National Cycle Route 2: The Canal Route and Telemark
From Porsgrunn via the Telemark Canal, Dalen, Rjukan and Tessungdalen to Numedal
The first part of this route follows the Telemark Canal, and you may choose to cycle one way and take the canal boat the other.
The route is just over 400 km long and often follows forest roads and roads with little traffic.
National Cycle Route 2: The Canal Route and Telemark
The terrain on the route is relatively hilly, and it may be an advantage to have done a bit of cycling before. You can also bring your bike on board the canal boats that operate on the Telemark Canal. This will guarantee you a great experience of the landscape and the locks.
The road from Skien to Ulefoss is not signposted, and may be quite busy. We recommend that you rather take the canal boat or the bus to Ulefoss. You can also start your bike ride at Ulefoss.
The route will eventually be extended. The extension will follow the same route as the disused railway line between Larvik and Porsgrunn.
Stage 1: The canal route – from Skien through Ulefoss to Dalen
The Telemark Canal follows peaceful roads in a beautiful landscape and has an interesting history. It is not surprising that one of the country's most popular cycling routes runs here.
The route is signposted.
From Ulefoss to Dalen it is 110 kilometres, and along the way you will pass several of the old lock systems. The locks connect lakes far inland with the fiord at Skien. In summer, you will find several of them in full operation. For example, you can visit the largest lock system, Vrangfoss, where boats are lifted or lowered up and down the river.
The Telemark Canal follows peaceful roads in a beautiful landscape. Photo: Henrik Duus.
In summer, there are boats in regular scheduled service on the canal (kanalbaatene.no) .Then you can cycle along the Telemark Canal one way and take the boat the other way. It is also possible to cycle and take a boat on parts of the route.
The route is somewhat hilly and places that sell food may be far between. Most of the time you cycle on asphalt, but parts of the route are on gravel.
In Dalen you will find Dalen Hotel, which is built in a grand romantic style with dragon heads, towers and spires, balconies, big eaves and cornices.
Skotfoss Church on a calm autumn day. Photo: Henrik Duus.
Stage 2: From Dalen through Rauland, Rjukan and Imingfjell to Dagali
Route 2 from Dalen to Dagali is a trip through a wild and partly undeveloped part of Norway. On most of the roads there is little traffic. The route offers great nature experiences with high mountains, deep valleys and a number of large lakes. You cycle right past the foot of the mighty Gaustatoppen mountain (1883 metres above sea level), and a long stretch runs in the high mountains in the eastern part of the Hardangervidda plateau. There are not a lot of services along this route, but in Rjukan you can find accommodation, food service and a number of attractions, including the Industrial Workers’ Museum.
The route is not signposted.
You cycle right past the foot of Mount Gaustatoppen. Photo: Henrik Duus.
On the national route from Dalen and northwards there are many hills to climb. From Dalen, the route runs uphill before you reach the mountain resort of Rauland høgfjellshotell almost one thousand meters above sea level after just under 50 km. From Tinnsjøen, there is another steep climb of 950 metres in elevation gain up the Tessung valley to Imingfjell. From Uvdal to the Vasstulan café there is a final climb of 500 metres in elevation gain.
An uphill slope is usually followed by a downhill slope, and from Skardfossvannet, close to Rjukan, you can roll easily downhill for much of the 15 kilometres down to the centre of Rjukan. There is a similarly long descent from Imingfjell down to Børkjeflåta in Uvdal.
The ride is demanding and you should be in good shape before you embark on it – or you can use an electric bike.
Open landscape at Imingfjell. Photo: Henrik Duus.
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