Moen – Hay Meadows and a South-Facing Cultural Landscape

Moen features a distinctive cultural landscape on a fairly steep, south-facing slope. The place lies near Ådal on the north bank of the Forra and directly beside county road FV 6792. Five plots of hay meadow are separated by roads, houses and small patches of woodland; rather than forming one continuous meadow, they create a varied mosaic of small-scale landscape features.

A Small-Scale Cultural Landscape

Relatively intact, small-scale remnants of the cultural landscape have been shaped by many years of farming. At the same time, this landscape is vulnerable and partly affected by overgrowth. The hay meadows are therefore both evidence of long-standing land use and part of a landscape whose small-scale structure is not untouched.

Hay Meadows and Their Use

Ytterbakkan covers 6,135 m² and was rated as having high overall quality, based on a survey conducted on 23 June 2022. After 2013, it was the only hay meadow in Moen that was actively managed and traditionally mown late; the cuttings were removed. Late mowing and removal of the cuttings make the described way of managing the land specific and give the site a distinct agricultural character in addition to its size.

The hay meadow above the road at Åstjønna is recorded as habitat type D2.1; seven habitat-specific species have been registered there. Under Norway’s Nature Diversity Act, it is designated as a habitat type of “Important – B” value. This designation links a specific classification to a clearly identified site in Moen.

Flora on the South-Facing Slope

Moen’s hay meadows consist of intermediate and slightly calcareous grasslands, partly affected by fertilisation. The south-facing cultural landscape offers favourable conditions for insects. At Ytterbakkan, springs contribute to richer flora. The plants mentioned there include heath spotted-orchid, greater butterfly-orchid, twinflower, lady’s bedstraw and black knapweed. For travellers interested in landscapes and plants, this combination of slope, meadow types and specific species is a distinctive part of Moen’s character.

Cultural History in the Wider Destination of Stjørdal

The wider destination of Stjørdal has a particular focus on cultural history. Hegra Fortress is a national cultural monument and a symbol of Norwegian resistance. The fortress museum presents its construction history, the neutrality guard service during the First World War, the fighting in 1940 and the reconstruction in the 1980s. Photographs, uniforms, weapons and personal belongings from this period are also on display.

Leirfall is one of the largest rock art sites in Northern Europe and comprises almost 1,200 rock carvings with a wide variety of motifs and compositions. Værnes Church also offers a glimpse into the history of its architecture and furnishings: construction began around 1100, and its medieval roof trusses are considered a unique cultural treasure. The church interior contains the Værnes chair from 1685, an altarpiece from 1639, frescoes and runic inscriptions.

When choosing holiday accommodation, it helps to decide clearly what you want to focus on: would you like to centre your trip on Moen’s hay meadows, hillside setting and plant life, or should the fortress, rock art and church art of the wider destination of Stjørdal shape your trip? Plan your search around the places and themes your itinerary actually includes.

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

Back to the wider travel overview: Nord-Trondelag.