Visitors also come for recreation, bicycling and walking in the woods, or skiing in the winter.
Ringerike comprises the municipalities Hole and Ringerike. Ringerike's total area is 1,437.4 square kilometres. Holes total area is 134.8 square kilometres
Total population is approximately 34,000 inhabitants.
Climate
The temperature in the summer normally lies between 17 and 24 degrees Celsius. The winter climate is typical Nordic, with temperatures from -4 to -10 degrees Celsius.
History
Ringerike has been mentioned in Norwegian history since early times. Veien Cultural Heritage Park just north of Lake Tyrifjorden and Hønefoss, is one of the biggest burial grounds from the late Iron Age in Eastern Norway.
Ringerike also played an important part in the Viking period and you can still visit Halvdanshaugen where the Viking king Halvdan the Black is buried. The story also says that Saint Olav let a church be built here. Bønsnes Church is situated on a beautiful spot by Lake Tyrifjorden.
Industry
You find some of the most fertile grainlands in Norway in Ringerike and agriculture is important. Ringerike is famous for two agriculture products; the Ringerike Potato and Ringerike Pea.
Because of the woods in the area, timber has always been an important industry. The former Kistefos Wood Pulp Mill is today an industrial museum and the only intact Scandinavian wood pulp mill.
The town of Hønefoss
Hønefoss is the administrative centre and the the main town of Ringerike. It is a busy and charming town with approximately 15,000 inhabitants, situated less than an hour's drive from Oslo.
The town is located north of Lake Tyrifjorden, where the Begna River forms the waterfall of Hønefossen, giving the town its name.
The area is rich with history and has been a natural link on the route between Eastern and Western Norway from early times. Hønefoss has a wide range of cultural activities, especially during the summer months with several musical shows.
Attractions
Ringerike is a popular recreation area all year round and in addition to Hadeland Glassworks, there are several other attractions worth a visit.