Nes

Nes municipality has approximately 3.500 inhabitants and covers a area of 809,6 km2 and lies in Buskerud. The legend tells us that before this area was converted to Christianity, the king of Hallingdal had his residence at Garnås, just north of Nesbyen with a wonderful view of the valley. He was probably the last king in Hallingdal before King Harald Fairhair united Norway in a Kingdom. The municipality of Nes is situated in the central part of southern Norway cove ring an area of 871 km, 70% of which is mountainous.

The traditional trades of agriculture and forestry thrive alongside modern industry and tourism. We want residents as well as visitors to enjoy living here and we offer a variety of sports facilities and cultural attractions. The council and private interests have invested substantial amounts of money in environmental projects. The centre of Nesbyen is compact and inviting, offering a wide range of shopping facilities.

Nesbyen is well known for its high summer temperatures. On 20th June 1970 the temperature was + 35,6°C, the highest ever officially recorded in Norway. Nesbyen is the place for those who like to enjoy life. Located near the RV 7 in Hallingdal, it has retained much of its rural atmosphere and is surrounded by beautiful scenery and magnificent mountains. One of Norway's hottest summer destinations, it is only natural that you will find many excellent bathing spots in the area, in addition to a large heated swimming complex. Are you a history buff? If so, a visit to Hallingdal Folkemuseum (Hallingdal Folk Museum) is highly recommended.

LANGEDRAG NATURE PARK

Langedrag lies like a fairy-tale castle in beautiful surroundings, with magnificient views of the lakes and mountains between Hallingdal and Numedal. On the farm, both young and old can wander around and experience the pleasures of petting our numerous domestic animals. Whilst in the nature park, you can encounter rare, wild animals such as wolves, lynx, and polarfox. Norwegian wild animals live and graze in close proximity to the farm.

With great respect for the natural selection throughout millions of years, Langedrag has attempted to preserve the most primitive breeds of each species. There are 26 species on the farm, with a total of approximately 350 individuals, which include wolves, lynx, reindeer, artic fox, horses, goats, Telemark cattle, Highland cattle, Yak, Mouflon sheep, fowl, duck, geese, and rabbits. If you would like to come "face-to-face" with a bear, you should visit the bear park in Flå!

Nesbyen is a great place for those who want to sit back and relax with a fishing rod on the banks of the Hallingdal river or on the shores of a mountain lake. The only problem is that at certain times the trout bite so often that you will not be left in peace for long. If you are after a bit more action, why not try one of the many marked cycle trails, hire a canoe or go riding in the mountains. After your busy day, there is no shortage of excellent eating places to tempt you with good food and drink, before you retire to your choice of the area's superb accommodation.

Nesbyen over the last few years has developed from being a cross country area, to be a vintersport place with exciting runs for both downhill and cross country. Families with children will enjoy and feel home in Nesbyen. In the immediate area around Nesbyen Alpine Centre there is high activity in extending the alpine centre, and building new cabins. For the time is this one of the most attractive areas for the development of cabins in Hallingdal. If you are looking for good snow, well-developed cross country tours, speed and excitement on the downhill slopes, there is only one choice … Nesbyen!

THE NATTEN AREA

Natten is a traditional summer mountain pasture and cabin area, in the Nes Mountains, lying between 2.500 and 3.300 ft. over sea level. The area faces westerly and has panoramic views over Jotunheimen, Gaustatoppen, and Hallingskarvet. After Nesbyen Alpine Centre was established as it’s neaest neighbour, Natten has proved to be one of the most popular cabin areas in Hallingdal. A close coupling between the cabin area and the Alpine Centre, means that you can ski in and out of the runs without having to remove your ski’s.

Natten is also a good starting point for ski tours to prepared runs, and one does not have to climb too much from the cabin area to be able to og into the mountain areas. In the summer Natten can offer the possibility of good fishing. Cards are avaible for the hunting of small game.

GARNÅS

Geologists mean by "breccia" a rock that is mostIy made up of sharpedged splinters. In the Gardnos- breccia the pieces of gneis are cemented together by finely crushed stone and a little carbon. This unusual type of rock has, until recently, been regarded as having been formed in the craters of volcanic explosions. It is now shown that the Gardnos-breccia was fommed by a meteorite impact about 650 million years ago.

Around 1963 a hydro-electric tunnel was driven through the breccia for about 3,5 km. The rock that was taken out forms now a large tip a little further up the valley towards the Garnås-farms. Here it is easy to collect rock samples of the breccia.

If one approaches on RV 7 from the south, a left turn is made 6 km north of Nesbyen where a sign points to "Garnås". The road crosses the river Dokkelvi. The tip can soon be seen on the left hand, almost like a dam across the valley. A gravel road goes straight ahead and then turns down towards the tip. The rock is now being crushed and used on building sites and roads.

A large stone block with an eyebolt in it is seen to the right at the toplevel of the tip. This is typical Gardnos-breccia! Do not remove samples from this block. You will find good samples down in the tip. When Dokkelvi river is dry, you obtain a good impression of the different degrees of pulverisation in the Gardnos-breccia in the waterwashed rock surfaces up and downstream. The use of hammer, crowbars og dynamite is forbidden as the watercourse is protected by law. Dokkelvi river runs along the southern side of the tip. A 2 km geological trail starts at the dump. A small exhibit in the Hallingdal Folkemuseum, Nesbyen, presents by photos and rock speciments the Gardnos structure.

HOW

The meteorite arrived with a speed of 20-30 km/sec and had a diameter of about 200 meters It hit a shollow sea with layers of black clay sediment on the bottom. An explosion equal to the strength of several atomic bombs broke through this and into the underlying solid rock, composed of gneis, granite etc.

The crater formed was about 700 m deep and about 5 km wide. The meteorite itself evaporated together with huge amounts of rock. The Gardnos-breccia was formed in the bottom of the crater by crushing and simultaneous rewelding of the rock.

The crater was immediately partly filled with rock fragments and stone dust which fell back. This, together with melted material, formed a rock called suevite which is found above the Gardnos-breccia. All this happened 650 million years ago, just before the Cambrian period.

The crater was then gradually filled to the top and burried by sediments such as gravel, sand and clay which later hardened to conglomerate, sandstone and shale.

During the ensuing millions of years eroding forces have removed the covering layers and most of the craterfill material, so that this bowl shaped sidevalley to the Hallingdalen, corresponds closely to the original crater. Traces of the sediments which once filled this crater are now only found in the wooded hills to the north.

FESTIVALS

Hallingmarken, National dog exhibition, Kjerringtorget.

SKIING

At Nesbyen you will find a complete ski resort with excellent facilities for alpine skiing, telemark skiing, Nordic skiing and snowboard. Nesbyen ski resort has 5 ski lifts and 11 runs that are suitable for beginners, as well as advanced skiers. Nesbyen is ideal for families with children, and offers 150 km of prepared cross-country tracks in forest and mountain terrain.

FISHING

Relax amid the beauty of mountain lakes and river. The road crosses the river Dokkelvi. Natten area hilly woodlands and river valley are readily accessible for leisurely visits and challenging sports activities. Hire of bikes, canoes and fishing equipment.