Numedal is a traditional district and valley in southeastern Norway, primarily in Buskerud county (now part of Viken), stretching along the Numedalslågen river from the Hardangervidda plateau to Larvik in Vestfold. Covering about 250 km in length, it encompasses four municipalities—Nore og Uvdal, Rollag, Flesberg, and Kongsberg—with a total area of roughly 5,500 km² and a population of approximately 20,000 (2023). Known as Norway’s “medieval valley,” Numedal is renowned for its well-preserved cultural heritage, including stave churches, historic farms, and traditional architecture, set against a dramatic landscape of mountains, forests, and rivers. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking authentic Norwegian history.
Numedal’s name derives from Old Norse Nauma, referring to the
Numedalslågen river, and dalr (valley). The region has been inhabited
since the Stone Age, with significant Viking Age and medieval activity.
It was a key trade and pilgrimage route, connecting eastern and western
Norway via the Hardangervidda. By the Middle Ages, Numedal was
prosperous due to agriculture, forestry, and early mining, with
Kongsberg later becoming a silver mining hub (1623–1958).
Numedal’s cultural heritage is among Norway’s richest:
Stave
Churches: Numedal is home to four of Norway’s 28 remaining stave
churches, the highest concentration in any Norwegian valley:
Nore
Stave Church (1167, Nore og Uvdal): Features intricate carvings and a
cruciform design.
Uvdal Stave Church (1168, Nore og Uvdal): Known for
its painted interior and medieval graffiti.
Rollag Stave Church (ca.
1250): A smaller, restored church with a unique altarpiece.
Flesberg
Stave Church (ca. 1130): One of Norway’s oldest, with a distinctive roof
and runestone nearby.
Medieval Farms: Over 40 protected farms, like
Nordre Tråen and Søndre Tråen in Rollag, preserve 13th–17th-century log
buildings, showcasing traditional årestue (open-hearth) designs.
Museums: The Numedal Folk Museum in Rollag displays historic buildings,
while the Kongsberg Silver Mines Museum and Labro Museum (Flesberg)
highlight industrial and rural heritage.
Cultural Events: The Numedal
Medieval Festival (June) in Flesberg features reenactments, markets, and
music. The Nore og Uvdal Bygdetun hosts summer concerts and craft
workshops.
Numedal’s traditions include rose painting (rosemaling),
Hardanger fiddle music, and storytelling, with local sagas about trolls
and Viking chieftains. The region’s isolation preserved its dialect and
customs, making it a living museum of Norwegian folk culture.
Numedal’s landscape ranges from the high-altitude Hardangervidda
National Park in the north to lush river valleys and forests in the
south, offering diverse outdoor activities:
Hardangervidda
National Park: Norway’s largest national park, partly in Nore og Uvdal,
spans 3,422 km² with plateaus, lakes, and wildlife (reindeer, arctic
fox). It’s ideal for hiking, skiing, and fishing.
Numedalslågen
River: One of Norway’s best salmon fishing rivers, stretching 352 km,
with permits available for fishing and kayaking.
Uvdal and Veggli:
Mountain areas with peaks like Skirveggen (1,404m) for hiking and
skiing. Uvdal Alpinpark offers family-friendly slopes.
Lågfoss and
Trånafoss: Scenic waterfalls in Flesberg and Rollag, accessible by short
trails.
Blefjell: A mountain range in southern Numedal, popular for
cross-country skiing and cabin retreats.
Recreational highlights:
Hiking: The DNT-maintained trail network includes routes like the
Hardangervidda crossing and shorter paths to stave churches. The “Stave
Church Trail” links all four churches.
Cycling: The Numedal Cycle
Route (Rv40) follows the valley, with side roads to historic sites.
Fishing: Salmon, trout, and char thrive in the Numedalslågen and lakes
like Tunhovdfjorden.
Skiing: Cross-country trails dominate, with
Uvdal and Dagali offering groomed tracks. Geilo (40 km from Nore)
provides alpine skiing.
Wildlife Tours: Guided trips spot elk,
reindeer, and rare birds like the white-backed woodpecker.
Numedal’s economy historically relied on agriculture, forestry, and
mining. Today, it blends traditional farming with tourism, small-scale
industry, and services. Kongsberg’s high-tech sector, including
Kongsberg Gruppen (defense and aerospace), contrasts with rural
Numedal’s focus on dairy, sheep farming, and timber. Tourism is growing,
driven by cultural heritage and outdoor activities, with farm stays and
guided tours gaining popularity.
Infrastructure supports
accessibility:
Road: Rv40, the Numedal National Tourist Route, runs
the valley’s length, connecting Kongsberg (E134) to Geilo and
Hardangervidda. The route is scenic but narrow in parts.
Rail:
Kongsberg Station, on the Sørlandsbanen line, links to Oslo (1.5 hours)
and Drammen. No rail extends north of Kongsberg, but buses serve Rollag,
Flesberg, and Nore og Uvdal.
Bus: Regular buses connect Numedal’s
villages to Kongsberg and Geilo, with seasonal tourist shuttles to
Hardangervidda.
Air: Oslo Airport (120 km from Kongsberg) is the
nearest major hub, with Notodden Airport (40 km) for small flights.
Numedal has a continental climate with cold winters (January average: -7°C, lows to -20°C) and mild summers (July average: 16°C, highs to 25°C). Precipitation is moderate (700–900 mm annually), with snow cover from December to March, ideal for skiing. The valley’s altitude (200–1,400m) creates microclimates, with milder conditions in southern Kongsberg and harsher winters in northern Uvdal.
Stave Church Trail: A self-guided tour of Nore, Uvdal, Rollag,
and Flesberg churches, with QR codes for digital guides.
Kongsberg Silver Mines: A UNESCO-nominated site with underground
tours, showcasing 300 years of mining history.
Labro Museum: A
restored 18th-century mill and farm in Flesberg, with waterfalls and
cultural exhibits.
Dagali: A northern hub for rafting, husky
sledding, and snowmobiling, with the Dagali Museum’s WWII exhibits.
Numedalsbanen: A historic railway (decommissioned for passengers) in
Flesberg, now used for draisine (rail bike) tours.
Cultural sites
like the Kravik Farm in Nore og Uvdal, with its 16th-century
buildings, offer guided tours. The Numedal Medieval Route, a driving
itinerary, links 40 historic sites, including manor houses and
Viking burial mounds.
Numedal’s lodging is rustic and authentic:
Uvdal Høyfjellshotell:
A mountain hotel with 40 rooms, near skiing and hiking trails.
Lampeland Hotell (Flesberg): A modern 3-star hotel with 54 rooms, ideal
for families.
Numedalstunet: Farm stays in Rollag, with restored
cabins and breakfasts featuring local produce.
Kravik Gard: A
historic farm in Nore offering B&B and guided tours.
Campsites:
Tunhovd Camping and Veggli Camping provide riverside pitches and cabins.
Dining emphasizes local ingredients:
Lågen Kafé (Flesberg):
Homemade pastries, soups, and salmon dishes.
Uvdal Kro: Traditional
Norwegian fare like reindeer stew and rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge).
Kongsberg’s Spiseriet: A modern eatery with fjord fish and Numedal lamb.
Farm Shops: Many farms, like Tråen Seter, sell cheeses, cured meats, and
cloudberry jam.
Tripadvisor lists 15 restaurants across Numedal, with
reviewers praising the hearty, farm-to-table meals but noting limited
options in smaller villages.
Numedal captivates with its time-capsule feel, where medieval
churches and log cabins coexist with modern amenities. Visitors rave
about the stave churches’ craftsmanship, the valley’s uncrowded trails,
and the warm hospitality of farm stays. The salmon fishing and
Hardangervidda hikes are highlights, though some note that signage for
historic sites could improve. Summer (June–August) is ideal for
festivals and hiking, while winter (December–March) suits skiing and
cozy farm visits. Spring (April–May) offers budget-friendly rates and
blooming landscapes.
Additional Notes
Recent X posts (2024)
highlight Numedal’s growing appeal for “slow tourism,” with travelers
seeking its authentic heritage over crowded destinations. The region’s
stave churches are part of Norway’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage
status. Numedal’s proximity to Kongsberg (with its tech hub) and Geilo
(a ski resort, 70 km north) makes it a versatile base. Sustainable
tourism initiatives, like eco-certified farms, align with Norway’s green
travel trends.