Telemark: Canal, Cultural Heritage and Hiking Trails
Accommodation in Telemark
Telemark stretches from the Hardanger Plateau through green valleys to an island archipelago and the coast. The Telemark Canal runs from the coast through the hilly fruit-growing landscape of Midt-Telemark to the high mountains and the Hardangervidda. Regional highlights include historic buildings and museums, canal engineering, hiking trails and family attractions. If you’re looking for accommodation, first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. Then check whether a particular accommodation’s location suits the places you plan to visit.
Telemark Canal: Scenery and Locks
A full boat journey on the Telemark Canal between Skien and Dalen takes about 10 to 11 hours. So set aside a dedicated, extended block of time for the entire journey. The Vrangfoss locks show the canal’s engineering scale in concrete terms: the facility has five lock chambers and a lift height of 23 metres.
Another way to explore the canal is the Canal Route, which follows the waterway. Cyclists can pass through the locks by bike or cover part of the route by canal boat. This offers two distinct ways to experience the canal landscape: a full boat journey and a cycling route that includes a canal boat section.
Cultural Heritage and Buildings
Telemark has Norway’s largest concentration of secular medieval buildings. The Heddal Stave Church in Notodden is Norway’s largest stave church. At the Vest-Telemark Museum in Eidsborg, visitors can see exhibitions, the Eidsborg Stave Church and an open-air museum with more than 30 buildings. The Stålekleivloftet at Uppistog Vindlaus is a secular wooden building with a long history.
Telemark also has places of interest connected with more recent history and technology. The Sjøormtårnet tower on Bjørgeøyane in Seljord opened on 18 October 2011. Built of wood, it stands 17 metres tall and has three viewing platforms. At Vemork, visitors can explore Norwegian industrial and wartime history at the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum. The Saboteur Trail runs from Rjukan Fjellstue towards Vemork and tells the story of Norwegian sabotage operations during the Second World War.
Hiking Trails from the Canal to the Summit
The LĂĄrdalstigen runs between Dalen and LĂĄrdal. Large sections of the trail lie on a mountain ridge 800 metres above the Telemark Canal. On the hike to Gaustatoppen, the route from Stavsro climbs to an elevation of 1,883 metres along a wide, waymarked trail; at the top, there are panoramic views across one sixth of Norway. The two descriptions highlight different aspects: the LĂĄrdalstigen is defined by its position high above the canal, while Gaustatoppen offers a waymarked ascent and far-reaching views.
The Hardangervidda National Park Centre is an officially authorised visitor centre offering information and nature tours year-round. It complements the hiking trails with an opportunity to learn about the region’s natural environment. When making your choice, consider whether you’d prefer to plan your stay around a particular hike, the canal or a visit that includes information about nature.
Museums and Family Attractions
In Morgedal, Norsk Skieventyr presents the history of skiing, from Sami ski culture and polar pioneers to modern winter sports. Norsk Skieventyr brings skiing and regional history together.
Bø Sommarland is a water park in Bø with experiences for the whole family, and is considered Scandinavia’s largest water park. The Høyt-&-Lavt climbing park in Bø has 70 climbing elements, 18 zip lines and courses for children aged two and up. The number of elements and zip lines, as well as the course configuration, may change over time. The age guidance can help you compare activities for children of different ages.
Local Tastes in Gvarv
In the fruit-growing village of Gvarv, visitors can sample award-winning local cheese, enjoy Norwegian apple juice and drink wine from the world’s northernmost vineyard. These three tastings give the place its own culinary focus.
Discover more destinations: Tinn, Vinje, Fyresdal, Bø Region in Telemark, Kviteseid.
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