What to do and see in Aust-Agder, Southern Norway: The Best Nature & Parks

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.

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.

Auesoya island is located on the Lillesand border, and can only be reached by boat. Some 175 acres have been given protected status in order to preserve one of the region’s typical islands with its enchanting scenery and cultural landscape - home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The island features a culture trail, and a brochure is available.

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.