In the middle of the eastern Norwegian mountain landscape lies Rondane National Park – one of Norway’s most iconic and protected natural areas. The park was established in 1962 as Norway’s first national park and later expanded in 2003. Its purpose then – and now – is to preserve an untouched piece of mountain wilderness, where wildlife, vegetation, and landscape can exist freely without human interference.
Covering 963 square kilometers, Rondane stretches across Innlandet County, between Gudbrandsdalen and Østerdalen, forming a striking transition between forested valleys and the open, high mountain plateau.

A Landscape Shaped by Ice and Time
Rondane is a classic high mountain area. The landscape we see today was sculpted during the last ice age, when vast glaciers carved the mountains, creating deep valleys and rounded peaks.
The most prominent mountains – Rondeslottet (2,178 m), Storronden, Høgronden, Veslesmeden, and Digerronden – rise like dark giants above the undulating plateau. The area is dominated by stone, lichen, and crystal-clear mountain lakes – a harsh yet beautiful environment where every element tells the story of geological time and nature’s patience.

Climate and Natural Zones
Rondane’s climate is dry and cool, with long winters and short summers. This is due to its location east of the main mountain ranges, which shield it from westerly winds and moisture from the Atlantic Ocean.
The vegetation is divided into zones by altitude:
*Lower mountain areas: Birch and dwarf birch forests, heather, and bogs
*Transition zone: Sparse vegetation with mosses, lichens, and a few mountain flowers
*High mountains: Stone deserts and lichen heath – nature’s outer limit, where only the hardiest species survive.

The flora is modest but rich in species. Many plants here are ice age relics, found only in the coldest and most exposed parts of Scandinavia.

Wildlife – The Realm of the Wild Reindeer
Rondane is best known for its population of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) – one of the last original herds in Europe. The reindeer have lived here since the last ice age and are entirely dependent on the mountain ecosystem. In winter, they feed on lichens, scraping them free from the snow with their hooves, while in summer they move higher up to escape heat and insects. Other wildlife includes:

*Moose and red deer in the forested areas
*Arctic fox, stoat, and wolverine
*Ptarmigan, bluethroat, owls, and golden eagles
*Trout and arctic char in lakes and rivers
Rondane’s wildlife is vulnerable. Even small disturbances can change animal behavior – especially among reindeer. That’s why protection and peace are key principles in the park’s management.


Cultural History and Human Traces
Although Rondane today feels like untouched wilderness, humans have roamed here for more than 6,000 years. Archaeological finds reveal hunting pits, temporary camps, and tools used for reindeer hunting. The reindeer has always been central to human life in the mountains – first as a source of food and later as an inspiration in art and literature.
In the 19th century, Rondane became a national symbol. Poet Aasmund Olavsson Vinje and painter Erik Werenskiold described and depicted the area in ways that shaped Norway’s view of nature as part of its national identity.

The Purpose and Protection of the National Park
Rondane was designated as a national park to protect:
*The habitats and migration routes of wild reindeer
*The ecological integrity of the mountain environment
*Geological formations and ice age landscapes
*Cultural heritage and traces of early human activity

Management of the park is a collaboration between local authorities, research institutions, and the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet). The goal is to preserve Rondane as a living, natural ecosystem – where nature’s own processes are allowed to unfold.

Rondane Today
Rondane is a place of both strict protection and open experiences. Here, you move on nature’s terms – on skis in winter, on foot in summer – always with respect for the values that make the area unique.
For those of us who live and work near the mountains, the national park is more than a piece of land – it’s a framework for life. It reminds us of the power of nature, the silence, and the balance so many seek when they come to Rondane.

Facts about Rondane National Park
Established: December 21, 1962 (expanded in 2003)
Area: 963 km²
Highest peak: Rondeslottet – 2,178 m
Location: Innlandet County (municipalities of Dovre, Sel, Ringebu, Sør-Fron, Folldal, Stor-Elvdal, Nord-Fron, and Øyer)
Key features:
*High mountain landscape
*Dry climate
*Wild reindeer
*Glacial geology
*Cultural heritage
Management: Rondane–Dovre National Park Board

Read more: Rondane-Dovre National park board