Hoverberget

Hoverberget

Entrance to the Hoverbergsgrotten
Elevation 548 m (1,798 ft)
Translation Hover Mountain
Location
Location Sweden
Coordinates 62°49′50.80″N 14°25′42.51″E / 62.8307778°N 14.4284750°E

Hoverberget (548m) is a mountain on a peninsula in the southern part of the Storsjön lake. The mountain, a significant landmark and a Natura 2000 designated nature reserve,[1] lies within Berg Municipality in the southern parts of Jämtland in northern Sweden. The village of Berg lies on the south slope of the Hoverberget, which is 255 metres (837 ft) above the Storsjön and the surrounding area, and culminates at 548 metres (1,798 ft) above sea level.

Hoverberget is made of porphyry, and originates from the same period as the Scandinavian Mountains. For millions of years it has been moving eastwards, and it now lies isolated and apart from other mountains. The mountain is rich in flora, with several orchid species, and many of the plants grow at their northernmost growth boundary. There are several rare species of moss and lichen.[2] The mountain also has a rich bird life, with many birds of prey such as the common kestrel, the Eurasian sparrowhawk and the long-eared owl. Besides more common mammals, Hoverberget is also home to Eurasian lynx.[3]

The tourist attraction called Hoverbergsgrottan (Hover Mountain Cave) has a depth of 170 metres (560 ft), and is the largest rock cave in Scandinavia.[4] It was discovered 1897 by Jöns Väst, a Swedish-American.[5] 81 metres (266 ft) of the cave is accessible to visitors. Less known is the Rämnan (The Fissure), a large ravine in the mountain with a length of about 400 metres (1,300 ft)[6] and a depth of about 25 metres (82 ft), that is visible from the west and even from the county highway länsväg 321. According to a folk tale, a giant called Hoverbergsgubben (The Hoverberg Lad) resided in the cave, but moved out when people began to tidy the cave.[5]

At the top of Hoverberget is a small café,[7] which is open in the summer season. Adjacent to it is an observation tower,[7] to look for the lake monster Storsjöodjuret,[7] a folkloric phenomenon in the lake, or to enjoy the grand view.

References

  1. ↑ "Hoverberget". European Environment Agency. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  2. ↑ "Bevarandeplan för Natura 2000-område Hoverberget SE0720058". Länsstyrelsen Jämtlands län (in Swedish). 17 May 2006. p. 9. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "Bevarandeplan för Natura 2000-område Hoverberget SE0720058". Länsstyrelsen Jämtlands län (in Swedish). 17 May 2006. p. 6. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  4. ↑ "Hoverberget". Länsstyrelsen Jämtlands län (in Swedish). Retrieved 4 May 2012. Utanför reservatsgränsen finns Hoverbergsgrottan. Med ett djup på 170 meter är den Skandinaviens största klyftgrotta. [Outside the reserve boundary is the Hoverbergsgrottan. With a depth of 170 meters it is the largest cleft cave of Scandinavia.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Om grottan" (in Swedish). Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "Visitor’s Guide 30 protected areas in the County of Jämtland – Hoverberget". Länsstyrelsen Jämtlands län. 2009. pp. 40–41. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Upplev i Berg – Södra Storsjöbygden". Berg Municipality (in Swedish). 2011. p. 30. Retrieved 5 May 2012.

External links

Coordinates: 62°49′50.80″N 14°25′42.51″E / 62.8307778°N 14.4284750°E