Jotunheimen National Park: Norway’s high mountains

Jotunheimen National Park is Norway’s most popular national park, boasting the country’s highest mountain peaks and vast valleys. Glaciers, rivers and waterfalls are home to reindeer and legendary giants. Surrounded by legends and myths, you can experience Norway’s most unspoilt side here.

• Jotunheimen is home to the highest mountains in Scandinavia.
• Popular hikes such as Besseggen and Galdhøpiggen.
• The landscape offers glaciers, lakes and rugged peaks.
• Ideal for challenging hikes, trekking tours and climbing.

Holidays in Jotunheimen National Park

A holiday in Jotunheimen National Park is suitable for anyone who wants to experience Norway’s wild nature. The national park is perfect for trekking and hiking tours – from easy tours through the wide valleys to challenging glacier tours, everything is possible. Winter sports enthusiasts will also find the ideal conditions here for ski tours and snowshoe hikes.

Where is Jotunheimen National Park located?

Jotunheimen National Park is located in the provinces of Innlandet and Vestland, in the south-eastern part of Norway. The national park covers an area of 3,500 km² and has several peaks that are over 2,000 metres high – including the highest peaks in Norway.

Jotunheimen National Park Map

The weather in Jotunheimen National Park

The weather in Jotunheimen National Park is characterised by the high mountains and can change quickly. In general, the temperatures are rather cool: in summer they rarely exceed 10 degrees and can even drop into the minus range at night in higher regions. In winter, there is a high probability of snowfall and highs are usually only -9 degrees. Anyone travelling to Jotunheimen National Park should keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for sudden changes in the weather.

Hiking in Jotunheimen National Park

With its impressive landscape, Jotunheimen National Park offers the opportunity for many beautiful hikes and trekking tours. In addition to the popular Besseggen hike – which is quite challenging – there are also many beginner and family-friendly hikes in Jotunheimen National Park.

The hike over the Besseggen ridge is the most popular hike in the region and was even ranked as one of the best hikes in the world by National Geographic in 2014. Although many tourists do the Besseggen hike every year, it should not be underestimated – due to the steep paths, the length and the metres in altitude, you should be in good physical condition and have the right hiking equipment.

An alternative to the Besseggen hike is Knutshøe in the immediate vicinity. At 1517 metres, the summit is no less impressive than the hike on the Besseggen ridge. Once you reach the summit, you have a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and the lakes Gjende and Leirungen. This hike is also challenging and should be planned well in advance.

Information and tips for the right hike can be found at the Norwegian Mountain Museum in Lom, which is located between the Jotunheimen, Breheimen and Reinheimen national parks.

Accommodation in Jotunheimen National Park

Hikers’ cabins in Jotunheimen National Park

There are also huts run by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) in Jotunheimen National Park. Most of the huts are serviced and offer a good starting point for hikes and overnight stays in the middle of nature. It is best to check the opening hours of the huts before travelling, as some huts close during the winter season.

Jotunheimen Fjellstue

Jotunheimen Fjellstue is a mountain hut in Bøverdalen that is open from May to September, depending on the weather. Here you can spend the night in cosy rooms or take a break during a hike. The hut is nestled between idyllic mountains, rivers and valleys and is the perfect starting point for various tours through the national park.

Camping in Jotunheimen National Park

The Everyman’s Right (Norwegian: Allemannsretten) allows camping in nature in Jotunheimen National Park. Camping is permitted along many hiking trails as long as the rules for the protection of wildlife and nature are observed.

There are also several campsites for campers and motorhomes on the edge of the national park, which offer a good infrastructure and a good starting point for adventures in the impressive high mountain landscape.

Jotunheimen Husky Lodge

If you want to cuddle the sled dogs and experience them up close, the Jotunheimen Husky Lodge is the place for you – here you can stay overnight, go hiking with huskies or go on classic sledging tours. There are opportunities to experience the special dogs in Jotunheimen National Park all year round.

Jotunheimen: Sights and activities

Jotunheimen mountains

The Jotunheimen Mountains are among the most impressive mountains in Norway and characterise the landscape in Jotunheimen National Park. The high mountains are characterised by glaciers, mountain lakes and the typical rugged rock formations. With several 2000 metre peaks, the mountains offer the perfect conditions for all outdoor enthusiasts. The highest mountains in Norway – Glittertind and Galdhøpiggen – are an absolute highlight when visiting the national park.

Glittertind and Galdhøpiggen: The highest mountains in Jotunheimen National Park

Glittertind and Galdhøpiggen are the highest mountains in Jotunheimen National Park. At 2452 and 2469 metres respectively, they are the highest peaks in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The mountains and their surroundings are particularly popular with outdoor enthusiasts and offer the most beautiful views of the high mountains, valleys and rugged peaks of the mountain range. An absolute must when visiting Jotunheimen National Park!

However, if you want to experience the high mountains, you should be well informed and possibly sign up for a guided tour – the conditions in the mountains should not be underestimated and require good preparation.

Glaciers

There are several glaciers and glacier arms to discover in Jotunheimen National Park, with Smørstabbreen, Styggebreen and Bøverbreen being among the most famous in the park. If you want to experience the glaciers up close, you should enquire about guided glacier tours to experience this special adventure. In the Climate Park 2469 there is also the opportunity to take a guided tour through an ice tunnel at an altitude of 1850 metres and learn more about the special features of the region.

Ski tours and snowshoe hikes

Winter in Jotunheimen National Park offers the perfect conditions for ski tours and snowshoe hikes. The high plateau in Jotunheimen National Park is suitable for beginner-friendly snowshoe tours as well as challenging ski tours around the high peaks of the park. Due to the sometimes difficult conditions, inexperienced people should enquire about guided tours.

Animals in Jotunheimen National Park

Due to the difficult conditions, animals in Jotunheimen National Park must be very adaptable. Only a few animal species can cope with the extreme cold, especially in winter. Reindeer, elk, foxes and mountain hares have adapted to the conditions or, depending on the time of year, move into the surrounding countryside when it gets too cold at higher altitudes.

When travelling or hiking through the national park, there is a high probability of encountering one of the wild or semi-wild reindeer herds. Elk also come to the national park in summer, but are much shyer than the reindeer and are therefore rarely encountered. If you want to observe animals in Jotunheimen National Park, you should be patient and keep as quiet as possible so as not to frighten the sometimes very shy animals.

Jotunheimen mythology: home of the giants

Jotunheimen can be translated as “home of the giants” and takes its name from the poet Aasmund Olavsson Vinje, who was inspired by Norse mythology. Norse mythology speaks of the nine worlds connected by the world tree Yggdrasil – Jötunheim is one of these worlds and is often described as a chaotic world inhabited by giants.