Map of the protected areas
Apart from the few areas were all traffic is prohibited during parts of
or the entire year, traffic on foot or skis, and by boat, is
allowed in the protected areas. As far as snow scooters and mandatory
notification of travel in the various areas are concerned, we refer you
to the main section
"
Planning a trip".
National Parks
National parks are relatively large virtually untouched areas that are
valuable for research purposes and for people who wish to enjoy
Svalbard's nature and heritage. No activity that might have a lasting
effect on the landscape or natural environment is to be undertaken in
these areas.
Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park
(protected since 1973; 3,683 km of land, 6,231 km of sea) has magnificent
scenery with stark contrasts, characteristically pointed (alpine) peaks,
large inland glaciers, coastal strips, islands and straits. The national
park is home to good stocks of Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer and polar
bears. Here, too, are Svalbard's most famous historical monuments
Smeerenburg, Magdalenefjord (whaling stations and burial grounds dating
back to the 1600s) and Virgohamn (remains after André's attempt to reach
the North Pole by airship in 1897). Going ashore in Virgohamn requires a
permit from the Governor of Svalbard.
Forlandet National Park
(protected since 1973; 616 km of land and 4,031 km of sea) has coastal
strips, high mountains and numerous little glaciers. It harbours
important nesting grounds for the eider duck and geese, and resting
grounds for walrus. The world's northernmost stock of harbour seal
inhabits the island.
Sør-Spitsbergen National Park
(protected since 1973; 5,029 km of land and 8,257 km of sea) has
magnificent scenery with characteristically sharp pinnacles, coastal
flats and glaciers. The hinterlands are dominated by glaciers stretching
towards the coast. The highest and most Alpine peaks are to be found
along the western coast. Towards the east, mountains are more squat and
not as dramatic. Bird species abound, and there are several large
colonies of seabirds as well as nesting grounds for the eider duck and
barnacle goose. An important area for the polar bear is Hornsund
through which the animals migrate between Storfjord and West
Spitzbergen.
Nordenskiöld Land National Park
(protected since 2003; 1,207 km of land and 155 km of sea) has Svalbard's
largest continuous tracts of verdant vegetation. Reindal is the
largest ice-free valley in Svalbard. The lower part of the valley,
particularly Stormyr and the coast of Nordenskiöld, is important for
waders, ducks and geese. Moreover, large seabird colonies hang out
on the Ingeborg Mountain.
• Detailed map
Sassen-Bünsow Land National Park
(protected since 2003; 1,157 km of land and 73 km of sea )
Here there are large tracts covered with vegetation and wetlands,
which are major bird biotopes, and seabird colonies. Tempelfjord
is home to the ring seal. Tempel Mountain is characteristic for the
landscape. Fredheim, base of the famous hunter Hilmar Nøis is nested in
the bottom of the valley Sassendal.
• Detailed map
Nordre Isfjorden National Park
(protected since 2003; 2,050 km of land and 904 km of sea) has large
tracts of lush vegetation and numerous plant species. The coastal strips
(Boheman- and Erdmannflya and Daudmannsøyra) are biotopes for waders,
geese and ducks. The area also hosts several seabird colonies.
• Detailed map
Indre Wijdefjorden National Park
(protected in 2005; 745km² land and 382 km² sea) has Arctic steppe
vegetation on both sides of the fjord. This exceptional vegetation is not
known from other parts of the European Arctic. In the national park there
are also several plant species rare to Svalbard and Europe. Wijdefjorden
is the longest fjord in Svalbard. The marine environment varies greatly
from the mouth of the fjord, past a sill and a cold water basin and ends
in a glacier front in the innermost part of the fjord. For this reason
Wijdefjorden has significant value both for research and educational
purposes.
•
Detailed
map
Nature Reserves
The nature reserves are virtually untouched areas where no activities
that could possibly affect the landscape or natural environment may be
undertaken. Regulations are stricter for nature reserves than for
national parks.
Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve
(protected since 1973; 18,660 km of land and 36,891 km of sea) is the
largest of the protected areas in Svalbard. It includes Kvitøy, King
Charles' Land and the Northeast Land. It is dominated by Svalbard's
largest glaciers: Ausfonna and Vestfonna, Kvitøyjøkelen and
branches of the glaciers on Ny-Friesland. A number of fjords, large and
small, cut into the northern and western sides of Northeast Land. There
are several resting grounds for walrus. The archipelago King Charles'
Land is one of the main breeding grounds for polar bears in this part of
the Arctic. Consequently, it is forbidden to go within 500 m of the
islands or to fly at altitudes lower than 500 m. The ban is in force all
year round.
Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve
(protected since 1973; 6,399 km of land and 15,474 km of sea) includes
the islands Edgeøy and Barentsøy and several smaller ones. A large stock
of Svalbard reindeer hangs out in this reserve as well as numerous polar
bears, particularly in winter. There are several resting grounds for
walrus and breeding grounds for a number of bird species.
Moffen Nature Reserve
(protected since 1983; 5 km of land and 4 km of sea), a small island
consisting of gravel, is an important resting ground for walrus and
nesting ground for birds. The protected area includes, in addition
to the island, a 300 m wide strip of sea around the island and each of
the skerries. Between 15 May and 15 September all traffic within the
Moffen reserve is prohibited. The ban also applies to traffic on sea and
aircraft at altitudes lower than 500 m.
• Detailed map
Ossian Sars Nature Reserve
(protected since 2003; 12 km of land). The area is fertile and hosts
several rare plants. Traffic on foot is allowed, but pitching a tent is
not.
• Detailed
map
Bjørnøya Nature Reserve
(protected since 2002 - 177 km of land and 616 km of sea). In the south
of the island, scenery is magnificent: cliffs and enormous seabird
colonies. The island offers an important resting place for birds
migrating to and from the rest of Svalbard. There are numerous lakes with
the Svalbard char. In some parts of the island, all traffic is prohibited
in the period 1 April-31 August. The ban also covers the sea, as far out
as 1 nautical mile, for boats larger than 40 foot. Between 15 Juni and 31
August all traffic is banned in an area in the Northeast as well
(Laksvatnet/Kalven/ Lomvatnet.)
Hopen Nature Reserve
(protected since 2003; 46 km of land and 3,208 km of sea) is
important territory for polar bears migrating, feeding or hibernating.
There are also large bird colonies.
• Map of the
island
Bird Reserves
Svalbard's 15 bird reserves (protected since 1973; 15 km of land and 64
km of sea) are in actual fact nature reserves the value of which has to
do with bird life.
They are situated along the west coast of Spitzbergen. Nearly all of them
are islands and skerries. The areas are protected in view of nesting
eider ducks, barnacle geese, and brent geese which all pick nesting areas
on islets that are not surrounded by ice in the summer so as to be
inaccessible to foxes. There are not many places like that in Svalbard,
so the islands tend to get overcrowded. During the period 15 May-15
august all traffic on the islands is banned. The ban includes
boats, with or without engines, and people on foot. The reserves
include the surrounding waters, till 300 m from shore.
The fifteen bird reserves are:
Protected Geotopes
A protected geotope is an area where important or singular geological
formations are found.
Festningen Geotope protected area
(protected since 2003; 14 km of land and 3 km of sea). In the well
known Festning profile, we can see a geological sequence, a result
of sedimentation throughout millions of years (Carboniferous and Tertiary
Periods). Here there are also fossil remnants of prehistoric reptiles.
• Map of the
area