From mountain peaks to the
sea
The
”Numedalsrute”, a 280 km cycle tour mostly following quiet side roads, takes
you from Geilo via Kongsberg to Larvik. From the Dagali Mountains to Larvik the
route descends 1000m and, for much of the stretch, follows the Numedalslågen
– Norway’s second longest river.
More
than anything else, Numedal is a symbol of the Middle Ages: in addition to four
stave churches, there are over 40 preserved buildings from this epoch. Here you
can admire sun-scorched and tar-worked timber houses in their original farm
settings - buildings guarding all sorts of secrets about life in those times.
The aura of magic, mystery and miracles surrounding the stave churches creates a
very special atmosphere.
Day
1: Geilo – Dagali Mountains (31 km)
Geilo
lies 800m above sea level and is a well-known tourist destination in Norway.
After arrival in Geilo by plane, train, bus or car, it’s wise to buy in some
food for the trip.
From Geilo to the Dagali Mountains, the cycle route follows a hilly terrain
along the quiet Highway 40. Three climbs of about 7% must be tackled before
you reach the mountains. On the way you can visit Skurdalen Handel which is
an authentic general store selling home-made bread and cakes. If you would prefer
an easier trip, you can take a bus or taxi part or all of the way.
Accommodation: Torsetlia
Fjellstue og Hyttegrend – a pleasant place in the high mountains.
Day 2:
Dagali Mountains – Rødberg(45 km)
From the Dagali Mountains 1000m above sea level, you set off for the
beautiful Smådøldal. In olden times a lot of iron was mined here, but today
the valley is primarily used for mountain pastures and recreation. Watch out
for sheep in the road!
Uvdal
Stave Church from the 1200s is highly decorated with unique “rose painting”
and wood carving. The original decorative painting is still visible on the walls
and ceiling. In the same area you will also find the Nore and Uvdal Bygdetun
(rural courtyard). Both places are open in the summer. Those preferring a shorter
trip can cycle directly from Smådøl to Rødberg.
The
municipal centre of Rødberg developed when the Nore Works were built in the
1920s. The power station, Nore 1, in Rødberg centre was Northern Europe’s largest
power station and supplied the entire East of Norway with electrical power.
From Rødberg, you follow Highway 40 towards Norefjord.
Accommodation:
Sevletunet – an idyllic farm
with protected buildings.
Day 3: Rødberg
– Rollag (44 km)
Along
Norefjorden the Numedalslågen flows at its widest. Nore Stave Church from the
1200s has religious rebuses
on the walls, which also feature carved dragons and lions. This church really
has to be seen!
The densely-populated village of Veggli is the starting point for rail-tricycle
trips on the old Numedal railway line. This 93km-long track goes from Kongsberg
to Rødberg. The railway is now closed for passenger traffic, but you can cycle
on a rail tricycle from Veggli to Rødberg.
At the thirteenth-century Rollag Stave Church lies the Rollag Bygdetun – a
charming courtyard surrounded by ten buildings which have been moved here
especially.
Accommodation: Søre Traaen Gård – an
unforgettable farm with protected buildings.
Day 4:
Rollag – Kongsberg (54 km)
Immediately
south of Rollag centre lies the Alfstad farm with the Alfstad Loft. The stabbur
(storehouse on pillars), which is from 1190, is considered to be Norway’s
second-eldest pagan building. Runic inscriptions have been found in the stabbur.
Flesberg
Church is originally a stave church from the end of the 1100s. Renovations have
transformed the church to a cross church, but the stave church still forms the
main nave. During the trip between Flesberg and Lampeland you are often very
close to the Numedalslågen. Maybe you’ll see a beaver or an elk!
Accommodation: Kongsberg Vandrerhjem
Bergmannen –
a modern youth hostel of high standard.
Day 5: Day of
Relaxation in Kongsberg
To
enjoy all the attractions that Kongsberg has to offer, you need a full day in
the town. The Kongsberg Silver Works were Norway’s decidedly largest mines.
The saga about the goatherds, Helga and Jacob, describes the first silver find
in 1623. You can still take the mining train into the Kongens Gruve (King’s
Mine) 8km west of the town centre.
Kongsberg has the distinctive character of an old mining town. The Norsk
Bergverksmuseum (Norwegian Mining Museum) gives us a glimpse of the day-to-day
life of the miners. The magnificent Kongsberg Church with its 2400 seats takes
the breath away from most visitors! The Vassdragsmusset (Watercourse Museum) at
Labro relates the story of hydroelectric power, lumbering and log floating on
the Numedalslågen.
Accommodation: Kongsberg Vandrerhjem Bergmannen
Day 6:
Kongsberg – Svarstad (55 km)
From
the Middle-Ages church at Hedenstad you have a good view over a beautiful
cultural landscape. On the way to Svarstad you cross the Numedalslågen several
times: Norway’s second longest river, its source is in the Hardangervidda.
The
general store at Passebekk has been rebuilt in true nostalgic style, and close
by is a fine resting place where you can bathe. Hvittingfoss and Svarstad offer
a number of services, while Brufoss is the salmon-fishing centre of the
Numedalslågen. The river is one of the best salmon rivers in the country, and
many old fishing methods are still in use.
Accommodation: Hotell Gavelstad – with personal service and a superb view.
Day 7:
Svarstad – Larvik (51 km)
Immediately
south of Svarstad is Kjærrafossen (a waterfall) where they still use the old
fishing methods using salmon pots. On the stretch down towards Larvik they also
fish from rafts, and outside the fishing season you can hire these rafts as
accommodation.
The
circular Damvann (lake) has sheer vertical 200m rock faces. ”Huldra” (wood
nymph) caters for groups here. In addition to Damvann itself, there are a number
of good bathing sites along the cycle route.
Larvik with its daily ferry connections with Denmark is a charming small town
with museums where you can get acquainted with the town’s history. The
world’s most northern beech forest is to be found here along with graves
dating from the emigration periods and Viking times.
Facts
Number
of days:
7 - 9
Total length:
280km
Season:
June - September
Terrain:
Mostly flat
Traffic:
Little
Road standard:
Asphalt and some short gravel stretches
Suitable for:
Adults
Signposted route:
During the course of summer 2001
Access:
By train, plane, bus or car to Geilo
Price: contact us
Six
nights accommodation in double room incl. bed linen and towels, breakfast and
packed lunch, cycle guide with map and route description of Numedalsruta. Dinner
at Torsetlia, Sevletunet and Veggli Vertshus.
Bicycle hire can be arranged. For overnight accommodation in Geilo/Larvik:
please enquire.
For
reservations, contact:
Kongsberg
Turistservice AS
Telephone: + 47 32 29 90 50
E-mail: post@visitkongsberg.no
Internet: www.visitkongsberg.no
