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Rjukan

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Landmark
—°3
Rjukan (Norway)

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Rjukan was built in the early 20th century as a company town for Norsk Hydro at the foot of the mighty Gaustatoppen. The town is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage'. Famous is the Vemork power plant, the site of the heavy water sabotage during WWII, now an important museum of industrial history. Since Rjukan is situated in such a deep valley that the sun does not reach the ground in winter, giant 'Solspeilet' (sun mirrors) were installed on the mountains to reflect light onto the town square. With the Krossobanen, Northern Europe's oldest cable car, visitors can quickly reach the Hardangervidda plateau. Rjukan is also a mecca for ice climbers worldwide, who flock here in winter to climb the numerous frozen waterfalls in the gorge. The combination of dramatic history, technical innovation, and spectacular nature makes Rjukan a unique destination in Southern Norway.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-8-8-50510131171-4-7
Rain mm805959691071181461371111169577

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Rjukan is an open town. The town center is freely walkable, and the sun mirrors are typically publicly accessible.
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Typical hours
The town is accessible around the clock. The sun mirrors are best visited during daylight; museums operate typical opening hours.
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Photography
Photography is allowed in the town and at the sun mirrors. In museums, flash and tripods are often prohibited.
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Time needed
Typically, 2-3 hours are enough for the town center and sun mirrors. Including museums, plan for half a day.
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Combine with
Combine Rjukan with Mount Gaustatoppen or the industrial museum in Notodden. The entire region is UNESCO listed.
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Getting there
Rjukan is accessible by car via road 37. Regular buses typically run from Oslo and Notodden.
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Insider tip
Visit the sun mirrors late morning when the sun is highest - they reflect best then.

Geography

Population
3,568 (2024)
Coordinates
59.88111, 8.58306

Facts

  • UNESCO World Heritage
  • Vemork Power Plant Museum
  • Heavy water sabotage 1943
  • Solspeilet (Sun mirrors)
  • Krossobanen cable car
  • At foot of Gaustatoppen
  • Mecca for ice climbers
  • Norsk Hydro founding town

Explore nearby

Notable places around

GaustaGausta5 km · SEExplore →
Heddal Stave ChurchHeddal Stave Church48 km · SEExplore →
Notodden Industrial ClusterNotodden Industrial Cluster52 km · SEExplore →
Telemark HighlandsTelemark Highlands54 km · SWExplore →
DalenDalen59 km · SWExplore →
HardangerviddaHardangervidda62 km · WExplore →
Kongsberg ChurchKongsberg Church64 km · EExplore →
Hardangervidda PlateauHardangervidda Plateau65 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Rjukan (3)

Finbergnuten🌿 nature

A mountain ridge near Rjukan.

Solspeilet📍 landmark

A mirror installation that reflects sunlight into Rjukan town square.

Vestfjorddalen naturreservat🌿 nature

Nature reserve established in 2010 in Vestfjorddalen near Rjukan.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why are there sun mirrors in Rjukan?
Since the town in the deep valley gets no sun in winter, mirrors reflect light onto the market square.
What is the Vemork power plant?
A historic power plant, now a museum, famous for the heavy water sabotage in WWII.
How to get to Gaustatoppen?
Hike on foot or take the Gaustabanen, a unique funicular inside the mountain.
Is Rjukan a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Yes, the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Site is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Can you go ice climbing there?
Yes, Rjukan is one of Europe's top destinations for ice climbing with many frozen waterfalls.
Rjukan: where is it located?
Rjukan is located in Norway.
Rjukan: what is there to see?
Highlights include Finbergnuten, Solspeilet, Vestfjorddalen naturreservat.
Rjukan: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Rjukan: why is it worth visiting?
Rjukan was built in the early 20th century as a company town for Norsk Hydro at the foot of the mighty Gaustatoppen.
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History & landmarks

Notodden — Rjukan (Norway)
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