Sigdal: Artist History and Nature Experiences

Explore Sigdal through its artistic history, regional culture, and experiences in nature. There’s everything from an open-air museum and former artists’ homes to hiking trails, river activities, and seasonal offerings at a seter. You can tailor your stay to suit your interests in culture, outdoor activities, or scenery.

Museums and Regional History

The Sigdal Museum is an open-air museum of cultural history, founded in 1940 in Prestfoss. It is also home to Folkemusikksenteret i Buskerud, a centre for folk music and folk dance. The museum grounds are accessible whether or not the museum itself is open. The museum is open year-round by appointment; arrange your visit before you travel.

Eggedal Mølle opened as a museum in 1997. The site includes, among other things, an old sawmill, a watermill, a schoolhouse, a storehouse, and a brewhouse. The mill tells the story of hydropower and forestry in Buskerud.

Artists’ Homes and Målargutua

Lauvlia was the home of Theodor Kittelsen and opened as a museum in 1995. Activities specially designed for children include a children’s trail, painting at an easel, and boat-building; the programme may vary by season. Lauvlia also serves Sigdalskling, freshly baked waffles with sour cream and homemade raspberry jam, as well as traditional coffee-time treats such as Bringebærsnipp. Food offerings may be seasonal.

Hagan is one of Norway’s best-preserved artists’ homes from the Golden Age of Norwegian painting. The painter Christian Skredsvig lived there for 30 years. The approximately 10 km Målargutua trail runs from Kittelsen’s former home at Sole (1896–1899) to Skredsvig’s former home, Hagan (1894–1924), and passes Eggedal Mølle. There are information boards, places to rest, and picnic spots along the way.

Nature, seters, and Trails

Grøset seter is in Sigdal, near Andersnatten, and serves as a starting point for a hike in the Trillemarka nature reserve. In summer, visitors can see various farm animals there; rømmegrøt and sveler are also served in summer. Trillemarka has varied natural landscapes and lies partly in Sigdal and partly in Numedal. The wider area around Trillemarka has cycling routes for different ability levels, including routes suitable for families with children.

The circular trail around Haglebuvannet passes through old spruce forest and bogland to barbecue areas and a permanent shelter by the water. It is considered suitable for jogging and cycling, as well as for pushchairs and wheelchairs; there are also accessible fishing spots. Check local accessibility information before your visit. At Haglebu Feriesenter, you can rent canoes and boats for Haglebuvannet and buy fishing permits for the lake. Rental options and fishing permits may change; check in advance.

Water Experiences

Sigdal Aktiv offers rafting for individuals, groups, and companies. Participants receive an introduction to paddling technique, steering their own raft as a team, swimming in the river, and self-rescue. Rafting depends on suitable water levels; the season and operational availability may vary.

A SUP tour with Sigdal Aktiv follows the Eggedøla River downstream and into the Solevatn nature reserve. Water levels, the season, and the provider’s availability may vary. Check in advance whether the tour is offered during your chosen travel dates.

When planning your hotel stay, you might first consider what you want your trip to focus on: artists’ history and museums, trails and scenery, or water activities. Plan seasonal offerings and visits by appointment around your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Nedre Eggedal, Eggedal, Prestfoss, Øvre Eiker, Røyken, Hol, Hurum, Nes.

For the wider travel overview: Buskerud.