Hjerkinn skytefelt, Military shooting range in Dovre, Norway
Hjerkinn skytefelt is a military training ground on a high plateau within Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, with mixed terrain ranging from open moorland to steep slopes. The landscape remains largely natural, with sparse vegetation and rocky ground that reflects its location at high elevation in central Norway.
The Norwegian Armed Forces established this ground in 1923 as a training facility and used it for nearly a century. It closed in 2008, marking the beginning of a restoration effort to return the landscape to its natural state.
The site lies on an ancient pilgrimage path that connects to Nidarosdomen Cathedral, and its restoration has renewed this spiritual route through the landscape. This transformation shows how a military zone can reconnect with the religious and cultural traditions that shaped the region.
The site is not freely accessible to visitors, as vehicle traffic is restricted to protect the wildlife that is reclaiming the landscape. Organized bus routes provide a controlled way to explore the area without disrupting the ongoing restoration work.
The site was so heavily contaminated with leftover ammunition that removing it required years of intensive labor with specialized equipment. This massive cleanup effort was necessary before the landscape could safely return to supporting wildlife and human visitors.
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