Discover Rollag

Rollag combines a medieval stave church and local architectural and everyday history with circular walks and trails along the Numedalslågen. When planning your trip, it is worth treating a church visit, Bygdetun and the trails as separate activities: each offers a different way to experience the history and landscape of the area. If you are looking for a hotel in Rollag, you can first decide whether cultural heritage, a hike or both will be the focus of your stay.

The stave church and visiting hours

Rollag stave church is one of Norway’s 28 surviving stave churches. Dendrochronological studies date the present church to the mid-15th century. It is still used in full as a parish church and stands on a small area above the Numedalslågen river. This building therefore brings together a historical date, a continuing parish function and a striking location.

The church strategy adopted on 18 November 2025 describes Rollag stave church as a central venue during Middelalderuka i Numedal. From 15 June to 15 August, Rollag church is open to visitors daily from 11:00 to 17:00. As seasonal hours may change, check them before your visit. In 2017, a new staircase with a ramp for wheelchair users was installed at the entrance to Rollag church.

Rollag bygdetun: buildings, collections and painting

Rollag bygdetun offers a different focus. Its 14 buildings are arranged around a spacious courtyard typical of local building traditions. The collections include more than 1,000 objects that tell the story of everyday life in the area. This presents architecture and everyday history as two distinct ways of getting to know the place.

If you are interested in decorative art, Rostadstugu is a specific point of interest: it is decorated with important works by the “Kongsberg painter”, who had a strong influence on rose painting in the area. Toenstugu also has regular use in winter, hosting cultural events, meetings and private celebrations. Individual programs may change.

Hiking trails and destinations along the Numedalslågen

Several routes start at Rollag bygdetun. The Paradisgrenda circular walk begins there, as do the trails to Rollagstjønn and Bjønnhølet. Parking is available at Bygdetun. Check the signage and maintenance of Paradisgrenda and the condition of the route to Middelaldersenter locally; parking arrangements may also change. Paradisgrenda is a circular walk, while Rollagstjønn and Bjønnhølet are two other route destinations.

The circular walk to Middelaldersenter goes around Middelalderskogen in Rollag, by the Numedalslågen. The forest has workshops for blacksmithing and woodworking. From Rollag bygdetun, trails lead to Idrettsskolen after crossing the old suspension bridge; other trails follow the Lågen towards Holman Camping. These destinations and trail connections offer different experiences; not all routes follow the same course or cover the same distance.

More options in the wider Rollag destination

The wider Rollag destination offers additional tours. The annual pilgrimage between Rollag stave church and Veggli church takes place during Middelalderuka. For cycling tours, distance and starting point also help with comparisons: “Rollag rundt” is 19.5 kilometers long, “Kjerre og Langåsen rundt” is 21 kilometers and starts at Veggli Vertshus. “Heimseterrunden” starts and ends at Veggli Fjellstue; there are several viewpoints along the way.

The “Trillemarka rundt” cycling tour passes through the Trillemarka-Rollagsfjell Nature Reserve along routes where cycling is permitted; restrictions on e-bikes apply in the protected area. The cycling route along the Numedalslågen is considered quiet, easy and family-friendly. The varied landscape, wildlife and cultural monuments shape the tour; interesting stops include Rollag Bygdetun and Rollag stave church. Check route details and trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Veggli

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