Hiking in Telemark – 7 trails from Gaustatoppen and Lifjell to Hardangervidda

Telemark is county number seven in our Norway series. The county lies west of Vestfold and stretches from the forests of Grenland, the coast and the Telemark Canal to the mountain areas around Rauland, Gaustatoppen and Hardangervidda. It is therefore clearly different from Vestfold, Buskerud, Agder and Vestland.

Telemark and Vestfold merged in 2020, but were re-established as separate counties in 2024. For hikers, the border is practical: several trails continue across county borders, and a good hiking plan must follow the trail – not administrative lines.

Here are seven destinations with different characteristics. Some are clearly marked day trips. Others require several days of planning, cabin booking and the ability to fend for yourself when the weather deteriorates.

1. Gaustatoppen from Stavsro – Telemark's clearest summit tour

Gaustatoppen is Telemark's official highest mountain, 1,883 meters above sea level. The standard trail starts at Stavsro, on the road between Rjukan and Tuddal.

• Distance: approximately 4.3 kilometers one way, approximately 9.3 kilometers round trip
• Elevation difference: around 700–710 meters
• Time: usually about 2–4 hours up and about 2 hours down
• Surface: rocky, clear and marked mountain trail
• Difficulty: demanding for beginners, but technically relatively easy
• Season: normally May–October, depending on snow and weather

This is a summit hike where you feel the altitude in your legs. The path is easy to follow, but the rocks get bigger and the terrain more uneven towards the top. Good shoes with stable soles are more important than low weight.

At the summit is Gaustatoppen Turisthytte , a serviced DNT cabin. It is possible to stay overnight, but always check current booking, season and service directly with DNT before departure.

An alternative is the Gaustabanen, the cable car inside the mountain. It goes from about 1,150 to about 1,800 meters above sea level in about 15 minutes. From there, there is a shorter hike to the top. This does not make the top weatherproof. Wind, fog, snow and ice can still make the last stretch unsuitable.

Check the weather forecast, wind and snow conditions on the same day. Snow can remain well into the summer. Turn around before you get cold, tired or unsure of the way back. On an exposed peak, margin is more important than reaching the cairn itself.

Read the current route description on UT.no.

2. Lifjell – Øysteinnatten for experienced hikers and Tretoppern for families

Lifjell is located between Bø and Notodden. The area is varied and partly landscaped, with many marked trails, small lakes, bogs and rocky mountain terrain. It is a good area to try different levels of difficulty, but it is not untouched wilderness.

Two clear options are:

The night of Øystein

• Distance: approximately 11.5 kilometers round trip from Jønnbu
• Elevation meters: varies with selected variant and direction
• Substrate: stone, boulders, bog and banks
• Difficulty: demanding
• Experience: suitable for hikers who are used to rough mountain terrain
• Season: snow-free period, usually summer to early autumn

The tour is more demanding than the length initially suggests. Wet sections, slippery ledges and uneven blocks cause the pace to slow down. Plan to bring a packed lunch, extra clothes and an offline map even if the trail is marked.

The Three Topper

• Distance: approximately 5.5 kilometers round trip from Jønnbu
• Surface: clear path, outcrops and shorter marshy areas
• Difficulty: easy to medium
• Experience: good for families and beginners with reasonable basic fitness
• Season: summer and early autumn

The three-topper gives you a mountain feeling without requiring a whole day. Still, check the altitude profile and weather. Children get cold quickly during breaks, especially when the wind increases in open areas.

The DNT cabin Himingsjå is central for planning trips in Lifjell. Check UT.no to see if it fits your chosen route and what booking rules apply.

3. Lifjellstua–Hollane seter – a shorter intermediate goal

The stretch between Lifjellstua and Hollane seter is approximately 9 kilometers and serves as a quieter alternative in the same area.

• Habitat: mountain forest, open heathland, bog and heathland environment
• Surface: path and easier gravel road
• Elevation: moderate, but depends on chosen starting and turning point
• Difficulty: easy to medium
• Experience: suitable for beginners who want to try longer day stages
• Season: summer and early autumn

This is a ride where wetness is often a bigger factor than steepness. Bridges can be slippery, and marshy ground doesn't always lend itself to a straight path. Follow the markings instead of trying to avoid them.

Plan your return transportation before you start. A linear tour requires either a car on both sides, a shuttle, or a route that can be reversed. Check local parking conditions and current trail information.

4. Pilgrimage road to Røldal – several days through villages and mountains

The Pilgrim's Path to Røldal runs through Vest-Telemark and combines historical routes, villages, mountain passes and cultural landscapes. It is a multi-day pilgrimage trail, not a pure wilderness trail.

• Stages: planned day by day between accommodations, cabins and possible food stops
• Nature type: gravel road, farm environment, forest, valleys and mountains
• Altitude: varies greatly between stages
• Difficulty: medium to demanding depending on stage
• Experience: requires experience with long-distance hiking and your own planning
• Season: snow-free period, after checking local conditions

Here, the length of the leg is more important than maximizing kilometers per day. Allow for rain, tired feet, and detours. Accommodation and supplies are not evenly distributed. Check each leg, open options, and transportation between start and end points before booking.

5. The triangle on the Hardangervidda plateau from the Telemark side

The Trekanten is a classic four-day tour of approximately 72.5 kilometers between Solheimstulen, Mårbu and Rauhelleren. The route touches Telemark, Buskerud and other parts of the Hardangervidda.

We described Trekanten in more detail in the article about hiking in Buskerud . Here the point for the Telemark hiker is the approach from the county side, for example via Solheimstulen in Vinje according to current route information.

• Nature type: open high mountains, rocks, bogs, lakes and wadis
• Stages: usually four days between cabins
• Elevation: many smaller climbs rather than a single long climb
• Difficulty: demanding
• Experience: requires mountain experience, orientation skills and self-sufficiency
• Season: check snow, ice and cabin openings before starting

Book the cabins where reservations are required via DNT Hyttebestilling and check the current status on UT.no. Opening hours, provisions, payment solutions and rules vary between cabins. Do not assume that a cabin is staffed or that there is space.

Mobile network may be unavailable. Have a paper map, compass, loaded GPS and offline maps. What may be unsuitable after rain. Never take a shortcut across an unsafe river to keep to a planned time.

6. Skarravegen along the Telemark Canal

Skarravegen is an official cultural trail between Ulefoss and Vrangfoss along the Telemark Canal. It consists mainly of quiet gravel roads and is suitable for hiking in a cultural landscape with locks, piers, water and boat traffic.

• Nature type: canal, forest, farm environment and cultivated land
• Surface: gravel road and easier footpath
• Altitude gain: small compared to mountain tours
• Difficulty: easy to medium
• Experience: suitable for beginners and families
• Season: spring to autumn, with control of local conditions

There is also a footpath between Eidsfoss locks and Ulefoss locks, past Ulefoss Hovedgaard. Parts near the main farm may be closed during construction work. In Lunde there is the local footpath Folkestien.

Transport can be combined with a boat, but check current times and the possibility of bringing luggage before building a stage plan around the canal traffic. Locks and piers are not just sights; they can affect accessibility.

7. Falkeriset at Rauland – short cultural and family trail

Falkeriset is a marked route of approximately 3 kilometers near Rauland, with open mountain terrain and views of the Hardangervidda plateau. It is considerably shorter than the trails above.

• Surface: path and Sherpa stairs
• Elevation: shorter climb, but not completely flat
• Difficulty: easy to medium
• Experience: suitable for families and beginners
• Season: snow-free period

The Women's Road at Mogen is another short alternative, about 1.9 kilometers, with a clearer cultural and family focus. For both tours, lighter equipment is normally sufficient, but bring a rain jacket, water and reinforcement clothing. Mountain weather changes even on short trails.

Public right in Telemark

In Norway, a distinction is made between outback and inland . Outback includes, for example, mountains, forests, marshes, beaches and many lake areas. Inland includes, for example, farmyards, gardens, fields, pastures near buildings and plots of land.

In the wilderness, you are normally allowed to travel on foot and camp without the landowner's permission, but:

• The tent must be at least 150 meters from inhabited houses and cottages.
• You are normally allowed to camp for a maximum of two days at the same location. In remote mountain areas, longer stays may be possible, but check local regulations.
• Camping in inland areas, near buildings or in special tent areas may require a permit or follow its own rules.
• Between April 15 and September 15, a fire ban applies in or near forests and other open areas. Local fire bans may be stricter. Check the fire risk on the same day and use a closed emergency kitchen instead.
• Dogs must be on a leash from April 1 to August 20. Municipalities can extend the period. In Lifjell and by the canal there is private land, cabins, livestock and cultural environments.
• Motorized traffic in open areas is not included in the right of way.
• The duty of care means that you should show consideration, leave minimal traces, take away trash and not disturb people, animals or cultural monuments.

Hardangervidda National Park has its own regulations. There are sensitive areas on the plateau for wild reindeer and birdlife. Keep your distance, follow signs and choose marked trails when appropriate.

The rules are similar to Swedish and Finnish public right in that nature is accessible, but the details differ. Denmark generally has more limited free camping and more rules about where overnight stays are allowed. Read DNT's guidance on public right before your trip.

Equipment according to the landscape

Telemark does not require the same packing everywhere. At the canal and on Lifjell, lighter equipment is often sufficient for day trips. On the Hardangervidda plateau, however, you need a wind-resistant tent, proper insulation and a margin for cold nights.

See HikingStore's range of tents , backpacks , sleeping pads and sleeping bags . A sleeping pad that is too thin will lead to cold ground and poor recovery, even when the sleeping bag has the correct temperature data. Also read the packing list for mountain hiking in the summer .

For sleeping systems and down, including CUIN, down type and fill weight, see our guide to down in sleeping bags . Always ask: What will each product actually handle when the wind picks up and the temperature drops?

The next county in the series is Agder .