Discover Iveland: Tømmerrenna, culture and nature

Iveland combines protected industrial heritage, mineral history and trails through a hilly, forested highland landscape. The area has no dominant valleys. For orientation: County Road 403 runs through Iveland between Vennesla and Evje and Hornnes, passing through the village of Iveland.

Timber structure, museum and minerals

The original wooden Tømmerrenna is a historic structure that has been restored over the years and protected. The structure in Iveland and Vennesla is about four kilometres long and is considered the only and longest of its kind in Norway. About 35 percent of Tømmerrenna lies in the northern part of Iveland municipality. This distinguishes its length, the combined extent across the two municipalities and the share on the Iveland side.

The Iveland og Vegusdal local history museum covers archaeology, traditional dress and rural culture. It is located at the Nedre Fjermedal farm, about five kilometres north of Vatnestrøm. The museum includes Engeslandhuset, a typical regional farmhouse whose oldest part dates from the 17th century. The exhibition “Technology and Tradition in the Viking Age” offers insights into Viking Age technology and crafts. Another historical landmark is Iveland Church: it was built in 1836 and consecrated in 1837.

In the centre of Iveland, in Åkle, the mineral exhibition displays local minerals from the Iveland and Evje area. A short audio guide focuses on Iveland’s mineral history. At Gruverøysa near Åkle, completed in June 2026, children can dig for minerals and take their finds home free of charge. If your trip takes place after 2026, check in advance whether this activity is available.

Hiking trails of varying lengths

The Iveland–Berefjell–Ranestad loop is listed as about twelve kilometres long; the trail is well signposted, including at every junction. The Møkjåland–Måvatn hike is much shorter, at about 3.5 kilometres. It follows a forest road and a path to a body of water with rocky areas. The different lengths give you a concrete point of reference for judging the planned distance of your hike.

Another marked route leads to Slottbakkfjellet west of Birketveit, where there is a hillfort. The round trip is listed as 1.2 kilometres. The hike up Avdagsfjellet, about 3.5 kilometres long, starts at a car park roughly 2.5 kilometres west of Frigstad. From the top, there are viewpoints to the south and north. Bereblikk is on Berefjell near Birketveit and has a library and a wood-burning stove.

Ogge, Kringsjå and year-round activities

Ogge has a shoreline of approximately 70 kilometres. There are four picnic areas with barbecue facilities and toilets; canoes can be rented at Ogge gjesteheim. The area around Ogge is an important local recreation area in both summer and winter. Birketveit also has a particularly child-friendly swimming area with play equipment and facilities for beach volleyball.

When there is enough snow, a cross-country ski trail about six to eight kilometres long is prepared on Ivedalsheia, usually for both classic and freestyle skiing. Snow conditions are the key requirement: this specific winter activity differs from the hiking trails, whose distances are described independently of snow conditions.

Kringsjå also offers insights into regional history. The Kringsjå recreation area was established and developed in connection with the construction of the Kringsjå power station shortly before 1900; in recent years it has been restored and fitted with information boards. At the former Kringsjå power station site, a dam, ruins of the old power station, an old stone embankment and some house foundations remain. The Iveland mines consist of mines belonging to various landowners that have been opened to visitors. If you are planning a visit, it is advisable to check in advance what visitor access is currently available.

Viltgården is a wildlife park where visitors can see moose and other wild animals up close. A guided tour there lasts about two hours. Alongside the hiking routes, this gives you the option of an activity with a clearly stated duration.

Discover more destinations: Vatnestrøm, Grimstad, Bygland, Lindesnes, Birkenes, Arendal, Tvedestrand, Gjerstad.

For the broader travel overview: Aust-Agder.