National Park

Photo: Øivind Haug

Map and information

Jotunheimen Welcome to the National Park National Parks in Welcome to Jotunheimen

An alpine landscape of high , snow and whichever way you turn. This is how it feels to be on top of Galdhøpiggen: You know that at this moment in time you are at the highest point in Norway with firm ground under your feet. What you see around you are the highest mountains of Northern Europe.

An alpine landscape of high mountains, deciduous and high waterfalls. snow and glaciers whichever way you The public footpath that winds its way turn. This is how it feels to be on top up the valley crosses over the wildly of Galdhøpiggen: You know that at this cascading Utla river many times on its moment in time you are at the highest way down the valley. point in Norway with firm ground under your feet. What you see around Can you see yourself on top of one you are the highest mountains of of the sharpest ridges? Northern Europe. climbing in Jotunheimen is as popular today as when the English started to Jotunheimen covers an area from explore these mountains during the the west country landscape of high, 1800s and many are still following sharp ridged peaks in , the in the footsteps of Slingsby and the most distinctive peaks, to the eastern other pioneers. country landscape of large valleys and mountain . Do you dream about the jerk of the fishing rod when a trout bites? Do you The emerald green is the dream of escaping to the mountains in queen of the lakes. The green colour the autumn with the family, skipping is caused by melt water from the from stone to stone along a path . The glacier rivers carry silt and opening a picnic on the top of a and tiny particles of clay down into the boulder? In Jotunheimen this is not mountain lakes. The particles reflect just a dream. the sunlight and give the lakes their distinctive green colour. The colour is Mountain climbers and families with most intense when the melt water is at children find their way to Jotunheimen. its highest. Here you can enjoy the lush, flowering vegetation, experience the magic of Utladalen is a protected landscape the blue ice, master the mountain wall area together with Jotunheimen and go hiking for days in scree, drifts National Park. In this narrow, of snow and mighty mountains. Or just distinctive valley there are heat loving enjoy the view. Photo: Thor Østbye Photo:

Besseggen ridge towers above Gjende and . Photo: Terje Valen Høihjelle Valen Terje Photo: Vettisfossen water fall - a free fall of 275 metres. Experiences

In Jotunheimen there is space for both the peak hiker and the flower lover. People who love mountains and first time travellers alike can enjoy themselves here. Don’t know enough about mountain hiking on your own or want to walk with others? Experience the mountain in the company of a mountain guide!

Cabin to cabin Walking/summit hike The marked paths in Jotunheimen nearly Galdhøpiggen has risen higher than any always lead to a tourist cabin. In most of other peak in Norway. Follow a glacier the cabins you will be served warm food guide from Juvasshytta or walk without and get a roof over your head for the a guide from Spiterstulen. Most of the night, unless you wish go self-­catering in 2,000 metre high peaks in Norway are one of the unmanned cabins. If you have found in Jotunheimen. The view from a tent in your rucksack, you have a world one peak awakens the urge to visit the of opportunities! Remember to bring next and this is how peak hiking starts. your fishing rod, because the trout in the Follow the Jotunheimen Haute Route Jotunheimen lakes are waiting. Buy your – a five-day randonée ski tour covering fishing permit at inatur.no seven 2,000-metre summits with long climbs uphill and steep downhill runs. Climate Park 2469 Experience mountains and climate in an Glacier walking exciting and educational trip through the The fairytale ice in Svellnosbreen glacier climate park at the foot of Galdhøpiggen is a world of ice and exiting landscape, a mountain. The guided trip ends inside playground for the adventurous looking the ice tunnel: 60 metres inside the ice – for a new experience with crampons and 6,000 years back in time. Order your trip an ice pick. Walking on glaciers and blue at klimapark2469.no ice requires knowledge and experience of the glacier and equipment – otherwise choose to be guided by an experienced Besseggen is the icon of Norwegian glacier guide. mountain hiking. The hike goes partly across airy and steep terrain with some Utladalen climbing. On the way you can enjoy At the nature house in Utladalen you views to Gjende and the high mountains gain an insight into the nature and of East Jotunheimen. This day trip culture of the valley and Western requires you to be in good shape and Jotun­heimen. Here at the entrance you must bring food and clothes suitable to Utladalen you can also enjoy a cup for spending a day in the mountains. of coffee and waffles. Take the child Order tickets for the Gjende boat and friendly trip along the foot path to Vetti start the most famous hiking trip in farm. A lovely ramble with the buggy or Norway. See gjende.no. on a bike! Photo: Øivind Haug Photo: Øivind Haug Photo:

Let the kids experience Jotunheimen! A beautiful world awaits in the blue ice. Photo: Øyvind Pedersen Photo: A mighty view towards Snøholdtinden (2141 metres above sea level). Facts & information Jotunheimen National Park was established in 1980 and is 1151 km2.

Where is Jotunheimen Lom, Vågå and Vang in the county of situated . Luster and Årdal in the county of og Fjordane. How do I get there? Bus: -Gjendesheim-Leirvassbu. Oslo--Årdal. -Gjendesheim. Otta-Sogndal. Lom-Juvasshytta. Boat: Across lake to Torfinnsbu and Eidsbugarden. Across lake Gjende from Gjendesheim to Memurubu and Gjendebu. National tourist road County Road 55 Sognefjellet County Road 51 Valdresflya National Park Village Lom

Visitor Centre The Norwegian Mountain Centre National Park norskfjellsenter.no Viewpoint Sognefjellshytta

Plan the trip inatur.no ut.no outtt.no/jotunheimen Protected area Utladalen Protected Landscape Reinheimen National Park National Park Management and The National Park Board for Jotunheimen supervision and Utladalen nasjonalparkstyre.no/Jotunheimen Norwegian Nature Inspectorate naturoppsyn.no Tourist Information visitjotunheimen.no .no nasjonalparkriket.no .no Print: Skipnes Kommunikasjon Print: Skipnes Kommunikasjon Wildlife Life in the high mountains is only for those who have cracked the code. Not everything can survive long winters and high winds. Here you will find animals and birds that survive in conditions you would consider impossible. The wildlife in Jotunheimen covers everything from hardy little birds to predators with eagle eyes and sharp noses. They are all high mountain specialists.

Wolverine in the air. The menu preferably contains Supple and strong, the roams grouse, and he therefore nests in areas around the mountains hunting and with large grouse stocks. Small birds are devouring carrion. He is a loner with also the prey of the gyrfalcon. a very large territory. The wolverine benefits from the numerous Birds are part of the sound scape of sharing the same territory. the mountain. The magical song of the plover follows many a mountain Reindeer hiker, and if you hear a sound like Norway has an international responsi­ two rocks hitting each other, it is the bility for taking care of the wild reindeer. wheatear keeping an eye on you. The Approximately 90 % of the wild tundra bluestocking, with its blue and reddish reindeer in the world are found here. brown chest is exotic to look at, and This high mountain species has adapted can be found in birch and willow more than any other to low temperatures thickets in the high mountains. and barren pastures, and the herds are continually migrating between pastures Fluctuations in the and areas for calving throughout the year. The wild reindeer are found in mountains Western Jotunheimen, while the herders The barren basis of life in the mountains in Vågå and Lom herd large flocks of means that many species are vulnerable tame reindeer in Eastern Jotunheimen. and completely dependent on good access to food and undisturbed areas. This is the Birds of the mountain only way they can keep the stock going. Whilst up in the mountains, we can view and listen to the life in the air. The large Some years the mountains are full of birds of prey hunt small game, rodents small and hot headed lemmings. Large and small birds. The second largest bird stocks of small rodents providing good of prey in Norway, the golden eagle, has living conditions and more food for a wingspan up to as much as 2,2 metres. predators and birds of prey. During these The female is the largest, something years the grouse has an easier life and common amongst birds of prey. The produces more fledglings in each litter. gyrfalcon also has a large wingspan. The stock of grouse increases after Measuring up to 1.6 metres this is our good years of small rodents, and falls largest falcon. He is a swift hunter, correspondingly following years of low normally catching his prey at high speed numbers of small rodents. Photo: Kjell Nyøygard Photo:

Underneath snow clad peaks the wild reindeer find pastures in wind blown rocky areas. Photo: Rune Hermansen Photo:

A vital element in the mountain: Lemming. Photo: Øyvind Sandbuløkken Photo:

The bluestocking can imitate other bird species. Photo: Thomas Rødstøl Photo:

The wolverine – small and hardy. The landscape

The bedrock medicine in high risk treatment of heart The Caledonian mountain range covers conditions, colds and stomach pains. the whole of Norway, from the north to the south. Part of this mountain range is Along the northern side of Gjende and known as Jotunheimen. The mountains below Besseggen, chalky provides and peaks of Jotunheimen withstand the botanical diversity of a lush forest erosion, due to the hard rock types of of mountain birch. The white mountain gabbro and syenite. We find more porous queen grows on steep slopes; it is also and nutritious types of rock in other called pyramidal saxifrage and locally places in Jotunheimen, creating fertile called vianvang. This is Norway’s conditions for diverse vegetation. national flower.

Botanical diversity The glacier buttercup grows highest of The map lichen is a common species all the flowering : All the way up to in Norway. Since the map lichen does 2,370 metres above the sea level below not survive under ice, we can look at ! The anemone Pulsatilla the size and calculate how long an area vernalis and the purple mountain has been free of ice. The map lichen is saxifrage also show their faces as soon slow growing: If the has a diameter as the snow has melted. of five centimetres it means that it is approximately 250 years old. The lichen Several typical low country species starts to grow as soon as snow and ice grow well over 1,000 metres above sea no longer cover the stone all year round. level where there is good soil, amongst A lighter coloured scree without lichen these the lily of the valley. In past times has therefore been free of ice for a this poisonous plant was used in herbal shorter time than a lichen covered scree. Photo: Jan Stokstad Photo: Sveen Kari Photo: Moss campion or cushion pink grows Yellow map lichen decorate the in tight little cushions. mountain. Welcome and please look after our nature Welcome to a trip in the National Park! There is room for many if we show consideration for the people and animals around us. The National Parks are the best of Norwegian nature. The conservation order contributes to taking good care of the landscape and the diversity of animals and plants. So we can still add to our memories of this place in the future.

Common right of access. You can go are not allowed to use live bait. You must wherever you wish on foot or on skis. Feel not take live fish or wet fishing equipment free to follow a marked footpath or marked from one waterway to another. trail in the National Park. You can take a break wherever you like. Erect a tent Dogs in the National Park. Dogs are wherever you wish as long as it is more than welcome along for the trip. Between 1st 150 metres from any house or a cabin where April and 1st November all dogs must be people are living. In the National Park you kept on a leash. Show consideration for are free to pick berries, mushrooms and wild animals, grazing animals and people common plants for your own use. Showing all the year round. The reindeer are especi­ consideration for the vegetation and animal ally vulnerable during winter and spring. life is important, especially during the nesting and breeding season. As a general rule, motorised vehicles are prohibited in the National Park. Cultural heritage sites such as old home­ steads and hunting pits are protected, Clothes and equipment. The weather in so stones from old stone walls must be the mountains can change very quickly, left in place. in both summer and winter. Summertime can offer warmth and blue skies or low Rubbish. Remember to tidy up after you temperatures and thick fog. Winter trips and take your rubbish home. can offer sunshine and long distance views or cold winds and driving snow conditions. You can light a fire between the 15th of September and the 15th of April and the You must evaluate the weather and rest of the year where it is obvious that conditions based on your fitness and it will not lead to a fire. Take note of local skills and prepare yourself with suitable prohibitions. Show consideration for clothes and equipment. Taking a walk nature when gathering firewood. in the mountains can be hard physically. Taking a trip with a mountain guide Hunting and fishing. You can hunt and provides safety and useful tips. fish in the National Park as in other mountain areas as long as you have a Good planning provides a good trip hunting licence and/or fishing permit. You experience. E 15 Risheimøyi Nature Reserve n Protected Landscape l e a d Lom nasjonalparklandsby Vistehorten Vågåmo " r a National Park Village Nature Reserve ! Sota Sæter n d Sandehorten u Nature Reserve T ! Åsjo Garmo Jotunheimen Lom Nature Reserve Vå National Park L o m s e g g j e gåvatnet E 15 Breheimen 55 Besøkssenter nasjonalpark Otta National Park Visitor Center National Park n d a l e n e n d a l Brimi L u a Information map d Fjellstugu r " e v g H o l å t i n d a n ø Closed in winter Jotunheimen B 51

National Park Trulsbu e a p i g g a n " H e s t b r Kvitingskjølen# Røisheim 2064m Welcome to nature Galdesanden Harbards- " Raubergstulen This is a map developed being used, what areas are " g e n for the brand Norway’s vulnerable to visitors - the basis Elvesæter d a l Blessumkalvkveen breen " Smådalsvatni S m å National Parks. All Norwegian of visitor management. This Nature Reserve Nature Reserve conservation areas, regardless map is not a hiking map, but Høydalen g ! Closed Protected Landscape in winter Closed in winter of any protection category, provides an overview of the ! Liasanden Trollsteinhøe Randsverk form part of this brand. These selections available in specified g Climate park 2469 Nørdstedalseter ! maps have been developed conservation areas and the " " V i s d a l e n Høyrokampen " Closed in winterVegaskjelet Juvasshytta based on the knowledge about surrounding area. Nature Reserve 51 how the conservation area is Jotunheimen Styggebrean Glittertinden Fjellstue # n Galdhøpiggen# Ridderspranget 2460m l e 2469m a Nature Reserve Sognefjellshytta Mørkridsdalen d Veogjelet Protected e o " V Nature Reserve At Sognefjellshytta you will experience Norwegian high mountain Landscape Spiterstulen nature interacting with architecture. Follow a well prepared Utkikkspunkt S m ø r s t a b b s- " footpath with a firm surface, for approximately one kilometre Viewpoint L e i r d a l e n Glitterheim Stølsdalen Jotunheimen t i n d a n around the western part of lake Fantesteinsvatnet. By taking a S j o d a l e n n Krossbu e " detour to the summit to the south of Fantesteinsvatnet you can l " a " #Nautgardstinden d Sognefjellshytta see the massive mountains Hurrungane, Smørstabbtindane and s 2258m Hindsæter n Sognefjellet ! t u Mefjellet Fannaråken. r F o

Visitor Centre National Park Closed in winter Leirvassbu " Stuttgonglie Lom Drægnismorki- M e m u r u t i n d a n Nature Reserve Yttrismorki Baklie Sogndal Nature Reserve Nature Reserve The Norwegian Mountain Centre is a visitor centre for the National Fannaråkhytta t ! " tne g Nedre Jotunheimen va Parks of Jotunheimen, Reinheimen and Breheimen and provides Turtagrø " s

55 Oscarshaug us ! g information about trips and activities in the mountains and the R ! Besstrond ! National Parks. At the Norwegian Mountain Centre there are Vassbakken Closed in winter exhibitions about people and mountains and you can visit the shop National Park where you will find hiking maps, mountain books for adults and children, local handicrafts and souvenirs. Store #Skagastølstind seggen " 2405m Bes Bessheim National Park village " Skogadalsbøen Memurubu Olavsbu " Lom " e H u r r u n g a n e Gjend " The landmark Lomseggen towers above Lom National Park village, ! g a natural stopping place before walking the mountains. Here you Gjendesheim Maurvangen Sikkilsdalsseter will find overnight accommodation, food and hiking equipment, Snøhols- Gjendebu " including information about nature experiences around the #tinden ! Closed in winter 2141m Vargebakkane National Park village and the mountains. #Heimdalshøe 1843m Stølsmaradalen U t l a Information point " National Park #Knutsholstinden 2341m Oskampen Find more information about Jotunheimen at the information !Vettisfossen Falketind 1502m points. These are good starting points for trips in the National Park # # Closed in winter " 2067m and the surrounding mountains. Vetti gard Steinplassen Gravdalen" ! " Eidsbugarden # Avdal Gard " g Utladalen Utladalen 2105m Parking National Park Tourist cabin serviced ! V a l d r e s- Bygdin ! Protected Landscape Tyinholmen # Gråhøe Food service Tourist cabin self-service 1779m Øvre Årdal " Torfinnsbu f l y a ! Tourist cabin unmanned Recommended photo opportunity Kald- Bygdin fjorden ! Rjupa Public transport junction Accessible foot path Sanddalstjedn " Nature Reserve Connection by boat Cycle path Tyin Bygdin 53 Langsua

Closed in winter Overnight accommodation Foot path 51 252 e Årdalstangen Bitihorn# Vinstr National Park ! 1607m Camping facilities Ski winter trail Tyinkrysset Fagernes Lærdalsøyri 0 2 4 6 8 10 Closed in winter " 53 Kilometer Slettingsbu Map data: ©Kartverket N250, ©Miljødirektoratet Cartography: ©Miljødirektoratet, ©2286moh g