Mørkgonga, Nature reserve in Ringerike and Hole, Norway
Mørkgonga is a nature reserve featuring a deep gorge carved between Gyrihaugen mountain and Steinsfjorden lake, with dramatic rock faces framing the ravine. Broad-leaved forests, including rare yew trees, grow throughout the protected area.
The gorge formed when volcanic rock solidified at the surface and then eroded more rapidly than the surrounding mountain stone due to differences in rock composition. This process created the steep rock walls that define the ravine today.
The protected area spans 1539 acres across two municipalities, preserving forests with substantial yew populations and numerous plant varieties native to Norwegian landscapes.
Steel cable installations along the rock walls provide guidance through the gorge during summer months and help navigate the uneven terrain safely. Access becomes more challenging in wet weather or when snow and ice cover the paths.
From a viewing point near 640 meters elevation, visitors can look out across the lake landscape and hike to several nearby mountain peaks including Gyrihaugen. This vantage point reveals distant views across the surrounding region.
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