Nes: Church, Begna and Sperillen

Nes lies on the E16 at the northern end of Sperillen; the Begna River divides the settlement into two parts. The river, lake and road location give the area a clear geographical character. Other highlights include an octagonal wooden church in the Empire style and a bathing spot with long sandy beaches.

Nes between the Begna and Sperillen

The Begna River divides the settlement into two parts, while Sperillen provides its northern landscape setting. The lake is part of the Begna watercourse, covers about 37 km² and is around 26 km long.

The church and local history

Nes Church is an octagonal wooden church in the Empire style, dating from 1860. It was consecrated on 22 August 1860. Its design, materials and architectural style give the church a distinctive character; it has 250 seats. Alongside its waterside setting, Nes also offers a tangible connection to architectural and local history.

Swimming and fishing at Sperillen

The bathing spot at Nes i Ådal has long sandy beaches. It can be reached via a turn-off 200 m south of the Shell 7-Eleven petrol station in Nes. Check the local access conditions when planning your visit.

There are good fishing spots in the northern part of Sperillen in Ringerike. The lake is known for trolling and spinning for trout and pike. This means visitors can choose between different ways to enjoy the water: the long sandy beaches at the bathing spot or fishing in the northern parts of the lake. Check the applicable rules before fishing.

More topics in the wider Ringerike destination

Beyond Nes, Ringerike is characterised by long, wooded hills and large lakes. In the north, two short mountain ranges and valleys shape the landscape.

In the wider Ringerike destination, the Ringerike Museum is located in the old vicarage at Norderhov, next to Norderhov Church. Its exhibits include several hundred objects from Jørgen Moe’s home. The museum also has an exhibition by the Hjemmestyrkemuseet, featuring equipment and weapons from both sides during the occupation years. The two collections offer different perspectives on everyday life and the occupation period.

Another cultural and historical highlight in Ringerike is Veien Cultural Heritage Park. It has one of the largest burial grounds from the Early Iron Age in eastern Norway, with more than 100 burial mounds, as well as a reconstructed longhouse from the Roman Iron Age. The scale of the burial ground and the replica longhouse make the park a distinctive archaeological attraction in the region.

The Pilgrims’ Route through Ringerike also offers a regional perspective on cultural and natural landscapes: the marked trail passes through Hole and Ringerike to Norderhov Church and was opened at Olsok in 1995. It is part of the pilgrimage route from Oslo to Nidaros and partly follows Den Bergenske Kongevei.

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