Gygrestolen Naturreservat is a protected area in the Telemark region of Norway, characterized by its diverse and dramatic topography. The landscape features dense and open forests, varied terrain with hills and valleys, and distinctive rock formations shaped by glacial activity. This environment provides a setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and mountain biking. The reserve's natural features, including the iconic Gygrestolen rock formation, contribute to its appeal for outdoor pursuits.
38
Routes
4.3
(163)
Average rating
957
People visited

4.8
(124)
603
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
19
hikers
7.79km
02:06
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(5)
16
hikers
4.60km
01:14
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
14
hikers
4.82km
01:18
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.1
(10)
50
riders
29.2km
02:03
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
14
riders
51.1km
03:11
530m
530m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
8
riders
10.4km
00:40
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
23.3km
01:48
600m
610m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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25
riders
116km
05:41
1,550m
1,550m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

13
riders
75.5km
03:52
1,100m
1,100m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

15
riders
67.6km
02:58
570m
570m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

8
riders
117km
05:30
1,310m
1,310m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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17
runners
6.25km
00:59
350m
360m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
8.50km
00:55
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
4.15km
00:26
50m
50m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
9.03km
01:00
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
riders
25.0km
01:49
360m
360m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
4
riders
35.0km
02:34
580m
580m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
58.3km
04:13
940m
940m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Gygrestolen Naturreservat offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and mountain biking. The reserve features diverse landscapes suitable for various skill levels. For detailed information on activities, refer to the available komoot guides.
The Gygrestolen rock formation, also known as 'The Giant's Chair,' is a distinctive landmark shaped by the last ice age. It consists of a chair-like formation with a scree slope and two large boulders, offering panoramic views. Local folklore associates the formation with a giantess named Gygra.
Yes, Gygrestolen Naturreservat offers hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels, including easier paths. Some routes can be completed in under two hours with approximately 1,000 feet (300 meters) of elevation gain. For specific easy routes, consult the Easy hikes in Gygrestolen Naturreservat guide.
The popular Gygrestolen hike is a round trip of approximately 3.7-4.3 miles (6-7 km) with an elevation gain of about 1,200 feet (365 meters) from the parking lot to the summit. The trail involves steep ascents through forests and rocky sections, with fixed ropes in place on the steepest parts to aid hikers. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Yes, Gygrestolen Naturreservat provides family-friendly hiking options. These trails are generally less strenuous and suitable for a wider range of ages and abilities. Information on these routes can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Gygrestolen Naturreservat guide.
The region offers routes for both road cycling and touring cycling. Cyclists can explore various paths and roads outside the steepest hiking trails. Detailed routes are available in the Road Cycling Routes in Gygrestolen Naturreservat and Cycling in Gygrestolen Naturreservat guides.
Yes, Gygrestolen Naturreservat includes designated trails for mountain biking. These routes offer opportunities for off-road cycling within the reserve's diverse terrain. Specific mountain biking trails can be found in the MTB Trails in Gygrestolen Naturreservat guide.
Beyond the Gygrestolen rock formation, the reserve features several picturesque bodies of water, including Lake Venetjønn and Svarttjønn. Diverse forest landscapes, from dense to open pine forests, are present, along with dramatic cliffs and valleys. A peculiar two-story cave is also located near Svarttjønn.
Gygrestolen Naturreservat is a popular destination, with more than 4,000 visitors having shared their experiences on komoot. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.45 out of 5 stars, based on nearly 800 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for Gygrestolen Naturreservat, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Hiking, Road Cycling, Running Trails, and MTB Trails.
The official website for the managing authority, Statsforvalteren i Vestfold og Telemark, is statsforvalteren.no/vestfold-og-telemark/. The general phone number for this authority is +4733371000. Information regarding trail maintenance is often provided by Bø Turlag.

