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Dovrefjell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dovrefjell is a mountain range in central Norway that forms a natural barrier between the southern regions of Norway and the area around Trondheim. As a result, it has been heavily trafficked during and probably preceding historical times. Several mountain inns were established in the middle ages to house pilgrims traveling to Trondheim, and there are even ruins of an old leprosy colony in the northern area.
The main south-north highway (E6) and railway Dovrebanen in Norway runs over Dovrefjell. The highway is a year-round highway but is at rare occasions closed for short periods during heavy winter weather conditions.
The natural habitat for many rare plants and animals, it has become a national park in several stages starting in 1911, when some plants were put under protection. When the railroad was built from Oslo to Trondheim in 1921, one of the marshes was reserved. In 1974, parts of the range became a national park and the park was extensively enlarged in 2002. Together with Rondane it has Norway and Europe's last stock of wild reindeer of Beringia orign. Dovrefjell (west of E6/Dovrebanen) also has a stock of musk oxen, imported from Greenland in 1932.
The Dovrefjell area has now been almost entirely protected as two national parks:
- Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, founded 2002, which encompasses the previous and much smaller Dovrefjell National Park.
- Dovre National Park, founded 2003, connecting the protected areas in the Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park with Rondane National Park.
The highest mountain in the region is Snøhetta at 2,286 meters above sea level. The range provides cross-country skiing and hiking opportunities.