Discover Passebekk

Passebekk offers specific starting points for a stay focused on local history, hiking and road cycling. The Passebekk Dam is a landmark for a round-trip hike and is accompanied by several local recreational facilities.

Local history and old roads

The newer Passebekkveien was built between 1888 and 1895. An old stone bridge, built in 1900, stands on the main road in Passebekk; the power station at the Passebekk Dam was commissioned in 1914. These dates place the road, bridge and power station in chronological context, bringing local history to life through tangible infrastructure.

The use of the roads has also changed. The old road to Passebekk was later used as a tractor road and hiking trail, and as a ski trail in winter. These changing uses are part of the road’s history. They should be distinguished from the current hiking route along the old municipal road from Efteløt to the Passebekk Dam.

Hiking to the Passebekk Dam

The route along the old municipal road from Efteløt to the Passebekk Dam is a 10.2-kilometre round-trip hike that is accessible year-round. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Recreation at the Passebekk Dam

The Passebekk Dam has a beach volleyball court and a sauna. Around the facility is a large lawn with play equipment, a swing, a large sandbox and a playhouse. This means a variety of facilities are located together in one place: a sports area, sauna and play areas.

Kongsberg Municipality’s Parks, Sports and Outdoor Recreation department operates and maintains the Passebekk Dam. For practical visitor information, check the municipality’s latest notices.

Road cycling in Passebekk

The road cycling routes described differ in direction and elevation profile. After passing through Passebekk, the Kongsberg–Skrim cycling route climbs steeply along Surliveien. One of the easier road cycling options, by contrast, descends from the Skrim mountains to Passebekk and continues to Hvittingfoss. Passebekk is also mentioned as an alternative starting point for road cycling tours.

The climb from Passebekk to Skrim is described in the book “71 bakker du må sykle i Norge” as one of Norway’s most beautiful climbs for cyclists. This is the book’s characterization, not an independent, current ranking. Check current road and route conditions before setting out.

Culture in Kongsberg

In the wider destination of Kongsberg, you’ll find other, distinct cultural attractions. The Kongsberg Jazz Festival takes place every year in calendar week 27; 2020 was an exception. The festival lasts four days and uses around 15 venues across the town, including clubs, churches, courtyards and outdoor stages. Venues and the programme may change from one edition to the next. If the festival is relevant to your travel plans, check the dates and programme for the edition you plan to attend.

Kongsberg Church is Norway’s largest Baroque church and has a rich Rococo interior. Kronene i Håvet refers to a group of royal monograms on a rock face in Kongsberg. The Håvet route offers another way to explore Kongsberg: it is the fifth route in the digital Kongsberg guide, which has 53 stops in total, and connects Gruveåsen with the town.

Transport and travel planning

Bus route 430 runs to the Passebekk butikk stop. Check the current timetable before travelling. This gives you a specific point of reference for bus travel, alongside the hiking and cycling options.

Discover more destinations: Kongsberg, Hvittingfoss, Skollenborg.

Return to the main travel overview: Kongsberg.