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In 1981, much of the Hardangervidda was designated a national park, Norway's largest at 3,422 km² (1,321 square miles). It is a popular destination for hiking, climbing and fishing, and in winter for cross-country skiing.
The highest point on the plateau is at the top of the Hardangerjøkulen glacier, which reaches a height of 1,863 m (6,112 ft).
The landscape of the Hardangervidda is characterized by barren, treeless moorland interrupted by numerous pools, lakes, rivers and streams. There are significant differences between the west side, which is dominated by rocky terrain and expanses of bare rock, and the east side, which is much flatter and more heavily vegetated. The climate also varies between the two sides: it is considerably wetter on the west side than on the east. The prominent peak of Hårteigen 1,690 m (5,545 ft) is visible across much of the plateau.
Much of the Hardangervidda's geology is extremely ancient. The rolling fells of the Hardangervidda are the remnants of mountains that were worn down by the action of glaciers during the Ice Ages. The bedrock is mainly of Precambrian and Cambro-Silurian origin.
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