SummitClimbs Field Note: Glittertind is Norway’s second-highest mountain, at 2,452 m (8,045 ft) of bare rock, in Lom Municipality at the heart of Jotunheimen National Park. For a century it fought Galdhøpiggen for the title of highest because of the ice on its summit. That ice is now gone. It is a non-technical hike with marked trails from two sides: from Glitterheim in the east (about 1,000 m of ascent, the easier route, reachable only on foot) and from Spiterstulen in the west (about 1,300 m of ascent). It is long, exposed and weather-dependent, but the views to the east are unlike anything else in Jotunheimen.
Why Glittertind Belongs on a Norway Mountain Plan
Glittertind rises just across the valley from Galdhøpiggen, and for a long time the two were rivals. An official map from 1917 gave Glittertind’s glacier-capped summit as 2,481 m, higher than its neighbour. As the ice shrank, so did the claim: by 2008 the summit measured 2,465 m including the glacier, by 2020 the ice had shrunk to bare rock at about 2,452 m, and by September 2023 it had melted completely. Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m) holds the crown, and Glittertind is a clear second.
What sets Glittertind apart is its view. There are few high peaks to the east and southeast, so from the top you look out across much of northern and eastern Innlandet, which is rare in Jotunheimen, where most summits are hemmed in by other ridges. The most famous photos of the mountain are taken just below the top on the eastern flank.
The name comes from the river Glitra, which flows down from the mountain; the river name comes from an old verb meaning to glitter or sparkle, and tind means mountain peak. The first recorded ascent was on 14 July 1841 by Harald Nicolai Storm Wergeland and Hans Sletten. Edith Slingsby was probably the first woman on the summit.
The SummitClimbs Snapshot
- Height: 2,452 m (8,045 ft); the summit ice that once made it higher had melted by 2023
- Rank: Second-highest mountain in Norway
- Location: Lom Municipality, Innlandet, Jotunheimen National Park
- First ascent: 14 July 1841, Harald Nicolai Storm Wergeland and Hans Sletten
- East route: from Glitterheim, about 1,000 m of ascent, the easier option; Glitterheim is reachable only on foot
- West route: from Spiterstulen, about 1,300 m of ascent; Spiterstulen is reachable by road
- Season: on foot from mid-June in summer; on skis in winter
- Difficulty: non-technical but long and exposed
- Crowds: popular, second only to Galdhøpiggen in summer visitors
- Summit: no hut; the old summit cabin was blown off in a storm
Route Reality: Which Side to Start From
From Glitterheim (east)
This is the easier ascent, with about 1,000 metres of climbing on a marked trail. The catch is getting there: Glitterheim lies inside the national park and can only be reached on foot, so most people make it a multi-day trip, walking in one day, climbing the next and walking out after. In return you get a quieter start and a full day for the summit.
From Spiterstulen (west)
Spiterstulen in Visdalen is reachable by road, which makes this the choice for a single long day. The trade-off is about 1,300 metres of ascent. It is the same base as the no-glacier route up Galdhøpiggen, so many hikers do both peaks from here on consecutive days.
The summit
The top is a broad dome with no shelter. A cabin once stood there, but it could not be anchored securely, and a storm blew it off the summit; it ended up on the Grjotbreen glacier below the steep north wall. Keep well away from that north side in poor visibility.
What to Watch For
Weather
Weather is the main hazard. Clear skies at the hut can mean zero visibility and strong wind at the summit, and there is no shelter on top. Check the forecast on yr.no, start early, and turn around if cloud and wind build.
Snow and wet conditions
The summit ice has gone, but snow still lies on the upper mountain into summer, and on hot days the snow turns wet and slushy. Waterproof boots, gaiters and a dry change of clothes are worth carrying. Early in the season or after fresh snow, microspikes can help on hard patches.
Navigation
The route is marked, but in fog or cloud the upper dome is featureless. Carry a map and compass as well as a GPS or phone with an offline map, and don’t just follow other people.
Length of the day
Both routes are long days with 1,000–1,300 m of ascent. Leave plenty of time for the descent, and if you are coming from Spiterstulen, plan to be back before you are running on empty.
Crowds and huts
Glittertind is the second most popular summit in the area after Galdhøpiggen. July is busy and the huts fill up; midweek or late in the season is quieter.
The SummitClimbs Take
Glittertind is one of the best high hikes in Norway because it delivers huge views without technical demands. It is a genuine 2,400 m summit you can reach with solid fitness, good planning and respect for the weather. The century-long height race with Galdhøpiggen, now ended by a melting glacier, adds a story few mountains can match. It is not a beginner mountain, though: the days are long and the weather is fickle. If you are ready for a full day above 2,000 m, it earns its place on any Norway plan, alongside the rest of Norway’s highest mountains. When you get to the top, look east.
Facts from Wikipedia (Glittertind) and Norwegian Wikipedia (glacier melt, first ascent date). Always check current conditions before you go.
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