Jotunheimen National Park, National park in Vestland, Norway
Jotunheimen National Park is a mountain region in southern Norway with over 250 peaks above 1,900 meters, including Galdhøpiggen, the highest mountain in Northern Europe. The area spreads across several valleys and lakes, crossed by marked trails and mountain huts for visitors.
People lived in this mountain region since the Stone Age, as archaeological finds near lakes Gjende and Russvatnet show. These early camps were part of hunting routes used since prehistoric times.
The name Jotunheimen comes from poet Aasmund Olavsson Vinje, who gave the region this title in 1862 and shaped how people imagined this mountain world. Near Lake Bygdin, a memorial marks his contribution to how locals and visitors think of this place.
A network of trails is maintained by the Norwegian Mountain Touring Association, with mountain huts available along hiking routes for overnight stays. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and bring sturdy boots and rain protection.
The rock here dates from the Precambrian period and was shaped by glaciers over millions of years, which explains the steep mountain walls and deep valleys seen today. This geological history is readable in the rock formations and makes every hike a journey through Earth's story.
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