Legendary Telemark

Telemark is a landscape where nature and myths walk hand in hand. Here, you can wander among waterfalls that roar with ancient power, experience stave churches steeped in trollish legends, and follow in the footsteps of artists and folk musicians who drew inspiration from both the land and the tales surrounding them. From Theodor Kittelsen’s fairytale island of Jomfruland to the sea serpent in Lake Seljord – Telemark offers magical experiences for the whole family.

Discover Jomfruland – Theodor Kittelsen’s Fairytale Island

"Far out lay Jomfruland – the land of mermaids,
a green strip with the white lighthouse far out in the open sea."
– Theodor Kittelsen

Travel to Jomfruland, located at the outer edge of the Kragerø archipelago, and step onto an island where nature and myth intertwine. Legend tells that the island was once a hidden underwater kingdom of the hulder people, rising from the sea only to vanish again. This mystical landscape inspired Theodor Kittelsen, Norway’s great fairytale illustrator, who was born in Kragerø. You can easily reach the island with the Ferry trip in the Kragerø archipelago or a Kragerø taxi boat, and step into a living fairytale world.

Here you can experience the legendary Jomfruland:

• Visit Tårntjernet, where Kittelsen found inspiration for his iconic painting of The Nøkk.
• Take a springtime stroll among the blooming wood anemones in Eikeskogen, which transforms into a white floral carpet.
• Admire the two majestic lighthouses guarding the island, the backdrop for Kittelsen’s mermaid legends.
• Explore the pebble beach, a dramatic Ice Age landscape that looks as if it were taken straight from a storybook.

Rent a bike from Sykkelknut, or explore the island on foot. On Jomfruland, the whole family can step into Kittelsen’s world of fairytales and experience a coastal island brimming with magical landscapes and living legends.

Back in Kragerø town center, visit Kittelsenhuset, his childhood home, open from June to August. Here you can admire his original artworks and get close to the man who shaped how Norwegians imagine trolls, hulders, and other creatures from folklore.

Fun fact: Did you know that the Netflix film Troll, watched by over 100 million people worldwide, was inspired by Kittelsen’s drawing “Troll at Karl Johan”? In 2025, the sequel “Troll 2” will premiere.

Experience Brekkeparken in Skien – Culture, History and a Touch of Mystery

Skien, the birthplace of Henrik Ibsen and one of Norway’s oldest towns, offers culture, history, and captivating experiences. On what locals call “the roof of Skien” lies the beautiful Brekkeparken, one of the city’s most popular attractions. Wander among traditional farmhouses collected from across Telemark, enjoy the colorful tulip displays in spring, and visit the Telemark Museum.

The jewel of the park is Søndre Brekke Estate, a stately building once home to wealthy families. Join a guided tour through the grand house – but stay alert. According to legend, the ghostly Grey Lady still roams its halls, disturbing visitors. In late October, the park transforms into Skrekkeparken – a thrilling Halloween experience for young and old.

The combination of historical surroundings, a beautiful park, and mysterious tales makes Brekkeparken a unique place to visit in Skien.

In the Footsteps of Myllarguten – The Fossegrim’s Pupil

Nestled at the north end of Lake Norsjø lies the Fruitvillage, an idyllic region in Mid-Telemark known for its fertile farmland, folk musicians, and resourceful farmers. Here, you can dive into the story of Myllarguten, the miller’s son from Sauherad who became one of Norway’s most influential fiddlers. According to legend, his teacher was none other than the mystical Fossegrim.

"The Fossegrim’s strings stirred,
the foam leapt and swirled.
None but Myllarguten heard
how the river sang with strings’ tune."
– Johan Sebastian Welhaven

Torgeir Augundsson, better known as Myllarguten, grew up in Sauherad and became a legendary fiddler. Blending local traditions with artistic mastery, he collaborated with violinist Ole Bull to bring Norwegian folk music into the great concert halls of Europe.

In Nordagutu, you can walk the Myllargut Trail and learn about his life. His final years were spent at the crofter’s farm Myllarheimen in Vinje’s Arabygdi, where today you can visit his home and the memorial erected in his honor. Myllarguten’s life and music remain a cornerstone of Norway’s cultural heritage, often described as the very symbol of Telemark’s rich folk music legacy.

A Fairytale Hike to Gygrestolen

Set out on a hike to Gygrestolen in Bø, one of Telemark’s most dramatic rock formations. Two massive boulders form a giant chair on the cliff’s edge, a natural monument seemingly made for trolls. According to legend, it was here that a gygra, a female troll, sat and hurled huge stones toward the village church in anger when Christianity arrived.

From the top, the sweeping view of valleys, lakes, and rolling hills is breathtaking. Gygrestolen is a hike that combines natural drama with myth – a perfect adventure for explorers of all ages.

The Legend of Heddal Stave Church

Visit Heddal Stave Church, Norway’s largest and one of the country’s most impressive wooden churches. Built around 1250, it rises with three spires toward the sky, adorned with intricate carvings and an atmosphere that transports you back to the Middle Ages.

According to legend, the church was built by a troll who lost a wager to a local farmer. Furious, he fled into the mountain Himingen, which today offers a short but spectacular hike from Notodden.

The tales don’t end there. Heddal is also home to the legend of Master Thief Tor Murukleiv, a soldier turned outlaw who terrorized Telemark in the 1800s. Shot by the sheriff in 1814, the priest refused to bury him in consecrated ground. It is said he was laid outside the churchyard wall – and perhaps traces of him can still be found when you visit.

Telemark’s Romeo and Juliet – Marispelet at Rjukanfossen

Experience the drama of Rjukanfossen, a mighty 104-meter waterfall that has inspired artists and storytellers for centuries. Since 2005, the spectacular outdoor play Marispelet has captivated audiences each July from a stage perched on the cliff’s edge. Note: The performance only runs on select dates in July – check the schedule for details.

The play is based on the legend of Telemark’s own Romeo and Juliet, a tragic love story unfolding in the heart of wild nature. After the performance, walk the Maristigen trail and feel the thunder of the waterfall up close – a magical fusion of nature, myth, and theater.

Mythical Telemark Along Sogevegen

Journey along the Sogevegen route between Hjartdal and Seljord, where nature, culture, and legends live side by side. Here, stories seem to grow from the soil, following you whether you cycle, walk, or drive.

Begin with a stop at Nutheim Guesthouse, a historic artist’s inn that for generations has drawn painters, poets, and dreamers. Enjoy a hearty meal, listen to local legends, or spend the night in surroundings that feel like they belong in a fairytale.

Visit the viewpoint in Flatdal, where you can gaze out over the cultural landscape and up toward Spådomsnuten – the mountain said to one day collapse into Lake Flatsjå when three sisters marry on the same day.

Drop by Holm Landhandel, a charming country store offering local products, flavors, and handicrafts – perfect souvenirs from your journey through Telemark’s stories. At the Cultural Landscape Center in Hjartdal, you can learn more about history, farmers’ uprisings, and how generations shaped the land. Here, nature and people’s efforts come together to tell the story of one of Norway’s most myth-filled regions.

Along Sogevegen, you don’t just meet beautiful landscapes – you step into the fairytales that give Telemark its soul.

Selma the Sea Serpent of Lake Seljord

In the heart of Telemark lies its most famous legend – the sea serpent of Lake Seljord. For generations, this mysterious creature has attracted tourists, researchers, and monster hunters from near and far. Many have tried to solve the riddle, but the mystery endures, making Seljord one of Norway’s most legendary destinations.

Climb the 17-meter-high Sea Serpent Tower and scan the waters where the creature is said to appear. Maybe you’ll be among the lucky ones to catch a glimpse. But beware – the serpent is shy and reveals itself only to the chosen few. Here, you can combine summer adventures in nature with a dash of mystery – and perhaps witness Norway’s most famous lake monster legend up close.

The Queen of Eidsborg and Lake of the Dead

Travel to the West-Telemark Museum in Eidsborg for a unique encounter with heritage, folk art, and living history. Inside, you’ll find fascinating exhibitions, a café, and a museum shop, while outside a large farmstead with over 30 buildings awaits. Children can try operating miniature locks on a model of the Telemark Canal, and the whole family can visit the beautiful Eidsborg Stave Church.

One highlight is the Stålekleivloftet , one of the world’s oldest preserved wooden buildings, dating back to 1167. According to legend, it belonged to Åse Stålekleiv, the Queen of Eidsborg, who fought a bitter feud with her sister Gullborg over the right to Dalen. She lost the battle and her three sons. Broken with grief, she rode her horse off the cliff at Riarhamaren, ending her life in tragedy.

Just below Eidsborg Stave Church lies a small lake known as “Lake of the Dead” (De dødes tjern). It was here, at Eidsborgtjønni, that author André Bjerke wrote his classic crime novel Lake of the Dead in 1941 – later hailed as one of Norway’s finest mysteries.

A visit to Eidsborg brings together living folklore, dramatic legends, and cultural history in stunning surroundings – an adventure for both children and adults.

Whether you wish to explore mythical legends, immerse yourself in cultural history, or simply enjoy nature’s grandeur, Telemark is a destination that sparks the imagination. Step into the stories – and create memories that last a lifetime.