Ovre Dividal National Park

Ovre Dividal covers about 770 square kilometres of inland Troms and has a drier, more continental character than the coast: pine forest in the valleys, birch above, open plateau, and long lake systems. It holds one of the more significant predator populations in Norway, with wolverine, lynx, bear and golden eagle all present, though sightings are rare. The Troms border trail, Grensesommerleden, runs through the park toward the Swedish border and connects with the Nordkalottleden, a long-distance route across three countries. Cabins are spaced along the routes. The area is Sami herding land, and the Dividalen valley holds cultural remains including old trapping pits and settlement sites.

What you actually see

• The pine forest - dry inland woodland unlike the coastal birch.
• The border trail - long-distance routes toward Sweden and Finland.
• The predator range - wolverine, lynx and bear habitat, rarely seen.
• The Sami cultural sites - trapping pits and settlement remains in the valley.

When to go

July to September for trekking, once the rivers have dropped and the snow gone; the season is short. March and April are ski-touring months. Insects in July are severe in the forest and bog.

Honest expectations

Distances between cabins are long and marking is limited compared with southern Norway, so navigation skills are needed. River crossings can be dangerous after rain. Predators are present but essentially never seen; food should still be stored sensibly.

Nearby

Malselvfossen and Bardufoss lie north; the Swedish border and Rostadalen are east.