Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park
| Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park | |
|---|---|
 Dovrefjell in late autumn | |
| Location | Oppland, Sør-Trøndelag, and Møre og Romsdal, Norway |
| Nearest city | Trondheim |
| Coordinates | 62°16′N 9°13′E / 62.267°N 9.217°E |
| Area | 1,693 km2 (654 sq mi) |
| Established | May 3, 2002 |
| Governing body | Dovrefjellrådet (Dovrefjell Council) |
Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park is a National Park in Norway. It was founded in 2002 to replace and enlarge the former Dovrefjell National Park, originally founded in 1974. It occupies 1,693 km² and encompasses areas in three Norwegian counties: Oppland, Sør-Trøndelag, and Møre og Romsdal and includes large parts of the mountain range of Dovrefjell.
Ecology
The National Park was established to
- preserve a large, continuous and essentially untouched mountain area,
- preserve a high mountain ecosystem with its natural biodiversity,
- preserve an important part of the range of the stocks of wild reindeer in Snøhetta and Knutshø,
- safeguard a variation in habitats,
- preserve the landscape morphology and its distinctive geological deposits,
- protect cultural heritage.
The public do have access to experience the nature through the exercise of the traditional and simple outdoor life, with technical infrastructure only established to a very modest extent.[1]
In short: To preserve an intact alpine ecosystem with its indigenous wild reindeer. Together with the reindeer in Rondane National Park the last remaining population of wild Fennoscandian reindeer of Beringia origin (other wild Norwegian reindeer are of European origin and have interbred with domesticated reindeer to a various extent), wolverine, and various large birds as golden eagle and gyrfalcon can be seen, and also the recently (1930s) imported (and potentially dangerous) musk oxen. Some of the plant life predates the last ice age.
Although it is a harsh environment, the mountains, the highest being Snøhetta at 2,286 m, make for spectacular hiking during the summer and skiing in the winter. Due to rather long walks between mostly unstaffed huts, great areas without huts and trails and harsh and unstable weather conditions, this area is recommended for experienced and well-equipped wanderers only.
Administration
The park is divided into a major western part and a minor eastern part by the European route E6 paralleled with the main railway between Oslo and Trondheim.
As a trial (intended to last until July 2008, still lasting at least until the end of 2009), Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park together with its five adjacent landscape conservation areas and two biotope reservations are managed locally. Altogether the protected area amounts 4,365 km² and also includes areas in the county of Hedmark in addition to the three the National Park is part of. Dovrefjellrådet (Dovrefjell Council) manages the National Park and co-ordinates the management of the other areas. The council consists of the eight involved municipalities and four counties, with political representatives, usually the mayors. Except for the National Park, the conservation areas are managed by the actual municipality / municipalities (some comprises more than one municipality).
References
- ^ Cited & translated from the regulations of the park
See also
- Dovre National Park
- List of national parks of Norway
- Tourism in Norway
- Norwegian Mountain Touring Association
External links
- Dovrefjellrådet Management, information about regulations and restrictions, animal and plan life, outdoor life, etc. Norwegian text only.
- [1]Park regulations
- The park in Brief Norwegian Government's pages on the park - alas, the English page is down at present
- Map Interactive map of the Park and surrounding areas
- Turistforeningen Home pages of Norwegian Mountain Touring Association
- Norwegian Academy of Science: Dovre
