Dovrefjell

Dovrefjell, mountain range in central Norway, immediately south of Trondheim. The plateau-like range is 105 km (65 mi) from east to west and 80 km (50 mi) from north to south, and it divides southern Norway from northern Norway. Dovrefjell forms a high plateau with a general elevation of 1,200 to 1,500 m (4,000 to 5,000 ft). Deep valleys were cut into the plateau by glaciers during the Pleistocene Ice Age. Above the eroded plateau are many higher summits, the remnants of what once were higher mountains. The highest of these summits reaches 2,300 m (7,500 ft).

The Dovrefjell is drained to the south by the Glåma, the largest river in Norway, and to the north and west by the Rauma. The lower slopes are forested in birch, and on the plateau is a zone of dwarf arctic willows. Arctic flora can be found on the summits and on the higher plateau. The annual precipitation averages only 30 cm (12 in), making the Dovrefjell the driest section of Scandinavia. Because of the small amount of precipitation, the region has no glaciers. There is little settlement in the Dovrefjell, with only a few towns in the valleys. Across the plateau is a string of hostels founded in the 11th century for pilgrims travelling to the shrine of St Olaf of Trondheim.