A Cultural-Historical Walk Through the Centuries in Telemark

At Bolkesjø Gaard in Telemark, history has never been far away—it’s woven into the landscape itself and into the old timber. The same family has run the farm since at least the 1500s, and on this guided walk, the current owner will take you through a cultural landscape that few other places can match.

We’ll visit Årestua, dating from the 13th century—one of Norway’s oldest preserved wooden dwellings—and talk about how people lived here long before tourism was even a concept. We’ll see the coaching inn, which provided travelers with a bed to sleep in as early as the 1700s, and hear about Bolkesjø’s heyday as a hotel destination. Guests such as Fridtjof Nansen, Prince Eugen, Anne Lister, and Golda Meir found their way here—and we’ll discuss the National Romanticism movement that made Telemark famous throughout Europe.

The hike concludes with a light meal featuring local delicacies, tailored to the season and weather.

• Private tour with the farm owner
• A 13th-century farmhouse—one of Norway’s oldest wooden buildings
• Stories about the stagecoach station, National Romanticism, and famous guests
• Local delicacies tailored to the season and weather
• A 1.3 km route through a living cultural landscape

The walk is offered upon request and is suitable for most people. The route is 1.3 km long and does not require any special level of physical fitness. Be sure to wear good shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Suitable for adults and children ages 10 and up. Meet at the reception desk in Gamleburet on the farmyard.

• Guided hike with the current owner (approx. 2 hours)
• Light refreshments featuring local delicacies
• Access to historic buildings along the route