Hemsedal
Municipality · Buskerud
About Hemsedal
Big-mountain skiing in winter; in summer, the Skogshorn hike, Rjukandefossen's gorge and Hydnefossen falling 475 m down Veslehorn.
What to do and where to stay in Hemsedal
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1HydnefossenNature
The Hynda stream drops 155 m straight down and 475 m in all, Buskerud's highest waterfall by total drop; ice climbers use it in winter.
Hornset, east Hemsedal along Rv52 · 1–2 h · Summer–autumn on foot; ice climbing in winter
2RjukandefossenNature
A double waterfall in a rocky gorge just 200 m from the road at Tuv, with a suspension bridge across and swimming spots and cliffs further down the river.
Tuv, about 6 km west of Hemsedal centre on Rv52 · 30–60 min (1.8 km return) · Snow-free season
3Skogshorn (Skogshødn)Hike
A 1,728 m peak on the Hemsedal–Valdres border, reached by a demanding 9.4 km return climb of about 830 m from the Lykkja road, ending on rocky ground.
Lykkja road, north-east Hemsedal · About 4.5 h (9.4 km return, 831 m ascent) · June–October
4Hemsedal Bygdatun at Øvre LøkjiHistory & culture
One of Hemsedal's oldest farms, with a cottage, barns, stable and smithy from 1642 to 1876, shown with their contents by a local guide in summer.
Øvre Løkji, Ulsåk · 1 h · 1 July – 16 August, Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun 11–16; outdoor area open other times
5Hemsedal Flatbrødbakeri and Ein Smak tå HemsedalFood & drink
A flatbread bakery at Tuv making flatbrød, lefse, potato loaves and rum bread, with a café on site serving coffee and food.
Tuv, about 5 km west of the centre toward Bergen · 20–45 min · All year; check opening hours before you go
6FekjanåneNature
Turquoise water and smooth rock slabs by a waterfall at the end of the gravel toll road from Ulsåkstølen toward Såta and Nibbi; go past the first fall.
Fekjastølen, north of Ulsåk · 2–3 h · July–August
7Hydalen and LysebøttåneNature
A protected mountain valley with old summer farms, quiet lakes and natural swimming pools, reached past Vavatn along a stream of small waterfalls.
Hemsedalsfjellet, north-west of Tuv · Half a day · July–September
8Trøymsånefossen and StegetHike
A forest waterfall on the marked path that starts behind Skogstad Hotel in the centre and climbs from Kyrkjebønn toward Steget above the village.
Above Hemsedal centre (Trøym) · 1–2 h · Snow-free season
9Hemsedal CaféFood & drink
Founded in 1989 as the ski crowd's nightlife spot, now a cosier restaurant in the centre with a menu built on local and organic food.
Hemsedalsvegen 2951 B, Hemsedal centre · 1 h · All year; check opening hours before you go
Nearby, also among the best for skiing
- HolBuskerudSkiing (among Norway's best)National parks (among Norway's best)
- Øystre SlidreInnlandetSkiing (among Norway's best)National Tourist Routes (among Norway's best)
- LillehammerInnlandetSkiing (among Norway's best)History (among Norway's best)
- VossVestlandSkiing (among Norway's best)Waterfalls (among Norway's best)