Visitor Center Hardangervidda National Park, Skinnarbu

Situated in majestic natural surroundings, the national park visitor center at Skinnarbu has one of Norway’s best panoramic views. We are the national park visitor center of Hardangervidda, Norway’s far largest national park and one of Europe’s largest with its 3422 km2. We have received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2016 and 2017.

We offer a range of short- and whole-day products. Whether you only have time for our heart-shaped Norwegian waffles with a fresh cup of coffee, or you would like a half or full day of activities. As of 2018, we offer products tailored for individuals, families, groups and larger companies, both indoors and outdoors.

Indoors – Exhibition and cinema Our interactive exhibition about nature and wild reindeer has received 3 high international awards. It has 22 interactive installations in Norwegian and English. We are currently adding several other languages, included German.

We also offer a visit to our cinema. Here we show 4 different movies, all available in Norwegian, English. Our movie about Hardangervidda National Park is also offered in German.

Visit our new homepage for more information http://hardangerviddanasjonalparksenter.no/

Prices: 95 NOK per adult, 65 NOK per child. Groups of 15 people or more are offered a discount – 75 NOK per adult and 45 NOK per child. All groups are offered a free guiding in the exhibition. Visitors who also book an outdoor guided tour, receive a 25% discount on the exhibition entrance fee.

Indoors - Lunch/dinner Combine lunch with one of Norway’s best panoramic views. As of 2018 we also offer the possibility to book lunch or dinner in advance.

Menu and prices Every day we offer waffles, coffee, sandwiches etc. In high season we also serve warm soup.

Prebooked meals: • Sautéed reindeer stew - 160 NOK per person (170 with coffee) • Rich meat soup - 140 NOK per person (150 with coffee) • Vegetable soup of the house - 110 NOK per person (120 with coffee) • We also offer vegetarian and allergy friendly options upon request Prebooked meals have a 7 days cancellation deadline.

Outdoor guiding Our summer substitutes are mainly students and master graduates who majors in natural sciences. We offer 3 different guided tours, which can be combined with a visit to the center. The hike along Oldemorstien can be booked the same day, while the two half-day hikes must be booked 3 days in advance. Visitors who book a guided walk will receive a 20% discount on the entrance fee to our exhibition.

Oldemorstien (The great-grandmothers trail) A 45 to 60 minutes hike. Oldemorstien is a 2,5-km long nature trail close by the visitor center. It is an easy walk, with great viewing points. The group will learn about the plants and nature types in the area.

This hike requires a minimum of 5 visitors. Price: 100 NOK per person for groups of at least 5 people. 75 NOK per person for groups of at least 10 people.

Sandvatnhytta (War Hero Cottage): This is a half day trip, where you can learn about war history on authentic ground. Sandvatnhytta is a cottage, used to hide from the German soldiers during world war 2. The war heroes known as the Heavy Water Saboteurs, and other partisans, used this cottage, among others, to hide from the Germans. It is located about 45 - 60 min. walk from the national park visitor center. During the hike to the cabin, the group will learn about the Heavy Water Sabotage and also about local nature. It is possible to book a packed lunch.

This hike must be prebooked at least 3 days in advance. Prices: 400 NOK per person for groups of at least 5 people. 350 NOK per person for groups of at least 10 people. 300 NOK per person for groups of at least 20 people. Additional charge for a packed lunch including 3-4 sandwiches 75 NOK per person. Additional charge for coffee/hot drink 25 NOK per person.

Solstien-Krossobanen (The sun trail and the cable car Krossobanen) This is a 3-4 hours guided tour. Solstien is an approximately 3,5 km long hike. The path was built by Sherpas from Nepal, and is easy to walk.

On this hike, you will walk on one of Europe’s largest mountain plateaus - Hardangervidda. The guided hike consists of three parts – a short introduction, a ride in a cable car up to the mountain, and a hike at Solstien. On the bus, one of our guides tells you about how the natural resources were the baseline for what is now the world heritage area Rjukan-Notodden. Together, we take the cable car Krossobanen from Rjukan and up to the trailhead. During the hike, you will learn about Norway’s largest national park – Hardangervidda – and its unique plants and animals. After the hike, it is possible to stop at the café, Gvepseborg, at the upper cable car station.

Our guide can meet your group at the center and join the bus on a 25 minutes’ drive to Krossobanen. On this drive, the guide will give information about the World Heritage area Rjukan-Notodden. After the hike the bus may return to the visitor center, or continue onwards. Another option is that the group meets the guide on an agreed time at the cable car station.

This hike must be prebooked at least 3 days in advance. Prices for guiding: 650 NOK per person for groups of at least 5 people. 450 NOK per person for groups of at least 10 people. 400 NOK per person for groups of at least 20 people. Additional charge for the tour-retour cable car: 97 NOK per person for at least 5 people, 65 NOK per person for groups of at least 20 people.

© www.krossobanen.no

© www.krossobanen.no

Gaustatoppen Join our trip to Gaustatoppen, the highest mountain in Telemark at 1883 above sea level. The view from the top is the best in Scandinavia. During the hike we talk about local history, the first tourists and Norwegian folklore, as well as the plants and animals we encounter along the way. We also provide an introduction to geology, as the mountain masses located here are the oldest in Norway. We provide an additional guide for groups of 25 people or more.

This hike must be prebooked at least 3 days in advance.

Duration: approximately 5-6 hours including breaks Prices: 600 NOK per person for groups of minimum 5 people, 400 NOK per person for groups of minimum 10 people, 350 NOK per person for groups of minimum 20 people, 300 NOK for groups of a minimum of 30 people. Food: All participants have to bring their own food. There is also some food and beverages for sale at the mountain café located close to the top within its opening hours. Meeting point by appointment: The parking lot at Langefonn or Gaustablikk mountain hotel. .

“There is panorama cafe with a breathtaking view, you definitely have to go there!!! Thanks hardangervidda national park for this wonderful time!”

-Gigess from New Zealand, April 2017

“We visited the Hardangervidda National Park Center on a rainy day in late September and had the most wonderful experience. We received personal attention from the staff, including introductions to the exhibits (the interactive exhibition focusing on reindeer was especially easy to follow and had something for everyone from children to scientists). The lunch we had was also excellent, from the homemade soup to the fresh waffles with toppings. By the end of our 4-hour visit we were fully satisfied that the trip was worthwhile. Not to be missed if you are in the area.”

-“MJT_05408”, from Vermont, 29. September 2017

Partners and accommodation We cooperate with all the hotels and other accommodation establishments in the district: Skinnarbu nasjonalparkhotell (close to the center) - www.skinnarbu.no Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell - www.gaustablikk.no Admini in Rjukan - www.rjukanadmini.com Rjukan cabin and caravan park - www.rjukanhytte.com Sandviken camping - sandviken-camping.no Rauland mountain hotel - www.visitrauland.com/rauland-hoegfjellshotell Vierli Turistsenter - www.visitrauland.com/vierli Quality Straand Hotel - straand.no Morgedal Hotell - www.morgedalhotell.com Bø Hotell - bohotell.no Mogen Turisthytte - mogen.dnt.no

Gaustatoppen booking - gaustatoppenbooking.com Visit Rjukan - visitrjukan.com Visit Rauland - visitrauland.com Visit Telemark - visittelemark.no DNT (The Norwegian Trekking Association) - dnt.no

Contact us Ida Brennodden Ståle Rue Nature Interpreter Operating manager M.Sc. Nature based tourism Tlf.: 0047 970 74 300 Mail: [email protected] Mail: [email protected]

Website: hardangerviddanasjonalparksenter.no

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hardangerviddanasjonalparksenter

Adress: Møsvannveien 1149, 3660 Rjukan