Folgefonna National Park (Norwegian: Folgefonna nasjonalpark) is a national park in Vestland county, Norway. It covers an area of 545.2 square kilometers (210.5 square miles) and is located on the Folgefonna peninsula. The park includes parts of the municipalities of Kvinnherad, Etne, and Ullensvang. Queen Sonja officially opened the park on May 14, 2005.
Folgefonna is the group name for three glaciers in the park: Nordre Folgefonna, Midtre Folgefonna, and Søndre Folgefonna. Folgefonna is the third largest ice cap in Norway, covering 168 square kilometers (65 square miles). It is estimated to be 300 to 400 meters (980 to 1,310 feet) thick. The highest point in the park reaches 1,662 meters (5,453 feet) above sea level. This area is believed to receive about 5,500 millimeters (220 inches) of precipitation each year, making it one of the wettest places in Norway.
Etymology
The first part is "folge," which means "thin layer of snow." The last part is the form of "forn," which means "mass of snow" or "glacier made of snow."
Flora and fauna
The high mountains of the park have poor soil and little vegetation, making it hard for many animals to live there. However, ptarmigans are able to survive in these conditions. Golden eagles build their nests in valleys that extend toward the glacier, where they hunt ptarmigans in the glacial regions. Meadow pipits are the most common bird species found above the tree line. In the forested areas below the tree line, red deer are very common. In fact, more red deer are hunted in Kvinnherad Municipality than anywhere else in the country. Black grouse and capercaillie also live in pine forests. This area is one of the last places in Western Europe where white-backed woodpeckers can be found. Avalanches in this region leave many dead trees in their paths, and these woodpeckers prefer this kind of habitat.
Hardy plants such as three-leaved rush, dwarf willow, and stiff sedge grow well despite the poor soil. Mossy mountain heather, rufine sedge, and arctic cottongrass can all grow near the edges of glaciers. Purple gentian and mountain queen are flowering plants that are notable for growing in the park.