The mountain region Jotunheimen is in the southNorway. Translated it means something like Giant Mountains (literally: Home of the giants) and is home to the 27 highest mountains in the country.
background
Part of the region was elevated to a national park in 1980.
landscape
The two highest mountains are the Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m above sea level) and the Glittertind (the "glitter pinnacle", 2,452 m above sea level).
Flora and fauna
The tree line is around 1,000 m above sea level. NN. Reindeer can be seen in many places.
climate
getting there
With the automobile via the E 16 bis Fagernes, from there over Beitostølen after Bygdin. There is the first possibility to turn right on the toll road (40 NOK) to Haugseter and park the car at the hostel. However, the most important (chargeable) parking spaces are in Bessheim and at the tourist hut Gjendesheim, which is not far from there (70 NOK / d).
public transport
There is the possibility of long-distance buses from nor-way Bussekspress traveling from Oslo to Gjendesheim, Lom and Leirvassbu.
There is also the possibility to travel from Oslo by train to Otta and from there by bus to the national park (see also mobility)
Fees / permits
The everyone's right allows camping, fishing and picking berries in the entire region. However, the tent should have a minimum distance of 200 m from the built-up area. All persons over 16 years of age need a fishing license to fish. Fishing is prohibited on the lake Russvats - it is in private hands.
If you are planning a longer hiking stay, you should join the Norwegian Tourist Association (DNT) for a year beforehand. As a DNT member you get a discount in most huts.
mobility
There is no possibility to use motor vehicles in the national park. There are also no bike paths in the mountainous landscape, so the only option is to hike. On Lake Gjende there are five ferries a day from Gjendesheim to Memurubu and twice a day from Memurubu to Gjendebu. The fares:
| Gjendesheim - Memurubu | NOK 85, return (same day) NOK 110 |
| Memurubau - Gjendebu | 80 NOK |
| Gjendesheim - Gjendebu | 105 NOK, return (same day) 150 NOK |
| Send backpack ONLY | 30 NOK per piece of luggage |
*** Attention: often overcrowded during the main travel season, so that many hikers cannot join the first descent. Come early and plan long waiting times ***
buses
opplandstrafikk operates buses in the region. For example, buses are offered from Otta to Gjendesheim, Spiterstulen, Juvasshytta, Sognefjellshytta and Eidsbugarden.
Tourist Attractions
Quite a few tourists visit Jotunheimen only because they have the world famous Besseggengrat want to climb between Gjendesheim and Memurubu. The Besseggengrat is indeed unique: to the left of the ridge you have a view of the blue-green shimmering Lake Gjende 700 m below and to the right of it to the smaller but equally impressive Bessvatnen. Every year around 35,000 people walk the ridge, not just experienced people, but also parents with their children.
activities
Jotunheimen is ideal for hiking. The hiking trails are well marked, only when it is foggy do you need a compass, especially on the Glittertind snowfield. The Glittertind can be walked without crampons and is classified as easy in the relevant hiking guides - easy in terms of technique, you should of course be in good shape.
shop
At the huts there is the possibility of shopping from a limited range. However, the prices there are higher than in the supermarket (€ 3.50 100g bar of chocolate). There are supermarkets in places on the edge of the national park.
kitchen
Breakfast and dinner are served in the managed huts. There are no restaurants directly in the mountains.
Drinking the water from mountain streams is possible without any problems.
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
In the national park
- Gjendebu. Modernized, quite beautiful DNT building at the western end of Lake Gjende.
- Gjendesheim. Central DNT tourist hut at the outflow of the Gjende lake with a view of the Besseggen ridge. Shower machines cost 5 NOK for 5 minutes (first half hour women, the second men), drying rooms available, very rich breakfast buffet. The hut is sometimes very busy, even Japanese tourists get lost here.
- Glitterheim. Indispensable as a hostel for a hike on the Glittertind. Discount for DNT members, shower machine costs 5 NOK for 4 minutes.
- Leirvassbu. Pretty spartan sleep extension, both inside and out. However, the restaurant and bar part with its sloping windows makes up for it. Reachable by long-distance bus and car, as it is on the northern edge of the national park.
- Memurubu. Relatively expensive hut between Gjendebu and Gjendesheim, no DNT discount. Indispensable if you want to climb the Besseggengrat and at the same time do without the ferry to / from Gjendesheim.
- Spiterstulen, in the valley between the two giants Glittertind and Galdhøpiggen. Spacious lounge, cigarettes are available here and nowhere else. By car from direction Lom reachable.
Outside the national park
- Haugseter, on the toll road from Bygdin to Skåbu. Free showers, à la carte menu.
- Oskampen. Very nice self-catering hut on the DNT hiking trail from Haugseter to Sikkildalsseter, food supplies available, two pit toilets in the shed, drinking water lake nearby.
- Sikkildalsseter. Hostel a little below the tree line (birch trees), very beautiful and traditional Norwegian interior, drying room and free shower available (together with the two toilets in the basement), a beer (0.33 l) costs 55 NOK. Attention: no DNT discount.
camping
- Wild camping away from the huts is permitted due to the right of everyone. There are usually suitable spots in the valleys. There are also two points directly between Bessvatnet and Gendesee along the Besseggen ridge.
- Camping at huts is possible for a fee (approx. 8 € with shower & drying room)
- Maurvangen Camping. Relatively large campsite with 25 huts. It is well equipped (kitchen, grocery store, restaurant, sauna). Good location, right on RV 51 near Gjendevatn (the ferry terminal can be reached on foot in about 30-40 minutes).
security
Caution is advised on the summit of the Glittertind. If you come from Glitterheim, there is a steep ice slope on the right, which you can hardly see if you are inexperienced in the fog (from the direction of Spiterstulen it is then on the left). Always walk nicely on the middle of the back, then nothing can happen. As in other mountains, you should be careful of crevasses. The emergency numbers are 112 and 113; international health insurance is highly recommended. In the event of an emergency, you will most likely go after Lillehammer or Gjøvik flown.
trips
If you have Jotunheimen as your main destination for your trip to Norway, you should at least make a detour to a stave church after leaving the area. The closest church of this type is in Ringebu on the E 6, north of Lillehammer.
