RJUKAN

Pure adventure

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Gaustatoppen in Rjukan .
Photo: Studio Boro

Hiking to Gaustatoppen in Rjukan .
Photo: Studio Boro

Enjoy Southern Norway’s greatest view from Gaustatoppen, the highest peak in Telemark.

On a clear day, you can see one-sixth of Norway!

You can even spend the night there, and wake up to a spectacular sunrise.

Hiking to Gaustatoppen .
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com

The mountain will set your Instagram feed on fire from below too.

Lonely Planet calls it «Norway’s most beautiful mountain», and we're sure you can see why!

And yet, its best secret is hidden deep inside.

Mount Gaustatoppen near Rjukan in Telemark .
Photo: Ove Bergersen

How many mountains can you ascend James Bond-style, via a Cold War funicular built by NATO?

Gaustabanen funicular to Gaustatoppen in Rjukan .
Photo: Studio Boro

The Gaustabanen funicular, Gaustatoppen .
Photo: Studio Boro

For a real-life action story, head no further than Vemork, where a museum tells the story of one of the most daring sabotage missions during the Second World War.

A guided tour on The Saboteur’s trail brings the heroic tale even closer, albeit sweatier.

Vemork in Rjukan .
Photo: VisitRjukan / Nancy Bundt

It’s no coincidence that Lonely Planet describes Rjukan as “Southern Norway’s activity centre par excellence”.

True daredevils can challenge gravity in Norway’s toughest bungee jump.

Or ice climb up one of the 192 waterfalls that freeze in winter.

You have a lot to experience in Rjukan, which is also labelled as a sustainable destination.

Bungee jumping at Rjukan .
Photo: Bjørn Harry Schønhaug

Most of us, however, will enjoy Rjukan’s nature in much more peaceful ways.

Like petting the goats at Håvardsrud Seterliv.

Håvardsrud summer farm in Rjukan .
Photo: Elisabeth Haig Jacobsen

Make sure you taste the local specialty rjomegraut (sour cream porridge).

Or the world’s second-best cheese, also made in the area.

Rømmegrøt from Rjukan .
Photo: Nancy Bundt

The town itself lies in a valley so deep and steep that they have placed giant sun mirrors above the cliffs.

Controlled by a computer, they reflect sunlight to the market square during the winter.

Sun mirror at Rjukan .
Photo: Trond Stegarud

Luckily, the mountains are easily accessible and you can fly above the valley in the charming cable car Krossobanen.

Built in 1928, Krossobanen is a relic from Rjukan's industrial past, which has granted the city UNESCO World Heritage status …

…and doubles as both ski lift for ski tourers in winter, and bike lift in the summer season.

Krossobanen in Rjukan .
Photo: Ian Brodie / Visitrjukan.com

Once you’ve reached the top, you’re free to explore the vast high- mountain nature of Hardangervidda.

As Europe’s largest mountain plateau, it offers incredible opportunities for cycling…

Biking at the Hardangervidda mountain plateau .
Photo: Fotograf Jacobsen

…as well as hiking in a varied landscape of flat plains, steep mountainsides, and spectacular views.

Or you can sail deep into the mountains on the tourist boat “Fjellvåken”.

Hiking in Rjukan .
Photo: VisitRjukan / Nancy Bundt

Rjukan is full of adventures also in winter.

Just check out the backdrop to the slopes at Gausta Skisenter.

The ski resort Gausta skisenter in Rjukan .
Photo: Studio Boro

Or imagine yourself taking a cold dip from this floating sauna.

It’s actually really g-g-g-g-good ...

Floating sauna in Rjukan .
Photo: Gaustablikk høyfjellshotell

...and a great way to rejuvenate before a new day of picture-perfect adventures.

Hiking to Gaustatoppen in Rjukan .
Photo: Studio Boro

Because in Rjukan, they never stop.

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Hiking to Gaustatoppen in Rjukan .
Photo: Studio Boro

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