Hjerkinn

Hjerkinn is a village in the municipality of Dovre in Innlandet county in Norway. The village is located in the Dovrefjell mountains, about 30 km northeast of Dombås and about 25 km northwest of the village of Folldal. It is one of the driest places in the country, with only 222 mm annual precipitation in the 10-year period 1905-14.

The railway station Hjerkinn Station is located on the Dovre Line, at an elevation of 1017 m above mean sea level. The European route E6 highway also passes through the village. It is also served by a small airport. 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 (Hjarðkinn). 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.