The
Numedal cycleroute covers a
distance
of 280 km following a varied landscape from the high mountains of Geilo and
Dagalifjellet through rural surroundings in Numedal to the seaside town of Larvik.
The contrasts are big, beautiful and exciting! From Dagalifjellet, at the highest
point of the route, to Larvik, there is a difference in altitude of 1000 meters.The route is signposted between Brufoss and Larvik (57 km). The remaining distance will be signposted during the summer of 2001. The season stretches from May until September.
FROM GEILO TO DAGALIFJELLET (30 km) the route is undulating. From Geilo (800 m above sea level) the route makes its way through the long valley of Skurdalen, further on to Dagali, and finally climbing to Dagalifjellet (1000 m above sea level). Here you will make good use of both gears and calf muscles. In return you will be rewarded with a magnificent view - and downhill roads!
FROM DAGALIFJELLET TO RØDBERG (43 km) the route goes through Smådøldalen, a beautiful and very much alive valley with mountain dairy farming at several places. Sheep can be seen everywhere! The original route now takes you to Kirkebygda in Uvdal, but you may also choose to cycle directly to Rødberg through Vikangrend. In Uvdal you will find the elaborately decorated Uvdal stave church from the 12th century, whilst located nearby is the Nore og Uvdal Folk Village Museum.
FROM
RØDBERG TO KONGSBERG (100 km) the route goes mainly along the bottom of the
valley through Numedal, following major stretches of the Numedalslågen. In Norefjorden
the river spreads out and slowly runs southwards. Further down in the valley
the river slightly narrows. In Numedal four of Norway’s 28 beautiful stave churches
are located, fascinating most people with their tarred and weatherbeaten walls.
Many small hamlets with log houses, storehouses and outhouses characterize the
picturesque surroundings, and the valley is well-known for its medieval buildings
(prior to 1537).THE TOWN OF KONGSBERG was for 2-300 years Norway’s largest mining community, as the largest silver mines of the Nordic countries were situated here. The Norwegian Mining Museum is located in old mining buildings in the centre of Kongsberg, while the silver mines of Saggrenda lies southeast of the town. Centrally located is also Kongsberg church, one of Norway’s largest churches, taking 2400 visitors at the most. On the outskirts of the town lies “Vassdragsmuseet Labro”, an art and cultural-historical museum telling the story of development of water power, wood-processing industry and timber rafting.
FROM KONGSBERG TO LARVIK (107 km) you cycle through a beautiful agricultural landscape. On this stretch you pass a farm yard shop where you can buy hand-made articles or have something to eat. You pass the waterfall of Kjærrafossen, where old salmon fishing methods are still in use. In Damvann, a circular lake surrounded by steep rock walls, you can go for a nice swim. Maybe the wood nymph appears?
THE
LARVIK REGION has a beautiful and attractive coastline. In the summer you will
find teeming crowds of people in the towns of Larvik and Stavern. The museums
in the centre of Larvik comprise three buildings; the Manor, Fritzøe Museum
and Larvik Maritime Museum. The beech forest of Larvik is the world’s northernmost,
and Norway’s largest public beech forest. Being a popular resort for day-trippers,
the forest is Larvik’s pride and joy. From the beech forest, rain and melt water
are filtered into underground channels, and after 15-20 years the water becomes
the Farris spring water.Read more about the Numedal cycleroute at:
http://www.bike-norway.com/eng_Rute.asp?ID=6&KID=64
We sell trips along the Numedal Cycle Route. See for more information here.