Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve, Norway

Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve, located in the Svalbard region of Norway, is a pristine and untouched wilderness that offers a truly unique travel experience. With its breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich history, this nature reserve is a must-visit destination for any nature enthusiast.

Covering an area of approximately 13,286 square kilometers, Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve is the largest protected area in Svalbard. The reserve is characterized by its rugged mountain ranges, towering glaciers, and vast expanses of Arctic tundra. This untouched wilderness provides a habitat for a wide range of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and various bird species.

One of the main attractions of Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve is the opportunity to witness the majestic polar bears in their natural habitat. As the largest land predator in the world, encountering a polar bear in the wild is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Guided tours and expeditions are available for visitors who wish to observe these magnificent creatures from a safe distance.

In addition to its wildlife, Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve also offers a rich history that dates back to the early explorations of the Arctic. Remnants of old whaling stations and trapping cabins can still be found scattered throughout the reserve, serving as a reminder of the region's past. Exploring these historic sites adds another layer of intrigue and fascination to the already captivating landscape.

For those seeking adventure, Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve offers a multitude of outdoor activities. Hiking and trekking through the rugged terrain allow visitors to immerse themselves in the stunning beauty of the Arctic wilderness. Kayaking and boat tours provide a unique perspective, allowing travelers to navigate through icy fjords and witness the pristine beauty of the surrounding glaciers.

Local name: Nordaust-Svalbard naturreservat Established: 1 July 1973 (50 years ago)Area: 21372.26 mi²Elevation: 2277 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 79°54'33"N, 24°0'0"E

Location

SvalbardNorway

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Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve Top Attractions

Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve Attractions - What to See and Explore

Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Wahlenbergfjorden, Tavleøya, Duvefjorden, Rijpfjorden. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Wahlenbergfjorden
Wahlenbergfjorden, sometimes known in English as Waalenburg Bay, is a fjord on the southwest coast of the Arctic island of Nordaustlandet, in Norway's Svalbard archipelago.
Island
Tavleøya
Tavleøya is one of Sjuøyane, north of Nordaustlandet. The island lies about 1 km west of the northern point of Phippsøya, separated by Marmorsundet, and about 7 km south of Vesle Tavleøya. Two smaller skerries to the northwest of Tavleøya are named Kluftholmen.
Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Duvefjorden
Duvefjorden is a fjord at the northern side of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. The fjord has a length of about 35 kilometres and a width of 12 to 13 km. Former names of the fjord include Baye du Pigeon, Dove Bay, Tauben Bai and Duiven-baai.

Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Rijpfjorden
Rijpfjorden is a fjord at the northern side of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. The fjord has a length of about 40 kilometres and a width of about 12 kilometres. Former names of the fjord include Rypefjorden, Red Currant Bay and Ripsbai. The fjord is named after Dutch explorer Jan Rijp, who never came anywhere near it.
Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Lady Franklinfjorden
Lady Franklinfjorden is a fjord in Gustav V Land at Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. The fjord has a length of about 25 kilometers. Lady Franklinfjorden is named after Jane Franklin, the wife of Arctic explorer John Franklin.
Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Brennevinsfjorden
Brennevinsfjorden is a fjord in Gustav V Land at Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. The fjord has a length of about eleven nautical miles, and runs in between Depotodden and Kapp Hansteen.
Island
Wilhelm Island
Wilhelm Island is an island in the Svalbard archipelago. It is situated northeast of Olav V Land on Spitsbergen, in Hinlopen Strait. Its area is 120 km². About 33,5 % of the island is covered with ice. The island was named after Wilhelm I.
Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Finn Malmgren Fjord
Finn Malmgren Fjord is a fjord in Orvin Land at Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, between Glenhalvøya and Bergstrømodden. A land tongue of 0.5 kilometers separates the fjord from Adlersparrefjorden.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Alkefjellet
Alkefjellet is a cliff in Lomfjordhalvøya in Ny-Friesland at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Alkefjellet is a bird cliff facing towards Hinlopen Strait.
Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Murchisonfjorden
Murchisonfjorden is a fjord in Gustav V Land at Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. The fjord cuts eastwards from Hinlopen Strait into Nordaustlandet. It has steep coasts and numerous islands. Murchisonfjorden is named after British geologist Roderick Murchison.
Nature • Natural attraction • Protected area
Ossian Sars Nature Reserve
Ossian Sars Nature Reserve is located at the inner-most part of Kongsfjorden on Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Austfonna
Austfonna is an ice cap located on Nordaustlandet in the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. Covering an area of 7,800 km², it is Europe's third-largest glacier by area and volume, after the Severny Island ice cap of Novaya Zemlya, Russia, and Vatnajökull in Iceland.
Nature • Natural attraction • Valley
Rijpdalen
Rijpdalen is a valley in the central part of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, separating Gustav V Land from Prins Oscars Land. The valley extends between the head of Wahlenbergfjorden and the head of Rijpfjorden. The valley is named after Dutch explorer Jan Rijp. At the watershed in Rijpdalen is the plain of Helvetesflya.
Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Lomfjorden
Lomfjorden is a fjord at the eastern coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It has a length of about 35 km. Former names of the fjord include Bear Bay, Lamber Bay, Loom Bay, Lomme Fjord and Lommen baij.
Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Zorgdragerfjorden
Zorgdragerfjorden is a fjord at the northern coast of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, west of Platenhalvøya, in Prins Oscars Land. The fjord is named after Dutch captain Cornelis Gijsbertsz Zorgdrager.
Nature • Natural attraction • Fjord
Adlersparrefjorden
Adlersparrefjorden is a fjord of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, an eastern branch of Duvefjorden at the northern coast. It has a length of about 10 kilometers, and has three branches.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Brånevatnet
Brånevatnet is a lake at Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. It is located between Winsnesbreen and Oxfordhalvøya, to the north of Etonbreen. The river of Oxfordelva flows from Brånevatnet through Oxfordhalvøya and debouches into Bodleybukta.
Island
Phippsøya
Phippsøya is the largest island in Sjuøyane, an archipelago north of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard in Arctic Norway. It is located some 22 km north of Nordkapp on Svalbard proper and 8.5 km south of Rossøya, the northernmost island of the Svalbard archipelago.
Nature • Natural attraction • Valley
Planciusdalen
Planciusdalen is a valley in Gustav V Land at Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. It is a continuation of the bay Planciusbukta, and stretches southwards to Rijpfjorden. The valley is named after Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius.