Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Aust-Agder, Southern Norway

Hovden boasts 170 kilometres of cross-country trails which are daily groomed during the season. From sheltered trails in the forest to the open country, you are guaranteed to find your favourite! We have trails for young children and beginners, and for those of you who want to experience the wide mountain expanses. The trails are groomed for classic as well as skate skiing.

Follow the recommended route to Dommesmoen. Continue along the floodlit trail for 100 metres, then turn right and follow the trail towards Deidalen. Some wet areas. At the first crossroads, turn left and then left again by a small lake. By the sign “Kollen, 2.6 km”, turn right. Then turn right and follow the old railway line for 200-300 metres. Climb the steep Orrekeiv to the left and follow the tractor tracks to Kollen, 1.9 km. At the top, you can enjoy the tranquillity and views towards the mountains and lake Rore. The route is marked with red triangles/red paint. As you return to the railway line, turn right and follow the road along the lake. After 1 km, you’ll reach the floodlit trail. Turn left and continue to the car park by Dommesmoen. Duration: Approx. 1 hour is required for the 4.2km walk from Dommesmoen to Kollen. For the 10km roundtrip, some 2 hours is needed. Terrain: Varied, exciting countryside. Some wet areas. Sturdy shoes and a reasonable level of fitness required. Level of difficulty: Medium Suitable for: The area is not suitable for wheelchair/pram.

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.

Lillesand Explorer offers tours, explorations and boat rental in the beautiful surroundings of the picturesque town of Lillesand.

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.

By the tourist office, cross the road at the traffic lights. Turn left, and continue along Pharos Vei. At the very end of Hoyvardeveien is the first hilltop: Vardeheia, 41 m a.s.l. Stunning views, and within an easy 10 min. walk from town centre. Enter Vestregate and then follow Storgaten until you reach Frivoldveien. The next hilltop is Floyheia, 63.5 m a.s.l., with beautiful views to the sea, town and countryside. This trail has been created based on Knut Hamsun’s work, “On Overgrown Paths”, and you’ll find quotes from the book along the way. Some steep sections, but Hamsun was 88 years old when he did this walk. Mollerheia, 41.9 m a.s.l., is the hilltop prior to the descent down to Kirkegaten. Cross over to Kirkeheia, 27 m a.s.l., with its beautiful park and the wooden Grimstad Church - Norway’s second largest of its kind. Binabben, 58.5 m a.s.l. and the last of the hilltops, offers an excellent “forest walk on wellkept paths to the vantage point. Spectacular 360° view towards countryside, town, harbour, archipelago and sea. At the top is a panorama disc with distances and details on what’s what in every direction. Duration: approx. 1 ½ hours. Terrain: Varied, some hilly areas, exciting countryside. Sturdy shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are required. Level of difficulty: Medium Suitable for: Both Vardeheia and Kirkeheia are suitable for wheelchairs/prams.

TrollAktiv is the leading supplier of outdoor adventures for youth groups and families in Norway. The summer season at Trollaktiv stretches from April to the end of October and caters for school groups, families, companies, friends and anyone looking for action-packed adventures. In 2018 we celebrate the 25th year anniversary with an even more exciting and adventurous programme including rafting, family rafting, High wire adventure park, rock climbing, ziplines, BikePark, Stand up paddling, team building, paintball, Escape rooms and many many more. At TrollAktiv Adventure Park the accommodation options include a variety of cabins, camping and apartments. What sets us apart from any competitor is our commitment to great service and our high level of safety. We are the very first Outdoor adventure provider in Norway to be certified with the Adventure Mark certificate which covers all aspects of safety and quality. We look forward to meeting you this summer!

Marivold offers sandy beaches, a rocky shoreline and ample parking for day visitors. Wildlife area abundant in orchids. Tarmac path to the sea. This is also where Marivold Resort is located, offering camping facilities and cabin rental, as well as a shop and restaurant during the summer season.