Royal Silver Mines

Lonely Planet review

The profusion of silver mines in Kongsberg's hinterland is known collectively as Sølvgruvene. The main shaft of the largest mine plunges all of 1070m into the mountain, to a depth of 550m below sea level. The easiest way to visit the mine is the mine tour that leaves from the signposted Kongsgruvene, 700m from Saggrenda (8km south of Kongsberg along the road to Notodden).

It begins with a 2.3km rail ride along the stoll, a tunnel which was painstakingly chipped through the mountain in order to drain water from the mines. Constructed without machinery or dynamite - the rock was removed by heating it with fire, then throwing water on the rock to crack it - the tunnel moved forward at 7cm per day and took 73 years (1782 to 1855) to complete! Inside, visitors are guided around equipment used in the extraction of silver, including an ingenious creaking and grinding lift and work area on 65 wet and slippery ladders. Bring warm clothing as the underground temperatures can be a chilly 6°C. The admission price includes a bus ride from outside Kongsberg's tourist office.

Other possibilities that require advance bookings and at least 10-15 people include two-hour guided walks through the 5km-long Underberg mine and the rope-and-torch tour, which begins with a 1km walk through Crown Prince Fredrik's tunnel. You must then abseil by torchlight down 112m into the mine (after a 'crash' course in abseiling).