From the Hardangervidda plateau, Telemark stretches through green valleys to an archipelago and the coast. At the same time, the region has Norway’s highest concentration of secular medieval buildings. Its landscape and architectural history therefore offer two distinct, yet equally striking, perspectives on a trip.
The Telemark Canal as a scenic route
The Telemark Canal runs from the coast through the hilly fruit-growing landscape of Midt-Telemark to the high mountains and Hardangervidda. A complete boat journey between Skien and Dalen takes about 10 to 11 hours. This is a longer part of a trip, so allow enough time; check the current timetable in advance.
The Canal Route also follows the Telemark Canal, but offers a different perspective: cyclists can pass through the locks by bicycle or cover part of the route by canal boat. This lets you experience a journey along the canal by bike or on the water, without having to combine both options into a fixed itinerary.
Stave churches and lock engineering
The Heddal Stave Church in Notodden is Norway’s largest stave church. Vrangfoss on the Telemark Canal offers a different insight into architectural history: its locks have five chambers and a lift height of 23 metres. Here, the focus is not on sacred architecture, but on the canal’s engineering.
The Vest-Telemark Museum in Eidsborg brings together exhibitions, the Eidsborg Stave Church and an open-air museum with more than 30 buildings as part of a single visit. The museum also includes StĂĄlekleivloftet at Uppistog Vindlaus, a secular wooden building with a distinctive and long history. In Morgedal, Norsk Skieventyr presents the history of skiing, from Sami ski culture and polar pioneers to modern winter sports.
The Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum in Vemork offers insights into Norway’s industrial and wartime history. The Sabotørstien trail leads from Rjukan Fjellstue towards Vemork and tells the story of Norwegian sabotage operations during the Second World War. The museum and trail explore the subject in different ways: through the museum’s displays and along a route that leads towards Vemork.
Hiking trails with different perspectives
On the LĂĄrdalstigen trail between Dalen and LĂĄrdal, large sections of the route run along a mountain ridge 800 metres above the Telemark Canal. The hike to Gaustatoppen starts at Stavsro and follows a wide, marked trail to an elevation of 1,883 metres; from the summit, panoramic views extend across one-sixth of Norway. The contrast highlights two different trail profiles: the LĂĄrdalstigen is defined by its position above the canal, while Gaustatoppen is all about the summit elevation and long-distance views.
Another structure in the landscape is the Sjøormtårnet tower on Bjørgeøyane in Seljord. It opened on 18 October 2011, is made of wood, stands 17 metres tall and has three viewing platforms.
Water park, climbing park and local food
Bø Sommarland is a water park in Bø with attractions 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 ages two and up. As equipment and course configurations may change, check the park’s latest information before your visit.
In the fruit-growing village of Gvarv, you can sample award-winning local cheese, enjoy Norwegian Eplemost and drink wine from the world’s northernmost vineyard. This culinary discovery adds another dimension to Telemark’s cultural and outdoor experiences.
Discover more destinations: Tinn, Nissedal, Porsgrunn, Nome, Tokke, Sauherad, Vinje, Kragerø, Bamble, Fyresdal, Bø, Skien, Kviteseid, Drangedal, Siljan, Kviteseid, Notodden, Hjartdal, Seljord, Drangedal.
For the main travel overview: Norway.
