 PM Report Abuse

The perfect place to be - what a shame that I never made it up there !
evaanna May 24, 2005 at 1:13 PM Report Abuse

Great pictures of this fantastic area! I never hiked there but the views from the car were stunning too.
NEILHALLIDYA Mar 11, 2005 at 11:21 AM Report Abuse

Hi, Thanks for visiting my Norway pages. Nice pages on Jottenheimen! Looks like you had good weather for the majority of your trip? The view atop Glittertind was all I really got but a decent place to get your only view. Regards, Neil
ptitetoile Jan 10, 2005 at 3:14 AM Report Abuse

The Bessegen, what a wonderful memory!!!! Quite cold there on the top isn't it? I was lucky, down....it become very sunny and I enjoyed a mediterranean climate and cenery!
blanter Aug 9, 2004 at 1:04 AM Report Abuse

Nice pictures and useful tips.
german_eagle Jul 16, 2004 at 9:29 AM Report Abuse

What a gorgeous scenery! Your fantastic page makes almost makes me going there right away :-) Very helpful tips also!
ophiru Jun 30, 2004 at 11:41 AM Report Abuse

hi - this is a great page on one of my TOP MUST VISIT Countries.
globetrott Jun 20, 2004 at 2:32 PM Report Abuse

What a lovely scenery and brilliant pics !
XenoHumph Jun 17, 2004 at 2:41 PM Report Abuse

Oooohh! Aaaa!! Wooowww!!!