Kongsberg

Silver Mine, Tech Hub, and a Touch of Jazz

The city by Numedalslågen, renowned for its beautiful waterfall flowing through the center, silver mines, and small-town charm, was founded in 1624 following the discovery of silver. Today, it is also recognized as Norway’s leading tech city with an international community. The forest, mountains, and river are never far away. Every July, Kongsberg transforms into a vibrant musical hub during the Kongsberg Jazz Festival.

Kongsberg is a hub for several long cycling routes. National Cycle Route 5, Numedalsruta, comes from Geilo and continues to Larvik. The Silver Road, Norway’s first public road, takes you along the historic route that transported silver from Kongsberg to Oslo. If you’re cycling from Oslo to Bergen or Stavanger, Kongsberg is a natural stopover. It’s easy to get here by train from Oslo, Kristiansand, and Stavanger.

A visit to the Silver Mines and a train ride into the mountains are must-dos in Kongsberg. It’s a simple 9 km bike ride from the city center, which can be nicely combined with a swim at Saggrendadammen. Consider a tour that includes several museums, such as the Labro Museums and the Lågdals Museum.

Trail biking is very popular in Kongsberg, with trails ranging from beginner-friendly to challenging. The post-mining landscape offers many gravel roads in the forests, providing great starting points for trail discovery. For gravel cyclists, there are also several scenic routes through the forests around the city.