Top 10 Nature & Parks in Nesbyen Municipality, Eastern Norway

Good trail. From 170 m.a.s.l. In the dense forest in the hills north of Rukkedola River, not far from residences in Nesbyen, are some peculiar stone walls. They have been there a long time, but who put them there, and why? The conventional theory has been that they were trapping fences, forcing animals off the steep cliffs above the river. Now some say they might be the ruins of a town fortress. The theory is strengthened by the fact that there is a spring there, providing constant fresh water. Either way, this is still a special memory of the earliest inhabitants of Nesbyen. Route description: The hike starts at the parking lot by Hallingdal Museum. Cross the pedestrian bridge over Rukkedola and go steeply up to the left and onto the easily seen trail that climbs uphill. After app. 250 meters, a new trail goes downwards to the left. Follow this. After a while, the trail cuts steeply up through the hills going down towards the river. The town fortress sits on a flat shelf between two steep hills. If you go back the same way, you’ll get a hike of 1.5 km, but we definitely recommend you follow the old path further, and see how well-made it is, and how it follows the terrain. When you enter the road upwards to Bringenatten, follow it about 100 meters upwards before you turn right, onto one of the old trails that used to connect the old small farms in the area. The trail will bring you back towards Nes, just a little higher up on the hillside. The hike is 2.5km long as a round trip. Location: By Rukkedola Starting point: Parking lot, Hallingdal Museum Distance: 2.5 km as round trip GPS: 6714104 N, 504639 E

The houses at Langedrag are situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. They look like fairytale castles, 1000 metres above sea level with a breathtaking view over mountains and lakes. Eva and Edvin K. Thorson started building the farm in 1978. They wanted to realise their dream of a farm where visitors could experience nature and animals at a closer range than anywhere else. ‘In awe of life’ is the motto at Langedrag. In the Nature Park you can find animals like reindeer, mouflon sheep, mountain fox, horses, goats, wild boars and lynxes. Few other places in the world would let you enter the wolf enclosure, like you can at Langedrag. Every Thursday and Friday in summer you can accompany us on a trip to our summer farm in the mountains. At the farm we make crisp bread on traditional hot plates and tell the stories of the area and its people.

Natten Most think of this area as a paradise for downhill skiing, but there is also a selection of cross country tracks. The steepest hills can be avoided, just use the ski lift! Nesbyen Alpine Centre (760 - 1315 masl.) Tracks are generally prepared every day during Christmas, one week during the winter holiday and during Easter. Otherwise the tracks are prepared on Saturdays and on Sundays when needed (+ 5 cm fresh snow). The tracks are normally supposed to be done by 11:00. Plenty of parking at Nesbyen Alpine Centre, and Skistua café and restaurant is open every day. Nesbyen Alpine Centre is responsible for preparing the tracks. Tel. +47 32 06 74 00. Trip suggestion: Natten - The Children’s Trip - (app. 6km) The Natten area is also ideal for cross country skiing. If you have young children, ride the ski lift to the top and follow the tracks towards Trommenatten over Lake alsvatnet and down through Tverrlia to the golf course. This is an easy trip, suitable for children. This trip can easily be extended towards Bogaset and Nystolen. Starting point: Nesbyen Alpine Centre. For ski rental, see the alpine Centre. Slope preparation General agreement on the preparation each day as needed during Christmas, winter holiday week and Easter. Outside of holiday periods the slope is preparated every Saturday, and Sundays as needed (+ 5 cm fresh snow)

Gravel road and good trail. Approx. 400 m.a.s.l. The Trytetjern area is a popular leisure area in Nes. The area has both a shooting range and a great swimming spot. The high water temperatures in Trytetjern are well-known from the radio reports. Route: Drive Hedalsveien up the valley side from the east side of Nesbyen. Park on the large parking lot on the left of the road after app. 5 km. Walk the gravel road to the swimming spot and onwards on the trail around the water. Follow the car road the last part back. Locals often use the hills up from the town center for exercise. East side of the valley Starting point: Parking lot by bath lake Trytetjern Distance in km: 1,7 GPS: 6715349 North 508580 East (UTM zone 32)

Tarmac and gravel roads. Approx. 160 m.a.s.l. After the waterfalls by the museum, the Rukkedola River runs calmly through Nesbyen town center and into Hallingdalselva. There is a hiking path along one of the riverbanks. The hiking path crosses the river by the museum and near the market place just before the outlet. . Route: The starting point of the hike is Nesbyen town center. Follow Alfarvegen and cross Rukkedola. Pass Thoen Hotell and turn right, down Steinmogutu. After 300 meters, the hiking path takes off to the right. Follow this along the river and around the market place, before you walk through a residential area back to the starting point. The hike poster is placed by the pedestrian bridge where you cross the river. Location: Nesbyen town center Starting point: The parking lot by Kiwi Distance: 2,2 km as round trip Paths: Tarmac and gravel roads GPS: 6715245 North 505743 East (UTM zone 32) Hiking map can be bought at the tourist information, bookstore, and tourist businesses.

About 546 million years ago, a meteorite with a diameter of 300 meters struck Garnas in Nesbyen. Large forces formed a crater wit a diameter of 5 kilometers. The bedrock was ground up and rock flour was squeezed into the smallest cracks. The impact created the distinctive rock called Breksjestein. You can drive all the way to the centre of the crater, where the waiting guides will take you exploring. Exploring nature in this way is exciting for both adults and children. The Gardnos crater is one of the most easily accessible meteorite craters in the world, especially because the crater itself and the evidence of the impact are easy to find along the nature trail. A visit to Gardnos meteorite crater will give you a better understanding of the forces the area was exposed to. In the service building, there's an exhibition that details the events. The service building has a kiosk and bathrooms. Groups are welcome outside opening hours. Guiding with or without catering. Please contact us for an appointment. Directions: Drive Rv. 7 towards Gol and follow the signs from Garnas to the crater.

Excellent bathing places along the Rukkedola river are to be found near the Hallingdal Museum. Try to glide in the small waterfalls and bathe in the warm stream.

This is a small part of an old cattle road that went from Aurland in Sogn and crossed Hallingdal just below Sundre. The road then turned towards Nesningsfjella, Skalsrudstolen, Rukke and further up to Jordeslia, where there was a rest stop on one of the summer farms. ”Our” road starts just above Jordeslia and follows Driftevassbekken creek upwards. Just 200 m from the starting point, the historical society has built a small bridge over the creek. There's an info sign here. About 3 km further on, the road passes a giant pine tree. Jorgen Holm has named it Kvilningsfuro, The Rest Pine. An examination of the growth rings revealed that the tree is about 550 years old a living organism from medieval times. A visit to the pine is worth the hike in itself. There's an info board and 2 good benches by the tree. About 1 km further, you'll arrive at Kvilningsberget, The Rest Rock. There are benches here as well and a great view towards the Hemsedal mountains and Reineskarvet. You can also see Hallingskarvet in the distance, and several idyllic fishing waters. The cattle road (not cleared) continues into the mountains, passing Brynhildstjern, Hallingnatten and Reinsjoen on its way towards Norefjell. The old cattle road went all the way to Branes/Drammen and the Kongsberg area. Our part of the cattle road was cleared by Nes historical society between 2001 and 2003 and marked with marker sticks. There's a good info board at the starting point in Jordeslivegen. 4 info boards in all. Slight incline. Beautiful hiking terrain (900-1000 masl.) Some marshland at the top after app. 4 km. 5.3 km in total, 1 hour with normal walking speed.

High mountain, 930-1192 m.a.s.l. Park by the gravel deposit at the summer farm Buvassli seter, Follow the road about. 100 meters and get on the trail by the old shed. Follow the trail and keep to the left when it forks (some marshland) up Buvasslia 1 km. Keep going over some rocky flats overlooking the lake Rantetjern, before the incline to the outlet of the lake Svarleintjern. Follow the trail upwards until you can see the lake Reinsjoen, app. 1 km. In the late summer there is a good chance that you’ll encounter reindeer herds. Just sit down quietly and watch the animals. Follow the same route back. Alternative route back: follow the heights from the lake Svarleintjern to the outlet of the lake oyvatn, and keep going down the trail on the north side of the lake Sondre Rantetjern and down to the summer farm Gorbu seter. Follow the road and then the trail back to the summer farm Buvassli seter. Start point: Buvassli. Parking space at gravel deposit. Road decription: Drive rv. 7 from Nesbyen to Bromma, get on the road to Eggedal. After app. 7 km, get on the farm road towards Myte/Imle (toll bar). After the car parking at Myte, go left on the road in to Buvassli. Drive almost to the end of the road. Length in km: 6 x 2. App. time/normal pace: app. 3 hrs. Signs: none. Interesting stops: All the large and small lakes. Fishing license for Nes Sormark. Separate fishing license for Bortnes/oygarden Sameie in the Vesle Reinsjoen (Bromma YX Hydro Texaco). Boulder at bonfire area by Reinsjoen. Hiking maps can be bought at the tourist information, bookstore and at tourist businesses. GPS: 0503795o - 6697409N