Hjerkinn


Hjerkinn is a village in Dovre Municipality in Innlandet county in Norway. The village is located in the Dovrefjell mountains, about northeast of the village of Dombås and about northwest of the village of Folldal.
It is one of the driest places in the country, with only annual precipitation in the 10-year period 1905-14.
The railway station Hjerkinn Station is located on the Dovre Line, at an elevation of above mean sea level. The European route E6 highway also passes through the village. Until 1993 there was mining in the village by Folldal Gruver. The Norwegian military also has a camp at Hjerkinn. Eystein Church is also located in the village, along the historic pilgrim's route to Nidaros Cathedral.

Name

The village is named Hjerkinn. The first element is probably the stem form of hjǫrðr which means "herd" or "flock" of cattle or sheep. The last element is kinn which means "steep mountainside". The village of Hjerkinn is lying beneath steep mountainsides, and since this place was an important crossroads with roads to Oppdal and Folldal herds were often driven through this area.

Climate