Route nationale de gravier 2 : Telemark

Route nationale de gravier 2 : Telemark

Route 2 leaves Oslo heading west through the forests of Vestmarka and Finnemarka, where the city quickly disappears and the roads become quieter. Gravel replaces traffic, and the route settles into a slower pace. As you enter Telemark, you follow landscapes shaped by water, forestry, and industry. These roads once connected sawmills, farms, and small communities long before oil transformed Norway. Today, many of these places feel forgotten.

The gravel roads here are often wide, quiet, and surrounded by endless forest and open upland. History rarely presents itself directly. Instead, you notice small things, old farm tracks, ruined foundations, or industrial buildings still standing long after their purpose disappeared.

Closer to Dalen, the landscape becomes bigger and more dramatic. Forest opens into valleys, lakes stretch between mountains, and at times it feels more like wilderness than southern Norway. The route eventually reaches the Telemark Canal, following parts of one of Norway’s biggest engineering projects before leaving it behind again for quieter roads.

The route finishes in Porsgrunn, where Telemark’s industrial history meets the coast. From here, you can continue onto Route 3 or take the train back east. Route 2 is not about ticking off highlights quickly. It is a route for riders who enjoy long days, quiet roads, and seeing parts of Norway that many people simply pass through.