Ringerike
Municipality · Buskerud
About Ringerike
Veien's Iron Age grave field and reconstructed longhouse, the waterfalls in the middle of Hønefoss and forest trails at Ringkollen.
What to do and where to stay in Ringerike
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Veien Cultural Heritage Park (Veien kulturminnepark)History & culture
Eastern Norway's largest early Iron Age grave field, over 100 burial mounds, with a rebuilt Roman Iron Age longhouse and a museum of finds from the graves.
On the ridge just west of Hønefoss centre, by the E16 · 1–2 h · Grave field all year; museum and longhouse mainly summer; check opening hours before you go
2Hønefossen waterfallSight
The 21-metre falls on the Begna that Hønefoss is named after, with mills from the 1300s and 24 sawmills by the 1660s; seen from the bridges in the centre.
Hønefoss town centre · 15–30 min · All year; most water in spring flood
3Mørkgonga gorgeHike
A narrow crack in the lava plateau of Krokskogen above Steinsfjorden, protected since 2001 for its yew, broadleaf forest and cliff plants; a steep, rough path.
Åsa, between Gyrihaugen and Steinsfjorden · 3–4 h as a loop with Gyrihaugen · Summer recommended; hard to reach other seasons
4GyrihaugenViewpoint
One of Krokskogen's highest tops at 683 m, with a wide view over Ringerike's farmland and Tyrifjorden; can be walked as a loop with Mørkgonga.
Krokskogen, above Åsa and Steinsfjorden · 3 h (8.2 km return, 379 m ascent) · May–October
5Ringerikes Museum at NorderhovHistory & culture
The regional museum in the old Norderhov vicarage (priest's home from 1635), with Asbjørnsen and Moe memorabilia, runestones, icons from the 1400s and a WWII home-front museum.
Next to Norderhov church, south of Hønefoss · 1 h · Summer: in 2025, 11 May–17 Aug, Tue–Fri and Sun 11–16
6Norderhov churchHistory & culture
A stone church from about 1170 whose crypt holds the coffins of priest Jonas Ramus and Anna Colbjørnsdatter, said to have tricked Swedish troops in 1716.
Norderhov, south of Hønefoss · 20–30 min · Churchyard all year; church open at services
7Kjerraten in Åsa and the Kjerrat MuseumHistory & culture
Peder Anker's timber lift from 1807 hauled logs 389 m up from Steinsfjorden with 12 water wheels until 1850; a rebuilt wheel house and museum tell the story.
Åsa, by Steinsfjorden · 1–3 h · Trail May–October; check opening hours before you go
8RingkollenHike
A 702 m basalt hill rising steeply from Haugsbygd east of Hønefoss, with a view south to Gyrihaugen and Tyrifjorden and a DNT self-service cabin near the top.
Northern Krokskogen, east of Hønefoss · 2–4 h · All year (ski trails in winter)
9RiddergårdenHistory & culture
A family farm courtyard from about 1730 on the north side of Hønefoss, built up by Fredrik Ridder and looked after by the municipality and Ringerikes Museum since 1964.
North side of Hønefoss centre · 20–30 min · Courtyard all year; buildings open in summer
10Stavhella burial groundHistory & culture
At least 25 round grave mounds from the late Iron Age, about AD 600–1000, beside the pilgrim path between Norderhov and Haugsbygd.
On Pilegrimsleden between Norderhov and Haugsbygd · 20–30 min · All year