Sébastien Goldberg, Unsplash License, Source

Jotunheimen

Home of giants and glaciers

Jotunheimen National Park in Norway showcases rugged mountain peaks, deep valleys and clear lakes surrounded by ancient glaciers. The landscape features dramatic cliffs and wide open spaces where wildlife like reindeer roam freely. Hiking trails lead through forests of pine and birch, opening to alpine meadows filled with wildflowers during summer months. Snow caps remain on the highest summits well into June. Rivers cut through valleys carrying meltwater from glaciers below. The area provides quiet solitude for those seeking outdoor adventure away from crowded tourist spots.

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National Park in Norway

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.9

General Safety:	10
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	10

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken throughout Norway, including Jotunheimen. Staff at visitor centers, mountain lodges, and hotels generally speak excellent English. Even in remote areas, most Norwegians can communicate effectively with English-speaking tourists.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Jotunheimen Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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World-class for alpine hiking and mountain scenery. Trek dramatic peaks and glaciers, hike famous ridges, camp in remote valleys and enjoy breathtaking Scandinavian wilderness.

Place score

8.5

Best at:

Natural sites

Hiking

Spotless

Secluded

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

♻️ 10

Sustainability

👩 9

Solo

Norway – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Norwegian Krone (NOK) £1 ≈ NOK 12.42
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Norway is a highly cashless society. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and many places even prefer card payments over cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not obligatory in Norway, though it is appreciated. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is common. Taxi drivers expect small tips, and hotel staff appreciate small gratuities.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Norway in some areas, such as designated outdoor events. However, it is prohibited in public places like parks and streets in many cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in all public places, including restaurants and public transport. Designated outdoor smoking areas are available in most public spaces.

Norwegian Constitution Day (May)	A national holiday with celebrations, especially in Oslo, expect crowded areas and festivities.
Christmas (December)	Christmas celebrations are widespread, with Christmas markets and festive events, but expect crowded cities and higher accommodation prices.
Midsummer (June)	Midsummer celebrations take place with outdoor events, festivals, and celebrations.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Norway is a beautiful country with extensive natural landscapes. Be prepared for variable weather and pack accordingly, especially if you plan to explore the outdoors.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Jotunheimen, Norway

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	July - Aug.
Shoulder season:	Feb. - April, June, Sep.
Crowdedness:	4 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Staffed DNT huts usually open late June to mid September, shorter hours at Easter for ski touring

High trails and glacier routes usually snow-free only July to early September

Besseggen ridge hike and Gjende boat service run mid June to mid September

Don't miss

🥾 Hike the majestic Besseggen Ridge between turquoise lakes
🏔️ Summit Norway’s highest peak, Galdhøpiggen, for sweeping views
⛺ Camp under the stars beside Gjende Lake
🦌 Spot wild reindeer and Arctic foxes in the valleys
🧗‍♂️ Experience ice climbing on the park’s dramatic glaciers

You've been here?

Why travel to Jotunheimen?

Jotunheimen offers that rare combination of truly spectacular mountain scenery and surprisingly accessible wilderness experiences. Whether you're an experienced mountaineer looking to summit Norway's highest peaks or a casual hiker wanting to experience the famous Besseggen ridge with its stunning views over the emerald-green Gjende lake, there's something here for every level of outdoor enthusiast. The national park's varied terrain creates endless possibilities for adventure – from challenging multi-day treks to gentle day hikes, glacier walks across ancient ice formations and world-class skiing in the winter months. What makes Jotunheimen special is how it combines this raw natural beauty with elements of Norwegian culture and history. The area is steeped in Norse mythology, once believed to be home to trolls and giants. Today, you can experience traditional Norwegian mountain hospitality in historic lodges, sample local cuisine in villages like Lom and witness how Norwegians have maintained their deep connection to these mountains for centuries. The national scenic routes of Sognefjellet and Valdresflye provide some of Norway's most breathtaking drives, making even the journey to Jotunheimen an unforgettable part of the experience.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Glittertinden
2 Storen

🎡Places for activities

1 Galdhøpiggen
2 Gjendesheim
3 Leirvassbu
4 Memurubu
5 Sognefjellet fylkesgrensa
6 Valdresflye

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Besseggen Ridge trail
2 Storen
3 Svellnosbrean
4 Utladalen

🎈Events

Besseggen Hiking Season Opening (June)
Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Festival
Jotunheimen Mountain Festival
Valdresflye Cycling Race
Lom Mountain Film Festival
Jotunheimen Ultra Trail
Sognefjellet Ski Marathon (Spring)
Traditional Summer Solstice Celebrations
Autumn Colors Photography Tours
Winter Ski Touring Season Opening

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Pack for unpredictable weather and glacier terrain.
Hike Besseggen Ridge early to beat crowds and secure Gjende boat tickets.
Follow marked trails and cairns; respect the Right to Roam by leaving no trace.
Climb Galdhøpiggen via guided glacier tour from Spiterstulen for Norway's highest summit safely.

How to travel to Jotunheimen

Jotunheimen is most commonly accessed by car from major Norwegian cities. From Oslo, it's approximately a 4-5 hour drive to the eastern entrances near Valdresflye or Gjendesheim. From Bergen, it's about 5-6 hours to the western side near Sognefjell. Limited bus services run from Oslo and other major towns to gateway villages like Lom, Beitostølen and Gjendesheim, especially during summer months. The nearest airports are in Oslo, Bergen and the smaller regional airport in Fagernes, all requiring additional land transport to reach the park.

Access summary

From Oslo Airport (OSL): Train or bus toward Lom area, about 5–6 hours.
From Oslo city: Express buses via Fagernes to Gjendesheim/Lom, roughly 4–6 hours.
From Bergen or Trondheim: Scenic 4–6 hour drive or seasonal buses into Jotunheimen.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Jotunheimen

Accommodation in Jotunheimen ranges from traditional mountain lodges (hytter) within the park to hotels and guesthouses in gateway towns like Lom. The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) maintains a network of staffed and unstaffed cabins throughout the park, offering hikers basic but comfortable overnight options along popular routes. These range from simple self-service huts to fully staffed lodges with meals. Camping is permitted throughout most of the park, though some areas have restrictions. Accommodations fill quickly during peak summer season (July-August), so advance booking is essential.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

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How to get around Jotunheimen

Exploring Jotunheimen requires some planning as public transportation within the park is limited. Three National Tourist Routes (Sognefjellet, Gamle Stynefjellsvegen and Valdresflye) provide scenic driving access to different parts of the park. For hikers, the Gjende ferry is a crucial link, providing transport across Gjende lake between Gjendesheim and Memurubu - a popular starting point for the Besseggen ridge hike. Having your own vehicle offers the most flexibility, though some areas are only accessible by foot or with guided tours.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+18 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 18% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to NOK) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Lillehammer, Norway - 119 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£70	£168	£475
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£75	£188
🍝 Food per day	£35	£84	£262
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£9	£25

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£32
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£12
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11
☕ Cappuccino	£3.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£7.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£43
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£31

Safety information overview

General safety

Jotunheimen is generally very safe regarding crime, but natural hazards require caution. Weather can change rapidly, creating dangerous conditions. Always check forecasts, inform someone of your route and consider hiring guides for challenging hikes like Besseggen or glacier walks.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities within the park are extremely limited. The nearest hospitals are in larger towns outside the park. Bring necessary medications and a comprehensive first aid kit. Cell phone coverage is spotty in remote areas, so consider emergency communication devices for longer treks.

Accessibility

Jotunheimen presents significant challenges for those with mobility issues. Most trails involve uneven terrain, steep sections and primitive facilities. Some viewpoints are accessible by car via scenic routes and certain visitor centers offer improved accessibility, but wilderness experiences generally require good mobility.

Tap water

Norway has excellent water quality and mountain streams in Jotunheimen generally provide safe drinking water. However, always collect water from flowing sources above human habitation. At higher elevations, water is pristine, but carrying a water filter or purification tablets is recommended as a precaution.