Moldemarka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Moldemarka is the general term used to describe the 30km² hilly and mostly wood-clad recreational area north of the city of Molde in the county of Møre og Romsdal, Norway. The area is famous for the spectacular Molde panorama, and visitors can enjoy a pristine nature and a magnificent view of more than 222 rugged and partly snow-clad peaks, mountainous islands, lush green hills, and the mighty North Atlantic Ocean to the north and west.

Moldemarka, which is protected public land, is a much used, all-year recreational area with a network of paths, walking trails and skiing tracks. Forest roads take you into the area from several directions, and you will find bulletin boards with maps and information about local plants and wildlife. Marked trails lead to a number of peaks, sites and fishing lakes and rivers. A national fishing permit is required to fish in these lakes. The eastern part of Moldemarka is easily accessible from the neighborhood Nordbyen, while access to the western parts, is easier from Kvam, Kringstad and Bjørset. At the heart of Moldemarka you can hike to Frænavarden (alt. 588 metres) and Valltua (alt. 586 metres). In winter there are approximately 10 km of prepared skiing tracks, with about 7 km of these floodlit.

The "classic" route starts at the Romsdal Museum, runs by Storlihytta, and ends on the top of the hill, at the restaurant on Varden (alt. 407 metres). Here you will follow in the footstep of kings and emperors, notabilities and celebrities, of the last 150 years. The walk takes about one hour.

Moldemarka and Varden grew to international fame at the turn of the 20th century, with the German Kaiser Wilhelm and the Prince of Wales as regular visitors.

Walking maps for Moldemarka are also available in local book stores.