About the national park
Why a national park?
Ever since the 1820s, the calcareous mountains between Norway and Sweden have been sought out by botanists and scientists on account of their special and rich plant life. Parts of the national park was protected as a plant protection area as early as 1928, with 64 species being protected against collection and destruction. In 1986, the Norwegian Council for Nature Conservation put forward a plan for national parks in which they believed that the Junkerdal-Balvatn area should become a national park, as the area was one of the most conservation-worthy areas in the country, both in terms of botany and landscape. It would take some time, but Junkerdal National Park was finally established in 2004. The national park was protected with the aim of preserving a large and virtually untouched natural area, with associated biological diversity (with special emphasis on the unique plant life), geological deposits and cultural monuments. The Sami have been herding reindeer in Junkerdal area since the 16th century, so safeguarding of the natural basis of Sami culture and reindeer herding is also an important reason for the area to be protected. In Junkerdal National Park, you should also have the opportunity to experience nature and a landscape with little to no intervention through traditional and simple outdoor activities.
View towards Solvågtinden and the deep Junkerdalen (Foto: Johan Rova)
Skiing in the mountains. Northern Saulo (Foto: Kåre J. Pettersen)
What is allowed?
You can move about freely and sleep wherever you want within the national park, and you are welcome to enjoy simple outdoors activities The “allemannsrett” (“freedom to roam”) allows you to go where you please in the park, but it also requires you to move about responsibly. Be considerate towards nature and other hikers by bringing your trash with you out of the national park. That includes not leaving trash in the cabins or at the outhouses of the national park.
You may pick berries and edible mushrooms, but all other plants, living or dead, are protected within the national park. You may only use fallen sticks and smaller branches as firewood.
You may fish in all the waters of the national park, if you have a prepaid fishing card and follow local fishing rules . Hunting and fishing cards are administered by Statskog and can be bought at inatur.no
.
Verneforskriften til Junkerdal nasjonalpark
Protected areas close to Junkerdal National Park
Dypen nature reserve (7 km2) is a small nature reserve with large and old spruce trees.
Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park (2192 km2) is the most varied national park in Norway, ranging from fjords in the west to mountainous expanses in the east.
Saltfjellet landscape conservation area (494 km2) is an area of geological interest, in addition to being an important habitat for the artic fox.
Junkerdalsura nature reserve (13,7 km2) is a botanical paradise with exciting and varied flora.
Stor-Graddis nature reserve (5 km2) is an area with varied and special spruce trees, with a lot of old, dead trees.
Saltfjellet landscape conservation area (Foto: Jonas Andersen)