Day trips and attractions in Telemark
Telemark offers some of Norway’s most varied and unique day trips. Climb the majestic Gaustatoppen, where on clear days you can see one sixth of Norway from the summit. Explore the lush fruit villages, where orchards and local food give you a true taste of the region. Telemark is also known for its historic walks, from gentle forest trails to more demanding mountain hikes.
The region is home to the UNESCO-listed Rjukan–Notodden Industrial Heritage, famous stave churches, and the Telemark Canal. Here, history, culture, and breathtaking nature come together – making it the perfect destination for both adventure and relaxation.
⛰️🌲 Discover more of Telemark’s attractions below.
Visit the Fruit Village of Gvarv
Thousands of fruit trees and dedicated farmers make the Fruit Village of Gvarv a true treasure, producing 3,000 tons of apples and 1,000 tons of plums, cherries, and sweet cherries every year. Visit this fertile landscape in spring to see the orchards in bloom, or in autumn when the trees are heavy with fruit. A unique cultural landscape with welcoming, well-kept farms is waiting for you.
Lifjell
The area covers large parts of the municipalities of Bø, Hjartdal, Notodden, and Seljord in Telemark. The high mountain terrain is like a miniature Jotunheimen, with several beautiful peaks rising above 1,200 meters. Hiking routes vary in length and difficulty, making them just as suitable for experienced hikers as for families with young children.
Vasseventyret - The Water Adventure
The Water Adventure is an interactive experience trail with picnic spots, fishing areas, and a swimming spot – open to everyone throughout the summer season. Here, nature experiences are combined with play, learning, and activity. The Water Adventure is beautifully located at Arbuvollen on Haukelifjell..
Hamaren Activity Park
Do you want to walk among the treetops, 15 meters above the ground, and enjoy breathtaking views of Norwegian nature from a bird’s-eye perspective? In Fyresdal, you can visit Hamaren Activity Park – a truly unique experience for the whole family. Here you’ll find a treetop trampoline, climbing trail, bike paths, scenic picnic spots, swimming areas, and, not least, Norway’s very first treetop walkway.
Moland kulturminneløype - A Heritage Trail
An idyllic garden town walk through charming small streets and farmyards in the center of Fyresdal. On this tour, you’ll get to know Fyresdal’s town center, the Folkestadbyen district, and the Øyskogen heritage site with its 18 burial mounds and old log houses.
Sabotørstien - The Saboteur Trail
The Saboteur Trail follows parts of the route used by the world-famous Norwegian resistance fighters during World War II, on the night they set out to destroy the heavy water plant. The hike starts at Rjukan Fjellstue, about 11 km from the center of Rjukan.
Gaustatoppen
Gaustatoppen (1,883 m) rises majestically above Rjukan in Telemark and is often called Norway’s most beautiful mountain. From the summit, you can, on clear days, see almost one sixth of the country – a view few other Norwegian peaks can match. The mountain is both easily accessible and family-friendly, while also offering more challenging routes for experienced hikers..
UNESCO`s World Heritage
The Rjukan–Notodden Industrial Heritage is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This is where Norsk Hydro began its pioneering work, both in Norway and internationally, in developing the electrochemical industry that revolutionized global food production.
Heddal stavkirke
Step inside Norway’s largest stave church – said to be the most beautiful of them all. With its three towers as a striking landmark, this grand stave church is a national treasure showcasing incredible wooden craftsmanship. Heddal Stave Church has stood in the village of Heddal for centuries, dating back to the 1200s.
Hulfjell Familiy Park
Hulfjell Family Park is beautifully located by Lake Toke in Drangedal. The hosts live on the farm themselves and warmly welcome you to enjoy experiences with farm animals and fun activities. Since opening in 2016, Hulfjell has become a much-loved family attraction for the many guests who visit each year.
Gaustabanen
The Gausta Railway consists of two sections. First, a blue tram takes you 850 meters straight into the heart of the mountain. From there, you switch to a cable car with two carriages that pull each other up 1,050 meters – at an incline of 39 degrees. Just 15 minutes after entering the mountain, you can step out and enjoy the view of one sixth of mainland Norway on a clear day – from 1,800 meters above sea level.
Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg
Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg offers a modern museum building, a historic farmyard with more than 30 houses, and one of the world’s oldest wooden buildings – Stålekleivloftet from 1167. Not to mention Eidsborg Stave Church, which dates back to the 1100s. The museum is a wonderful starting point for exploring the rich cultural heritage of Vest-Telemark.