Bikepacker - Notodden and Bø

About

2-day tour in the Notodden and Bø area. Varied terrain with forest areas and mountains. Choice of places to stay: hotels, campsites, wild camping. The natural starting point is at Bø rail station or the public transport hub in Notodden. The road surface is mainly asphalt, but the last section of the route is gravel. The steepest climb is from Yli up to Resjem, with a gradient of approx. 7%.

There are several things to see along the route.  If you choose to start the tour from Notodden, the route takes you along the “power chain” of the Svelgfoss, Grønvollfoss and Årlifoss dams and power plants.

The Tinnoset Line from Gransherad to Notodden is part of the railway system from the industrial sites at Rjukan. This area is best known to many people for the WW2 sabotage campaign, when a railway ferry carrying a cargo of heavy water was sunk on Lake Tinn.

If you take a diversion onto the E134, you can admire the old telegraph line with its wooden poles and porcelain insulators that extends along the road as it meanders through the landscape of farmland and forests. Note the many traditional buildings along the road. When you’re almost back in Notodden, the climb to Resjemheia starts at Yli on the edge of the Lifjell area. High peaks and refreshing rivers are just a short distance away for those wanting to make a detour. This is also a good place to pitch a tent if you want to split your journey over two days.

The route then heads for Bø, past Bø Sommarland water park and all the activities it offers. 

From Bø, the route continues towards Akkerhaugen. Stop off at Evju Bygdetun local museum along the way.  This district is home to the richly coloured woven ribbons associated with the skirts worn as part of traditional costumes.

From Akkerhaugen, the tour heads uphill again to Resjem. Enjoy the view towards Norsjø, the lake into which flow most of the rivers in the Telemark watercourse. Once over the summit, set your sights for Lake Heddalsvannet and the descent to Notodden.  Take care here when cycling across the airfield.

If time allows, you can make a detour to Heddal Stave Church, the largest of the fantastic stave churches of which we are so proud! Back in the industrial and blues town of Notodden, the Blues House is worth a look and makes a good backdrop for a selfie at the end of the tour.