Dokka – Nature, Rail and Culture

A trip to Dokka brings together several distinct themes: a rail-bike ride on the disused Valdresbanen, nearby Dokkadeltaet, Lands Museum above the town centre and the Folkestien. When choosing a hotel, it may help to first consider whether you want to plan time for the railway, nature watching or cultural history.

Rail-bike ride on the Valdresbanen

Between Dokka and Hov, you can ride a rail bike along the tracks of the disused Valdresbanen. The route is 23.7 kilometres long and runs alongside Dokkadeltaet and Randsfjord. For this rail-bike route in the wider destination of Nordre Land, the one-way journey takes about two and a half hours. Factor the duration into your day’s plans and check the specific date against the operator’s information. At Dokka station, bicycle baskets, first-aid kits, bicycle helmets and yellow vests are available for the activity. The railway infrastructure and facilities associated with train operations on the Valdresbanen are considered cultural heritage worthy of preservation; the line has its terminus in Dokka.

Dokkadeltaet and the wider Nordre Land area

The nearby Dokkadeltaet nature reserve is formed where the Etna and Dokka rivers flow into Randsfjord. More than 220 bird species have been observed there. From Dokka, you can reach a birdwatching hide at Dokkadeltaet by taking Jevnakervegen south. The area is easily accessible and is also used for recreational activities such as boating and fishing.

In the wider destination of Nordre Land, Dokkadeltaet was protected as a nature reserve in 1990 and received Ramsar status in 2002. It is one of the largest and most important stopover sites on a major route for waterfowl in eastern Norway. Also in Nordre Land is Skolmen bru, a reconstructed bridge 41 metres long, with a 39-metre span and Howe truss construction. Torafossen in the Skolmbygda area is 28 metres high.

Museum, art and events

Lands Museum, above the centre of Dokka, is a cultural and natural history museum with more than 30 historic buildings. The Thomlebygningen houses original works of art by Peder Aadnes. In the wider destination of Nordre Land, Aadnes is regarded as Norway’s first painter. The museum offers exhibitions and events throughout the year. The buildings, art and natural history focus give a museum visit a different emphasis from a rail-bike ride and nature experiences at Dokkadeltaet.

Landsbymarked is also held in the heart of Landsbyen Dokka. Check the event dates when planning your trip.

Folkestien in Dokka

Folkestien is a marked five-kilometre circular route in Dokka. Along the path are information boards about nature, cultural heritage and the landscape. Folkestien is accessible to wheelchair users. There is also a fishing ramp at Granngardshølen, designed for people with reduced mobility. The information along the circular route brings together nature and cultural themes; the fishing ramp adds a specific spot for fishing.

Discover more destinations: Aust-Torpa, Nord-Torpa.

Return to the wider travel overview: Nordre Land.