National park · Norway
Jotunheimen National ParkJotunheimen nasjonalpark
Spend a day on Besseggen (8–10 h) in mid‑July for the best weather, or a shorter hike to Galdhøpiggen (7 h) with a guide in early June; avoid the high‑summer crowds by starting before 9 am.
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- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,510 km² (583 sq mi)583 sq mi (1,510 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Norway ↗Norway is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Norway ↗Wine and spirits are sold only at the state Vinmonopolet shops; supermarkets sell beer, and not in the evenings or on Sundays.
- Norway ↗The right to roam (allemannsretten) lets you hike and camp on most uncultivated land, keeping a distance from homes and leaving no trace.
At a glance
- Country
- Norway
- Area
- 1,510 km² (583 sq mi)583 sq mi (1,510 km²)
- The park covers about 1,151 km² of land; the larger Jotunheimen mountain area extends beyond the park boundaries.
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Jotunheimen is Norway's most famous mountain area, with the highest peaks in Northern Europe, deep valleys, glaciers and classic hiking routes such as Besseggen and Galdhøpiggen. The park is free to enter, but glacier crossings and summit climbs require a certified guide. Most visitors base themselves in Lom or at DNT cabins and hike from mid-June to early August.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteMost of the range is protected as a national park.
Size and age
1,510 km² (583 sq mi)583 sq mi (1,510 km²) · national park since 1980
The park covers about 1,151 km² of land; the larger Jotunheimen mountain area extends beyond the park boundaries.
Why go
- High‑altitude alpine scenery with glaciers, lakes and rugged ridges.
- Classic routes such as Besseggen, Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind.
- Back‑country skiing from late winter to early summer.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanSnow, limited trail access.
- FebWinter conditions, ski season.
- MarSnow still high, early season.
- AprMelting snow, some trails open.
- MayLate May sees first alpine hikes.
- JunMid‑June onward, trails clear.
- JulPeak summer, long daylight.
- AugWarm, stable weather.
- SepEarly autumn, fewer crowds.
- OctSnow may return on high passes.
- NovWinter conditions resume.
- DecSnow, limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain ptarmigan and golden eagleJun–Sep · Visible from high ridges. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Reindeer herdsMay–Sep · Often seen near valleys. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Oslo
Train to Otta (300 km (186 mi)), then bus 80 km (50 mi) west to Lom; road 55 leads to park entrances.Train to Otta (186 mi (300 km)), then bus 50 mi (80 km) west to Lom; road 55 leads to park entrances.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Bergen
Drive via E16 to Lom or via road 55 (Sognefjellet) to the western side.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Lillehammer
Bus (Valdresekspressen) to Beitostølen, then local bus to Gjendesheim.
3–4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gjendesheim area | Lake Gjende, Besseggen ridge, several DNT cabins. | Foot access from Gjendesheim lodge; boat service on Gjende lake in summer. |
| Juvasshytta gateway | Road 55 turnoff to Juvasshytta, start for Galdhøpiggen. | Private toll road; guide required for glacier crossing. |
| Spiterstulen sector | Glittertind and surrounding peaks, DNT cabins. | Foot access; guide required for summit. |
Sketch map
- 1Lom · Town≈61.873, 8.564Gateway town, train station.Map ↗
- 2Gjendesheim · Headquarters≈61.630, 8.648DNT lodge at lake Gjende.Map ↗
- 3Juvasshytta · Gate≈61.673, 8.371Road 55 turnoff, start for Galdhøpiggen.Map ↗
- 4Spiterstulen · Headquarters≈61.617, 8.425DNT lodge near Glittertind.Map ↗
- 5Besseggen viewpoint · Viewpoint≈61.513, 8.726Map ↗
- 6Galdhøpiggen summit · Summit≈61.637, 8.312Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of main access points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (visitor centre) | Free | person | No fee for day visitors; check for seasonal permits. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Glacier guide permit or guide
Summit guide permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for glacier crossings and summit attempts on Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind.
- Camping
- Wild camping allowed up to 3 days, at least 150 m from buildings.
- Drones
- Not permitted without special permission.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stove only.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash; some cabins restrict pets.
Where to stay
In the park
Gjendesheim DNT cabin
Simple dormitory rooms, meals optional.
In the park
Juvasshytta mountain hotel
Hotel rooms with restaurant, gateway to Galdhøpiggen.
Near the park
Lom town
Hotels, hostels, and services for park visitors.
Safety
Glacier crevasses high
Rapid weather change medium
Altitude and fatigue medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main road accesses (E16, 51, 55) have parking near trailheads.
- Trails are rugged; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated trails and campsites to protect fragile alpine flora.
- Take all waste with you; no littering.
- Support DNT cabins that follow eco‑friendly practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jotunheimen?
There is no general entry fee; you only pay for guided glacier crossings or accommodation.
What are the best hikes in Jotunheimen?
Besseggen ridge (8–10 h), Galdhøpiggen summit (7 h with guide), Glittertind via Glitterheim (6 h), Utladalen valley walk (4 h).
When is the best time to visit Jotunheimen?
Mid‑June to early August offers the most reliable trail conditions and long daylight.
Do I need a guide for any routes?
Yes, glacier crossings and summit attempts on Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind require a certified guide.
Can I camp wild in the park?
Wild camping is allowed up to three days, staying at least 150 m from buildings and respecting fire bans.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Jotunheimen National Park
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