Saltrød: Local history, hikes and Paulus holme

Saltrød is a built-up area with a church, cemetery and a listed building. Shipbuilding is also part of its local history: there were five shipyards here in the 19th century. Hiking and a summer swimming and meeting place round out these themes.

Hiking and summer by the water

Hikes in Saltrød pass historic buildings and lead along the sea and through the forest. Local history, coastal scenery and forest are distinct themes here. Paulus holme has a different, seasonal role: in summer, it is a swimming and meeting place for younger people. The hiking trails and a summer stay by the water can therefore be considered different focuses for your trip.

Bymarkshytta Udimærka in the surrounding area

Bymarkshytta Udimærka is located near Saltrødtjenna, on a hiking trail in the municipal forest west of Saltrød. It is open to everyone, open at all times and designed to be accessible. You can take a break there, eat a meal you have brought with you and warm up. The cabin also has a wood-burning stove and a small hiking library. Facilities include an accessible toilet, a barbecue area, benches and tables, a wheelchair ramp by the pond, and an outdoor escape room. Its location on the hiking trail and the places to take a break give the cabin a different focus from the hikes themselves: it is also described as a place to rest.

Culture and history in the wider destination of Arendal

In the wider destination of Arendal, KUBEN offers an introduction to the history of Aust-Agder and Arendal. The museum also features the children’s exhibition “Barndom”. Another connection to maritime history is Bratteklev Skipsverft, an almost completely preserved shipyard from the age of sailing ships. Fourteen ships were built there between 1868 and 1924: eight sailing ships, five steamships, two of them made of steel, and one schooner with a diesel engine. Visitors can explore the sawmill, forge, workshops and boat sheds at the shipyard.

The Eydehavn Museum is dedicated to the industrial and labour history of Eydehavn. The first floor covers the Arendal Smelteverk and Nitriden companies, as well as the society that developed around these industries. The museum includes a worker’s home from the 1920s and the exhibition “Marens minner” about the work of coastal women in earlier times. These topics offer a different perspective from the shipbuilding history: the focus here is on industry, working life and the people of the coast.

Art, science and trails in Arendal

Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall focuses on contemporary art and is housed in a former cotton goods factory. A trail leads to Gruvene Sculpture Park, starting on the third floor of the Kunsthall and passing through the mining area. Check the current condition and access to the trail before your visit. Gruvene offers guided tours for groups, school classes and individuals; visitors are asked to get in touch by email.

Science is also part of what the wider destination of Arendal has to offer: Vitensenteret Arendal has exhibition areas covering the body, technology, mathematics and marine life, and is a visitor centre for Raet National Park. It is located on Arendal’s waterfront, on the ground floor of Eurekabygget; the large Pollen p-hus car park is directly in front. The varied topics—from local building and shipbuilding history in Saltrød to industry, art and science in Arendal—offer different starting points for planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Rykene, Kolbjørnsvik, Kongshavn, His, Arendal, Færvik, Staubø, Kilsund.

Back to the main travel overview: Arendal.