Eikern is a long and deep lake that stretches across the municipalities of Holmestrand in Vestfold and Øvre Eiker in Buskerud. The lake is Vestfold’s largest if you include the part that lies in Buskerud.
With its crystal-clear water, peaceful coves and idyllic islands, Eikern is a natural hub for outdoor activities in Eidsfoss. Here you can swim, paddle or explore the lake by small boat. The lake also has a healthy population of large trout and is a popular spot for sport fishing. In summer, the M/S Eikern offers atmospheric boat trips between Vestfossen and Eidsfoss.
Eikern is renowned for its exceptionally clean water and is a vital source of drinking water for over 150,000 people in Vestfold and Buskerud. On the eastern side of Eikern lies the historic Hakavik power station, which since 1922 has harnessed a drop of no less than 389 metres from the lakes Øksne and Hajeren to generate electricity. The power station was originally built to supply electricity to the railway and is renowned for its beautiful architecture.
In the western part, Lake Eikern is connected to Lake Fiskumvannet by a narrow strait, through which the water flows into Lake Fiskumvannet. An average of 7 m³ of water per second passes through this strait. From Lake Fiskum, the water flows into the Vestfosselva river towards Vestfossen. The river then continues to Hokksund, where it splits into two branches, both of which flow into the Drammenselva river.
Facts about Eikern:
18–20 kilometres long
An area of around 26 km²
156–158 metres at its deepest point
