Discover Nes: local history and waterscapes

For a stay in Nes, local history and waterscapes offer different points of interest. Nes Church provides a tangible historical connection; the bathing spot in Nes i Ådal and nearby Sperillen are of interest to travellers who enjoy the beach or fishing.

Location and water

Nes lies on the E16 at the northern end of Sperillen. The Begna divides the settlement into two parts, making the river and the lake distinct geographical points of reference. Sperillen is a lake in the Begna river system in Ådal, Ringerike municipality, Buskerud county. It is about 26 km long and covers about 37 km². Length and area describe different dimensions of the lake; both figures give a sense of the scale of this nearby landscape.

Nes Church

Nes Church is an octagonal wooden church in the Empire style and was consecrated on 22 August 1860. Octagonal means that its ground plan has eight sides. The combination of its shape, wooden construction and Empire style gives a clear architectural context, while the consecration date marks its place in history. The church has 250 seats. These details make Nes Church a tangible cultural-history landmark for travellers interested in architectural styles.

Bathing spot and fishing

The bathing spot in Nes i Ådal has long sandy beaches. It can be reached via a turn-off located 200 m south of the Shell-7-Eleven petrol station in Nes. Check local access conditions before visiting. There are good fishing spots in the northern part of Sperillen in Ringerike. The lake is known for trolling and spin fishing for trout and pike. This offers two distinct ways to enjoy the water: long sandy beaches at the bathing spot, and particular fishing methods and fish species at the lake. Fishing rules may change; check the regulations in force before fishing.

Ringerike as the wider setting

In the wider destination of Ringerike, museums, archaeology and landscapes add to the picture of the region. The Ringerikes Museum is located in the old vicarage of Norderhov, beside Norderhov Church. It features exhibitions with several hundred objects from Jørgen Moe’s private household, as well as an exhibition by the Hjemmestyrkemuseet with equipment and weapons from both sides during the years of occupation.

Ringerike’s archaeological heritage includes Veien Cultural Heritage Park. It is home to one of the largest burial grounds from the Early Iron Age in eastern Norway, with more than 100 burial mounds; there is also a reconstructed longhouse from the Roman Iron Age. These traces of earlier eras offer a different historical perspective from Nes Church, consecrated in 1860.

The Pilegrimsleden through Ringerike is a marked route for modern pilgrims. It passes through cultural and natural landscapes in Hole and Ringerike to Norderhov Church and opened at Olsok in 1995. The route is part of the pilgrimage trail from Oslo to Nidaros and partly follows Den Bergenske Kongevei. Ringerike’s landscape also provides a distinct regional setting: it is characterised by long, forested hills and large lakes; in the north, two short mountain ranges and valleys shape the scenery.

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