Places with a story
Kjerraten i Åsa
Kjerraten i Åsa in Ringerike recalls an ambitious system for hauling timber uphill with waterpower. The museum and reconstructed wheelhouse make an early industrial transport solution understandable within the steep landscape it was designed to overcome.
About the place2
The system moved logs from Steinsfjorden toward the forest lakes above, allowing timber to reach another watercourse. Waterwheels supplied the power for hauling rather than electricity generation. A model at Kjerratmuseet helps explain how individual stages formed a much larger transport network.
History and local connections12
The historic system operated from 1807 to 1851 and was associated with Peder Anker's timber interests. Modern reconstruction of wheelhouse number V began in 2006. The full-scale wheelhouse, water channel and roller track were completed as a conservation and demonstration project, officially opened on 29 May 2010.
What to look for12
The reconstructed waterwheel has a diameter of 8 metres. Compare its size with the channel that delivers water and the route taken by logs. The museum's wider collections include equipment relating to forestry and sawmilling, connecting the unusual hauling system with the industry it served.
Plan your visit12
Check Kjerratmuseet for opening, guided visits and demonstrations before travelling. A preserved wheelhouse does not mean the mechanism runs continuously; demonstrations depend on arrangements and water availability. The museum and the hillside reconstruction are distinct parts of the visit, so use official directions when planning both.
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