Discover Tokke: Canal, hiking trails and culture
Accommodation in Tokke
Tokke offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: a journey along the Telemark Canal, paths above the water, fishing opportunities and cultural history. Dalen is centrally located in Tokke, at the end of Bandak and the Telemark Canal. When choosing your travel dates, it is worth distinguishing the trail timings from the ships’ seasonal schedules.
Dalen and the Telemark Canal
The Telemark Canal reaches Dalen from Skien, covering 105 kilometres. The route has 18 lock chambers and a difference in elevation of 72 metres. Passenger ships operate on the Skien–Dalen and Dalen–Skien routes; these include the M/S Henrik Ibsen and the M/S Victoria. Passenger services operate seasonally, so check the timetable before travelling.
In the wider destination of Telemark, the canal runs from the coast, through the hilly fruit-growing landscape of Midt-Telemark, to the high mountains and the Hardangervidda. A complete boat trip between Skien and Dalen takes around 10 to 11 hours. This approximate duration gives you an idea of the time spent on board, while the 105 kilometres describe the route’s length.
Hiking with different route distances
The LĂĄrdalstigen runs along the mountain ridge from Dalen to LĂĄrdal, reaching up to 800 metres above the Telemark Canal. The full trail is 14 kilometres long. Check trail conditions before setting out.
By comparison, the Rui Sherpa Steps are a shorter hike: they are 1 kilometre long, with 810 steps and 200 metres of elevation gain. The one-way walk takes around 20 to 30 minutes. The Rui route continues to the Vest-Telemark Museum in Eidsborg; this route is 5 kilometres long and takes around two hours one way. The distances and times offer different points of reference for your planning. Conditions can vary, so it is a good idea to check them before your hike.
Bandak and TokkeĂĄi
TokkeĂĄi flows into the western part of Bandak via the Bandak Delta. Steep mountains surround this part of the lake, reaching heights of up to 1,000 metres. Fishing in TokkeĂĄi and Bandak involves a trout population that is more than 10,000 years old; trout from Bandak can weigh over 15 kilograms. Check the applicable rules and licence requirements before fishing.
Cultural history in Dalen and Tokke
Built in 1894, Dalen Hotel is designed in a lush, romantic style. Its architectural features include dragon heads, towers and spires, as well as balconies, projections and cornices. In 2000, the hotel received the Europa Nostra Silver Medal—the organisation’s highest award—for preserving the hotel as a unique cultural monument.
Grimdalstunet was the childhood home of sculptor Anne Grimdalen. The same site also houses a museum that presents the sculptor’s life and artistic work. The Soria Moria Sauna in Dalen can also be rented for two hours at a time; check current availability in advance.
Høydalsmo and the wider area
Høydalsmo, on the E134, is considered a gateway to Tokke. It has a network of cross-country ski trails with routes of 2.5, 3, 5 and 10 kilometres. The trail network is seasonal, making it suitable for a different time of year from a trip on the canal.
Discover more destinations
Dalen, Høydalsmo, Åmdals Verk, Nome, Bamble, Fyresdal, Kviteseid, Bø
For the overview of the wider destination: Telemark.
