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| Gjende | |
|---|---|
| Location | Jotunheimen, Innlandet, Norway |
| Type | glacial lake |
| Inflow | Muru, Russa, Sjoa, others |
| Outflow | Sjoa |
| Basin countries | Norway |
| Length km | 18 |
| Width km | 1.5 |
| Area km2 | 15.1 |
| Max depth m | 64 |
| Elevation m | 984 |
Gjende
Gjende is a long, narrow alpine lake in the Jotunheimen mountain area of Innlandet county, Norway. The lake lies along the popular trekking routes between mountain lodges and beneath high peaks, forming a central feature of regional Jotunheimen National Park and nearby Jotunheimen ranges. Renowned for its distinctive emerald-green color and glacially carved valley, the lake connects to the Sjoa river system and intersects with Norwegian outdoor culture centered on mountaineering, hiking, and cabin networks.
Gjende occupies a glacial trough within the Jotunheimen mountain massif in Vågå and Vang municipalities of Innlandet. The lake stretches roughly 18 kilometers from the mouth near the confluence with the Sjoa to the upper end beneath the Besseggen ridge and adjacent to the Bessvatnet basin. Surrounded by peaks such as Glittertind, Galdhøpiggen, and Austre Memurutind, the lake sits at approximately 984 meters above sea level and is framed by moraines and cirques left by the Weichsel glaciation and late-Quaternary glacial processes studied in Scandinavian glaciology. Access routes approach from the Gjendesheim and Memurubu lodges, crossing terrain cataloged in Norwegian topographic works and regional maps produced by the Norwegian Mapping Authority.
The lake's hydrology is dominated by inflows such as the Muru and Russa streams, with outflow through the Sjoa that ultimately joins the Gudbrandsdalslågen catchment. Turbid glacial meltwater laden with fine rock flour gives the water its characteristic green hue, a phenomenon analyzed in studies referencing glacial sediment transport and optical properties in limnology. Surrounding alpine tundra supports flora and fauna typical of subarctic environments, including plant communities documented in inventories by the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre and faunal records maintained by Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Fish species such as Arctic char have been recorded and managed in collaboration with regional fishing associations and local municipalities. Seasonal ice cover and snowmelt patterns tie the lake to climatic research from institutions like the University of Oslo and Norwegian Polar Institute.
Human engagement with the lake corridor dates back to transhumance and mountain passage traditions in medieval and early modern Norway, reflected in place-name studies by the Institute for Comparative Research in Human Culture and historical surveys archived by the National Library of Norway. The crest of Besseggen and vistas over the lake have inspired artists and writers associated with the National Romantic period and later landscape painters who exhibited at venues such as the National Gallery (Oslo). Notable travelers, mountaineers linked to the Norwegian Trekking Association and explorers who worked with the Geological Survey of Norway have described the lake in expedition journals. Folklore and Sami seasonal routes intersect with documented cultural heritage managed under statutes administered by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Norway).
The lake is a focal point for trekking along the famous Besseggen ridge and for passage between mountain cabins like Gjendesheim and Memurubu, maintained by the Norwegian Trekking Association. Day-hiking, multi-day treks, guided climbs to summits such as Surtningssue, paddling and organized boat transfers operated by local transport services connect visitors to routes mapped in guidebooks by publishers like Norwegian Mountain Touring Association and outdoor companies featured in travel guides from Visit Norway. Seasonal activities include backcountry skiing tied to avalanche forecasting coordinated with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate and guiding services accredited through regional tourism offices. The route's popularity is reflected in pilgrimage-style foot traffic documented by visitor statistics from municipal tourism bureaus and national park records.
Gjende lies within management frameworks involving Jotunheimen National Park regulations, conservation measures overseen by the Norwegian Environment Agency, and collaborative programs with local municipalities and the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management. Protected-area zoning addresses habitat preservation, visitor impact, and cultural heritage protection under Norway's protected areas legislation administered by the Ministry of Climate and Environment (Norway). Scientific monitoring by research groups at institutions such as the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and university departments tracks water quality, species populations, and climate-related changes. Management initiatives include sustainable tourism strategies promoted by regional tourism consortia, cabin stewardship by the Norwegian Trekking Association, and fisheries management coordinated with county-level authorities.
Category:Lakes of Innlandet Category:Jotunheimen