Miland: Railway History and Landscape along the Måna

Miland lies in Vestfjorddalen on the north bank of the Måna, two kilometres upstream from where the river flows into Lake Tinn. The area can be explored through its railway history, the bridge over the Måna and its named trails. If you are looking for hotels in Miland, these different themes can help guide your trip planning—from engineering and former passenger services to landscapes and agriculture.

Rjukan Railway and Engineering

The Rjukan Railway had a stop in Miland, with a building designed by Thvorld Astrup. The former station building was demolished in 1989. Miland also had a railway station on the Rjukan Railway; passenger services ended in 1970. The building and passenger services therefore represent different periods in the local railway history.

The Miland Bridge was built in 1909, crosses the Måna and is 41.4 metres long. It is a riveted steel truss bridge. This means that Miland has two distinct aspects of railway heritage: the history of the stop and a dated bridge structure with a clearly specified design.

The wind barrier near Miland tells another story of engineering. It was built after an incident in 1926, when strong gusts of wind blew railway cars off the tracks. The barrier is about two metres high and around 350 metres long. The reason for its construction, its approximate dimensions and its location offer a vivid glimpse of a protective measure from the Rjukan Railway era.

Landscape and Trails

Bergshaugsvegen in Miland is 2.1 kilometres long. It runs from Milandvegen through agricultural land and forest to the Berge farm. The route described therefore links different types of landscape with a named destination.

The pilgrim trail is described as a stage between churches: on the section from Mæl Church to Dal Church, you reach Miland after 2.5 kilometres. From Miland School, the trail follows a footpath to the main road and then crosses the Måna. Check local access conditions before setting out, as they may change.

The two distance figures answer different questions: 2.1 kilometres is the length of Bergshaugsvegen; the 2.5 kilometres on the pilgrim trail indicate when you reach Miland on the Mæl–Dal stage. They are therefore not comparable walking times.

Agricultural Traces and Farm History

Finds of cultural layers in Miland show that agriculture was practised there in the past. The farm Miland søndre is also part of the area's farming heritage: it is said to have been owned by the current family since 1591. These accounts represent different periods—the earlier agricultural activity revealed by the finds and the reported family history of a farm.

More Things to See in the Tinn Destination

The wider Tinn destination includes other distinct attractions. Tinn Museum is an open-air museum with historic buildings and nature; visits are free at any time. Café Vemork serves lunch, coffee and cakes from 1 June to 1 November during museum opening hours. From 2 November to 31 May, it is closed and opens only for reserved group meals. Check the seasonal dates before your trip.

Gaustabanen is also one of the attractions in the Tinn destination: it takes visitors to the summit of Gaustatoppen in 15 minutes. Check that it is operating before your trip. This helps distinguish Miland's local history and landscape from other attractions that are part of the wider Tinn destination.

Discover more destinations: Tinn, Hovin I Telemark, Austbygdi, Rjukan

Return to the main travel overview: Tinn.