Top 10 Things to do in Nesbyen, 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.

Nesbyen is a great place for bicycling along quiet gravel roads and roads with little traffic. Some of the rides are somewhat challenging due to steep hills, while a few others are easy. Two of the bike routes are also marked for pole hiking. HALLINGDALSRUTA Nesbyen is part of Hallingdalsruta (The Hallingdal Route), a sign-posted bicycle route from Geilo to Nesbyen. Leave your car in Nesbyen, go to Geilo by train or bus and cycle back to Nesbyen in one day. This ride will suit most cyclists as you'll be gradually descending from Geilo at 650 masl. to Nesbyen at 168 masl. Read more about the Hallingdal Route. If you wish to rent a bicycle in Nesbyen, we recommend ordering in advance from Tretterud Sport. Marked bike trails in Nesbyen: 1. THE SaTEFJELL ROUTE Marked as black / Very difficult. The Satefjell Route is 40 km long and runs from Myking and over the mountain to Tunhovd. You'll be in the high mountains with great views and several fishing waters and swimming spots. You'll be cycling on mountain roads, off-road on trails and on roads with more traffic. The route runs on a narrow and rocky trail between Gronhovd and Hakatjon in Tunhovd. You'll have to carry your bike for 1-2 km, estimate some extra time on account of the brush. When you get to Hakatjon, follow the road to Tunhovd and back to Myking. This route is for enthusiasts who are ready for a challenge. Route facts, map, information and gpx coordinates. 2. KULUSETRUNDEN Bicycle and Pole hiking / Marked as green. Kulusetrunden is app. 5 km long and runs past Kulusetberget and Kuluset nature trail. The route is recommended for families and runs on gravel roads between old summer farm and through cabin areas. Take a little detour to Kulusetberget and see the panoramic view of Hallingskarvet and the Hemsedal mountains. There’s a board at the top showing the names of the mountain tops and the directions. We recommend starting at Nystolkroken Café. 3. THE SOLLI ROUTE The Solli Route is 10 km long. You'll be riding through a beautiful cultural landscape over Sollia. We recommend stopping at Nystolkroken Café of the café at the GolfAlpin golf course. The route is marked as red because of a very steep hill at Bogaset. Gradient red (green). 12 km. Cycling 1,5-2 hours city 2-3 hours. Terrain: forest, seats and cabin area Altitude: 720-975 Starting point: Nesbyen Golf Resort. Parking: P-space. Directions: Drive from Nesbyen against Nesbyen Alpine. Nesbyen Golf Resort is located just to the right of Alpin Center. Route facts, map, information and gpx coordinates. 4. THE NESBYEN ROUTE Marked as green. The Nesbyen Route is 15 km long. Start off in the town centre, where you can park at Coop Marked groceries. Cycle up to the museum and down Mollevegen and through Old Nes. Follow the road Alfarvegen towards Gol to Smedsgarden Hotell. Just after Smedsgarden, you’ll have to cross Rv. 7 three times to get to Tyribakkbrua Bridge. Cross the bridge and ride along the east side along the railroad tracks back to the town centre. 5. THE TRYTETJERN ROUTE Bicycle / Marked as red. The Trytetjern Route starts off in the town centre and continues through Todalen past the popular swimming water Trytetjern. you can extend the trip by making a detour to Liodden, where you can stop at Liodden Cultural Landscape Area. The Trytetjern Route is marked as red because of the hill at the start and finish, and if you take the detour to Liodden, you’ll be cycling along Rv. 7 for about 5 km. Route facts, map, information and gpx coordinates. 6. THE GARNaS ROUTE Bicycle / Marked as black. The Garnas Route is 57 km long. Follow the same route as The Trytetjern Route towards Gol. Cross the bridge at Svenkerud and continue towards Gol on the west side. Pass Gol railway station and the motor centre. Follow the roads upwards until you turn off to Ridalen at Torpo. Follow the road through Fladalen and through the crater. Go down the road Garnasveien to the highway and follow the route back to Nesbyen town centre. This route is marked as black and is suitable for those who want a proper exercise trip, possibly with a night in a tent in the mountains. Route facts, map, information and gpx coordinates.

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.