LÁHKO. Karst landscape in a class of its own

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1 LÁHKO Karst landscape in a class of its own

2 2 3 Rich and varied karst landscape Láhko is the karst national park. Karst topography is a geological formation shaped by the dissolution of carbonate rock by water. Calcite marble is the predominant rock type in the national park and leaves its mark on the landscape and the flora. Caves, clints and grikes, dolines, stream sinks (swallow holes), natural bridges and blind valleys are found everywhere. The calcareous bedrock forms a basis for rich plant life and interesting wildlife. The national park has many special ecosystems, including calcareous lakes. Láhko is encircled by large hydroelectric plant reservoirs. The park borders up to the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park and the Langvassdalen-Ruffedalen Nature Reserve, and is thus part of one of the largest protected areas in Norway. Subterranean river (MH)

3 4 5 Skiing, with the Simlebreen glacier in the background (TOM) ENJOY THE SCENERY Hiking in Láhko is a marvellous experience. Spectacular karst formations, ranging from millimetre-deep rills to large fissures and shafts, are seen everywhere. Rivers vanish beneath the ground only to reappear in a completely different place. Corbel s canyon, with its water traps, caves and underground rivers, is especially interesting. Outdoor activities Hunting and fishing are popular pastimes and several lakes have good fish stocks. The two most used starting points for trips are the car parks near the Langvatnet and Namnlausvatnet lakes. They offer short, easy walks into the park. Outdoor activities are well prepared for in Láhko. T-marked paths cross the park from Langvatnet to Namnlausvatnet and over to Gråtådalen, a valley in the east. Local hunter and angler associations have several cabins in and around the park, which can be rented. The Norwegian Trekking Association has unlocked cabins just outside the park in Gråtådalen and close to Fellvatnet. There is also an open turf hut in Kvitstein dalen. Those who prefer not to hike along marked paths should visit the northern and eastern parts of Láhko. The area is less accessible in winter because the mountain roads that approach the park are not ploughed. Láhko is, never theless, popular for ice fishing and for skiing. The ski season lasts until May in this area. On Corbel s bridge (MH)

4 6 7 A natural bridge on the Sundvasselva river (LAU) LANDSCAPE AND GEOLOGY Large, continuous area of alpine karst Virtually all of the is within an exten sive belt of carbonate rocks. The park is a unique, unbroken, alpine limestone plateau. The water dissolves the bedrock, forming a variety of karst features. Some diorite and granite outcrops are found in the northwest, and layers of mica schist and mica gneiss occur everywhere. The central part of the park is a plateau at around 600 m a.s.l., encircled by mountain massifs and alpine peaks. A north-south row of mountains reaches heights of m a.s.l. and forms a prominent wall and boundary to the east. Small glaciers originating in the Simlebreen glacier are eye-catchers. Much of the Svartisen ice cap can be seen in the south. Many lakes and rivers The national park has many lakes, notably Fiskvatnet, Svalvatnet and Seglvatnet. The bedrock leaves its mark on the rivers, which often vanish underground for longer or shorter stretches before reappearing. The calcareous lakes have rich bottom vegetation with lime-demanding stoneworts, giving good biotopes and feeding conditions for benthic creatures and fish.

5 Langvassdalen- Ruffedalen NR Fellvasstua LÁKHO NATIONAL PARK Beiarstua Sundvannshytta Håkonbu Fiskvasshytta Gåsvannshytta Fiskvannshytta Svalvannshytta Kvitsteindalsgammen Gråtådalstua Saltfjellet-Svartisen NP Digital cartography: Gåsvatn kart-tjenester, Digital map data: Statens kartverk N250. Order no. MAD12002-R Saltfjellet-Svartisen NP LEGEND National Park Nature Reserve Cabin, unstaffed Open turf hut 0 km km M = 1:

6 10 11 Many waders, like golden plovers, ringed plovers and Temminck s stints, breed in the park. Lapland buntings also seem to thrive well. Many birds of prey and owls are active in years when small rodents are abundant. The insect and benthic fauna has been little studied, but there is known to be a remarkably high diversity of species on land and in the water. Dotterel (DK) Ptarmigan and willow grouse thrive in the park. The elk is the only wild member of the deer family living here, but semi-domesticated reindeer are also present. The wolverine is the only large predator seen here every year. ANIMAL AND BIRD LIFE Important habitat for species The is an important habitat for many species. Divers, ducks, waders, birds of prey and passerines are common. Several species, including scaup, twite, gyr falcon and black-throated diver, are on the Norwegian Red List of endangered and vulnerable species. Black-throated and red-throated divers use many of the small and medium-sized lakes as feeding and/or nesting sites, and some lakes are also staging posts for geese, ducks and waders on autumn migration. Mountain burnets mating (DK)

7 12 13 HISTORY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE RELICS The national park has many cultural heritage sites originating from former hunting and trapping activities, Sámi settlement and reindeer husbandry, and more recent times. Most of those recorded trace back to reindeer husbandry, and include settlements, migration routes, reindeer fences, tent sites and hearths. Some are thought to be older than 100 years. A common blue on wood cranesbill (DK) PLANT LIFE Several Red Listed species Alpine gentian (DK) The flora is extremely rich, and includes some demanding and also rare species. Most of the Láhko National Park is mountainous and calcareous, and is dominated by mountain avens heath. Well over 200 plant species have been recorded here, with alpine plants and lowland plants growing side by side. Several species are on the Norwegian Red List. The most interesting disco veries are perhaps Draba cacuminum ssp. angusticarpa, a subspecies of whitlow-grass, and Carex scirpoidea, a sedge, both of which are globally rare. Láhko is also a core area for stoneworts (charophytes), Tolypella canadensis being the most notable. People travelling through the area and using it in connection with their occupation and leisure activities have also left many remains. The rivers in the area surrounding Láhko have been used to generate hydroelectric power for a very long time, and traces left by construction work and other activities can be seen in the mountains, also inside the park. Láhko is now part of to the Saltfjellet Reindeer Grazing District, but little grazing takes place within the park. Domestic livestock have also grazed the area. The park has little woodland. The only fairly large area is Fellvasskogen, where birch trees predominate, but rowans and goat willows also occur. The foliage has been hard hit by autumnal moth larvae, and there is a great deal of dead wood. Rich fens dominate in depressions and on flat ground beside rivers and lakes. Fellvasskogen is tall-shrub woodland (KEM)

8 14 15 in brief Reinkalv glacier (THC) In a national park, you are one of Nature s guests You may go wherever you like, on foot or on skis, but anything with an engine is basically prohibited. You can stop wherever you like and pitch a tent. Always tidy up afterwards and take your rubbish with you. You can light a fire, but remember the general ban on fires in woodland from 15 April to 15 September. Show consideration when collecting firewood. You can pick berries, mushrooms and common plants for your own use. Show consideration for karst formations, cultural heritage sites, vegetation and animal life. Take extra care in the breeding season. Hunting and fishing are permitted. Remember to buy hunting and fishing licences. Never use live fish as bait, or transfer live fish from one river or lake to another. You can take your dog with you, but remember to keep it on a lead from 1 April to 20 August. M214/2014 Layout: Guri Jermstad AS. Photo: Anders Langangen (AL), Dagfinn Kolberg/Kolberg Naturfoto (DK), Mia Husdal (MH), Trond Olav Madsen (TOM), Lars A. Uttakleiv/Aurland naturverkstad (LAU), Thomas Holm Carlsen/Bioforsk Nord Tjøtta (THC), Kjell Eivind Madsen (KEM). Front cover: Skiing, with Skjelåtind (1637 m a.s.l.) in the background (KEM), Karren (flutes and rills) are typical karst formations (DK). Rear cover: Saravann (AL) Print: GRØSET Where: The boroughs of Gildeskål, Meløy and Beiarn in the county of Nordland. How to get to the : Power station roads approach the park from Sundsfjord in Gildeskål and Fykanvatnet in Meløy. Fv 17 (the main coastal road) is the main road in the district. An express passenger boat and the daily coastal Hurtigruten ship call at Ørnes. In Beiarn, you can enter the park at Gråtådalen or Arstaddammen. You get to Beiarn on Fv 812 and Fv 813. From Sundsfjord, take the power station road to parking sites at Hellarfjellet or Langvatnet; the road is not ploughed in winter. From Glomfjord, take the power station road from Fykanvatnet to parking sites at Namnlausvatnet and Storglomvatnet; this road is generally cleared by Easter. Information on accommodation and other services: Nord-Norsk Reiseliv AS: Meløy Tourist Information Office: Cabins and huts: Fellvasstua, Bodø Trekking Association Håkonbu near Sundvatnet and a hut at Fiskvatnet; Gildeskål Association of Hunters and Anglers Cabins at Svalvatnet, Fiskvatnet, Sundvatnet and Gåsvatnet; Glomfjord Association of Hunters and Anglers Turf hut in Kvitsteindalen; Meløy Borough Council See also and Check the standard of the cabin beforehand and whether it is unlocked Tips: Corbel s canyon near Saravatnet is in an area with a great variety of karst formations. Corbel s bridge is spectacular, and also figures in the national park logo. Maps: Norge 1:50 000: 141 Svartisen (1928 I Glomfjord) and 142 Beiardalen (2028 IV Arstaddalen and 2028 III Blakkådal). Ramblers map of Meløy. The large Saltfjell map. Established: 2012 Size: 188 km 2 Adjacent protected areas: Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park Langvassdalen-Ruffedalen Nature Reserve Management: Supervision: Norwegian Nature Inspectorate, phone More information:

9 NORWAY S NATIONAL PARKS Norwegian National Parks are our common natural heritage We set up National Parks to safeguard large areas of countryside from the seashore to the mountaintops. For Nature s own sake, ourselves and future generations. National Parks boast magnificent scenery with varied animal and plant life, waterfalls, glaciers, lofty mountains, endless plateaus, deep forests and lush woodlands, and beautiful fjords and coasts. You will also find cultural heritage remains showing how the areas were used in the past. The National Parks offer a multitude of opportunities for thrilling encounters with natural history. Make use of our magnificent nature on its own terms. Welcome to Norwegian National Parks.