Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park

The Saltfjellet -Svartisen National Park (Norwegian Saltfjellet -Svartisen nasjonalpark, dt Salzberg Schwarzeis National Park ) is the fourth- largest national park in Norway. He belongs to the municipalities Beiarn, Meløy, Rana, Rødøy, Saltdal and Bodø in Nordland.

The park was established in 1989 with its plants and animals, and geological conditions to obtain the beautiful and unspoilt mountains and protect. Together with the nature reserves and Gåsvatnan Saltfjellet and the nature reserves Storolia and Blakkådalen the park is a large protected area.

Geography landscape and geology

The Saltfjellet -Svartisen has a very varied landscape. From Nordfjord in the west, the park extends over more than 1,500 m high mountains and glaciers and fertile valleys crossed by rivers and open plains to the east. In the western part of the park is the 370 km ² large svartisen Glacier, which was actually two individual glaciers by the glaciers melt in recent decades. Partial ranging glacier tongues up to the Norwegian Sea. In the east, the park covers the mountain range Saltfjellet. There is also the highest mountain in the National Park, the 1,751 m high Ørfjellet. In the south of the park of the Arctic Circle runs.

The predominant rock material, especially in the middle of the park is limestone, which is why there are many karst caves there.

Flora and Fauna

Along the Arctic Circle and thus also in the park is a natural north- south border and for many plant species. Together with the calcareous soils, this ensures a rich flora. Probably the rarest plants in the park are Alaska Rhododendron and White Mountain Avens.

Lynx and wolverines are found throughout the park, elk, however, live mainly in the valleys of the park.

Cultural Heritage

The oldest finds Sami settlement dates back to the 9th century. They found the remains of sacrificial altars, pitfalls and fences. Since the 16th century, reindeer husbandry is operated in the park, but mainly in Lønsdalen.

In some mountain valleys were found the remains of small farming settlements dating from the 19th century In 1867, a telephone line along the old road between Rana and Salten was laid by the Televerket.

Tourism and Management

In the park there are numerous signposted walking trails and 15 mountain huts offering accommodation. The Nordland National Park Centre is located in Storjord between the National Parks Saltfjellet -Svartisen and Junkerdal and serves as an information center for all national parks in the province of Nordland.

About an extension of the national park is being considered since 2007.