HEROES OF TELEMARK
In the footsteps of WWII resistance fighters
Hardangervidda, Norway
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Group Size
Max 7 Participants
Number of participants
RED LABEL
‘Expedition Challenge’
Challenging winter trek
EXPERIENCE THE EXPLOITS OF WO2
.
Ingredients:
Winter Expedition, Historic Route, Heavy Water Plant, Teamwork
“Unfortunately I cannot tell you why this mission is so important but if you succeed, you will live forever in Norwegian history, so good luck and be strong.“
After these words, on February 16, 1943, a team of 6 Norwegian commandos departed for the drop zone in Hardangervidda, Norway.
Mission: “Disable the heavy water plant in Vemork.”
At 00:02 they jumped out of the plane and floated to the drop zone 230 meters below them. Lake Skrykken. In the dead of night, they found each other again and took up residence in the Jansbu Hut.
The team left for the Svansbu hut to meet members of the Swallow team. Advance scouts from Operation Grouse.
After reunification, they marched together to carry out the sabotage of the heavy water plant in Vemork.
In the winter months, you can relive this heroic trek. This trip takes place with a maximum of 7 people.
Nunc aut Nunquam, Qua Patet Orbis.
Read more about the entire operation in WW2
Relive in 9 Days the Historical Sabotage Route of the ‘Heroes of Telemark‘ in Norway.
- 9 days winter expedition
- Full board (meals & lodging)
- Original historical route
- Sleep in the Jansbu hut
- Visit the heavy water plant
- Use of group materials
- Guide with local knowledge
- Maximum of 7 participants
‘Good organizer with great knowledge of the Arctic. Reliable and meticulous.’
“What a wonderful experience to have done this with the mates!
‘Cool trip with emphasis on group, environment and daily challenges.’
“Such a journey is an examination of your own values.
GO ON AN ADVENTURE WITH THESE GUIDES
The Arctic Adventure A-Team
Our guides are there to guide your tour in the best way possible. They are fully part of the group and give space. Room for own initiative, own development and own opinions.
The attended first aid & guide training provide a good basis during adventure tours.
For us, it means: “Out of your comfort zone. Within the safety zone.“
This is What Makes the Heroes of Telemark Expedition Special
The ‘Heroes of Telemark’ Memorial Expedition follows a historical route from World War II. Special forces at the time took this route toward the heavy water plant in Vemork. They defused these there.
We will follow in the footsteps of the “Heroes” and pass the huts in which they stayed, among other things.
We will spend the night in the original Jansbu hut. Just as the saboteurs did in 1943.
Led by an Arctic Adventure guide, we venture into the winter landscape. Completely in expedition style.
in the morning we start moving at 09:00. Around five o’clock we set up the tent. Then there is much to do: melt snow for water and cook food. Before you finally get into your sleeping bag, it’s 10:00 PM, and you are ready for a well-deserved night’s rest.
Full service expedition
Arctic Adventure provides the complete winter expedition gear for you. Skis, sleeping bags, and tents. You just arrange your own winter clothing. Together with the team, we will enjoy and perhaps endure 7 days and 7 nights in the winter cold of Norway.
The trek in Hardangervidda brings you peace, adventure, insight, excitement, and camaraderie. An experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Guaranteed!
The first night we sleep in the tent right away. We do this 7 times.
The last night we sleep in cabins near the town of Vemork.
In Vemork, we visit the museum that used to house the heavy water plant. Here we get a private tour.
The tour will continue with the registration of at least 5 people.
With 7 registrations, this tour is full. And full is also here … full.
Elevation profile Heroes of Telemark in Norway
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Program Layout ‘Heroes of Telemark Expedition’ in Norway.
An impressive tour of a heroic past.
Day 1
We meet in Oslo at Gardemoen Airport. The cab will be waiting at Oslo Gardemoen Airport at 9:00.
This connects with KLM flight KL1141 or KL1197 from Schipholl and it lands at Gardemoen airport (Oslo) around 08:30. You arrange this flight yourself.
By cab we go to the Solheimstulen Mountain Hut. Upon arrival, we check into the DNT hut. Here we stay the first night. Time to do a final equipment check and go over the route.
Day 2
we have breakfast in the tent. At 09:00 we are ready for departure. 15 kilometers lay ahead. We rise slowly and slide into the landscape. On to Hardangervidda.
Our goal for this day is the Jansbu hut. This hut was the base of operations for the commandos of the Gunnerside operation in World War II. On rare occasions, we have permission to stay in this cabin. You can’t get closer to history. Diaries, drawings and stories. It is all there. And you are in the middle of it!
Day 3
we leave the Jansbu hut and continue the trek. The rise we had yesterday to get into the area is less. It is now mostly flat and lake area. At 5:00 PM, we set up camp and fire up the stoves for dinner.
Day 4
a flat day. Walking across a lake all day. Better conditions are hardly imaginable. Let’s hope there’s no storm, no white-out, and the temperature is pleasant. In Hardangervidda, this is very unpredictable. A relaxing day? Probably not…
Day 5
we pass the Svensbu hut. The hut where team Swallow took shelter. Historic ground, in other words. From the hut we go south-southeast. On to our goal. Vemork.
Day 6
we walk on, passing, among other things, the Langesjå hut on Lake Langesjå. With 1 day to go, the goal is almost reached. But we are not there yet. Just like the ECO, Hardangervidda always has a surprise in store.
Day 7
you notice that the valley is coming into view. The route goes slowly downhill. Some forest is visible again and we pitch the tent near civilization. But despite that, of course, we continue to operate under the radar.
Day 8
we arrive at the Rjukan Fjellstuge in the morning. Our overnight spot for that evening. Here we leave our pulks behind and continue towards our goal. Vemork’s Heavy Water Plant. Via the saboteurs’ route, we reach this factory. We no longer need to defuse them. The factory has been dismantled and, for some years now, a wonderful museum about the history of this place. Of course, we visit the museum. In the afternoon we take the bus to the Fjellstuge to enjoy dinner. We drink a beer. Enjoying after a wonderful trip, the history we have together and our camaraderie. All individuals connected by our common ground. The green beret.
Day 9
at 09:00 the cab is waiting for us to take us to Oslo with all our belongings. Here we arrive around 2 p.m. At 5 p.m., the KLM flight departs for the Netherlands. (Arranging for yourself) At 18:55 KLM lands and some time later we say goodbye to each other.
On to new adventures.
The above program can be modified without consultation if circumstances and logistics dictate.
Preparation
We meet once before the trip. Live or digital. We pick the date by mutual agreement. Then we get to know each other. You’ll get an explanation of the materials and we’ll consider the map. With tea and coffee, we will discuss the trip and if possible set up the tent.
During the Trip
Tours with Arctic Adventure are Expedition Experiences. You experience what an expedition could be like. Sometimes spicy, sometimes easy. But always together.
We sleep in tents. You do this with someone else (or your partner) from the group. On summer trips, you can choose to bring your own tent. So then you can also sleep alone. On winter trips, at least two people always sleep in a tent for safety reasons.
Moving, cooking and navigating are done together. The beauty of small groups is that there is always a real and good group feeling. Sometimes there are friendships and reunions years later.
We keep in touch with each other before (and often after) in a WhatsApp group.
Fitness
This “Expedition Challenge” is a Red Label expedition and is challenging in design. Good fitness is necessary. Depending on the weather, it could be a spirited ride.
You don’t have to run a marathon. But assume you should be able to run 15 kilometers with a 15-kilogram backpack at a normal pace, 15 days in a row.
15 kilometers of continuous running is also good. Do you have any questions about this? If so, please contact the guide.
During the trek, there is mainly physical stress on the knees and lower back.
Sports Medical Examination
Are you older than 55 and want to participate in this trip? Then we strongly advise you to have a sports medical examination performed. Read more about the possibilities here.
Safety
During the trip we are in uninhabited territory. In case of emergency, our position is always reachable by rescue services with a snowmobile.
The guide has communication devices and both digital (GPS) and analog (Compass) navigation.
The guide is trained in Wilderness Advanced First Aid and WGA I (Wilderness Guide Association)
Packing List
After your registration (or upon request) you’ll receive a detailed packing list.
Cross-Country Skiing
Do you want to read more (everything) about cross-country skiing? Because that’s what we’ll be doing during this expedition. Then read it on the site of toerlanglauftochten.nl.
Participants in the Trip from March 15 – 23, 2026 (Guide: Onno De Boer)
Participant 1: Male, 36
Participant 2: Female, 33
Participant 3: Female, 37
Participant 4: Available
Participant 5: Available
Participant 6: Available
Participant 7: Available
The trip will take place with 5 participants and is full at 7 participants.
For this trip, 4 spots are still available.
Participants in the Trip from March 10 – 18, 2026 (Guide: Onno De Boer)
The trip continues at 5 participants and is full at 7 participants.
For this trip, there are still plenty of spots available.
Participants on Trip from March 20 – 28, 2026
The trip continues at 5 participants and is full at 7 participants.
For this trip, there are still plenty of spots available.
Who Joins our Adventures?
Participants in our trips often register alone.
It is common for couples or couples to register.
The age of most participants is between 30 and 50.
Exceptions certainly exist. The youngest participant was 23 and the oldest 66.
The male-female ratio is 50/50. The more challenging treks attract slightly more men. 60/40. But often the distribution is nicely balanced.
Travel dates
February 20 – 28, 2026
March 1 – 9, 2026
March 10 – 18, 2026
March 20 – 28, 2026
Departure
February 20, March 1, 10 or 20, 2026.
The taxi will be waiting at Oslo Gardermoen Airport at 9:00 AM.
This connects with KLM flight KL1141 or KL1197 which lands around 08:30.
You can, if you come to Norway by your own car, be picked up in the town of Kungsberg.
Then park your car in this parking lot.
Return
February 28, March 9, 18 or 28, 2026.
You will be dropped off again by the taxi at Oslo Gardermoen Airport at 2:00 PM.
Flights book yourself. You can also come to Norway by train or car.
Total Trip Cost
€ 2.157
This Includes:
- All cab transfers in Norway
- Professional guidance by polar guide
- 1 overnight stay at a hotel near the start
- 1 overnight stay at a hotel near the factory in Vemork
- 1 overnight stay in the Jansbu hut
- 5 nights in an expedition tent
- 7-day touring langlauf expedition
- Admission to the museum of the vm. heavy water plant in Vemork
- Full board. All meals from dinner on the first evening to breakfast on the last morning
- Group equipment (Tent, stove, fuel, navigation tools, communication devices, first aid kit)
- Winter equipment (-25 expedition sleeping bag, winter sleeping mat, touring cross-country skis, backcountry ski boots, ski skins, ski poles, pulk, harness)
- Down jacket can be rented for €50 if needed
- Contribution to the VZR guarantee fund
- Booking and administration fees
Participants
Maximum 7
This Excludes:
- Flights, train journey to the destination
- Travel insurance with winter sports coverage
- Cancellation insurance
- Drinks personal expenses
- Personal equipment (see packing list tab)
Please Note.
If during the trip it is collectively decided to undertake extras (Excursions, overnight stays, meals), these costs will be divided among the participants.
We Provide
- Touring cross-country skis
- Cross-country ski boots
- Gaiters
- Ski skins
- Ski poles
- Sled and towing harness
- Luggage bag
- Tent bag
- Dinner mug
- Food
- -25 Expedition Sleeping Bag
- 2 Sleeping mats
- Stove
- Fuel
- Pans
- Expedition tent
- Emergency bivouac
- Maps
- Compass
- GPS
- Communication devices
- First Aid
You Provide
Food
- 2 Thermos flasks
- Spoon, mug
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag liner
- Headlamp
Hygiene
- Personal medication
- Toiletries
Clothing
- Socks
- T-shirt
- Down slippers
- Underwear
- Long underwear
- Fleece pants/leggings
- Windshell pants
- Long thermal shirt
- Fleece sweater
- Fleece jacket
- Windproof jacket
- Down jacket
- Pair of gloves
- Thick wool mittens
- Outer mittens
- Hat
- Buff / Balaclava
- Glacier sunglasses
- Ski goggles
You will receive a detailed packing list after your registration, or upon request.
Rent / Buy
Renting an expedition down jacket is possible via Arctic Adventure for €50
As a participant in our trips, you get a 10% discount in Beaver stores. So take advantage of that if you still need to buy stuff.
Check Marktplaats.nl for good used equipment.
Contact us if you have questions about the material.
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