Discover Birkeland

Birkeland offers a variety of ways to spend your time: hiking trails lead in several directions, Birkenesparken offers winter sports and outdoor activities, and cultural events take place in the town center. The surrounding area also has destinations for nature, history and relaxation. When planning a trip to Birkeland, you can choose different activities to suit your interests.

Hiking trails and routes in Birkeland

For hikes in the south of Birkeland, the municipality provides maps and descriptions. The routes listed include Røllend, Tveide rundt, Bersestien and Skogstien. East of Birkeland, the signposted trail network includes Haugevann rundt, Årdalsåsen, Espe rundt, Rundetjønn and Dyblemyrheia. Rundetjønn is listed as still under development. North and west of Birkeland, the routes listed are Slågedalsbrua, Birkenesparken, Rundt Flakk, Homslia rundt, Eikehola rundt and Elvestien fra Teinefossen.

Several hiking trails start at Birkenesparken, which connects to the trail network west, north and east of Birkeland. For a direct comparison of route lengths, the River Trail and the Riverside Area are good options: along the Tovdalselva, there is a short 1 km route and a longer 4.9 km route. The distances provide a specific point of reference for your planning; conditions on individual trails may change.

Several information boards along the River Trail describe the cultural heritage of the Tovdalselva. This includes stone walls and bridges from the days of timber rafting. The Riverside Area adds two sand volleyball courts, toilets and an open shelter. If you are interested in a much longer loop, the Svalandsgubben Skauløp features its main route, known as the “Gubben”: it is 27 km long and starts and finishes at Birkenesparken. The marked route can also be used as a hiking trail year-round, at your own pace. If you are planning to take part in the running event, check the dates and arrangements for the relevant year.

Sports and outdoor activities at Birkenesparken

Birkenesparken offers everything from winter sports to outdoor exercise. Its trail network includes a floodlit trail, paved roller-ski tracks and a ski café. The roller-ski tracks can also be used by cyclists and wheelchair users. The biathlon facility has 21 targets. These facilities make the park a practical starting point if you want to include sports activities in Birkeland in your travel plans.

There is also a training park with 12 pieces of equipment for strength and balance training, open to everyone around the clock. This makes it easy to distinguish between the different facilities: the ski trails and biathlon facility are for winter sports, the paved tracks are also for roller skiing, cycling and wheelchair use, while the training park focuses on strength and balance.

Culture in the town center and along the trails

Birkenes folkebibliotek is located on Strøget in the center of Birkeland. Throughout the year, it hosts events including concerts, book launches, Christmas workshops and puppet theater; individual events vary. A marked section of the Barnevandrerstien runs from Varpelia via Grasham and the Birkenes bygdemuseum to Birkeland primary school. Here, the trail follows the route of the former Lillesand-Flaksvandsbanen (LFB).

Places to visit nearby

The Berse swimming and recreation area is just south of the center of Birkeland. It has a beach, a bathing jetty, a green space and toilets. A few kilometers south of the center, the Birkenes bygdemuseum is set in a scenic location. Exhibits include authentic workshop and farm settings, veteran vehicles and permanent exhibitions on the history of the municipality. The museum's opening arrangements vary by season.

The museum also has a café. It serves food made primarily with locally produced ingredients and traditional recipes, including homemade pastries and Rømmegrøt. The café may be open seasonally. If you would like to combine your museum visit with a meal, take the seasonal opening arrangements into account.

The nearby Flakkeheia area has an extensive network of marked hiking trails and several open shelters for public use. There are also climbing routes, a Via Ferrata and a zipline, all managed by the Birkenes Climbing Club. The trails and shelters offer a different selection from the routes around Birkeland; conditions may change.

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

Return to the main travel overview: Birkenes.