Hadeland Bergverksmuseum

About the museum

Hadeland Bergverksmuseum tells of the geology of Hadeland, of the mining and of the people who worked in the mountain. A zinc deposit at Nyseter was discovered in 1888, and in the early 1900s Hadelands Bergverk ran zinc mines and an ore-processing plant at Grua, with about 200 employees at its busiest. Low zinc prices and expensive ore processing led to the operation being closed down in 1927, and the assets were sold at auction in 1931.

The museum was founded in 1993 and was run by a voluntary friends' association until 2010, when it became part of Randsfjordmuseet. The exhibition is housed at Bråten, which was the summer home of the mining engineer and mine director Hans Kristian Borchgrevink from 1907. There is a small exhibition there on the geology and mining of Hadeland and Grua, and the friends' association runs a café on opening days.

The heart of the experience is the mine safari (gruvesafari). In the summer season guided tours go into the atmospheric Nyseter mines, about two kilometres from Bråten. Participants borrow a helmet and lamp, and the tour takes about two hours. The mines are cold all year round, and in places it is narrow and low under the roof.

The museum also offers school teaching in the mines, and the main house at Bråten can be rented from May to November.

Highlights

• Mine safari in the Nyseter mines with helmet and lamp
• Small exhibition on geology and mining at Bråten
• Bråten, the summer home of mine director Borchgrevink from 1907
• Café run by the friends' association on opening days
• Nature and culture trail from Grua station up to the mines

Permanent exhibition

• Geologi og gruvedrift på Hadeland og Grua – Small exhibition at Bråten on the geology and mining history of the area.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Randsfjordmuseet

Admission & discounts

The prices apply to the mine safari. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the same day at the café, as long as places are available. There are at most 15 participants per tour.

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

The mines are not adapted for wheelchair users. The tour involves steps, and in places it is narrow and low under the roof. Bråten is not universally designed. Tell the guide in advance about claustrophobia, fear of the dark or problems with knees or back.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+

The mine tours suit both young and old, but the minimum age is 6 years. A family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

Meeting point at Bråten, Hadelandsvegen 1568. From there the group drives together about 2 km on a gravel road, past a toll barrier, up to the Nyseter mines.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café at Bråten run by the friends' association on opening days.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The main house at Bråten can be rented from May to November for events such as christenings, confirmations and birthdays, and for meetings and courses. A full-day rental costs NOK 2,500; a meeting room costs NOK 800 for a full day. No rental for overnight stays.

Plan your visit