Galdhøpiggen, Mountain summit in Innlandet, Norway.
Galdhøpiggen is a mountain summit in Jotunheimen National Park, Innlandet, Norway, rising 2,469 meters (8,100 feet) above sea level and marking the highest point in Norway, Scandinavia, and Northern Europe. The summit sits surrounded by glaciers and offers sweeping views over the rocky ridges and valleys of the region.
The first documented ascent took place in 1850 when local guide Steinar Sulheim and two companions reached the top, correcting earlier assumptions about which peak stood highest in Norway. Until then, many had believed another mountain held that title.
The name joins Norwegian words meaning a steep mountain road and a rounded peak, describing how the summit appears from below. Many hikers start before sunrise to witness the first light spreading across the surrounding glaciers.
Two main hiking routes lead to the top: one starts from Juvasshytta at 1,840 meters (6,040 feet), the other from Spiterstulen at 1,110 meters (3,640 feet), with guides available during summer months. The ascents cross glaciers and rocky terrain, so sturdy boots and warm clothing are necessary even in summer.
The glacier hosts the Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre, allowing visitors to ski during summer when conditions permit. The peak also sits just a few kilometers west of the geographic center of mainland Norway.
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