Norwegian home page     English home page      Guided tours    

Rental information           Stabbursnes Nature reserve    

STABBURSDALEN NATIONAL PARK

Birds in the National Park    

Wild flowers in Stabbursdalen

THE WORLDS NORTHERNMOST PINE FOREST...

The most northely pine forest in the world is in the Stabbursdalen valley, with trees up to 500 years old. It lies like a beautiful but vulnerable oasis in an otherwise barren landscape and forms the northernmost outpost for several species of birds.

A LAND SHAPED BY GLACIERS AND GLACIAL RIVERS...

The Stabbursdalen National Park contains many of Finnmark`s typical landscape forms: barren mountains, open plateaux and narrow ravines, with scattered mountain birch and stretches of pine forest. Waterfalls and rapids interspersed with deep pools of still wather mark the Stabbur river as it runs through the National Park. At Luobbal (Lompola) it sweeps gently into wide bays. The bare rugged mountains of Gaissene to the south-east contrast with the ancient undulating landscape to the north and west.

The melting glaciers from the end of the last Ice Age 10 000 years Stabbursdalen. Great glacial rivers flowed northwards and eastwards, beneath the ice at first, then emerging from the front of the glacier. The meltwather carved out the impressive Ravttosavsi canyon in the main valley and several ravines in the side valleys. Great masses of gravel were brought down by the glacial rivers and deposited in the delta at Porsangerfjorden.

Photo: Almar Paulsen

PINE WOODLAND IN A BARREN LANDSCAPE...

Some 7 500 - 5 000 years ago when the climate was warmer, the pine forest spread far inland along the fjords and valleys. As it grew colder, the forest retreated and has only survived in sheltered valleys like Stabbursdalen, where it forms the world`s northernmost pine forest. Its protection is therefore one of the mejor objectives of this national park.

The woodland is open with low shrubby pine trees. Here in the far north, trees grow slowly and are liable to frost and wind damage. The dry sterile soil can only support a poor undergrowth og lichen and heather.

At Loubbal the wetlands form a fertile oasis in an otherwise barren landschape. Along the river, willow and sedge, with pine woodland behind, support a rich bird life. Stabbursdalen is the most northernly habitat for many species, including black grouse and ospery, and wetlands are important breeding ground, especially for ducks. Old hollow pine trees provid good nesting places for the goldeneye and goosander.

Photo: Barb L. Håland

NATURAL AND TRADITIONAL USES OF THE COUNTRYSIDE...

For the coastal Saami people, the natural resourses of Stabbursdalen formed a significant part of their subsistence. Hunting, fishing and collecting animal fodder have long traditions, but by careful harvesting few traces remain in the landscape. In Luobbal, sedge was previously cut for winter fodder, while tree stumps in the forest bear witness of timber cut for building boats and houses. There are remains of pit-falls where wild reindeer were hunted in the past, but domestic reindeer herding took over in the 17th century. Today, the area provides summer grazing for the reindeer.

Now that the lower two waterfalls om the Stabbur river are bypassed by fish ladders, salmon can swimup to Njakkafossen. In the  past they were a wery important food resource and were caught with nests as well as traditional rod-and-line. Today. keen anglers visit the rapids and pools along the river hoping to hook a prize salmon. Fishing is so popular that care must be taken to limit the wear and tear on the contryside.

Photo: Tove Persen

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Nature is very vulnerable in the north. Take great care and show respect for other visitors.

YOU MAY:

• walk and camp anywhere in the national park
• hunt certain species with a licenseand fish with a license
• use fallen dead wood for camp fires, but please use previous campfire sites by the river and remember the fire risk

YOU MAY NOT:

• damage plants or disturb animals
• cut down hollow trees or break off dead branches
• light fires between 15th April and 15th September
• use motorised vehicles

ACCESS AND ACCOMMADATION

• gravel road from Highway E6 2km south of National Park Visitors Centre
• camping site at Stabbursnes
• marked trails, open cabins and thurf huts

MAPS

• sheets 1935 II, 1934 I, 2034 IV and 2035 III in the national 1:50 000 series

INFORMATION

• Fylkesmannen i Finnmark, statens hus 9800 Vadsø, 
• phone +47 78 95 03 00
• Stabbursnes Naturhus og Museum, 9710 I. Billefjord, 
• phone +47 78 46 47 65

Photo: Tove Persen

NORWAYS NATIONAL PARKS

The natural environments of Norway is spectacular and varied. There are still areas where nature`s own laws govern animal and plant life. But without adequate protection many of these areas will lose their distinctive qualities.

It is imperative to preserve for posterity a representative selection of all types of nature. The aim is to establish national parks or protected areas that cover all types of the natural environment. The first national park was established in 1962.

In our national parks we wish to take care of the richness and variety of Norway`snatural heritage, for Nature`s sake as well as our own, so later generations may experience the undisturbed countryside and future scientists can study the interrelationships in natural environments. Many of our national parks are also important areas for outdoor recreation, receiving large numbers of visitors annually, both Norwegian and foreign.

Our national parks house some of our most precious natural treasures - let us share the privilege of looking after them !

Photo: Barb L. Håland

More information about National Parks and Visitors Centres in Norway