Summer and winter:
Gaustabanen: Amazing but true - inside Gaustatoppen is a cable railway. An experience in itself but also the fastest way to the top. It was built inside Mount Gausta in 1958. The Gausta Line consists of a battery-powered carriage on rails which transports passengers approx. 860 metres horizontally into the mountain. At this point there is an intermediate transfer station from which a shuttle line runs upwards at an angle for 1040 metres to a height of 1800 metres above sea level. At the top there is an exit which leads passengers out on to the so-called Tuddalstippen, just below the Mount Gausta Tourist Chalet. The trip to the top takes about 15 min. for 10 passengers per trip.
Krossobanen. The Cable Car was the first cable car to be built in northern Europe in 1928. The cable car was a gift from Norsk Hydro to the townspeople so that they could get up high enough to see the sun during the winter. The lower station has a large car park, from which the two cable cars, "Tyttebær" (Cranberry) and "Blåbær" (Blueberry) carry passengers up to an altitude of 886 metres. The view over Rjukan from the top is fantastic, with the mountains rolling away to the south and west and Vemork nestling in the valley where the dramatic heavy water sabotage operations took place during the War. Thousands of people take the cable car to the upper station in order to access the Hardangervidda mountain plateau and cycle to Kalhovd Tourist Cabin. Open all year round.
Norwegian Industrial Worker’s Museum: The Rjukan Waterfall provided the basis for building the world's largest power station of the time at Vemork in 1911. The power station is now a museum where you can learn about the fantastic adventure of its founding and see exhibitions on industrial development in Norway and especially in Rjukan. The museum is perhaps best known for its presentation of Rjukan's exciting war history. Vemork was at the centre of one of the most important acts of sabotage committed during the Second World War, when Norwegian saboteurs prevented the Germans from developing a nuclear bomb from the heavy water produced there. The exhibition "Atomkappløpet" (the nuclear race) gives an exciting and extremely informative presentation of the four heavy water sabotage operations and Allied efforts to build a nuclear bomb. You can watch a documentary called "If Hitler had had the bomb" in the cinema, which is about the acts of sabotage committed during the mission to destroy the heavy water plant. Norwegian technology and engineering, and not least the hard work of the navvies and the factory workers, made Rjukan famous as an industrial centre. Gallery, café and museum shop.
Rjukanbadet (Swimming Pool): Rjukanbadet a centre for enjoyment and well-being. Rjukanbadet consists of 5 sections: The family section, the young people's section, the sports section, the outside section and the well-being section.
Skibus: The skibus has 5 daily departures between Gaustablikk Skicenter and Rjukan Town, from Christmas to Easter.
www.fjellbussen.no
Gaustablikk Ski Center: Gaustablikk ski resort has been one of the first with the snow in Norway and it is a favourite training ground for some of the best skiers in the world. But Gaustablikk is not just for the élite. There are runs here for all the family, all ages and all levels of experience. Gaustablikk Ski centre offers 12 lifts (two chair lifts) and more than 30 km of alpine slopes in a large variety. A large cafeteria, after ski, ski rental with ski service, ski school and a shop is also available where you can by sporting goods and groceries. Several of the slopes are open for evening skiing. For more information on the area and activities: www.gaustatoppen.no
Cross country skiing: As a complete skiing resort we offer excellent cross country tracks. There is approximately 100 km at your disposal. Starting at 2 km, perfect for the first time skier, to 23 km for the more experienced and adventure seeking skier.It is easy to find your way around the cross country tracks and they all start just in front of the huts. Some of the tracks are also groomed for skate skiing. Also available 3 km of light track.
Follow the grooming machine with live GPS tracking: www.tractrac.com/ski/gaustablikk
Ski hire for both alpine skiing and cross country skiing only a short walking distance from the cabins:
Alpine equipment: Gaustablikk Skicenter www.gaustablikk.no/no/sider/skiutleie.html
Cross country equipment, touring skis and Telemark ski: Kvitåvatn Fjellstoge ski hire www.kvitaavatn.no/vinter/skiudleje.html
Ice climbing
Rjukan is reckoned to be the best venue in northern Europe for ice climbing. More than 170 frozen waterfalls and a particularly long and stable winter season make conditions attractive to climbers from around the world.
Telemark Opplevelser specialises in ice-climbing courses and guided ice climbing. Those responsible for running the courses are Norwegian Climbing Federation Grade II instructors, other are Grade I instructors and all are very experienced climbers. They also offer guided skiing trips and other types of outdoor activities for both beginners and the more experienced.
Rjukan Adventure offer one day courses for beginners and courses for more experienced climbers.
This is just a small taster of what is possible in the Rjukan/Gaustatoppen area during the winter. For further information www.visitrjukan.com
If you have a football, volleyball or a basketball you can use the goals and nets at the carpark of the skicenter.
Canoes and boats
There are many places where you can hire a canoe for trips on idyllic lakes. You can hire canoes and pedal boats in the area at various places offering overnight accommodation. Contact Sandviken Camping for trips in rowing boats and canoes on Lake Tinnsjø, or the Tourist Information Office for more information.
Minigolf at Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell.
Bicycle hire: Rjukan Adventure can deliver and collect bicycles if you like to rent a mountain bike. www.rjukanadventure.no
Fishing: Tinn municipality has around 800 lakes containing trout and char. You can fish in many of the lakes if you have a fishing permit. A separate brochure is available at the Tourist Information Office showing where fishing is permitted. Leisure fishing is fun for everyone and most lakes are easily accessible. The minimum price for a day permit is NOK 30. Children under 16 can fish for free!
Rail tricycle:
Make a trip along the Rjukan Railway. You can hire a rail tricycle (dresin) at Mæl for trips through beautiful scenery. This is an activity well suited for families.
Footpath's: Marked trails in the area: Skipsfjell round, path to Ørnenipa and Toreskjyrka.
Gaustatoppen towers magnificently over Rjukan at an altitude of 1883 metres. Around 30000 people a year make the trip up to the top of the mountain to enjoy the fantastic view that unfurls one sixth of Norway before you. You can buy a cup of coffee, waffles and light refreshments at the Norwegian Mountain Touring Association’s stone cabin at the top during the summer. The best place to start off from is at Stavsro, 1173 meters above sea level, where there is a large car park with a kiosk, toilet and café. The path is well marked with red Ts. Most people take about two hours to make it to the top and a little less on the way down. Season is from the end of June until the first snowfall in October.
Nature- and culture path: There is also a gravel path by the lake where you can find information about the local history and nature.
Please see PDF files for footpath skipsfjell round, Rjukan round, Gvepsborg and Lure culture area at the bottom of this page.
Norway's toughest bungee jump: Jon Haukåssveen of Telemark Opplevelser organises Norway's highest permanent bungee jump from the suspension bridge at Vemork. Participants throw themselves off into an 84-metre deep gorge from the bridge. Skilled jumpers describe the experience as very special and very tough because it is like jumping into a funnel. www.telemark-opplevelser.no
Hunting: In Tinn municipality, you may shoot small game, reindeer and elk. Remember to apply for a permit and be aware of the deadlines for applying. You can find out more about where to buy a hunting licence at Veidemannen Jakt, Fiske og Friluftsliv (+47 35 09 22 90).
Rjukan Waterfall:
In 1810, geology professor Jens Esmark "discovered" the Rjukan Waterfall, and sent a report to the King in Copenhagen about the "world's highest waterfall". This was a slight exaggeration. The Rjukan Waterfall is no more than 104m high, but it led to increased tourism in Rjukan. The mountaineer and heavy water saboteur Claus Helberg claimed that Rjukan was the cradle of modern tourism in Norway. Great artists such as I. C. Dahl and Johannes Flintoe were the first to arrive, painting the two giants of nature, Gaustatoppen and the Rjukan Waterfall. They were followed by the upper classes from the European cities who came to "inspect this beautiful scenery". There are many descriptions to be found of first encounters with the Rjukan waterfall. The lawyer Bernhard Dunker, totally entranced, wrote the following: "After passing Skovbekken and reaching the cliff face close by, it seemed to me that I should see the waterfall. Finally and unexpectedly the path led out of the forest and on to a terrace on the mountainside, and there was the waterfall in all its glory. As if by magic, I was standing face to face with this great waterfall and natural phenomenon, the power and beauty of which surpassed even the most spectacular dream. Neither words, brush nor colour can do justice to the Rjukan waterfall and its surroundings. But for him who is granted the privilege of standing on the terrace just opposite the Rjukan Waterfall and hearing its thunderous roar and observing the clouds of mist rising towards the sky, a picture of nature's majesty and power forms in his soul which will remain with him throughout his life." The Rjukan Waterfall is unfortunately much less impressive than it used to be as most of the water has now been diverted into pipes running to the Vemork power station, but if you are lucky, the waterfall will be flowing when you visit Rjukan.
Kvitåvatn Fjellhytter is an excellent starting point when exploring the attractions and activities in the area, and Telemark. Please visit www.visitRjukan.com to find out more.
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