There are no better words to describe today’s bike & hike than quoting it from the tourist guide:
The nature at Flørenes is incredibly exciting, featuring areas that resemble primeval forest, intriguing ravines, and impressive rock formations; it is well worth taking a walk around the area while you are there.
This pensinsula of Dyvig and Flørenes is full of charming places beyond an accumulation of summer houses.
Fair winds…
There is no link between the Dyvig in Norway and the Dyvig in Denmark apart from the fact that both are situated at the sea. Nevertheless have both a similar charakter of a settlement around a bay which makes the Danish a perfect destination for sailors while the Norwegian one offers local small boat opportunities in pure nature while still living close to town. An interesting discovery in any case.
Summer in Norway goes on…
Fair winds…
My target for the day was Lundesanden beach, impressive in size especially since situated at the sweetwater Lake Syndle. The lake itself is also known as a “Padleperle” as it offers multiple idyllic spots to pitch the tend for the nights.
The approach towards the beach took me along an 8km stretch of the old Kongeveien, which did run from Oslo to Stavanger back in 1790 and was the main road between Grimstad and Lillesand until 1905. In 1994 it reopened as a footpath for hikers & bikers.
In between the historical track and the sandy beach, I passed through the plaines of Reddal, a village characterised by its agricultural focus. Potatoes, berries and grains besides cabbage are the main products.
An interesting ride demonstrating remarkable diversity in Norwegian landscape and its utilisation within a relatively small area.
Fair winds…
Sunny & stormy winds today followed on a rainy & rest day yesterday, so we were back on the road for another discovery ride. Titti and myself.
Around the nearby town Kaldvell, a former industrial community, lies now Lillesand’s most popular recreational area with a vast network for biking & hiking. Perfectly compacted gravel!
There is not only the Kniben hill (93moh only) with the Dagsturhytta but also the beauty of the Ladvellelva river with salmon ladders and multiple spots for a swim in clear & clean sweet water. The Norwegians defintely know, how to create a high quality environment within their amazing nature.
Fair winds…
Today I learned that Danmark is a small island, one of the many within the Austre Grimevannet, which I passed on my way along Vassdalen to the foot of Hisåsen Hill. Climbing up to the top of the hill, with 240moh the highest within the municipality of Lillesand. It’s a short hike of 1km, rather steep through the coastal woodland providing some tropical kind of impressions and memories. Nice view.
An enjoyable bike & hike combo.
Fair winds…
It was the river ride along Tovdaselva, which caught my attention. It is one of the longest rivers in Sørlandet and used to be a paradise for wild salmon fishing long time back. Today, it is on the Norwegian Red List, means risk of extiction. Projects are ongoing to get the salmon back into these waters.
Along the river I passed Mollestadeika, a cultural and natural landmark. Although the presumably 1000 year old oak tree looks pretty shabby, it is apparently still growing. It claims to be the second largest tree in Norway and carries many legends and beliefs.
My way home took me via Røynåsveien through forest land over some small hills back to Lillesand. A well maintained gravel road with an official speed limit of 80km/h! I ended up in the dust two times, while one driver really slowed down to minimize my exposure. Three cars only on the 11km stretch.
Overall, a nice ride but not outstanding though. Maybe I am spoilt.
Fair winds…
It was time to cut into the country rather than another ride along the shoreline. I was curious about it.
Vestre Grimevannet connected to Austre Grimevannet form a huge sweet water lake/fjord kind of system with remarkable off-road opportunities within a natural, pretty undeveloped landscape. Lonely but not completely deserted. A few picnic spots along the track. BUA Lillesand operates a rack with well-maintained kayaks at one of the spots, free to borrow. Norway!
Today’s ride encourages for more miles into the back country of Sørlandet.
Fair winds…
I start to reconsider my preconceived opinion, that the south of Norway is rather boring compared to what we have seen over the last year. Not only that Lillesand is a charming town, its vicinity seems to offer some nice spots as well. Not only spots for a cool down splash during this top summer conditions.
Homborsund was on my menu list for the day, a short and flat ride, mostly on perfect tarmac but with little diversion for gravel in order not to overstretch but keep going, or perhaps better, restart.
🛶…Lille Poro…🛶 is ready and will add value soon to explore this area further.
Fair winds…
The heat is also on in southern Norway and the summer in full swing. Nothing compared to central Europe hitting new temperature records day by day.
Slighly impacted by hay fever my short ride today took me out to the historical small village of Brekkestø, nicely embedded within the easterly stretch of the picturesque Blindleia strait.
A quick detour took me to Saltviga, a peaceful tiny beach with some good green to rest.
Norway lost against France last night but the spirit remains high!
Fair winds…
We have arrived via Kopervik, Skudeneshavn and Kristiansand in Lillesand at the southern coast of Norway. Summer has arrived in time for the peak season. Festival season, crazy in Kristiansand, pleasant in Lillesand.
Fair winds…
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