Explore Telemark

EN

NO

Øvrebøtjern, Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark

Type:Other attractions

3748, Siljan

Add Øvrebøtjern, Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark to your Itinerary

Product Image

Book Tickets Online

About

Øvrebøtjern in Siljan is much more than a popular swimming spot (badevann) in Telemark—it is a living historical archive. Discover an area where fascinating stories stretch from Earth's ancient history to the rich logging and timber floating history (tømmerfløting) of modern times. Perfect for those seeking nature experiences in Siljan, swimming, or geological insight.

What Makes Øvrebøtjern Unique?

  • Popular Swimming Destination: A sought-after lake for swimming in Siljan for the whole family throughout the summer season.
  • Geological Time Capsule: Experience rocks formed approximately 300 million years ago during the Permian period. Ramsås, which plunges into the lake's eastern side, is an impressive example of Syenite from this time, formed during the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea.
  • Traces of the Ice Age: The area is rich with evidence of the last Ice Age, including glacial striations (skuringsstriper) and erratic boulders (flyttblokker). The entire Siljan valley (Siljansdalføret), including Øvrebøtjern, constituted a fjord during the Ice Age, which contributed to the fertile soil in the valley.

From Timber Floating to Summer Idyll

Although Øvrebøtjern is best known today as a beloved swimming area, the lake has a rich cultural-historical background. Previously, the Siljan waterway (Siljansvassdraget) was a crucial timber floating artery—an "expressway for timber."

At the beginning of the 20th century, Siljan was home to one of Norway's strongest lumberjack communities (skogsarbeidermiljøer). The timber was transported down the waterway towards Larvik. Explore the area where you can see historical traces of this significant era in Norwegian forestry history.

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Contact

Tel: 91 38 84 45

What's Nearby

  1. Gorningen, Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark

    Gorningen, Siljan (Geopark): Explore 10,000 years of history, from early settlement to…

    0 m away
  2. Timber slide in Siljan

    Learn about the Gorningen log chute's role in Siljan's log driving history and the…

    31 m away
  3. Bygdeborgen "Børja" ved Gorningen

    Børja Hill Fort, Siljan: Explore a historic fortress by Lake Gorningen, possibly 2,000…

    65 m away
  1. Moholt Ironworks

    Explore Moholt Ironworks in Siljan — a unique heritage site with a blast furnace, the…

    2.73 km away
  2. Auen Ecological herb farm

    Organic herb garden with approx. 400 spices and medical plants, roses, old perennials and…

    4.03 km away
  3. Bjørn Richter Gallery, SILJAN

    Bjørn Richter Gallery and studio is located near Siljan (Telemark) half an hours drive…

    4.59 km away
  4. The mound of Silju

    Explore in – one of Northern Europe’s largest Iron Age burial mounds and a symbol of…

    5.61 km away
  5. Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark, Siljan

    Discover Siljan — shaped by ice ages and volcanoes, with Larvikite, Syenite, and stunning…

    6.47 km away
  6. Siljuhaugen culture trail

    Explore Siljuhaugen, a monumental Iron Age burial mound in Siljan, Norway. Discover a…

    6.52 km away
  7. Gjerpen Church

    Gjerpen Church lies on the northern edge of Skien and is a beautiful romanesque stone…

    10.72 km away
  8. Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark - Kapitelberget

    On Kapitelberget you'll find the ruins of a crypt church from the Middle Ages.The church…

    10.78 km away
  9. Kapitelberget

    Kapitelberget in Skien, church ruins from the 1100s, after the mighty Dagsætten…

    10.79 km away
  10. The Little Ibsen House

    Experience Henrik Ibsen in Skien! Visit "Ibsenstua" in Brekkeparken from 2025 to 2028. A…

    10.92 km away
  11. Brekkeparken in Skien

    Brekkeparken in Skien is a lovely park with beautiful flower beds, and with lots of…

    10.92 km away
  12. Søndre Brekke Estate, Telemark Museum

    The main building, Søndre Brekke Manison at Brekkeparken, is truly magnificent and has…

    11.05 km away
  13. Snipetorp district

    Snipetorp, Skien's oldest residential quarter and residence of Henrik Ibsen's parents,…

    11.12 km away
Previous Next