10 Nature & Parks in Southern Norway That You Shouldn't Miss

ostre Randoya (previously Randoya Fort) is a magnificent recreation area with smooth rocks ideal for sunbathing, a sheltered bay and excellent paths for walking (some suitable for wheelchairs). Summer café. To get there, take the bathing boat from Kristiansand, from July 6 to August 9.

On the southern part of the island of Tromoy, only 10 minutes from Arendal town by car, bus or boat, there is a beautiful area called Hove. This recreation area is part of a protected moraine that lies along the southern coast. The whole area has been adapted for walks with resting places along the shore. There is a beach and kiosk at Hove camping during the summer season, and several kilometres of smooth rocks. Sundays between September and May, there is a lunch buffet at Hovestua in Hove camp from 12 to 18.  The paths are many and stretches from Hove to Alve, along Spornes beach, consisting of boulders and rocks, and sand when the sea permits. The area is used for hiking both summer and winter, and is suitable for everyone, children and adults. The trip from Hove camping to Alve and back is about 12 kms, and the network of paths allows both short and long trails. Maps for sale at Arendal tourist office, Hove camp, and Bjellandstrand Gard. Parking for instance at Hove camping and Hove camp. Bus no 3 to Tromoy ost leaves Arendal every hour during the day, Monday-Saturday.

Starting Point:The walk starts on Lyseveien between Sirdal and Lysebotn, about 1 km west of Grydalen. You can park on Borsteinshyttens carpark, located on the opposite side of the road in relation to the trail. Description: Start walking in a north-west direction. After approx 5 minutes cross the stream descending from Matupstjodne tarn and follow the left side of the stream gently upwards. The path here runs along a small hillock on the south side of the tarn. Gradually climb up towards the paths highest point. At 970 meters there is a magnificent view across the Lyseheiane. From here start the descent towards Andersvatnet lake. You must first zig-zag your way down ¾ of a steep ravine and then follow the rock face of Vardekleivane on the right. After approx 100 metres cross the stream that runs from Andersvatnet lake. (Carefully follow the markings and your GPS if you have one).The path continues to the west and the terrain becomes gradually hillier and it may be difficult to find your bearings. You will pass several lakes before coming to a ravine that takes you down to Pollen (tarn). The path zig-zags down this ravine but you get a great view of the waterfall cascading down from Mount Toknuten. At the bottom of the ravine you cross the stream running from Andersvatnet lake. From here, the path gradually ascends on bare rock before you come to a valley to follow. Towards the top of the valley you can see the high mountains of the Lysedalen valley on your right and you get an idea of what awaits you later on on the walk. Lysedalen valley is one of the region's wildest valleys, with their 800/900 metre steep mountainsides that plunge into almost impassable terrain. At the end of the valley you climb over a boulderfield before continuing down the ravine to a green sheltered spot with fresh mountain water. This is a perfect spot for a break! Follow the stream down to where it winds 90 degrees around the mountains down towards Lysedalen valley. You can't fail to be impressed! The magnificent mountains that make up Lysedalen valley greet you in all their splendour. This is not the place for those who may have fear of heights! Like the stream you must also change direction (northwards). Allow yourself approx 1.5 hour to get down the steep mountainside. Carefuly zig-zag your way down. You will copme to a birch forest at approx 420 metres. It may be difficult to find the path here, as it also zig-zags through the dense forest. Look for stone cairns and red marks on the trees in the forest. When you get to a prominent overhang, the path turns 90 degrees towards the innermost farms you can see far below in Lysebotn. At 85 metres turn right, towards the spot where you must cross the river by climbing over some large rocks. There is a wire rope attached to one of the rocks, which makes crossing easy. Follow the right side of the river westwards. You then come to a grazing area for sheep, and pass through a gate that takes you onto the land of the innermost farm in Lysebotn. Remember to close the gate behind you. Cross the grazing land and use the steps that have been erected for you to cross the fence at the other end. After 100 metres you come to another fence that will lead you through a little gate into the parking area at the farm. For a detailed description including maps and information etc buy the guidebook 'Hiking in Sirdal' which includes Kjerag and Sirdals Seven Summits.

Skrelia is the most recommended area for hiking in Lyngdal. The mountain is only 350 meters high but the terrain can easily be associated with the highlands. The wonderful view combined with the view of the waterfall running down the polished mountain, makes a remarkable view. This is an easy terrain for hiking. There are many inviting small lakes for hikers who need to cool down. There are many marked trails in this open terrain, and they are of various lengths. There are trails for most people and most are on polished mountains. Some places you may need to cross brooks and areas of marsh and heather. Heather is Norway’s national flower. The shortest trail starts at the parking lot and goes straight to the waterfall. The hike takes about 10 minutes. You may use this trail as the starting point to the other marked trails in the area. Expect to spend 2-3 hours through Rassveda, around Sandvann and Homso. Here you will find an exceptional viewpoint. At this location you may see the ruins of an old fortress dating back to 500 A.D. It is also possible to walk down the mountain alongside the waterfall all the way to the fjord. On the way you will notice remnants of earlier mills and sawmills. Direction: From the town centre of Lyngdal follow the road to apta. Drive 3 km to you see the sign “Skrelia”. From here it is 9 km on a curvy gravel road to the parking lot. You cannot miss it! From the parking lot walk 50 meters to the gate that marks the beginning of the trails to Skrelia. The trails are marked with red/ yellow paint directly on the mountain. Hiking to Skrelia is reviewed in the book ”Oppdag Lister” from 2009.

What is a smooth rocky shore? Cliffs and sandy beaches are very common, but the polished rocky shores are unique to Norway – almost. They do exist in other places, but not many. Stretches of such rock formations can be found from the Swedish west coast and up to Stockholm’s archipelago, and also in Greenland, Scotland, Alaska and possibly New Zealand. The rest of the world, however, does not have anything resembling these beautiful shores we associate with Southern Norway and the Oslo Fjord. The reason is that not many areas fulfil the two conditions required for such polished, smooth rocks to be formed. High-grade metamorphic rock such as gneiss or granite is required, and this coarse-grained formation must have been scoured and rubbed smooth by a thick layer of ice. As old as time itself! The Norwegian rocky shores originated long before the ice arrived - maybe as much as a billion years. Formation started 1.8 billion years ago and ended 1200 million years later. The time-span is almost incomprehensible! When the ice retreated for the last time, the rocky shores were given a last finish and took their current shape. This is only 10 000 years ago. Since then, the land has risen as much as 200 metres in some areas. Hence, the rocky shorescurrently lining the water’s edge were far below sea level and a thousand metres or more under the ice when they were formed. As the ice moved, masses of sand, gravel and stone were pushed in front and below. These deposits were pressed down and rubbed against the bedrock with immense force. This was how Norway’s rocky shores were formed. Soft elements were scoured away, and the hard rock was left polished, smooth and rounded. In several areas, characteristic scour lines are still evident, and some cracks in the actual bedrock can also be seen.

Kristiansand Dyrepark is the number one tourist attraction in Norway, attracting close to 1 million visitors each year. It consists of more than 150 different animal species, entertainment, shows, amusement park as well as a seperate water park called Badelandet.