Modum: Mining History, Cultural Trails and Nature

Modum offers different perspectives on mining history, traces of culture and nature. The cobalt mines and the Kittelsen Museum extend over three kilometres along the Skuterud ridge. There are also marked trails, viewpoints and places where you can discover the region’s history in different ways. When planning your trip, consider whether you want to focus on mining and cultural trails, hikes or activities on the water.

Mining History Around the Cobalt Mines

The historic mining tour takes you into the cobalt mines. Highlights include a walkable “floating” glass floor and a 32-metre-long underground suspension bridge, the first of its kind in Norway. The tour is suitable for children and adults aged 10 and over. If you prefer to be outdoors, you’ll find two cultural trails at the mines: Nordgruvene Rundt and Sydgruvene Rundt pass large open pits and rock heaps. Viewpoints offer panoramic views of Tyrifjorden and Vikersundbakken.

A circular route around the open pits runs alongside large excavations through a human-shaped cultural landscape dating from the 120 years between 1773 and 1893. Along the way, visitors can see the open pits up close and enjoy views across the entire mine complex and Tyrifjorden. The DNT has also marked an 11-kilometre trail from Haugfoss to Koboltkoia, an unstaffed tourist cabin near the North Mines.

The “Blaafarververket Rundt” circuit also links several named points: it starts at Værket by Haugfossen, climbs up, crosses the bridge and descends along Malmveien, then passes the quarry with its waterwheel and continues to Stigerboligen. Viewpoints and information boards are located along the route.

Hiking Trails, Landscapes and Water

Øståsen, Modum’s part of Finnemarka, has numerous marked trails. In winter, many of them are groomed for cross-country skiing; conditions on the trails can vary. If you’d like to take a break by Bergsjø, a trail along the lakeshore has tables and benches with views of the water. These facilities may be seasonal.

The Øya recreation area has a wheelchair-accessible path from the centre of Vikersund to the end of Øya. There you’ll find different types of vegetation and an area rich in birdlife. A historic walking trail on Øya adds a cultural perspective to the natural surroundings, with 14 information boards about industrialisation, the mill and timber floating in Modum. Check the trail’s current condition before your visit.

In summer, Tyrifjorden is used for swimming, boating and recreation. Activities therefore vary depending on what you’re looking for: the lake offers summer leisure activities, while Øståsen also has groomed ski trails in winter.

Cultural Trails and Historic Sites

The cultural trail in Gruveåsen is four kilometres long and leads to ten former settlements. Nymoen Rundt shows how people lived at Blaafarveværket. Along Skogstien near Nyfossum, information boards cover forestry, hunting and outdoor life; the trail is family-friendly.

Gamle Kirkevei leads from the centre of Vikersund to Heggen Church. Information boards along the route explore place names and history in an old cultural landscape. The listed medieval church was originally built in the early 13th century in the Romanesque style, using local limestone.

In Furumo and Brunesmoane, archaeological traces range from 6,000-year-old rock carvings and prehistoric trapping pits dating to around 2000 BC, to medieval charcoal pits and iron-smelting sites, as well as more recent charcoal kilns. The rock carvings at Katfoss near Geithus are also part of the hunting rock-carving fields: four such fields are in Buskerud and ten in eastern Norway.

Vikersund and Getting There

Vikersund Hoppsenter is Norway’s official national ski flying centre, located in the municipality of Modum. The K-200 large hill has a hill size, or HS, of 240 metres and is the only ski flying hill in the Nordic countries. The Hoppsenter adds a distinctive attraction alongside the cultural trails and natural areas.

For travel by public transport, Blaafarveværket recommends taking the train to Hokksund, then bus 100 or 101 to Åmot bus station, and from there bus 105 to Blaafarveværket. Check the current timetable before travelling. Free parking is available at all Blaafarveværket facilities; electric vehicle charging stations are available at Værket. You should check these details before travelling as well.

Discover more destinations: Vikersund, Åmot, Krødsherad, Flesberg, Nedre Eiker, Ringerike, Nes, Nore Og Uvdal.

For the broader travel overview: Buskerud.