Moen: South-facing Cultural Landscape

Moen and its cultural landscape

Moen consists of fairly steep areas of cultural landscape on a south-facing slope. At Ådal, the settlement lies directly beside county road FV 6792 and the north shore of the Forra. Five areas of hay meadows are separated by roads, houses and small patches of woodland. Relatively intact, small-scale remnants of long-standing land management have been preserved in Moen; this cultural landscape is vulnerable and partly affected by overgrowth. The location, layout of the areas and maintenance all shape the character of the settlement’s landscape.

Hay meadows and natural values

Ytterbakkan offers a concrete example of land management. The 2023 management plan describes it as the only hay meadow in Moen to have been actively managed after 2013. It was traditionally mown late, and the cut grass was then removed. Ytterbakkan covers 6,135 m² and was given a high overall quality rating. This assessment is based on a field survey conducted on 23 June 2022.

At Ytterbakkan, spring water seepage supports a richer flora. Species include, among others, lesser butterfly-orchid, fragrant orchid, May lily, lady’s bedstraw and greater knapweed. Moen’s hay meadows consist of intermediate and slightly calcareous grasslands; some have been affected by fertilisation. In the 2022 survey, the hay meadow above the road at Åstjønna was designated a natural habitat of “Important – B” value under Norway’s Nature Diversity Act. It is classified as habitat type D2.1; seven habitat-specific species have been recorded. Moen’s south-facing cultural landscape also offers favourable conditions for insects.

The Øvre Forra Nature Reserve lies in the area around the Forra. It covers 106 km², was established in 1990 and is considered a wetland of international importance. It is on the Ramsar List.

Culture in the wider Stjørdal destination

The wider Stjørdal destination has its own cultural attractions alongside Moen’s landscape character. Hegra Fortress is a national cultural monument and a symbol of Norwegian resistance. The Hegra Fortress Museum presents the history of the fortress’s construction, the neutrality guard service during the First World War, the battles of 1940 and the reconstruction in the 1980s; exhibits include photographs, uniforms, weapons and personal belongings from that period.

Værnes Church is also a prominent cultural landmark in the wider Stjørdal destination. Construction began around 1100; its medieval roof structures are considered a unique cultural treasure. Inside are the Værnes chair from 1685, an altarpiece from 1639, frescoes and runic inscriptions. The Stjørdal Museum is built around Martin Moe’s collection of antiques and natural history material. Leirfall is one of the largest rock art sites in Northern Europe and includes almost 1,200 rock carvings with a wide variety of motifs and compositions. The Håmmårsbukta outdoor recreation area in Stjørdal is also an access point to the outer route of St. Olav’s Way, one of the pilgrimage routes.

Discover more destinations: Leksvik, Namsskogan, Meråker, Kvaloyseter, Flatanger, Overhalla, Steinkjer

Go to the overview of destinations: Nord-Trondelag.