Norsjø Panorama

About

Norsjø Panorama
Length: 8 km each way
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Medium

Øvre Verket is a collection of workers houses constructed during the early 19th century. The red painted houses were built by the Cappelen family to house workers at the Ulefoss Ironworks. Øvre Verket represents a important culturally historic memory of the early industrialisation period of Norway and was listed as a cultural heritage site in 1982. Take your time to enjoy the historic area prior to commencing your trip.

Start

You will find cycling information on the walls of one of the houses, and the cycle trip is post signed from the area. On this trip you have the opportunity to see locks, a medieval church, play a round of golf, shop a a farm shop and swim. Remember to bring swim wear.

Ulefoss lock

From Øvre Verket you will cycle down and cross the parking lot for Ulefoss Ironworks, and up to the main road. You should head right across the bridge, but we recommend that you cycle across the junction and head down to Ulefoss lock first. The canal boats pass this lock, and there is a cafe open seasonally. Ulefoss lock is the first lock if you are heading from  Norsjø to Dalen with a boat.

Romnes church

In beautiful surroundings at Romnes stands the authentic medieval church built towards the end of the 12th century. The church is the most well preserved example of medieval churches, and has authentic baroque altarpiece, baptist fountain, and a pulpit with figure painting. The church is a good arena for conveying medieval culture, and throughout the summer the church is used by actors, puts on concerts, baptisms and weddings. The church is open the entirety of the summer season.

Norsjø golf park

The cycle trip passes by the golf park which has a wonderful forest and park course positioned idylicaly by the water. It offers one of Norways most challenging 18 hole courses. The course has open fair ways and challenging putting greens, You will also find a practice green and driving range with ball vending machines, clubs for hire, kiosk retail, and golf equipment for sale. Norsø golf park is open from early May to the end of September. A nice place for a coffee break.

Farm shop & gallery

When you get close to the Kalvodde recreation area, you will cycle past the sign for Haugane farm shop. They sell fruit and apple juice and other local foods. You can fill up your basket healthy and fresh food produce to enjoy for lunch at Kalvodde. We advice bringing cash, as the shop on occasion is self service. In the same area you will also find a gallery selling hand crafted jewelry and aquarell paintings.

Kalvodde

This recreation area sits on the former site of the Kalvodde farm which covered only 4.6 hectares of pastures, of ‘low grade nature’ (Hollaboka). The last owners were the brothers Diderik, Christen, and Andreas Sannes who took over the farm from their father in 1932. These were three of five siblings in a family of seven. The Sannes brothers emigrated to Madison, Wisconsin early, where they all became doctors and ambassadors of Norway. Christen was a very popular doctor and was known and called ‘doc’ Sannes in Madison. All three went to the ‘middleschool’ at Ulefoss and had to take the boat from Sannes to Ulefos quay, both during summer as well as winter. If the winters got to harsh and the ice become problematic for the boats, they had to walk the entirety of the distance to Ulefoss. The recreation area is now owned by the council and is a popular destination in Nome

Have a nice trip!