{{Short description|Mountain range in Central Norway}} {{Infobox mountain |name = Trollheimen |other_name = |image = Innerdalstårnet cows.jpg |image_size = |image_caption = [[Innerdalstårnet]] |image_map = Norway counties Trollheimen.PNG |label = |label_position = bottom <!--range description--> |range_coordinates = {{coord|62|51|N|9|05|E|region:NO_type:mountain|display=inline}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yr.no/place/Norway/M%C3%B8re_og_Romsdal/Surnadal/Trollheimen/|title=Trollheimen, Surnadal (Møre og Romsdal) |publisher=[[yr.no]] |language=Norwegian|accessdate=2019-04-22}}</ref> |location = [[Møre og Romsdal]] and [[Trøndelag]], [[Norway]] |parent = |length_km = |width_km = |area_km2 = |topo = <!--highest point in range --> |highest = [[Trolla (mountain)|Store Trolla]] |highest_location = [[Sunndal Municipality]], [[Møre og Romsdal]] |coordinates = {{coord|62.6859|8.7320|region:NO_type:mountain|display=inline,title}} |elevation_m = 1850 |prominence_m = |isolation_km = }}

'''Trollheimen''' is a mountain range in [[Møre og Romsdal]] and [[Trøndelag]] [[county|counties]] in central [[Norway]]. The mountain range is part of the [[Scandinavian Mountains]].<ref name="snl">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://snl.no/Trollheimen|title=Trollheimen|editor-first=Morten|editor-last=Olsen Haugen|accessdate=2019-04-22|date=2019-04-05|encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]]|language=Norwegian}}</ref>

== Etymology == The name ('the home of the [[trolls]]') was proposed by [[Håkon Løken]]. It is used by [[Trondhjems Turistforening]] in the 1880s, and is considered a "tourist name" (there was no single name for the entire area before). Trollheimen is now the common name in Norway for this mountain range.<ref name="snl" />

== Topography and climate == Trollheimen is often considered the most varied of all mountain ranges in Norway. The mountains in the western part are alpine in form, with pointed peaks and typical river valleys. The mountains in the east are less steep with predominating rounded shapes, the valleys are wider and bear the mark of being created by glaciers. The climate differs from the more [[oceanic climate]] in the west to a considerably drier, continental climate in the eastern valleys, due to their being sheltered by mountains. The valleys in Trollheimen are at an altitude of only about {{Convert|500|-|800|m|ft}} and are usually forested. Many are used as pastures ({{langx|no|seterdrift}}). There are also several large lakes, like [[Gjevillvatnet]] in the east, near [[Oppdal (village)|Oppdal]], and [[Gråsjøen]] and [[Foldsjøen]] in the northern part.

The highest peaks are in the southwestern part: [[Trolla (mountain)|Trolla]] ({{convert|1850|m|disp=or}}), [[Dronningkrona]] ({{convert|1816|m|disp=or}}), [[Kongskrona]] ({{convert|1818|m|disp=or}}), [[Såtbakkollen]] ({{convert|1840|m|disp=or}}), [[Storsomrungnebba]] ({{convert|1799|m|disp=or}}). In the northern and eastern part, the highest are [[Snota]] ({{convert|1668|m|disp=or}}), [[Trollhetta]] ({{convert|1616|m|disp=or}}), and [[Blåhøa, Trøndelag|Blåhøa]] ({{convert|1671|m|disp=or}}). In the southeast there is [[Kråkvasstind]] ({{convert|1700|m|disp=or}}).<ref name="snl" />

== Flora == Trollheimen is known by [[Botany|botanists]] for the diverse alpine [[flora]], due to nutrient-rich soil and the varied climate within the mountain range. One of the rare [[alpine plant]]s in Trollheimen is [[Artemisia (genus)|Artemisia norvegica]]. Approximately {{convert|1160|km2}} of this area is declared a nature reserve. In the midst of the area is the [[Svartåmoen]] forest reserve, with undisturbed [[Scots pine|pine]] forest, mixed with [[downy birch|birch]]. [[Innerdalen]], in the western part, was Norway's first nature reserve, and is sometimes described as the most beautiful valley in Norway.{{fact|date=December 2021}}{{by whom?|date=December 2021}}

== Recreation == [[File:Jøldalshytta01-Trollheimen.jpg|thumb|right|''Jøldalshytta'', one of several manned (in season) lodges. July 5, 2008 was the annual "Mountain Day" at the start of summer season.]] The "Triangle" ({{langx|no|Trekanten}}) is a route between the three mountain lodges (''Gjevilvasshytta'', ''Jøldalshytta'' and ''Trollheimshytta'') each a fairly long [[hiking|hike]] of about 7 to 9 hours. It is possible to choose a route covering the three peaks of Trollhetta, a spectacular (but long) hike comparable to the [[Besseggen]] route in [[Jotunheimen]]. The hike to the peak of Snota is often considered one of the most beautiful in Norway.{{fact|date=December 2021}}{{by whom?|date=December 2021}} There are [[trout]] in most of the lakes.

Except in winter, Gjevilvasshytta can be reached by car, while Jøldalshytta is an easy {{convert|4|km|adj=on}} hike from the nearest road (''Jølhaugen''). Trollheimshytta is a long hike from any road, in the summer one can park by [[Gråsjøen]] and hike 11–12&nbsp;km. There are several other smaller lodges as well, and many more marked routes. [[Trondheim]] is roughly one hour drive from the nearest part of the mountain range (Jølhaugen or Resvatn). Gjevilvasshytta is the oldest [[Norwegian Trekking Association|DNT]] lodge in Norway, with timber from 1739, and widely regarded as one of the prettiest ([http://forbruker.no/hyttemagasinet/article1919953.ece#]).

== Archeology == Trollheimen seems to be one of the first areas in Norway to be clear of ice at the close of the last [[ice age]]. There are several traces of stone age people using the mountains as a hunting ground, particularly stone "fences" used to channel scared reindeer herds towards cliffs, where some would fall off and die. These "fences" seem to be very old, as some angles seems to have been blocked by remnants of the ice sheet. Thus, these hunters might have been among the first wave of humans migrating to Norway. In addition, since 1997 there have been many unusually long and warm summers, and the [[glacier]]s in Trollheimen and Dovre have retreated, revealing many prehistoric [[arrowhead]]s. Some are 4,000 years old or more, but the majority is 1,000&ndash;2,000 years old. These hunters probably migrated down to the fjords to the west (Sunndalsfjord, Surnadalsfjord, Todalsfjord) to avoid the harsh winters. People hiking near glaciers in late summer and autumn are encouraged to have a "watchful eye" for prehistoric [[artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]].{{fact|date=December 2021}}{{tone-inline|date=December 2021}}

==Image gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> Spegelsalen i Trollheimen.jpg|[[Speilsalen]], a natural formation of the glacier, in late summer. The cave collapsed in the summer of 2007. SåtbakkollenFromVassnebba.jpg|[[Såtbakkollen]] mountain Raudøra.jpg|[[Gjevilvatnet]] with Raudøra beach, near Gjevilvasshytta. The mountain on the right is Okla in [[Oppdal Municipality]]. Trollheimen.JPG|Trollheimen in winter River in the heart of Trollheimen mountains.jpg|Sunset by a river in the heart of Trollheimen mountains near Trollheimshytta </gallery>

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|Trollheimen}} *[http://www.trollshop.net/trolls/trollheimen/ Article with pictures from glaciers in Trollheimen] *[http://www.walkingworld.com/home/index.asp?id=33&nid=229 Walkingworld:Trollheimen]

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Landforms of Møre og Romsdal]] [[Category:Landforms of Trøndelag]] [[Category:Mountain ranges of Norway]]