Location: Rjukan
Top Things to do in Rjukan
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What to do and see in Rjukan, Norway: The Best Places and Tips
Rjukan (Norwegian: [ˈrjʉːkɑn]) is a town and the administrative centre of Tinn municipality in Telemark, Norway. It is situated in Vestfjorddalen, between Møsvatn and Lake Tinn, and got its name after Rjukan Falls west of the town. The Tinn municipality council granted township status for Rjukan in 1996. The town has 3,386 inhabitants (Jan. 2007).
Restaurants in Rjukan
1. Gaustatoppen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 213 reviews
Gaustatoppen, which many claim to be the most beautiful mountain in Norway, towers majestically above the town of Rjukan at an altitude of 1,883 metres. Around 30,000 people make the trip up to the summit every year to enjoy the fantastic views from the top. On a clear day, you can see all the way south to the coast and east to Sweden. You can see one sixth of Norway from here. No matter what the weather is like, you can still buy a cup of coffee, waffles and food at the Tourist Association's 100-year-old stone cabin on the summit. You can pick your own stone from the piles around the summit and get it stamped to prove that you climbed the mountain. A new alpine slope down Gaustatoppen is planned, but this is no new idea. Had it not been for the Second World War, the alpine disciplines at the 1940 World Championships would have been arranged here.
Reviewed By Elena K - Indian Rocks Beach, Florida
Make sure you use comfortable hiking shoes or boots with plenty of ankle support there are stretches where you will be hiking over stones and boulders- my hiking boots did not have adequate cushioning and I could feel the boulders! Coffee and waffles at the top are well-deserved after the 1 1/2 - 2 hour uphill hike.
2. Gaustabanen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Gaustabanen, the cable car inside Gaustatoppen mountain has been a well-kept secret. Gaustabanen consists of a battery driven car on a cable that carries passengers approximately 860 metres horizontally up inside the mountain. Right in the centre of the mountain there is a station, with an angled shuttle line of 1040 metres that rises to 1800 metres above sea level. From the top, there is an exit to the so-called Tuddalstippen, situated right under the Gaustatoppen Tourist Cabin.
Reviewed By Morten G
If you want to enjoy the view from Gaustablikk top, but if you have small children or have difficulty walking then this is a great opportunity. Or that you just want to experience the "journey" through the mountain so this can only be highly recommended. We were there this time with four children aged 2, 3, 7 and 9 years without any problems. At the top you can enjoy the view over a 1/6 of Norway. If you do not bring a snack as it is possible to buy a little easy as coffee, cocoa and my children's favorite vaffeler with jam.
3. Skyhook Adventure (Rjukan)
Overall Ratings
5 based on 48 reviews
Beginners ice climbing courses for those with no climbing experience so far, as well as Multipitch ice climbing courses for experienced rock climbers.
Reviewed By ryanwarwick - Southampton, United Kingdom
After having a fantastic time on the beginner ice climbing course, I returned a week later for the multi pitch course. Another incredible experience! This course is really designed to improve climbing technique and teach new skills and is very well structured to achieve this. We covered everything from building ice anchors, and placing screws to dealing with weather forecasts and analysing avalanche risk. Many thanks to all the instructors involved, in particular Ryan and Tim who spent some very long days with us.
4. Hardangervidda Nasjonalparksenter
Overall Ratings
5 based on 125 reviews
Visitors Centre Hardangervidda National Park.Large awardwinning interactive exhibition about wild reindeer, cinema, cafe and guided tours.
Reviewed By MayB S
See Hardangervidda in a new perspective It is a surprisingly good exhibition. Very skillful and helpful staff. The center is well worth a visit.Thank you for the visit and taking the time to write us such a nice review! Welcome back.
5. Krossobanen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
The Ryesvei is an exciting zig-zag path located in the terrain below the Krossobanen Cableway. This outstanding track is open for sledgeriding. The distance from the upper station Gvepseborg down to Krosso is 3851 meters, the difference in altitude approx. 500 meters and it winds down through a total of 21 curves. This makes it the longest sledge-hill (with lift) in Norway. For more information see www.krossobanen.no
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
Our family went on this cable car to the top of a mountain when we were on our way from Oslo to Odda. It is near Gaustatoppen (largest mountain in Rjukan) and from here you are able to see much of the valley and surrounding Mountains. There are several hikes at the top which vary in length depending on how long you want to hike for. It was reasonably priced and the ride up was really fun. Would recommend if you have an hour to spare in Rjukan.
6. Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 155 reviews
Reviewed By Chip1701 - Plymouth, Minnesota
If you have read about the Nazis trying to make heavy water here and the Norwegian resistance fighters who sabotaged this place, you will enjoy a visit here. The remains of the plant itself is not terribly interesting. The movie, however, about WWII, the role the plant played, and the resistance fighters is well worth it.
7. Rjukanbadet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Christina d
We went there as a group of adults, teenagers and a young boy. This was excellent as the place had something for everyone! Loved the hot tub and pool that was outside. Gave one an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful view as well! The only thing we had a problem with was the smell that was outside. It reeked of sour milk, but we could not tell where it came from.
8. Gaustatoppen Turisthytte
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By CHume2007 - Nottingham, United Kingdom
A normal Norwegian Turist Hutte with great waffles etc for a lunchtime visit. But the big thing is the view fro much the highest mountain in the area. You can indeed see right across Norway on a clear day- fantastic. The trek up from the road s not at all difficult for the reasonably fit walker. Or if you prefer the "Cold war" gaustabannen underground railway is an extraordinary gem you shouldn't miss.
9. The Sun Mirror
Overall Ratings
4 based on 36 reviews
A giant sunmirror is installed on the mountainside in Rjukan. Rjukan is a valley with high Mountains, which result in no sun during the winter. Dus a mirror is installed. It reflects the sunraiz and sends it into the market square in Rjukan. The sun mirror is now described as one of the biggest attractions in Norway.
Reviewed By Kleopetra - Norway
We visited Rjukan on a sunny day, so we could not feel the importance of this idea fully, but in any case the size of the mirrors is impressive and technology behind as well. We did not try to walk up, but may try when visiting Rjukan next time.
10. The Rjukan Railway Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
SF Ammonia is a steam powered railway ferry on Tinnsjø that connected Rjukanbanen with Tinnosbanen, Norway. The ferry was one of the four railway Ferries on Tinnsjø that was used by Norsk Hydro to transport chemicals from Rjukan to the port in Skien. The ferry is one of four remaining steam powered railway Ferries in the world, and can still be seen docked at Mæl.
Reviewed By HowlnBubba - Key Largo, Florida
First, note that this is in Mael, not Rjukan proper.
We were traveling to Rjukan from Lillehammer, and the last lengthy leg of the day was along Lake Tinn. Just before the road turned west, we came to the village of Mael, with an outdoor museum of the Tinnsjo Railway Ferry, formerly run by Norsk Hydro. Like another TA reviewer, the museum was closed when we got there, but you can still get exterior views of the SF Ammonia, MF Storegut and some rolling rail stock. The story of the ferry and its ties to WWII is very interesting. I just wish the place had been open.
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