About This Hike
Tretopper’n is a defined 5.5 km blue-marked circuit from Jønnbu across three summits on the Lifjell plateau: Anebunatten at 878 metres, Krintofjellet at 923 metres and Bøkstulnatten at 928 metres. Start at the western side of the paid Jønnbu car park and follow signs for Tretopper’n; maps at the trail junctions show your position. The circuit first turns west towards Anebunatten, returns to the junction for Krintofjellet and then crosses the steep Krintokleiva section before climbing Bøkstulnatten. Descend towards the Bestemorsløyfa picnic area and follow the marked trail back to Jønnbu. Visit Telemark gives about two hours and 175 metres from the car park to the highest point, but the repeated climbs, rocky surface and exposed plateau weather make the route moderate rather than a level family stroll. At Grostulbekken, an optional shortcut through the narrow gorge is explicitly the more challenging choice; stay on the normal trail unless conditions and experience suit it. Families can shorten the day to one or two summits, while fog, wind or lingering snow are reasons to choose a lower route.
Highlights
- ✓ Three signed summits on one compact circuit from Jønnbu
- ✓ Anebunatten, Krintofjellet and Bøkstulnatten viewpoints
- ✓ Position maps at trail junctions along the blue-marked route
- ✓ Bestemorsløyfa picnic area on the descent
Getting There
Use the large paid parking area at Jønnbu, reached via Lifjellvegen from Bø or Notodden. Marked trails begin directly from the car park; follow the current on-site parking and trail signs.
Before You Go
Use the signed 5.5 km Tretopper’n circuit as the defined route and decide at each junction whether the group should complete all three summits. The Grostulbekken gorge shortcut is the harder alternative, not the default line. Above Jønnbu there is little shelter, so turn the outing into a one- or two-summit return if wind, cloud or wet rock makes Krintokleiva unsuitable.
Information checked: September 2026, against Visit Telemark's current Tretopper’n route map and Jønnbu access information
⚠️ Safety Notes
- The plateau is open and largely featureless, so fog or low cloud can make it easy to lose the route; carry a map, compass, or GPS.
- Mobile coverage is patchy and there is little shelter across the plateau, so tell someone your planned route and turnaround time.
- Parts of the ground are boggy and streams can rise quickly after heavy rain, so wear waterproof boots and avoid crossing swollen water.