Rjukan sits in a steep valley in Telemark, surrounded by high mountains, waterfalls and one of Norway’s most dramatic industrial histories. Built by Norsk Hydro in the early 1900s to harness the Rjukanfossen waterfall, the town grew into a company community with handsome brick buildings, cable cars to sunshine and a railway that linked to lake ferries. Today, it’s a place where you can step straight from cafés into wild nature, ride inside a mountain to a summit, and follow the footsteps of WWII saboteurs.
If you’re asking what the best things to do in Rjukan are, the short answer is this: visit Vemork and the Heavy Water Cellar for the world-changing story, take Krossobanen to Gvepseborg for easy access to Hardangervidda, go up Gaustatoppen for the country-wide view, and plan a seasonal adventure like ice climbing in winter or the Saboteur’s Trail in summer. Everything else fits around those anchors.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the most rewarding experiences, with practical, local tips to make your time in Rjukan smooth and memorable.
Explore Vemork and the Heavy Water Story
The old power station at Vemork is home to the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum and the Heavy Water Cellar, where you can walk into the preserved rooms associated with the wartime sabotage operations. The exhibits explain how the valley’s water power turned into fertilizer production and how that, indirectly, led to one of WWII’s most daring missions.
Plan enough time to do both the main museum and the cellar visit. Prebook guided tours in high season; slots do fill up. The walk in from the parking area via the suspension bridge across the gorge is part of the experience, with views back to the monumental plant and the valley.
Ride Krossobanen to Gvepseborg
Krossobanen is one of my favorite “first day” activities. Built in 1928 so factory workers and families could get up to the sun, it whisks you from the valley floor to Gvepseborg in just minutes. At the top you step into open mountain terrain with marked routes and a small café in season.
For a gentle outing, follow Solstien, the Sun Path, a well-laid trail with viewpoints and interpretive signs. On warm days, pack a picnic and linger; the air is cooler up there and the views run along the valley toward Gausta. If weather looks changeable, bring a windproof layer even in July. The plateau catches whatever the sky is doing.
Summit Gaustatoppen by Foot or Mountain Railway
Gaustatoppen is the great pyramid on Rjukan’s skyline and, on a clear day, you can see an enormous swath of southern Norway from its summit. Hiking from Stavsro is the classic way up: a rocky, well-trodden path that families manage fine with time, snacks and steady steps. Expect 2 to 3 hours up for most people.
If hiking isn’t on the menu, you can still enjoy the top by taking the Gaustabanen, a quirky, two-stage railway inside the mountain. It carries you from the base tunnel up to near the summit, where a short walk leads to the cabin and viewpoint. Check wind conditions before you go; the peak can be rough even when Rjukan town is calm.
Local tip: The waffles at the summit cabin taste better than physics says they should at that altitude. Bring a thermos; you’ll thank yourself if a cloud drifts in.
Find the Winter Sun with Rjukan’s Mirrors
From mid-autumn to late winter, the town sits in the mountain’s shade. To bring light to the square, a set of computer-controlled mirrors reflects sunlight down to the center. It’s a small thing that feels big when you’ve been in the valley awhile. On crisp days, stand in the lit patch and you’ll hear half a dozen languages at once from visitors doing the same.
If you’re visiting in the darker months, the lit square is a handy meeting point before you duck into a café. It also makes for playful photos without needing to trek uphill.
Walk the Saboteur’s Trail (Sabotørstien)
This trail traces the approach route used by the Norwegian commandos in 1943. It’s a real hike, not a city stroll: forest paths, some steep bits, and a crossing above the gorge. Strong footwear is essential, and I recommend doing it in dry conditions for your first time. Guided hikes are offered in season and add context you won’t get from signs alone.
Start from Rjukan Fjellstue if you want the full length, finishing near Vemork. Build in time for the museum afterward; it lands differently when you’ve made the approach under your own power.
Ice Climb One of Europe’s Best Valleys
Rjukan is a pilgrimage spot for ice climbers, with hundreds of frozen waterfalls each winter. You’ll see ropes strung across the gorge and headlamps bobbing at dawn. If you’re an experienced climber, you already know what draws people here. If you’re new, local guides offer beginner-friendly courses on mellow lines.
The practical must-knows: book guiding and gear in advance for January and February, and keep a flexible plan if the temperatures spike. For spectators, warm boots and a thermos make watching surprisingly enjoyable.
Ski at Gausta and Play at Rjukanbadet
Downhill skiers tend to base at Gausta, a short drive from town, with a modern lift network, family areas, and long cruising runs. Snow conditions are generally reliable, but like the rest of southern Norway, late spring can get patchy. If the weather socks in, or you’ve got mixed ages to entertain, Rjukanbadet is the town’s indoor pool complex with slides, hot pools and a sauna.
A classic local rhythm: ski a half day when the light is best, then come down to the valley for a slow late lunch and a swim.
Step Through Rjukan’s UNESCO Industrial Heritage
Together with Notodden, Rjukan’s industrial landscape is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can see it in the layout of the town, the worker housing, and the heavy brick architecture along the river. The railway history is quietly fascinating too. The old Rjukanbanen line once connected to lake ferries that carried rail wagons across Tinnsjøen. Today, heritage displays and occasional events keep that story alive.
Walk the riverfront and the main streets to feel the planned structure: schools, shops, sports fields and churches set in a grid that still works for daily life.
Take a Valley Stroll or a Lake Detour
On rest days, a flat walk in the valley does wonders. Follow the river path from the center and you’ll get views up to the cable car, the cliff bands, and the mirror installation. With a car, a loop around parts of Lake Tinn brings quiet beaches and little picnic spots. Always respect private property and marked restrictions; this is a lived-in landscape, not just a stage set.
If you’re into photography, the blue hour here is long and kind. The mountains hold the light, and the industrial silhouettes give you something to work with even on grey days.
Eat Well, Simply
Rjukan’s dining scene leans hearty and unfussy. Look for elk burgers, reindeer stew, trout, and traditional cakes. In winter, a bowl of creamy fish soup after Krossobanen feels earned. In summer, grab take-away and sit by the river. Coffee culture is alive and well; you’ll find solid espresso in town, plus the usual Norwegian devotion to waffles.
Reserve tables on peak weekends when ski traffic or holiday weeks swell the valley. Otherwise, walking in works fine.
Practical Tips for Visiting Rjukan
Rjukan lies about 3.5 hours from Oslo by car, depending on the route and conditions. Public transport combines bus and sometimes regional train connections; it’s doable, but a car gives you maximum freedom for trailheads and Gausta.
Weather flips quickly. Pack layers year-round, including a light hat and gloves outside of high summer. In winter, if you’re driving, you are expected to have proper winter tires and to adjust speed to conditions. Parking at popular spots like Stavsro and Vemork is paid and monitored; bring a card or use the relevant parking app.
For timing, shoulder seasons have their charm. Late September gives you crisp air and gold birch leaves, with fewer crowds on Gausta. February serves stable ice for climbing and good skiing if the cold holds. July has the longest days and the easiest logistics, but be ready for company on the most popular trails.
Building Your Rjukan Plan
If you have one day, do Vemork in the morning and Krossobanen in the afternoon. With two, add Gaustatoppen by hike or Gaustabanen and leave the Saboteur’s Trail or a lake detour for day three. In winter, swap in skiing and the mirror square. The nice thing here is how compact everything feels; you can pivot based on weather and mood without losing time.
Rjukan rewards curiosity. Look up from the café table and you’ll see the same cliffs the saboteurs traversed. Step into the museum and the turbines that powered a town are still humming in the story. Take the cable car and you’re on the edge of a national plateau. It all fits together, and it’s easy to stitch into a trip that feels like yours.