Activities Dalen, Norway
The Henrik Ibsen
Half-day ferry ride along the Telemark Canal
What better way to arrive at the fairy-tale Dalen Hotel than by taking the historic route used by the first travellers to the hotel in the late 19th century?
We will board the Henrik Ibsen at Lunde and experience one of Norway’s most distinctive waterways, passing through historic lock systems, narrow sections where the landscape comes close, and finally onto the open waters of Lake Bandak.
The M/S Henrik Ibsen was built in 1907 and has transported passengers through Norway’s waterways ever since. On board, we can enjoy the stunning views and get to know each other on the promenade deck, in the Aktersalongen restaurant or at the café up front.
*Please note: food and drinks during the boat trip are not included in the retreat package.
Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg
Our visit to Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg will be a wonderful starting point for experiencing the region’s rich cultural history. We’ll explore regional folk art and Norway’s medieval wooden buildings, including Stålekleivloftet, one of the world’s oldest wooden buildings (1167), and the 12th-century Eidsborg Stave Church.
We are excited that there will also be an exhibition of the life’s work of Irene Haugland, one of Norway’s leading knitwear designers from the 1980s to the 2000s. Telemark’s folk art is at the heart of her designs, drawing inspiration not only from the beauty of traditional patterns, but also from the stories and symbolism behind them. Irene Haugland has donated her life’s work to the Vest-Telemark Museum
Telespinn
Join us for an inspiring visit to Telespinn, a mini-mill specialized in spinning Mohair yarns and nestled in the “living history book” of the Hjartdal and Svartdal cultural landscape. This immersive outing begins with a presentation on the region’s unique agricultural heritage and historic buildings, including structures dating from the Middle Ages to the 1800s.
You’ll tour the specialized mini mill to see how glossy mohair fiber is sustainably processed into premium, chemical-free yarn. You’ll also meet the farm’s charming mohair goats: the essential “landscape gardeners” who help preserve the terrain by grazing on brush and bark and preventing forest overgrowth.
Finally, we’ll browse the farm shop for unique yarns, such as kidmohair Mari and lustrous Symre, perfect for your next Norwegian-inspired project.
Watch our interview with John Arbon Textiles!
Independent activity suggestions
Here are just a few activities you and your partner can explore in the area. We also encourage non-knitting partners to team up for some fun, independent outings while we knitters hone our skills in the workshops.
*Please note that these additional activity suggestions are not included in the retreat package and must be booked privately.
Norwegian Ski Museum
Just a 35 minute drive away from Dalen lies the valley of Morgedal, Telemark, known as the cradle of skiing. This is where Sondre Norheim revolutionized the sport almost 200 years ago by transitioning it from simple transportation to a modern athletic discipline!
A master craftsman obsessed with skiing since early childhood, Sondre reinvented skiing equipment by introducing bindings with heel straps for better control and designing shorter, curved skis with sidecuts that made turning significantly easier. These local innovations, developed on the challenging slopes of his home region, allowed him to pioneer the Telemark and Christiania turns, as well as slalom. Today, his legacy remains deeply tied to the area through the Norwegian Ski Museum and his childhood home at Øverbø, which continues to attract ski enthusiasts from around the world.
Åmdals Verk Mines
The Åmdals Verk Copper Mines have a rich history that began in the 16th century, with formal operations starting in 1691 after the discovery of copper ore in 1689.
The site experienced its golden age during the late 1800s, reaching a peak in 1884 with over 300 employees and providing social benefits such as a school and a doctor for the mining community.
Although the mines faced challenges due to high shipping costs, they remained operational until 1945, following a final period of forced production under German occupation during World War II. Throughout their history, the mines produced approximately 8,000 tons of copper, and the site now serves as a museum and geology center where visitors can explore the shafts via guided tours.
The Rui Sisters - A traditional farming life
Hike up Dalen valley to visit the Rui farm, home to the famous Rui sisters who lived their almost their entire lives here keeping up hard manual labor to sustain their farm life in the traditional manner. They could never afford a horse and cart and they crafted all their tools themselves. The two sisters left the farm once in their life to visit the King of Norway in Oslo.
Hiking, Biking, Canouing & Fishing
- Go hiking: Explore the many stunning hiking trails in this area.
- The Lårdalstigen trail (for passionate hikers): this is a demanding 14-kilometre ridge hike that follows the mountain edge up to 848 metres above the Telemark Canal. It features spectacular viewpoints over the Bandaksfjord and unique stone figures known as “Risen and Gygri”.
- Bike trails: rent an e-bike to explore the local area!
- Go Fishing: Together with the Dalen hotel we can help you borrow fishing equipment, buy a license and find the good nearby fishing locations.
- Canoeing and Kayaking: rent a canoe or kayak and explore the beautiful Telemark Canal!