VIDEO
Galdhøpiggen
Mountains
Altitude
2469 masl
Length
3 h / 5 km
Closest parking
5 km from Juvasshytta
Coordinates
N6851889.42 - E146001.64
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LOCATION
Galdhøpiggen (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈɡɑ̀ɫhøːˌpɪɡn̩]) is the highest mountain in Norway, Scandinavia, and Northern Europe. The 2,469-metre-tall (8,100 ft) mountain is located in Lom Municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. Galdhøpiggen is located in the north-west part of the Jotunheimen National Park. It is one of the most visited high mountains in Norway, especially during the sunny summer day.
The mountain sits about 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of the village of Fossbergom and about 45 kilometres (28 mi) northeast of the village of Øvre Årdal. The mountain is surrounded by several other notable mountains including Keilhaus topp to the east; Store Styggehøe to the southeast; Svellnosbreahesten, Midtre Tverråtinden, and Store Tverråtinden to the south; Storjuvtinden and Skardstinden to the west; Veslpiggen, Storgrovtinden, and Storgrovhøe to the northwest; and Galdhøi and Juvvasshøi to the northeast.
Gallery
ACCESS AND MODERN TOURISM
There are two possible routes to reach the summit. One starts at Juvasshytta and the other at Spiterstulen.
The easiest route starts from Juvasshytta (1,850 metres above sea level, 5 km from the summit) it takes about three hours up (including about 45 minutes to prepare for crossing the Styggebreen glacier), an hour at the top and about two hours back. Some days in the summer, a few hundred people reach the summit each day. Guides are needed to cross the glacier, but are available every summer morning. This route can only be used from April/May to September, as the road to Juvasshytta is closed for the rest of the year. During the skiing months of April and May the glacier is covered in snow and may be crossed without a guide when conditions allow it.
The second route to reach the summit of Galdhøpiggen starts from Spiterstulen basecamp in Visdalen, with a technically easier climb, but still much more exhausting and longer climb of 1,300 metres (4,300 ft). It takes four hours to ascend and two hours to descend. From Spiterstulen, hikers do not have to cross the Styggebreen glacier, and hence a guide is not required. Ardent peak-baggers may count three summits on the route from Spiterstulen: Svellnose, Keilhaus topp and the summit itself. During the main season guided trips take one to the summit from Spiterstulen via the well known blue ice fall on Svellnosbreen.
The main season for hiking to Galdhøpiggen is between June and August.[5] The season is determined by the melting and first appearance of snow, so it does not follow a set date. The peak is a common destination for backcountry skiers in the months of April and May.
At Juvasshytta there is an alpine ski resort with lift on a glacier, reaching an elevation of 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) above sea level, the highest in Scandinavia. It is called Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre and is open from June and all the summer when the road is open.
How to get here
The physically easiest way to the summit is to walk from the end of high mountain road by Juvasshytta. But be aware that you will be crossing the glacier, always have the righ glacier gear and skills - or join the guided trip from Juvasshytta.
Safer, but physically much more demanding is to start from the Spiterstulen mountain hut in Visdalen.
Closest Parking - Juvasshytta
