Jotunheimen National Park

Jotunheimen National Park
View from Knutshøi towards central Jotunheimen. Øvre Leirungen is the lake in front, Gjende in the back.
LocationVestland and Innlandet, Norway
Coordinates61°30′N 8°22′E / 61.500°N 8.367°E / 61.500; 8.367
Area1,151 km2 (444 sq mi)
Established1980
Governing bodyDirectorate for Nature Management
Map

Jotunheimen National Park (Norwegian: Jotunheimen nasjonalpark, lit. "Home of the Giants") is a national park in Norway, recognized as one of the country's premier hiking and fishing regions. The national park covers 1,151 square kilometres (444 sq mi) and is part of the larger area Jotunheimen. More than 250 peaks rise above an elevation of 1,900 metres (6,200 ft), including Northern Europe's three highest peaks: Galdhøpiggen at 2,469 metres (8,100 ft), Glittertind at 2,452 metres (8,045 ft) and Store Skagastølstind at 2,405 metres (7,890 ft).

The national park covers most of the mountainous region of Jotunheimen, including Hurrungane, but Utladalen and its surroundings are within Utladalen Landscape Protection Area. Geographically, it lies in both Innlandet and Vestland counties. Geologically the Jotunheimen is a Precambrian province. Glaciers have carved the hard gabbro rock massifs of the Jotunheimen, leaving numerous valleys and the many peaks.

Hurrungane
At Gjendesheim, looking over Lake Gjende towards Memurubu

Wildlife in the park include the lynx, moose, Norwegian red deer, reindeer, roe deer, and wolverine. Most lakes and rivers hold trout.