Hemsedal: Cross-country ski trails, river and experiences
Accommodation in Hemsedal
Hemsedal offers more than winter sports: there is a climbing park in the town centre, an open area by the river with paths and picnic spots, and the surrounding area offers opportunities for cross-country skiing, biking and fishing. There are also activities beyond skiing and a parish church with a history dating back to 1882. This means you can choose different focuses for your stay – from ski trails and the ski area to nature and cultural experiences.
Climbing in the town centre and a church with a history
The Høyt & Lavt climbing park is in the town centre of Hemsedal, next to the MOH+ Sport shop. It is open to all age groups and has a 12.5-metre-high climbing tower with a zipline leading into the park. If you would like to include climbing in your travel plans, this offers a specific experience right in town. The height of the tower and the zipline give the attraction its own character; the park is an alternative to days focused on ski trails or the ski area.
Hemsedal parish church also tells a story of change in local life. When the old stave church at Kyrkjebøen was demolished in 1882, the new parish church was already standing. It was designed by architect Johannes Henrik Nissen, and Bishop Essendrop consecrated it on 7 June 1882. The two churches therefore belong to different moments in the same year’s history: the old one was demolished while the new one was already standing and was consecrated in June.
Ski trails and routes to the ski area
Hemsedal has a total of 250 kilometres of machine-groomed cross-country ski trails. There are also 100 kilometres of high-mountain trails. These are marked and groomed when conditions are suitable; from week 7 onwards, they are groomed daily during the winter holidays and Easter, as well as at weekends. If you are planning a cross-country skiing holiday, you can take into account both the size of the trail network and the conditions and grooming times mentioned.
The ski bus takes passengers to and from the ski area free of charge. It connects the areas of the ski resort with Hemsedal town centre, as well as with Tuv and Ulsåk. There is also a lit footpath between the town centre and the ski area. This means you can use either the ski bus or the footpath to get between these locations.
Bruøyne and the river landscape
Bruøyne is a scenic open area by the river, just a short walk from Hemsedal town centre. New boardwalks, small bridges, smooth rocks and pine trees shape the site. Paths and platforms lead through the area; for a break, there is a picnic area with benches and a fire pit by the river. Open fires are permitted there only from 15 September to 15 April – an important detail to keep in mind when planning a stay by the river.
The Hemsila is considered one of Norway’s best rivers for trout fishing. This is a special feature of the landscape for anglers; Bruøyne, in turn, offers its own place to spend time by the river. Dog sledding and ice climbing are also offered in Hemsedal as activities beyond skiing. The range of options therefore extends beyond cross-country skiing and the ski area, without all the experiences needing to be of the same kind.
More active days on holiday
Hemsedal Rides is a flow trail centre with green, blue and red biking trails, as well as Tottelia Bike Park. Trail features include banked turns, jumps and berms. If you are interested in biking, you can make these activities a focus of their own alongside cross-country skiing or activities by the river. The different trail colours and features describe what is on offer, without making any claims about individual riding conditions.
If you would like to include other places in your search in addition to Hemsedal, you can also find Drammen, Gol, Flesberg and Flå here.
For the broader travel overview: Buskerud.
More about the destination
Useful information to help you plan your trip:
