Gaustatoppen

Gaustatoppen, at 1,883 m, is a striking summit in Tinn municipality in Telemark, near Rjukan. Visit Norway calls it the widest view in southern Norway, and on a clear day, according to Visit Rjukan, you can see about one sixth of the country. The easiest route starts at the Stavsro car park at around 1,100 m. It is about 4.3 km long, climbs roughly 700 m and takes about two hours uphill; the path is wide and clear but stony. June to September is recommended.

The route from Selstali is longer, with about four hours of ascent, and only for the fit. If you would rather not hike, take the Gaustabanen, a railway inside the mountain. It runs daily in summer and on winter weekends and holidays when snow and weather allow. It departs from Svineroi on Fv 651; current times are on gaustabanen.no. You cannot refill water bottles at the summit cabin. Visit Rjukan points to roadworks on County Road 3430 to Gaustatoppen from week 35 of 2026; whether and how access is restricted could not be established, so check the current status before you go.