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Galdhøpiggen
-
on
top of Norway
The
highpoint of a summer holiday.
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Galdhøpiggen
at 2469 meters above sea level in Jotunheimen |
By
Gunnar Christensen
Galdhøpiggen
is the highest mountain peak in northern Europe at 2469 meters above
sea level . And it's the most beautiful walk you can do in the famous
Norwegian mountain area called Jotunheimen.
From
Spiterstulen at 1100 meters above sea level you can climb up to the
top of Galdhøpiggen without any special equipment for climbing
the mountain other than ordinary clothes and shoes for cold weather.
And you can drive up to Spiterstulen.
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Looking
west from the peak of Galdhøpiggen. |
According
to the map printed by the Norwegian tourist information the walk
from Spiterstulen to the top of Galdhøpiggen is described as 4
hours up and 2 hours back down to Spiterstulen.
But
don't you rely on that information. Most people use up to seven hours
up including rests. Down from the top it takes far more than 2 hours
- you can more than double that because you must watch up for all the
stones on the path.
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View
on the way up to the top Galdhøpiggen. |
So start
your trip to the Galdhøpiggen peak early so you're not hunted
by the darkness on your way back.
And be
aware of the rules for walking in the mountains: The weather can
change fast in the mountain area and you will need warm clothes and
good shoes for the climbing up the path to the top across lots of
stones and snow: Food, water and so on.
If this
sounds too tuff for you, there is an easier way up: You can drive up
to Juvasshytta at 1840 meters above sea level and walk a much shorter
and easier distance up to the top at 2469. But from Juvasshytta you
must cross over large areas with ice - so don't walk alone on this
ice: Most people cross the ice-area in groups with a guide.
Whatever
way up to the beautiful Galdhøpiggen, - it's a trip you will
never forget.
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Jotunheimen:
Spiterstulen at 1100 meters above sea level between Mt.
Galdhøpiggen and Mt. Glitretind. |
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