Lifjell mountain plateau

The area covers large parts of 4 municipalities in Telemark (Bø, Hjartdal, Notodden og Seljord). The highland terrain is often referred to as a miniature of Jotunheimen, with it's many summits over 1000 meters above sea level.

The hiking trails vary in lenght and difficulty, and are equally suitable for experienced hikers as for families with children. Maps and route descriptions of the Lifjell area are available in Bø, and most of the hiking trails are well marked with signs.

The view from the summits is magnificent and on clear weather days you are able to see all the way towards the coast of Kragerø, Seljord and Kongsberg. You also see the whole Mid-Telemark region in an astonishing panorama view, with it's elongated orchards and beautiful cultural landscape.

The best periode for hiking at Lifjell is during summer and autumn, from May/June and towards the end of October. This can vary from one year to another, and depends mainly on how early/late the snow melts in the spring and how early/late the snow starts falling in the fall.

Getting to Lifjell

The best way to access Lifjell is with a car from Bø in Telemark. Bø is located in the Mid-Telemark region, only 2 hours away from Oslo. If you are traveling with a ferry from the European mainland it is located only 1,5 hours from Larvik and 1 hour from Langesund.

From Bø: Drive Folkestadveien towards Bø Sommarland waterpark/Notodden and make a left into Lifjellvegen. Continue past Bø Camping and the climbing park Høyt & Lavt. After about 10 minutes you will drive past Lifjell skicenter, where you will continue for a few hundred meters until you reach the larg parking area by Jønnbu. Here you can park your car for NOK 50,- per day. The hiking trails are clearly marked from the parking place and inwards the plateau. See map below.

From Notodden: Drive Reshjemvegen towards Bø for about 20 minutes and make a right into Lifjellvegen. From here you can follow the instructions above.

From Lifjell there are only 8 km to Bø Sommarland waterpark (www.sommarland.no) and Høyt & Lavt climbing- and activity park (www.hoytlavt.no/bo), and 12 km to downtown Bø. From Lifjell you can also reach the Telemark Canal (www.telemarkskanalen.no) and Norsjø in 20-25 minutes.

Acommodation

The cabin rental Lifjelltunet hyttepark (www.lifjelltunet.no) and Solstua Lodge and apartments (www.solstua.no) are located a few hundred meters away from the parking place at Jønnbu, with marked hiking trails just outside the door. You will find information on other accommodation possibilites in Bø and the Mid-Telemark region here: www.midt-telemark.com/en/accommodation

Fishing at Lifjell

At the Lifjell mountain plateau you will find numerous lakes that are perfect for trout fishing. You can buy a fishing permit at the sports store Brukås Sport in Bø (located at Bøgata 56), and on the Norwegian webpage www.inatur.no (search for Lifjell).

Maps and descriptions

Akademika bookstore is located at Bøgata 52, and offers a variety of hiking maps for sale. During the summer season the tourist information for Bø and Mid-Telemark is located at the bookstore. On Visit Bø's homepage, www.midt-telemark.com, you can also download a few maps and route descriptions for Lifjell and other parts of Bø and Mid-Telemark

- Lifjell on Facebook: Lifjell (only in Norwegian).

- Tips from travelers at Lifjell on Facebook: Visit Lifjell (only in Norwegian).

- Other hiking areas/routes in Bø and the Mid-Telemark region: www.midt-telemark.com/en/activities/hiking