Skip to main content
Four people hiking to Mount Gaustatoppen in Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway
A snowclad Mount Gaustatoppen reflected in a lake. Telemark, Norway
The historical Vemork outside of Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway
A woman bungee jumping off a bridge in Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway

RJUKAN

Pure adventure

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Top things to do

Don't miss these highlights.

A family petting farm animals at Håvardsrud summer farm in Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway
Two women eating traditional porridge made with sour cream in Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway

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

Like petting the goats at Håvardsrud Seterliv.

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

Or the delicious cheese produced in this region.

Food and drink

Taste delicious local food and book a table at a fine restaurant.

Where to stay

Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.

Sun reflection from the sun mirror at Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway
A couple is biking at the Hardangervidda mountain plateau in Eastern Norway
A family of four hiking in Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway

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.

Rjukan lies deep in the valley, but head up above the town and the landscape changes completely. Here you're free to explore the vast high-mountain nature of Hardangervidda.

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

…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”.

Popular activities

Check out some of the best hikes and cycle routes in Rjukan.

A person walking into the floating sauna during winter in Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway

Rjukan is full of adventures also in winter.

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

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

It’s actually really g-g-g-g-good …

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

Because in Rjukan, they never stop.

Rjukan has achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is completely sustainable, it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive ripple effects.

Getting here and around

Experience it for yourself

There are many beautiful hikes in Rjukan and the Solstien trail is one of them.

Hiking along Solstien in Rjukan

Take advantage of top offers

See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.