Moldemarka

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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 Molde panorama, with a magnificent view of more than 222 rugged and partly snow-clad peaks, mountainous islands, lush green hills, and the 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 access the area from several directions, with bulletin boards with maps and information about local plants and wildlife. Marked trails lead to a number of peaks, with Frænavarden (alt. 588 metres) as the more popular destination, and to numerous lakes and rivers. A national fishing permit is required. 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. 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, in the footstep of kings and emperors, notabilities and celebrities, of the last 150 years, starts at the Romsdal Museum, runs by Storlihytta, and ends on the top of the hill, at the restaurant on Varden (alt. 407 metres). 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.