Discover Birkenes: River landscapes, trails and local history

The Tovdalselva flows through Birkenes, running freely from the mountains to the fjord. Together with the Ogge lake district, striking viewpoints and historic sites, it offers different ways to explore the area: you can focus your time on the landscape and outdoor activities, or discover the municipality’s history.

Rivers, lakes and winter landscapes

Ogge is a lake district in Birkenes with 70 kilometres of shoreline and more than 300 islands and islets. Explore its waters by canoe or kayak. In contrast, the Tovdalselva is a river that flows freely from the mountains to the fjord. The two bodies of water offer different perspectives on the landscape.

Another striking destination is Mollestadeika: it is estimated to be around 1,000 years old and measures 10.5 metres in circumference. It lies about three kilometres south of the centre of Birkeland and is well signposted from Route 41. Birkeland itself is located on National Highway 41, also known as Telemarksveien. Check local signs and road conditions.

The season can also shape your choice of activities. In winter, Toplandsheia offers groomed ski trails and opportunities for sledding; snow and trail grooming are seasonal. If you prefer to plan your days around hiking, you can download maps and descriptions of routes throughout the municipality. Route information may be updated, so it is worth checking the latest details.

Hiking trails and outdoor destinations

The 136-kilometre, continuous Barnevandrerstien runs through Birkenes and is associated with a sad but instructive history. The section through the municipality leads from Varpelia via Grasham and the Birkenes local history museum to Birkeland primary school. It follows the route of the former Lillesand-Flaksvandsbanen railway. Check the trail markers and local access before setting out.

In Herefoss, the day-trip cabin Kolåsbu lies below Kolåsen. From there, you can look out over the Herefossfjord and the surrounding village. Kolåsbu is accessible from Hanefossbrua or the Hanefoss dam via a trail about 0.7 kilometres long. A circular hike via Kolåsbu and Kolåsen back to the starting point is about 2.2 kilometres long. These figures refer to different route options; check local trail conditions and access points. The cabin’s local operating arrangements may also change.

An annual cultural orienteering event leads to 40 checkpoints in the countryside; event details may change. The Topptur offering includes 25 summits and viewpoints with specially installed Topptur checkpoint boxes. The number of points may be adjusted in future editions. Near Holmslia and Flakkeheia, Vrangefoss bru is also part of the trail network: the bridge crosses the river at a waterfall section.

Museums, local history and events

Birkenes Bygdemuseum has exhibitions about how transport and industry have shaped the municipality. Its collection includes materials about the Lillesand-Flaksvandsbanen railway and timber rafting; individual exhibitions may change. Iveland og Vegusdal bygdemuseum, also known as Fjermedalsmuseet, is in the western part of Birkenes. It should not be confused with Skrivargarden Nes in Herefoss: this farm was once the official residence of the Råbyggelag district court judge.

Myhre Torvstrøfabrikk is Norway’s only peat museum. The process shown there runs from extracting peat in the bog to producing finished bales of peat bedding. The facility is currently closed for necessary restoration work; check its status before travelling.

Near Herefoss’s old village centre, Kirkekilen has a beach, sand volleyball court, bathing jetty and diving tower. Facilities may change seasonally. Birkeland hosts Birkelandsdagene every year on the third weekend in August, with events from Friday to Sunday. Check the dates and programme again before travelling.

If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, first decide which destinations matter most to you: hiking trails, waterscapes or local history. Then match your preferred hotel location to your own plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Engesland, Birkenes, Birkeland, Oggevatn, Herefoss, Söre Herefoss, Evje, Risør.

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