Åmdals Verk Gruver
Mining museum and geology centre in the old copper mines at Åmdals Verk in Tokke, with guided mine walks inside the mountain.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Mining at Åmdals Verk began in 1691, and the history of the site goes back to the 17th century. Since the start, about one million tonnes of rock and probably more than 8,000 tonnes of copper have been extracted. Ownership changed several times, and operations alternated between standstill and growth.
At its peak over 300 people worked at the copper mines, which operated until 1945. Birger Bastiansen, a former miner, helped to start the mining museum in the 1980s.
Today the mines are a museum and geology centre run by Vest-Telemark Museum. Visitors can walk through the old mines with a guide or see moving models that show how the copper was produced. The area is rich in minerals and surrounded by nature and hiking trails, including the trail to Cross Cut.
Highlights
- Guided walk through the old copper mines
- Long tour of 2.3 km, of which 1 km inside the mountain
- Moving models showing copper production
- Mining from 1691 to 1945
- Hiking trail to Cross Cut
Permanent exhibition
- Gruvemuseet og geologisenteret – Exhibition on mining, geology and copper production, including moving models.
- Operated by
- Vest-Telemark Museum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 150 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 130Students and concessions (honnør) |
| Children & teens | NOK 75Children aged 6–15. |
| Seniors | NOK 130Concession (honnør) ticket. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A companion enters free with a companion card. |
| Students & apprentices | NOK 130 |
| Groups (10+ people) | NOK 130 per personGroups from 10 people; in addition a tour fee of NOK 900 per group. |
| Families | NOK 350Family ticket per day. |
| Personal annual pass (valid at 11 museums of Vest-Telemark Museum) | NOK 600 |
| Family annual pass (valid at 11 museums of Vest-Telemark Museum) | NOK 900 |
Prices have two levels per category: NOK 150–200 for adults, NOK 130–180 for students and concessions (honnør), NOK 75–100 for children, NOK 350–500 for families and NOK 130–180 for groups. With a museum ticket you get half price at another of Vest-Telemark Museum's sites on the same day. The prices apply to the 2027 season.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
None of the mine tours suits people with reduced mobility: the short tour has a staircase of 42 steps, and the long tour has 70 steps, some of them steep, and low passages.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
Åmdals Verk lies in Tokke municipality. The trail to Cross Cut starts at the mines.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The short tour of about 1 km takes 40–50 minutes, and children must be able to walk on their own. The long tour of 2.3 km (1 km inside the mountain) takes about an hour and a half and has an age limit of 8 years, with the return along a cultural heritage trail. Maximum 50 people per tour. It is 6–8 °C in the mine, so bring a jumper or jacket. |
