Peak 41 | Galdhøpiggen, Norway | 2469m

Galdhøpiggen is the highest mountain the whole of Northern Europe. It can also be referred to as Galdhø peak, and was the only mountain that I did that actually took me longer to come down than it did to ascend.

The highest point in Norway — Click here to view the Instagram post

Quick Summary

• Starting point - Spiterstulen Turisthytte

• Route taken - Eastern Ridge

• Total ascent - 1400 m

• Total length - 14 km round trip

• Total time for climb - 8¼ hours

• Expense category - #Modrate

• Equipment - #StandardHike

• Difficulty - #Level3 of 5

• Enjoyment - #4stars of 5*

Prague to Galdhøpiggen

25th August

I had traveled 2400 km from Prague to Galdhøpiggen, which was virtually two days of non stop driving. So, when I finally arrived at the base of the mountain I was so relieved and was looking forward to stretching my legs again. I arrived there late, approaching the start of the the trail head around 10 pm where the last of the dusk glow had all but gone.

The car park was full of campervans with number plates from all around Europe. There also seemed to be a fair bit of activity in the camping field across the river. I had no plan for when I arrived. I debated whether to book into the I wanted to get a few hours sleep in the car and get straight on the climb as early as I could in the morning.

I set my alarm for 2 am at first as I was thinking of getting up to the summit in time for sunrise and get those 'golden hour' shots. As I woke and looked immediately onto the where the trail leads up the valley there was not one other person on the path. I decided that this was not the time to go up a mountain in the dark alone that I had no previous knowledge on.

Instead, I would try again at 5 am. As I woke this time I could see three head-touches moving there way up the trail. I decided that this was the moment for me. I got my stuff together and set off.

Climbing to the highest point of Norway

26th August

By this point in the morning, there was already a glow in the sky and I didn't end up even needing my head torch.

Two others would set off just behind me that would keep a similar pace to me up the mountain.

I wasn't too sure what to expect from this peak. But I found the first part of the trail was a little underwhelming. After the ascent to the top of the valley, the path goes over a boulder field and the views were generally still quite concealed. I remember thinking that I hope it wasn't like this all the way up to the summit.