Skotselv: Church, Ironworks and Hiking Trails

Skotselv can be explored through its cultural history and hiking: Bakke Church and the former Hassel ironworks tell the story of the area, while Knivedalen and Lobbenåsen offer hiking opportunities. To plan your trip, you can first consider whether you are particularly interested in church and industrial history or in hiking trails. More cultural and nature-related themes can be found in the wider destination of Øvre Eiker.

Church and Ironworks in Skotselv

Bakke Church in Skotselv was consecrated on 10 October 1883. Built from logs, the cruciform church was designed by architect D. Omeijer. Its cemetery contains numerous cultural heritage monuments in the form of iron crosses cast at the Hassel ironworks. The church cemetery thus brings together sacred architecture and a tangible product of the ironworks.

The former Norwegian ironworks Hassel jernverk operated from 1649 to 1854. It was one of Norway’s oldest ironworks and, at times, one of the largest in the country. Together, the church, cemetery and ironworks offer different insights into Skotselv’s history: Bakke Church is a 19th-century building, while Hassel jernverk represents an earlier period of iron production.

Hiking in Knivedalen and on Lobbenåsen

Knivedalen has hiking routes, including one to Bergdamtjern. A marked circular hiking trail runs on Lobbenåsen, where there is also a shelter. The options therefore differ in type: Knivedalen offers hikes to destinations such as Bergdamtjern, while Lobbenåsen has a marked circular trail and a shelter.

Trail conditions can vary. Check the current conditions before setting out. If hiking opportunities are your main consideration when choosing where to stay, the different types of trails can be a useful point of reference.

More Cultural and Nature-Related Themes in Øvre Eiker

In the wider destination of Øvre Eiker, Fossesholm Herregård near Vestfossen is an 18th-century manor house with a long history. The Fossesholm Museum is open daily during the summer season and accessible by appointment outside that season. Check the seasonal visiting arrangements before your trip. The Nedre Buskerud Home Front Museum is also located at Fossesholm Herregård and presents local conditions and events from the occupation years of 1940 to 1945.

Other cultural attractions include the Nøstetangen Glass Museum and Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium. The glass museum displays glass art from Norway’s first glassworks at Nøstetangen, as well as work from other glassworks and by other glass artists. The art centre is a contemporary art hub in the former Vestfos Cellulose factory, which operated from 1886 to 1970. Øvre Eiker’s cultural offerings thus range from manor-house and wartime history to glass and contemporary art.

The region’s outdoor activities also vary: Eikern can be circumnavigated on foot or by bicycle, and Hoensvannet offers a walking route around the lake and opportunities for swimming. A marked, 4.3-kilometre circular trail runs on Ullandsåsen. It passes through wet terrain and has a trail register box at its highest point. These details allow you to compare different types of routes and conditions in the wider destination of Øvre Eiker.

If you are also considering other attractions in Øvre Eiker, plan separately for their visiting arrangements. This keeps the local focus distinct from the additional regional options.

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