Rondane National Park

2022-02-14T19:43:29Z

Christoph.k: typo

{{Infobox protected area
| name = Rondane National Park
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Rondane National Park logo.svg
| photo_width = 180
| map_image = Rondane.jpg
| map_caption = A path in a u-valley, in summer
| location = [[Innlandet]], [[Norway]]
| nearest_city = [[Otta, Norway|Otta]]
| coords = {{coord|61|50|N|9|30|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2 = 963
| established = 21 December 1962
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [[Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management|Directorate for Nature Management]]
}}

'''Rondane National Park''' ({{lang-no|Rondane nasjonalpark}}) is the oldest [[national park]] in [[Norway]], having been established on 21 December 1962. The park is located in [[Innlandet]] county, in the municipalities of [[Dovre]], [[Folldal]], [[Sel]], [[Nord-Fron]], [[Sør-Fron]], [[Stor-Elvdal]], and [[Ringebu]]. The park contains ten peaks above {{convert|2000|m|ft|-1}}, with the highest being [[Rondeslottet]] at an altitude of {{convert|2178|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. The park is an important habitat for herds of wild [[reindeer]].<ref name="snl">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Rondane nasjonalpark |encyclopedia=[[Store norske leksikon]] |publisher=[[Kunnskapsforlaget]] |url=https://snl.no/Rondane_nasjonalpark |date=2021-10-27 |editor-last=Ryvarden |editor-first=Leif |language=Norwegian |accessdate=2022-02-13}}</ref>

The park was enlarged in 2003, and now covers an area of {{convert|963|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. Rondane lies just to the east of the [[Gudbrandsdalen]] valley and two other mountain areas, [[Dovre]] and [[Jotunheimen]] are nearby. [[Dovre National Park]] lies a very short distance to the north of this park.<ref name="snl" />

==Geography==
Rondane is a typical high [[mountain]] area, with large [[plateau]]s and a total of ten peaks above {{convert|2,000|m}}. The highest point is [[Rondeslottet]] ("The Rondane Castle") at an altitude of {{convert|2,178|m}}. The lowest point is just below the [[tree line]], which is located at approximately {{convert|1000|to|1100|m}} above sea level. The climate is mild but relatively [[arid]]. Apart from the [[Betula pendula|white birch]] trees of the lower areas, the [[soil]] and rocks are covered by [[Ericaceae|heather]] and [[lichen]], since they lack nutrients. The largest mountains are almost entirely barren; above {{convert|1500|m}} nothing but the hardiest [[lichen]]s grow on the bare stones.<ref name="snl" />

The mountains are divided by marked valleys through the landscape; the deepest valley is filled by [[Rondvatnet]], a narrow [[lake]] filling the steep space between the large [[Storronden]]–[[Rondeslottet]] massif and [[Smiubelgen]] ("The blacksmith's bellows"). The central massif is also cut by "botns": flat, dead stone valleys below the steep mountain walls of the peaks. Generally, Rondane does not receive enough [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] to generate persistent [[glaciers]], but glacier-like heaps of snow can be found in the flat back valleys.

At the centre of the park lies the lake [[Rondvatnet]], from which all the peaks above {{convert|2000|m}} in elevation can be reached in less than one day's walk. In this central region and north of it, the altitude is quite high compared with the flatter plateaus of the south. Rondane has ten peaks over {{convert|2,000|m}} including:
{{div col}}
* [[Rondeslottet]], {{convert|2178|m}}
* [[Storronden]], {{convert|2138|m}}
* [[Høgronden]], {{convert|2114|m}}
* [[Midtronden]] western summit, {{convert|2060|m}}
* [[Vinjeronden]], {{convert|2044|m}}
* [[Midtronden]] eastern summit, {{convert|2042|m}}
* [[Trolltinden (Oppland)|Trolltinden]], {{convert|2018|m}}
* [[Storsmeden]], {{convert|2016|m}}
* [[Digerronden]], {{convert|2015|m}}
* [[Veslesmeden]], {{convert|2015|m}}
{{div col end}}

In many parts of the park, there are spread-out holes ([[kettle hole]]s) created by small remains of [[ice age]] glaciers, and peculiar small hills called "[[esker]]s" made by ground [[moraine]] released by melting glaciers.
{{wide image|Rondane-peakpanorama.jpg|750px|The peaks of Rondane, seen from the south. [[Storronden]] and [[Rondeslottet]] are the first two on the right. The left part of the massif is [[Smiubelgen]] ("The Forge").}}

==History==
===Prehistory===
The [[history of life]] in the area of the park begins at the end of the latest [[ice age]]. Large climate changes allowed [[reindeer]] to spread widely across [[Scandinavia]], only to be forced back to a much smaller area — including the Rondane mountain area — only some hundreds of years later. [[Archaeology|Archaeologists]] have found that the [[forest]] quickly grew at high altitudes; [[birch]] trees found at {{convert|1030|m}} were 8500 years old.

On the mountain plateaux, there is evidence that nomadic [[hunter-gatherer]]s lived off reindeer. Large traps used to catch reindeer can be found at Gravhø and Bløyvangen and are also spread all throughout the park. These are constructed from stone to make holes or large fenced-in areas into which reindeer could be tricked or led.

In conjunction with these large traps, there are also small arched stone walls which are believed to have been used as hiding places for archers waiting for prey. Various dating methods have suggested that the earliest traps may be as old as 3500 years. Most of the findings, including remains of houses, date back to the years between 500 and 700 AD. It is thus known with confidence that the large traps and accompanying walls were used from the 6th century until the onset of the [[Black Death]] in the 14th century.<ref name="barth">{{Cite book |last=Barth |first=Edvard K |url=https://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2014100907665 |title=Rondane |publisher=Gyldendal norsk forlag |year=1984 |isbn=8205133158 |location=Oslo |language=no |authorlink=Edvard Kaurin Barth}}</ref>

===Establishment===
[[File:Rondane-Smiubelgen.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Smiubelgen]], the western part of Rondane.]]
After nearly a decade of planning, Rondane was established as the first Norwegian National Park on 21 December 1962. It was first established as a nature protection area, but was later named a [[national park]]. The main reasons for protecting the park were "to safeguard the natural environment with its native plants, animal life, and cultural heritage and also to secure the environment as a recreational area for future generations".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-09-26 |title=Rondane National Park |url=http://www3.dirnat.no/nasjonalparker/engelsk/psmaler/park_info.asp?thisId=848294784 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040926213805/http://www3.dirnat.no/nasjonalparker/engelsk/psmaler/park_info.asp?thisId=848294784 |publisher=[[Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management|Directorate for Nature Management]]|archive-date=2004-09-26 |language=no}}</ref>

Legal efforts to protect nature in Norway date from 1954, when the nature protection law was passed. Soon after, in 1955, community meetings were held in the municipalities close to Rondane, and a commission was founded. [[Norman Heitkøtter]] was president of the commission, and made it possible by Royal resolution to establish Rondane National Park. At its establishment, the park covered an area of {{convert|580|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} (later, this was nearly doubled).

Although Rondane was the first national park in Norway, many others followed. The parks are maintained by the [[Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management]].

===2003 expansion===
As a special measure for the protection of the wild reindeer, the park was significantly enlarged in 2003, its area increasing from {{convert|580|km2}} to {{convert|963|km2}}. The park was enlarged mainly to the north-west, and slightly in the east and south. In addition, areas with lesser protection (landscape protection as well as nature protection areas) were established in connection with the park. A new national park, [[Dovre National Park]], between Rondane and [[Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park]] was also opened. Following the expansion, it is now only approximately {{convert|1|km}} from the northern border of Rondane to the southern border of [[Dovre National Park]], and large sections of adjacent mountain areas are protected by the three parks.

==Geology==
[[File:Rondane-mountainshower.JPG|thumb|250px|left|Geology in Rondane; the rock shows signs of sedimentation.]]
The [[bedrock]] in Rondane comes from a shallow sea floor, created 500 to 600 million years ago. From this, changes in the [[Earth]]'s crust created a mountain area of [[metamorphic rock]] and [[quartz]]. There are no [[fossil]]s found in Rondane today and so it is thought the sea where the rock came from contained no animal life.<ref name="barth" />

The present landscape was mostly formed by the last [[ice age]], nine to ten thousand years ago. At that time large quantities of ice were formed, and it is believed that the ice melted gradually in shifting cycles of melting and ice accumulation. The ice melting must have been rapid when it happened, digging deep [[river]] valleys.<ref name="snl" />

Rondane contains a few small canyons which were created by the rapid ice melting, most prominently [[Jutulhogget (Rondane)|Jutulhogget]] and Vesle-Ula.<ref name="snl" />

==Biology==
Rondane is one of the few places in Scandinavia and Europe where wild [[reindeer]] (as opposed to the domestic breed) are found.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The wild reindeer areas in Norway |url=https://www.villrein.no/the-wild-reindeer-areas-in-norway |website=Villrein.no |accessdate=2022-02-13}}</ref> The Directorate for Nature Management regards Rondane as "especially important as a life supporting area for the native reindeer".<ref>[http://english.dirnat.no/wbch3.exe?p=3051 Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management on Rondane]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It is estimated that approximately 2000 to 4000 reindeer live in Rondane and the nearby Dovre area. To protect the reindeer population in their core area, during {{As of|2004|alt=the last ten years}} hiking trails have been moved. The park was also enlarged in 2003 to provide increased protection for the reindeer.<ref name="snl" />

Other large [[game]], including [[roe deer]] and [[moose|elk (moose)]] are commonplace along the rims of the park and occasionally [[musk ox]] from Dovre can be seen. [[Wolverine]]s, [[lynx]]es, and a small population of [[bear]]s are also present, while [[wolf|wolves]] are rare.

The reindeer largely rely on the [[lichen]] and [[reindeer moss]] that grow together with heather and hardy [[grass]] on the quite arid and nutrient-poor stony plateaus. The lichen provide food for the reindeer, but also fertilize the earth, making it possible for less hardy [[plant]]s to grow, and [[mouse|mice]] and [[lemming]]s to feed. One of the [[flower]] species to survive very well is the [[Glacier Crowfoot]], found up to an elevation of {{convert|1700|m}}.<ref name="snl" />

==Tourism==
[[File:Rondane-Tmarking.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Red T-markings show the way on marked trails.]]
Visitors to Rondane are free to hike and camp in all areas of the park, except in the immediate vicinity of cabins. Apart from being closed for motor traffic, not many special regulations apply. Fishing and hunting is available to licensees.

The [[Norwegian Mountain Touring Association]] (DNT) is an association that owns and manages a network of mountain cabins in the service of hikers. In Rondane, there is a central cabin by the southern end of the lake Rondvatnet, Rondvassbu. There is also Dørålseter and Bjørnhollia at the northern and eastern rims of the park. All three cabins are manned, and provide food and limited accommodation (possible to book beforehand). There are also un-manned cabins in the Park, like Eldåbu where a key is needed.<ref name="snl" />

DNT also mark trails in the Park, with red Ts that are easy to spot. The T-trails lead the way cabin-to-cabin, as well as marking the path to some of the peaks close to Rondvatnet. Recently, some of the trails have moved slightly to avoid the core areas of the wild reindeer.

The service cabins are also open during the winter season, although they are sometimes only self-serviced off season. Ski trails are marked and sometimes prepared, either by DNT or some of the hotels and skiing resorts close to the park.

==Rondane Høyfjellshotell==
[[File:The viewe from the hotel.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The view from the hotel]][[File:The Rondane Høyfjellshotell.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Rondane Høyfjellshotell]]
[http://rondane.no/ The Rondane Høyfjellshotell] is located just {{convert|14|km}} east of [[Otta, Norway|Otta]] and is the closest hotel to the Rondane National Park, being only {{convert|3|km}} away. Environmentally-friendly energy is created by the hotel through its own hydropower plant. The hotel has a total of 210 beds in 50 rooms, 4 apartments and 10 cabins. Amenities include a gym, spa, pool, sauna, and restaurant. The hotel also has opportunities for physical activities including biking, hiking, cross country skiing, and rafting. There is also the capacity for conferences and parties at the hotel.

[[:no:Rondane Høyfjellshotell|The hotel]] was built in 1939 and burned down in 1961. In 1963 a new hotel was opened to guests. The existing building has {{convert|3385|m2}} on 3 floors. In 2016 there were renovations works at the hotel with significant upgrades to the spa, pool, and common areas. Most of the rooms were refurbished, as well as the bathroom of those rooms.

==Rondane in literature==
The landscapes of Rondane have inspired many Norwegian writers. Probably the best-known work is [[Peer Gynt]] (1867), a play by [[Henrik Ibsen]], which is partly set in Rondane:

:'''Act 2, Scene lV'''
:(Among the Ronde mountains. Sunset. Shining snowpeaks all around.
:Peer Gynt enters, dizzy and bewildered.)
:'''Peer'''
::''Tower over tower arises!<br> Hei, what a glittering gate!<br> Stand! Will you stand! It's drifting<br> further and further away!<br> [[wikisource:Peer Gynt|...]]''
With this scene, Ibsen wrote Rondane into one of the 19th centuries better-known plays and made Rondane a symbol for Norway.

[[Peter Christen Asbjørnsen]], writer and gatherer of Norwegian folk tales in the mid-19th century, collected many stories connected with Rondane, including Peer Gynt, the story that inspired Ibsen.
A third writer who set one of his famous works in Rondane is the poet [[Aasmund Olavsson Vinje]] with his poem ''[[Ved Rundane|Ved Rundarne]]''.

==Name==
Rondane is the finite plural of the word ''rond''. Several mountains in the area have the ending ''-ronden'' ([[Digerronden]], [[Høgronden]], [[Midtronden]], [[Storronden]] and [[Vinjeronden]]), and this is the finite singular of the same word. The word ''rond'' was probably originally the name of the long and narrow lake [[Rondvatnet]] ('Rond water/lake') - and the mountains around were then named after this lake. For the meaning see under [[Randsfjorden]].

==See also==
[[Image:Rondane National Park.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Rondane]]
*[[Tourism in Norway]]
*[[Norwegian Trekking Association]]
*[[List of national parks of Norway]]
*[[Dovre National Park]]
*[[Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park]]
*''[[Peer Gynt]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Rondane nasjonalpark}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060816050811/http://www.visitrondane.com/ VisitRondane.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051002172640/http://english.dirnat.no/archive/images/01/65/NPmap041.jpg Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management map of Rondane]
*[http://www.rondvassbu.com/ Rondvassbu]
*[http://www.fjell-touren.de/RONDANE.HTM Map]
*[http://www.rondanebilder.com Images from Rondane]
*[http://rondane.no/ Rondane Høyfjellshotell]

{{National Parks of Norway}}
{{authority control}}
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}

[[Category:Rondane National Park| ]]
[[Category:National parks of Norway]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1962]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Innlandet]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Innlandet]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Dovre]]
[[Category:Folldal]]
[[Category:Sel]]
[[Category:Stor-Elvdal]]
[[Category:Nord-Fron]]
[[Category:Sør-Fron]]
[[Category:Ringebu]]

Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Rondane National Park