Gaustatoppen — the view over one-sixth of Norway

Gaustatoppen rises 1883 meters above sea level and is Telemark's highest mountain. With its characteristic, almost pyramid-shaped peak, few mountains in Norway can match the view — on a clear day, you can see approximately one-sixth of the country, from Jotunheimen in the north to the sea in the south.

The summit is accessible year-round. In the summer, you can hike up via classic routes (Stavsro is the most used). You can also take the Gaustabanen year-round — a unique funicular built by NATO in the 1950s to service the radar station at the top, which has been open to the public since 2010.

The summit cairn, the tourist cabin (open in summer), and the still-active NATO facility share the peak in a rare encounter between nature, war history, and modern military technology.

Hike from Stavsro: The most popular route starts at the parking lot at Stavsro (1173 m.a.s.l.). The trail is well-marked and takes about 1.5–2 hours up. The terrain is moderate — steep towards the summit, but technically straightforward. Use good hiking boots, bring water and a wind jacket regardless of the weather at the start.

Gaustabanen: The entrance is located in Svineroi near Tuddal. A car takes you 850 meters horizontally into the mountain, then a funicular 1040 meters up through an inclined shaft. The whole trip takes about 15 minutes — an experience in itself. The funicular was previously only for NATO personnel.