Explore Telemark

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Experience Telemark - One of Norway's most diverse districts

Top Things to Do in Telemark

  1. Mount Gausta in summer season.
    If you have a desire to hike to Gaustatoppen, the best place to start is Stavsro. The path is 4km one way, and suitable for both children and adults.
  2. The canal boat Henrik Ibsen navigating a narrow passage at the base of the Vrangfoss Locks.
    The Telemark Canal - one of the most beautiful waterways in the world. The Telemark Canal was carved into the rock over 100 years ago. When the canal was completed in 1892, it was called the "eighth wonder".
  3. Norways first treetop trail, Hamaren in Fyresdal.
    Hamaren is a walking trail by Lake Fyresvatn that is universally designed and suitable for pedestrians, cyclists, prams and wheelchairs.
  4. new in 2024: the slide HiwiHuhu
    Scandinavia's largest waterpark, Bø Sommarland, is one of Telemark's most visited attractions with more than 20 different pools and slides.
    1. lady in red walks towards Soria Moria sauna
      Soria Moria Sauna in Dalen, Telemark
    2. Northern Lights over Heddal Stave Church
      Visit the magnificent Heddal Stave church in Notodden - the largest wooden stave church in Norway.
      1. A portrait of the world-renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen from Skien in Telemark.
        Welcome to Henrik Ibsen’s childhood town Skien! Follow in the footsteps of one of the world's most famous playwrights and discover the places that inspired many of his works.
      2. The Sun by Edvard Munch, 1909
        Did you know that some of E. Munch's most famous works are painted in Kragerø? Take a walk in Munch's footsteps through the streets of Kragerø and visit the places where he found inspiration for his art. You´ll find plates with information and motives along the route.
      3. The Water Spirit by Theodor Kittelsen
        Welcome to Theodor Kittelsen’s childhood home.
        1. couples walk through Brekkeparken and past the new museum building
          The main building, Søndre Brekke Manison at Brekkeparken, is truly magnificent and has housed several historical families.
        2. the secret tunnel to Gaustabanen that goes into Gaustatoppen
          Gaustabanen is a funicular railway, inside Gaustatoppen. This is a very unique touristattraction. No similiar railway is to be found in North-Europe!
        3. A grand market with everything from local delicacies to fine craftsmanship from all over Norway!
          1. 12 Sep 202514 Sep 2025
        4. wilderness spa at Canvas Hotel with outdoor bathtub
          At Canvas Telemark you can experience wilderness glamping in luxurious yurt tents, incredible nature, mountain biking, camp life and fantastic food.
          1. 1 May 202513 Oct 2025
        5. drone image of Jomfruland
          Jomfruland National Park was established on 16 December 2016 and covers an area of 117 km2(45 sq mi), including the islands of Jomfruland and Stråholmen. About 98% in the park area is sea.
        6. people at the Gausta ski center with a view towards the Gaustatoppen
          Compare the ski resorts - Norway's largest ski destination offers everything from child-friendly slopes to steep challenges. If you buy a ski pass at one of these resorts, you'll have access to a booming 6 ski resorts!
        7. Family at Norsk Skieventyr in Morgedal
          Jazz lovers flock to New Orleans, Elvis fans congregate in Memphis, ski enthusiasts travel to the little mountain valley of Morgedal.
          1. 1 May 202515 Sep 2025
        8. sea ??serpent tower
          The tale of the serpent in the seljord Lake have been told since 1750 and have been passed down in spoken form, being only partly written down. You can look for the serpent from the sea ​​serpent tower on Bjørgeøyan.
        9. Dog sledding adventure with Telemark Husky in Rauland.
          Come and join Telemark Husky Tour on a dog sledding tour either summer or winter. Tours are offered from 1 to 6 hours in the beautiful nature of Rauland.
        10. drone image of the Norwegian industrial worker museum Vemork in Rjukan in autumn
          At the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum at Vemork you can see the unique exhibition about WWII as well as the industrialization of Rjukan.
        11. Exhibition at the World Heritage Center
          The Telemark Art Museum and World Heritage Center show art and industrial history in a beautiful industrial hall from the early nineteenth century.
        12. To experience the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Western Telemark, the museum in Eidsborg is an excellent place to start.
          1. 1 May 202515 Sep 2025

        Where to stay in Telemark

        1. Notodden RV-camp, a popular RV-camp in Telemark.
          Telemark is known for their child and family friendly campings. Whether it be tent, cabin or camper - our campings will make sure to make your stay memorable!
        2. Dalen Hotel in the evening
          Dalen Hotel is a fairytale hotel from 1894, in a sumptuous, romantic style and one of Norway's oldest wooden hotels, located only 400 m from the Telemark Canal.
          1. 15 Feb 202514 Dec 2025
        3. view from Nutheim guest house
          Nutheim Gjestgiveri is a small family-run wooden hotel in Telemark. The hotel has been in the family since 1917 and is still operational as of this day.
        4. couple walks along the pier at Quality Hotel Skjærgården
          Quality Hotel Skjærgården is a family-friendly hotel with its own tropical water park, located at the outer edge of Langesund's beautiful archipelago.
          1. Guests in the fireplace lounge at Rjukan Admini.
            Rjukan Admini er et lite og eksklusivt hotell med 18 rom som ligger tilbaketrukket i en vakker engelskinspirert park med gangavstand til Rjukan sentrum.
          2. blue lounge at Straand Hotel
            Straand Hotel  - in the middle of the beautiful Telemark region in south-eastern Norway. A full service hotel well known for its many activities and good food.
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            2. 1 Jan 000131 Dec 9999
          3. view from room Tuddal
            Welcome to Tuddal Høyfjellshotell at the sunny side of Mount Gausta. A place where you can enjoy tranquility, superb service and exquisite meals.
          4. Comfort Hotel in Porsgrunn
            Comfort Hotel Porsgrunn is a new and urban hotel. The hotel is centrally located by the train- and bus stations. Short walk to cafes, restaurants and shopping.
          5. Mount Gausta in Telemark in the winter
            Gaustablikk Mountain Lodge is situated in beautiful surroundings at Gausta, by the foot of Gaustatoppen. An ideal hotel for nature lovers.
          6. Thon Hotel Høyers in the center of Skien
            The newly renovated Thon Hotel Høyers is centrally located in Skien and is a distinctive historical hotel with a pleasant atmosphere and identity.
            1. 4 Jan 202531 Dec 2025
          7. Brattrein Hotel is an intimate hotel just outside the center of Notodden, surrounded by its own park and offers facilities for meetings and events.
          8. Seljord Hotel with a nice outdoor area
            Seljord Hotel is a venerable wooden hotel built in Swiss style with a history as far back as 1857.
            1. Morgedal Hotel & Norsk Skieventyr
              Morgedal Hotel is an family friendly hotel located in Morgedal, the cradle of modern skiing and the first hotel in Norway to be heated with bio-energy.
            2. the treetop cabins at Å camp in winter
              Å camp is located on the banks of Tessungåe, and borders the great mountain plateau of North Europe, Hardangervidda. The camp is based on the simple joys of nature.
            3. Accommodation at Bolkesjø Gaard in Notodden
              Bolkesjø Gaard is a family-run farm surrounded by forests and lakes, with beautiful hiking trails and good opportunities for fishing and swimming.
            4. The micro cabins are small cabins in the forest, with nature as the nearest neighbour. All the cabins are unique in both location, shape, theme and interior.
            5. couple standing in a glass igloo at Lårdal tretophytter
              Welcome to Lårdal treetop cabins in Telemark. Here you can lay yourself down to the starry sky and swaying treetops and wake up to birdsong and wildlife.
            6. view from the cabin at Spegle's
              Spegle Hyllandsfoss in Telemark offers a unique overnight experience with hotel standard in the middle of nature at Hyllandsfossen (waterfall).
            7. cottage from Vidsyn Midjås in Dalen
              Vidsyn Midjås, an enchanting accommodation in modern glass cabins on a mountain farm in Midjås, Dalen, Telemark.
            8. Accommodation in a unique and luxurious Birdbox at the shore of lake Åmlivatn near Dalen in Telemark.

            Local food and drink in Telemark

            1. food at Bjaaland Bygderestaurant
              Bjaaland Bygderestaurant is located in Morgedal. The owners focus is on local and organic food, and all dishes are home made.
            2. restaurant at Dalen Hotel
              At Restaurant Bandak, hospitality and food experiences are the focus. The menu is French-inspired with use of local and Norwegian ingredients.
            3. Food consept at Gaustablikk fjellresort
              A la carte restaurant at Gaustablikk Fjellresort with a view of Norway's most beautiful mountain, Mount Gausta (Gaustatoppen).
            4. dish served at Nutheim Gjestgiveri
              Welcome to a special experience at Nutheim.
            5. chefs at restaurant Jacob & Gabriel put food on the plate
              Jacob & Gabriel Restaurant in Skien is a folk-gourmet restaurant with fresh local food and classic dishes.
              1. 18 Jan 202531 Dec 2025
            6. Waitress at restaurant at Tuddal Høyfjellshotell
              Here you can enjoy a meal consisting of the best short-traveled ingredients Telemark has to offer, presented in an exquisite way.
            7. mother and child sitting in restaurant at Straand Hotel
              The hotel restaurant is open every day. Here you will be served today's dinner, sandwiches, small dishes, there is a coffee menu and small dishes.
            8. family of 6 walks along blossoming apple trees at Lien Gård
              Here at Lien Gård, idyllically located at Lake Norsjø, cider, lemonade, jam and honey are produced, which you can buy in the farms own shop.
            9. Elderly couple standing in front of fruit trees with fruit basket in hands
              The Fruitvillage at Gvarv is Norways´s capital of appleproduction. Experience the aroma of fruit and brewery products. Bakery, farmshops and accomodation.
            10. Lindheim Ølkompani in the fruitvillage, in Midt-Telemark.
              Discover the idyllic Lindheim farm, featuring its own garden restaurant, brewery, and farm shop. Lindheim Ølkompani has won several international awards for its products. Welcome!
            11. Apple juice from NeRø Farm.
              Visit NeRø Frukt and Sider at the farm lower Røste. Explore organic fruit production, world-class sides, and unparalleled views in the fruit village.