Grua: Mining history, church and trails

Grua combines mining history with a cultural trail starting at the railway station and a station on the Gjøvik Line. The village may be of interest if you want to include culture, hiking or cross-country skiing in your travel plans. The main points of interest around Grua include the Hadeland Mining Museum, the Nyseter mines and the trails starting at the railway station.

Getting here and the station’s history

Grua is a stop on the Gjøvik Line; check the timetable separately when planning your specific journey. The railway station opened as a stopping place in 1901, shortly before the entire Gjøvik Line was completed. The year places the station in the history of the village, while the timetable is what matters for planning your journey today. From the station, you can also explore Nordmarka on foot, on skis or by bicycle. In Grua, a specific railway stop thus connects with various opportunities for outdoor activities.

Mining history and the museum

The Hadeland Mining Museum is located in Grua and presents the mining history of Grua and Hadeland. At the Bråten site in the centre of Grua, there is an exhibition about geology and mining in both areas. The Hadeland mines are among Norway’s oldest iron mines and were already in operation in 1538. The mine is located in the Østhagan landscape protection area. In the summer season, the museum offers guided tours of the Nyseter mines; check the current programme before your trip. An exhibition in the village centre and a guided tour of the mines are different ways to learn about the region’s geology and mining.

On foot to the Nyseter mines

The nature and cultural trail starts at Grua railway station, passes several cultural heritage sites and a landscape protection area, and ends at the Nyseter mines. The route from the station to the mines passes through varied terrain and takes approximately one hour, depending on your pace and conditions. This is a rough estimate for the trip, not a fixed walking time. The hike therefore includes both the route through the terrain and the destination at the mines.

Cross-country skiing and other trails

In winter, the Grua–Nysetra trail offers another option. From the station, walk about 90 metres north towards Oslo along the old Rv 4, cross the road and turn right onto a cleared path; the ski trail starts there after about 350 metres. The route between Grua and Nysetra is part of the interconnected cross-country ski trail system between Gjøvik and Oslo. The directions describe how to reach this particular trail; its place in the ski trail system describes the wider network. In addition to cross-country skiing, you can also explore Nordmarka from Grua on foot or by bicycle.

Grua Church

Another cultural landmark is Grua Church. Built in 1924, it is a log-built long church with exterior cladding, located on a slope just south of the centre of Grua. The local sights therefore have different points of interest: the museum and mines focus on geology and mining, while the church is notable for its design, materials and location.

Discover more destinations: Harestua

For the main travel overview: Lunner.