Discover Lunden

Lunden is described as the northernmost farm in Reddal, sheltered near the forest and mountains. A trip here can include exploring the area’s history, historic transport routes, and nearby hikes.

Historic Routes and Traces in Lunden

A historic farm road led from Lunden toward Søndle and Lundesanden, below Rossefjell. An old route from Søndle via Reddal and Reddalsvann was formerly used mainly to transport timber. A historic cart road also ran near Lunden through Klamrene, below Rossefjell, into Røsdalen; it was considered reasonably passable. Historic transport routes from Lunden may have connected via Lindtveit in Øiestad as far as Arendal.

The landscape’s former uses have also been documented: a waterfall on the Reddalselven belonged to Lunden and was once used by several farm owners for a sawmill and mill. This lets you explore the area’s history without confusing historic transport routes with current hiking trails.

Nearby Hikes

On the drive to the trail at Einerfjell, FV31 passes Lunden sandtak. The trail is marked in red on the ground. The circular hike at Einerfjell is about 3.5 kilometres long and offers views across the Reddal landscape, of Reddalsvannet, and, in the distance, of the sea.

Another option is the circular hike to Bjønnoksenheia: it is 7.8 kilometres long, takes about two and a half hours, and reaches 272 metres above sea level. From there, you can see Mofjell, Halseheia, and Midtknollen; on clear days, the view extends as far as the sea in the distance. The two routes can therefore be compared by length and, for Bjønnoksenheia, also by approximate duration. Their landscapes also differ in the viewpoints described for each hike.

The section from Reddal to Landvik is the final part of the Barnevandrerstien. This trail is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs; it can be cycled, although you will need to walk your bike for a few short sections. It is distinct from the historic Kjørkevegen between Reddal and Landvik, which has probably been in use for around 1,500 years.

Another historic trace in the nearby area is Ligsteinen, a flat stone. Bearers rested there when carrying coffins from Beisland for burial at Landvik church. The stone points to a former use of the route, while the hikes at Einerfjell and Bjønnoksenheia are described primarily by their distances and viewpoints.

More Destinations in the Wider Grimstad Area

In the wider Grimstad area, the Vestlandske hovedvei opened in 1805. The route includes a red main loop of about 3.5 kilometres and an additional green loop of about 5 kilometres; both are suitable for bicycles and pushchairs. Its route includes a bridge over the Reddalskanalen, built as a replica of the former bridge. These loops provide municipal context and should not be confused with the hikes near Lunden.

Haslelia is also in Grimstad municipality. Remains of a settlement inhabited a little over 200 years ago have been preserved there: stone walls around former farmland and stone piles from former buildings. Reddalsvannet is a nature reserve with a diverse birdlife, especially in the reed belt. Together, these examples add different perspectives on settlement and nature to the area’s history.

For more cultural destinations in Grimstad, the Raet National Park Visitor Centre is located at the Norwegian Museum of Horticulture in Dømmesmoen. The museum features exhibitions about horticulture in Grimstad and the ecological relationships between nature, bees, and people. This offers a way to explore Lunden’s historic connections while distinguishing it from the separate destinations in the wider Grimstad area.

Discover more destinations: Homborsund, Fevik, Grimstad

Back to the wider travel overview: Grimstad.