Blåfjella–Skjækerfjella National Park (Norwegian: Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella nasjonalpark, Southern Sami: Låarte-Skæhkere vaarjelimmiedajve) is located in Trøndelag county, Norway. It is the fourth largest national park on the Norwegian mainland and one of the largest remaining true wilderness areas. The park covers parts of the municipalities of Verdal, Snåsa, Grong, Lierne, and Steinkjer. The landscape includes mountain plains, lakes, forested valleys, marshes, and a few mountain peaks, with Midtliklumpen reaching 1,333 meters (4,373 feet) above sea level. The Sami people have lived in and used the area for many years. The park contains many Sami cultural monuments, such as old settlements, gathering places, burial sites, and sacred areas.

The park provides many opportunities for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. The terrain is suitable for hunting ptarmigan and other small animals, and there are many lakes with brown trout and char. There are several hiking paths, some of which are marked, though they are not marked during winter. A few mountain cabins are available for overnight stays.

Gressåmoen National Park, which was established in 1970 and covered an area of 182 square kilometers (70 square miles), was added to Blåfjella–Skjækerfjella National Park in 2004. Lierne National Park is located just east of Blåfjella–Skjækerfjella National Park.

Flora and fauna

The park is known as the place where spruce trees were first brought to Norway. It has many different types of natural areas, including old forests that have not been disturbed. The plants found here include species from the coast, inland areas, and high mountain regions. The land has both soft rock, which helps plants grow well, and hard rock, where fewer plants can grow.

In the park, 28 types of mammals and many kinds of birds have been seen. Rare animals such as the Arctic fox and all the large predators found in mainland Norway live here. These include brown bears, lynxes, wolverines, and gray wolves, though wolves are rarely seen. Three types of deer also live in the park: moose, roe deer, and red deer. Four nature reserves are near the park: Arvasslia Nature Reserve, Berglimyra and Klumplifjellet Nature Reserve, Gaundalsmyra Nature Reserve, and Storfloa Nature Reserve.

Name

The park was named Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella in 2004 when it was created. The word Blåfjella means "the blue mountains." The part "-fjella" is the plural form of "fjell," which means "mountain." The first part of Skjækerfjella, "skjæker," is a plural word that means "shafts (of a wagon)" and refers to long mountain ridges in this case. Both names are likely adapted versions of the Sami names for these mountain areas: Låarte and Skæhkere.