Norway's most spectacular 17th of May parade!

2469. If you are Norwegian, you immediately know what we are talking about when this number is mentioned.
Because 2469 is, of course, the number of meters above sea level that Norway's highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen, towers. The roof of Norway, quite simply. And how lucky are we Norwegians when even the highest mountain in Norway is accessible to most people?

Should we simply…

In our family (two adults and two teenagers), we all love setting goals, some more than others… And climbing mountain peaks is something all 4 of us think is great. The idea that as a Norwegian, one should get to the top of Galdhøpiggen at least once in a lifetime has always been a goal for the undersigned. And for my boyfriend who is Swedish (also called "the Swede"), it would be an extra bonus to get up there – both because of the fantastic Norwegian nature, but also because Galdhøpiggen is higher than the Swedes' Kebnekaise (2101 m above sea level in 2019) 😀
And when the Swede was also turning 50 at the end of May, and the calendar showed several red days, it was suddenly decided: we skip the normal celebration in bunad with sausages and soda in the local neighborhood, this year we celebrate National Day AND the 50th birthday in the most Norwegian of Norwegian ways – on Galdhøpiggen!!

Flags, backpacks, hiking gear, (shorts!), hiking boots, ski boots, and skis were quickly packed into the car, and on May 16th, we set off from Hyggen over the mountain towards Lom and Bøverdalen. Just over 6 hours in the car went completely fine with a few food and snack stops along the way. Large parts of the trip were on the E6, but quickly changed to beautiful nature on a slightly smaller road from Otta to Lom.

Beautiful nature as soon as you turned off from the E6 / Photo: Catrine Olsen

Facts about Galdhøpiggen

Galdhøpiggen is not only the highest mountain in Norway, it is the highest in all of Scandinavia. It is located in Lom municipality and Oppland county. The mountain area is called Jotunheimen.

Galdhøpiggen was climbed for the first time in 1850 by farmer Steinar Sulheim, church singer Ingebrigt N. Flotten, and teacher Lars Arnesen, all from Lom.

At the top, there is a small cabin that serves soda and coffee, and some light snacks. It is also possible to buy postcards. Previously, the cabin was a post office, of which was the highest in Northern Europe.

From Galdhøpiggen, you can look out over large parts of Jotunheimen, and all the way to Snøhetta in the north and Holtefjellet near Drammen in the southeast.

Start from Juvasshytta

It was quickly decided that we would take the route from Juvasshytta. This is reportedly the easiest route and takes about 6-7 hours round trip. Approx. 5.7 km one way.
Relatively easy to make the climb up, for people in normally good shape. A family-friendly trip that is well-suited for hiking-oriented children. Because along in the car, we also had our two daughters aged 9 and 11, as well as a moderately sized, four-legged friend.

We were lucky and managed to book a dog-friendly cabin at Raubergstulen, right by the toll bar, about 10-15 minutes away from Juvasshytta. There they have both a hotel and cabins for rent. A great place with a fantastic view of mountains, peaks, and valleys. And outside, we often saw hares hopping and bouncing around, to the great delight of both the two- and four-legged.
At the hotel, they serve fantastic food made from local ingredients. A wonderful dinner in beautiful surroundings before the darkness and night crept in.

We stayed at Raubergstulen / Photo: Catrine Olsen

Sun from a clear sky

The next day we woke up early, excited about what the weather and the day would bring.
The weather could not have been better, there was simply not a single cloud in the sky. Even though we were now in the middle of the mountains, at the foot of Galdhøpiggen, approx. 1000 m above sea level, there was actually a hint of warmth in the air.
After a delicious breakfast, we jumped into our hiking clothes, braided flags into our hair, packed our backpacks with food, champagne, and flags, and stepped into our ski boots – ready for a long and eventful day.

Right by Raubergstulen, there is a toll gate where it costs NOK 100 per car to pass on the way up to Juvasshytta. A queue can easily form here. However, a separate lane had been made for those of us staying at Raubergstulen, so we were able to drive on relatively quickly.

We couldn't have been luckier with the weather. And even though there were many who took the same trip, there was plenty of space! / Photo: Eric Berglund

Norway's most awesome May 17th parade

The people at Juvasshytta were well prepared and had arranged both parking attendants and the option to park along the road. Because we were not the only ones who wanted to join a 17th of May parade on the roof of Norway…

About 1200 others had the same idea, but everyone walked at their own pace and with slightly different start times, so we were by no means walking in a queue.
And what a crowd we were! You'd probably have to look long and hard to find a longer and more fun May 17th parade.

Fantastic with people dressed in traditional bunads on their way to the top of Galdhøpiggen / Photo: Catrine Olsen

Some went on foot, some on skis. Some in bunads, others in shorts. There was homespun wool and there was Gore-Tex in all the colors of the world. Marius sweaters and woolen underwear. Everyone with flags and good food & drinks in their backpacks, and in a great mood.
We didn't hike many vertical meters before the Swede stripped down to shorts and a short-sleeved shirt – today anything went.

Due to huge amounts of snow and relatively cold temperatures in the months before May 17th, the glacier guides from Juvasshytta decided that there was no need for a rope team across the glacier. So everyone could really walk at their own pace.

When the snow is so porous that you can put your skis on your back and walk on foot… / Photo: Catrine Olsen

Both on foot and on skis

We used ordinary cross-country skis for parts of the trip, it's not a long ski trip, but it is also not a groomed trail. Most people took off their skis at Piggura and walked the last, steep section up to the top on foot.

The atmosphere, the weather, the people, the snow conditions – everything ensured that the trip took place without complaints or problems – neither for adults nor kids. Our four-legged friend also managed splendidly, on leash of course; we just put her in the backpack for the steepest and most rugged sections.

The last bit up is relatively heavy - but fantastic to reach the top!! / Photo: Catrine Olsen

Tears rolled – what an experience

And what an experience it was to reach 2469! As we arrived at the top, everyone who had already made it up burst into the national anthem together; at that point, it was impossible to hold back the tears.
"Ja, vi elsker" was sung at regular intervals during the hour we sat on top eating, celebrating, and enjoying the view. Singing this Norwegian song with the most fantastic national view over the whole of Jotunheimen as a Norwegian was incredibly special – and is a memory cherished in the heart.
The Swede was of course also moved, and when we belted out the birthday song for him at the top as well, it was almost too much :-D. What a place to celebrate both the one and the other!

You can hear a sample of the song here:

'Piggjehytta', i.e. the cabin at the top, was closed on this day, but everyone had brought their May 17th food, sweets, and bubbles in their backpacks anyway. So the mood was at its peak – literally 😀

Of course, photos and videos were taken in abundance. From EVERY angle. An experience like this had to be properly documented. Crazy! This year's Christmas card was in the bag already in the middle of May 😀

A memorable day for the whole family - on the roof of Norway ❤️ / Photo: Self-timer

Simply unbeatable

After an hour or so at the top – in brilliant and warming sun – we started the descent again. Then it was good to eventually swap hiking boots for ski boots, and then be able to ski down most of the slopes to Juvasshytta again. The last third, we walked again on foot as the snow was so 'rotten' that it was difficult to ski there.

All in all, we probably spent close to 8 hours in total on the trip, with a one-hour break at the top. We walked at a pace that suited all of us, and with several breaks along the way to put clothes on / take them off, as well as refill some energy.

Great to be able to go back to the cabin at Raubergstulen for a lovely May 17th dinner after the trip.
Talk about a perfect day – beating this celebration will probably be simply impossible.
Memories for life – highly recommended!!!

Of course, there was an obligatory photo session at the top! / Photo: Catrine Olsen

Tips & facts that might be useful

• In your backpack, you should bring food and drink, extra clothes (mittens and hat, wool thermals, and a down/fleece/primaloft jacket), some first aid equipment can be useful, e.g., blister tape, sunscreen, and a camera/phone with a full battery.

• Bring hiking boots/winter boots for the last stretch. It is steep and can be slippery in some places.

• It might be a good idea to arrive at Juvasshytta in good time to wax skis / put on skins, go to the toilet, etc. We departed from Juvasshytta at 10:00 AM.

• The trip was free, even though Juvasshytta's people were always out on the tracks and at the top making sure everything was ok with everyone and everything.

• Total approx. 12 km. 1/3 of the trip is done on foot. The last stage is after the glacier.

We recommend following Juvaddhytta's FB pages: https://www.facebook.com/Juvasshytta/; they create event pages for their trips, and continuously post info about any adjustments, weather reservations, or cancellations.

Written by Catrine Olsen / Expa Travel