What to do and see in Southern Norway, Southern Norway: The Best Biking Trails

Length: 22 kilometres - (including the walk: 25 kilometres). Level: Light Start from the Tourist Information Office and follow the cycle path along the E39 towards Kristiansand. After about 3 km, take the turn off to Tregde. A further 2 km down the road, turn off towards to Skjernoy. This is Norway's southernmost inhabited island. You will find excellent terrain here, both for walking and cycling. Cycle over the bridge and turn right at the foot of the hill to Skjernoysund. The stretch between Skjernoysund and Dyrstad is along bike paths built during the 1880s. You will also see Dyrstad School from 1877. The remainder of the ride is on busy country roads. When you come to the chapel at Farestad, turn left and follow the road back to Mandal.

Lenght: 36 kilometres - Level: Light. Start from the Tourist Information in the direction of the brigde, and take the road Marnarveien further on past Amfisenteret (shopping centre) at ovrebyen. Follow the old road on the west side of Mandal River. The river has allways been seen as one of the richest salmon river, and is today counted as one of Southern Norway`s best. Follow the river on good roads, until you get to Krossen in Holum. From here to oyslebo, you will be riding on gravel roads, which are preserved as it was originally built in 1860, lines with guard stones. Along the road you will find several great spots for fishing and bathing.

The Hisoy route starts from the center of Arendal, westbound along the docks past Kittelsbukt and over to Svinodden, before you take the freeroad (Stromsbuneset) up to state road number 420 towards Fevik, all the time on sidewalks that are adapted for walking and bicycling along 420. By the roundabout at the middle of the island, there is now a RIMI-store where you take left towards Hisoy church. Here you may choose to take the trip to Tangen. If you want to go to Tangen, you follow state road 420 further towards Fevik until there is a sign (Tangen) where you go right. There are sidewalks specifically for biking and walking almost all the way in past Tangen avenue (Tangen allé), and the way past the industrial buildings and down the the free area to the right is lightly trafficated. At Tangen there are trashcans, toilets, benches and a playground for the kids. Sandstranden (a beach) is perfect for families with children and the water is a mix of sea- and freshwater. (3.5 kilometers extra) If you do not want to go to Tangen, you could continue by the church where the route goes on towards Kolbjornsvik. Here there is a possibility to stray off the route towards Stolsvika. The free area at Stolsvika has signs to show you the way, which goes past the church and is rather narrow at times. There is a big parking lot by the free area, and stolsvika is accustomed for visitors with toilets, trashcans, a volleyball net, a kiosk and two nice beaches in addition some rocky shores. Onwards Havsoyveien, past the parking lot at Stolsvika, leads to the docks at Havsoy which is a beautiful sight in both summer and winter. (2.5 kilometers extra) If you do not wish to go to Stolsvika, you could follow the signs towards Kolbjornsvik 3. On the middle of Trommesletta there is a narrow road up towards the right (Gamle Sandvigve, 600 meters) which leads you over to the eastern part of Hisoy on asphalted roads through meadows and forest. At Sandvika one can take a small trip up the way marked by 30 past traditional south-Norwegian houses and back to the turnpike. From here, take the way towards Kolbjornsvik all the way to where the ferry leaves from. If you wish to travel back to Arendal, you follow the road to the left on the top of the hill down towards the ferry. Se the sign marked 420, choose the road to the right (not towards Hisoy kirke). This will eventually lead you to state road 420 by Strommen, where you take to the right towards Arendal. (4.5 kilometers extra)

Follow National Cycle Route no. 1 out of town. Ride along the quays, continue past Odden Shopping Centre and follow Bark Silas Vei until you reach Felleskjopet. Continue along Rv. 420 past the Ericsson building. By Statoil, go straight ahead and use the underpass to cross E-18. Follow Route no. 1, past Bo Gront and the exit to Prestegardsskogen, until you reach the crossroads signposted Kryssen. Cross the main road and continue along the narrow gravel road – keep left. After some 600m you will reach the foot and cycle path. Continue straight on for a few metres and then cross the road. Follow the signs for Rosholt. By now you will have reached the old, disused Grimstad/Froland railroad track (closed down in 1961), and are riding along the Rore lake – a fresh water source for Grimstad and Arendal. Continue past the barrier and then straight ahead. When you reach tarmac by the power station, turn right towards Fjaere Church. The church (built around 1150) is well worth a visit. At the crossroads, go straight ahead and follow signs for National Cycle Route no. 1 back to town. Comments: An easy route. If you meet a horse along the Rore lake lane, please stop and let the horse pass.

Follow National Cycle Route no. 1 towards Arendal. Continue past Grimstad Church and Grimstad Town Hall on the left, and follow the foot and cycle path across Biesletta. Cross over by the entrance to Bieheia, and continue along the foot and cycle path on the right side of the road until you reach Vikkilen. At Vikkilen, turn right and follow the signs for Ronnes. After riding past Drottningborg, you will reach Hesnes garden centre where you can stock up on refreshments, vegetables or oven-fresh pastries. When you arrive at Ronnes, enjoy the beautiful town view. Continue on, and after a few hundred metres you will reach a narrow wooden bridge where you can cross over to Marivold Camping. This is an ideal spot for a relaxing break and a swim. Follow the lane leading through the camp site and into the forest until you reach a main road (Hesnesveien). Turn right, and follow this route back to town. Comments: Heavy traffic at times. Please ride with care.

From the tourist office, ride towards Odden Shopping Centre and continue along route 420 for approx. 1 km. Turn left and follow the signs for Groos. After a while, turn right onto Tiurveien. Immediately after the exit, turn left onto a narrow forest lane. Keep right and ride along the stream. Continue straight on and follow the foot and cycle path until you reach a main road. Cross this road, ride past the farm with the large yellow barn (Lauvasvolden) and continue along the cycle path. At Vestre Grom, go straight on. By Bergemoen, use the crossing to get to the other side of the E-18 and then follow signs for Landvik Church. As you reach Landvik Church, turn left and follow signs for the blue trail/Reddal. After some 8 km you will see Vestlandske Hovedvei, the old main route to Western Norway. Continue on this gravel road. At the crossroads, a few hundred metres further on, turn left onto the tarmac road (Inntjorekilen). Continue on tarmac with the lake on your right. Where the tarmac ends, turn right past the barrier and follow the gravel road. By Tyssekil (after approx. 16 km) you will once again meet Vestlandske Hovedvei. Idyllic spot – ideal for a break. Turn right onto Vestlandske Hovedvei. Back at the crossroads, leave Vestlandske Hovedvei and follow the tarmac road to the left. Keep right at the next junction. As you reach Landvik Church, follow signs for Risdal, 2.5 km. Continue along route 420 towards Grimstad. At Bergemoen, turn right onto the E-18 overpass, and then follow Vesterled back to the tourist office. Comments: Mainly flat and gentle terrain. However, some sections of Vestlandske Hovedvei are hilly with a relatively soft surface. Please show consideration if you meet horses along the route.