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In the footsteps of the girls from Rui

Type:Hiking

3880, Dalen

Add In the footsteps of the girls from Rui to your Itinerary

  • film
  • 2 ladies sitting at a table at Rui Square looking at a map
  • lady walking up the Sherpa steps to Rui Square
  • signs about Rui square next to the sherpa stairs
  • Rui Square with a view of the Telemark Canal
  • The Rui square in autumn
  • Dalen Brygge with lots of people and MS Henrik Ibsen
  • Ves-Telemark Museum reflected in the water
  • Eidsborg stave church
  • Rui sisters
  • Rui sisters
  • girl sitting on a rock in Rui Square and looking out over the Telemark Canal
  • 2 ladies on their way up to Rui Square
  • map of Dalen

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About

A challenging hiking trail packed full of culture and history. The hike from the start of the staircase up to Rui is 1 km long, 810 steps, 200 metres hight difference, about 20-30 minute hike one way. The hike all the way to Eidsborg is 5 km long, about 2 hours hike one way. 

To get to Rui, you follow in the Rui girls' footsteps from Dalen on a stone staircase made by Sherpas from Nepal. You see the start of the stairs across the road from Dalen B&B, by the ambulance station.

"Beintsteberg" is the path called locally, which means the shortest path up the mountain. A lot of work is laid down in building the staircase, and the experience of first walking on the beautiful stairs that swirl up the mountain, and then ascending to the height of beautiful Rui is quite unique.

The stone you walk on is local whetstone. Whetstone from Eidsborg is Norway's oldest export product, from the Viking era up to 1950, millions of whetstone were transported down the waterway (the Telemark Canal) and out to the world.

You can also walk from the pier area, Lastein Bryggje (Dalen). The pier serves as a docking point for the historic boats on the Telemark Canal, in summer here is also an exhibition and dining at Lastein Bryggjekafe. Plenty of space for parking both on the pier and in the center, in the center at Coop or up by the tourist office.

If you start the hike from the center of Dalen, you should stop by and see the Rui girls portrayed outside the tourist office. The image of them is in their full size - about 1.20 meters in height. The tourist office has hiking brochure and offer advice for your trip, you are most welcome to stop by. 

The hike from the start of the staircase up to Rui is 1 km long, 810 steps, 200 metres hight difference, about 20-30 minute hike. The hike all the way to Eidsborg is 5 km long, about 2 hours hike. 

You will discover stunning vantage points along the way as well as historical sites such as Riarhamaren and Rui. There are information boards and resting places along the route. Take your time as you reach the hills. If you look around you, you will discover a fascinating flora with plenty of sun-loving plants.

Rui is in private ownership. It is not allowed to camp at Rui or in the surrounding area, neither in a tent or a hammock. Biking is not okay either. The Haukelidsæter family put in a lot of work to manage buildings and cultural landscapes, and keep Rui open and accessible to all of us, something we are very grateful for. 

Respect the cultural landscape and buildings, take garbage home with you and do not camp at Rui.

If Eidsborg is your destination, you should end the day with a visit to the splendid West Telemark Museum and its café. The museum is also home to stunning Eidsborg Stave Church, one of the smallest stave churches in the country.

If you have any energy left once you reach Eidsborg, you can continue your hike up to the popular whetstone quarry. The history of whetstone from Eidsborg can be explored at the museum.

Key facts: 

Accessible: April - October 

Lenght: 1 km to Rui /5 km to Eidsborg 

Highest point: Eidsborg 540 meters above the sea 

Total elevation gain: 468 m 

Footwear: Hiking boots or sneakers 

 

Facilities

Distance

  • length in km - 5.5 km

Duration

  • 4 hours

Grading

  • challenging

Intended audience

  • Adults
  • Family with children

Nature and terrain

  • cultural landscape
  • steep

Season

  • April - Oktober

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Driving directions:

The trail starts at Dalen / Dalen Bryggje. If you arrive on route E134 from the east, leave the main road in Høydalsmo and follow route FV45 to Dalen. Dalen Bryggje is on the left-hand side just as you descend from Eidsborgberget. After around 500 m you will reach the centre of Dalen.

From Vrådal and Åmot on route FV38 to Dalen: arriving in the centre of Dalen, you will see Dalen Bryggje on your right after around 500 m. There is ample parking both at Dalen Bryggje and in the centre of Dalen.

Contact

Tel: +47 35 07 56 56

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