Reindeer in Jotunheimen National Park Norway Postcard

Jotunheimen National Park, located in central Norway, is a wild and majestic landscape of towering peaks, deep glacial valleys, and icy blue lakes. The park is home to Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind, the two highest mountains in Northern Europe, and serves as a magnet for hikers, climbers, and nature lovers drawn to its rugged alpine terrain. Trails like the Besseggen Ridge offer sweeping panoramic views, while quieter backcountry areas provide a sense of solitude and untouched wilderness. The name “Jotunheimen” means “Home of the Giants,” a fitting title for this land of awe-inspiring scale and natural grandeur. Among the iconic wildlife of Jotunheimen are reindeer, both wild and semi-domesticated. These animals roam the open plateaus and valleys, especially in summer, grazing on lichens, mosses, and mountain grasses. Their presence evokes ancient traditions of Sami herding culture and Arctic survival. Sharing this harsh yet beautiful environment is the elusive Arctic fox, a rare species in Norway now limited to small, scattered populations. The fox, with its thick white winter coat and keen adaptability, symbolizes the resilience of Arctic life. Conservation programs in and around Jotunheimen support Arctic fox recovery, and though sightings are rare, the knowledge of their presence adds a layer of wild mystery to the park’s already dramatic setting.