Lampeland is a small village in Flesberg, in the lower part of Numedal, the long valley that runs north-west from Kongsberg into the mountains of southern Norway. The river Numedalslågen flows through the valley, wide and calm in places, rushing over rapids in others, and the road follows it, with forested slopes rising on both sides and farms on the valley floor.
Numedal is known for its medieval stave churches, and Flesberg has one of them, a small, dark wooden church dating back to the Middle Ages, though much altered over the centuries. Further up the valley, the stave churches at Nore and Uvdal are among the most beautiful in Norway, with painted interiors and carved portals.
To the south, Kongsberg was founded in the seventeenth century after silver was found in the hills, and the silver mines were for a time among the largest in Europe. The mines at Saggrenda are open for tours, with a train taking you deep into the mountain. The town also has a fine Baroque church, one of the largest in Norway.
For riders, Rv40 through Numedal is a lovely road, with gentle curves along the river and views of the valley and the mountains. Traffic is light, especially outside the summer holidays. Speed limits are low and strictly enforced in Norway, and speed cameras are common. Kongsberg has the full range of fuel and food; up the valley, the villages have a few shops and stations, spaced further apart the higher you go. As a photo stop, the river and the valley, with the forested slopes beyond, are classic Norwegian scenery.