About

Jutulhogget – Where Giants Shaped the Land

One of Northern Europe’s most dramatic canyons, carved by myth and ice.

Jutulhogget is a protected nature reserve: a 2.5 km long canyon with near-vertical walls rising 100–240 metres. It is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe – a place where geology, legends and raw wilderness meet.

 

 

The Legend

Local folklore tells of two giants—one from Rendalen, one from Glåmdalen—fighting over their borders. As the Glåmdalen giant tried to cut a new riverbed through the mountains, the Rendal giant hurled his stone axe across the valley and struck him down. The great gash left behind became Jutulhogget.

 

The Real Story

Around 8,500 years ago, a massive glacial lake burst, sending an extreme megaflood across the region. With a water volume of up to 1–1.5 million cubic metres per second, it carved the canyon we see today.

 

A Fragile Nature Reserve

Jutulhogget is protected for its rare flora, dramatic geology and important birdlife.

 

Please help us take care of it:

– Stay on paths where they exist

– Keep disturbance to a minimum, especially during the May–July nesting season

– Avoid entering sensitive areas during this period if possible

– Drone flying is prohibited in the nature reserve

– Use common sense and respect the wildlife

 

The right to roam is strong in Norway, but so is our responsibility to protect places like this.

 

 

Visiting the Canyon

You can reach the viewpoint easily from the west (Alvdal), or follow smaller mountain roads and trails from the east (Rendalen). A steep descent leads into the canyon itself, and a demanding 6.5 km loop lets you experience both the canyon floor and its northern ridge.

 

A Geological Icon

Jutulhogget was the first Norwegian site recognised on the IUGS list of geological heritage. It remains one of the most impressive natural landmarks in the region – shaped by giants in story, and by unimaginable forces in reality.