The Setesdal Line along the Gåseflåfjord
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 km | 3 hours | Asphalt, Gravel road | Medium | Hikes |
The Setesdal Line between Kile and Røyknes is today a marked bike route, also suitable for hikers. You will pass several dark railway tunnels, so a flashlight and reflective vest are recommended.
Gåseflå Fjord. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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Hægeland Station
Start at Hægeland Station, the red building which now is a Thai restaurant. Follow the cycle path, also known as the national cycle route number 3, along an embankment over Kilefjorden and across the 19-metre long railway bridge. You reach the short Åsen Tunnel after four kilometres.
The oldest part
Gåseflå Tunnel is as short as Åsen, but darker because it has a long bend. When you have passed the tunnel you see the dam. From here, the old corridor is clearly visible along the river below the road. This is because five kilometres of the railway was raised in the 1940s, when Gåseflåvannet was dammed up and Iveland Power Station was built. You have to share the next part of the route with cars, including through the 242-metre long Slemdal Tunnel.
Iveland Station
You soon pass Iveland Station, which is almost similar to the station building at Hægeland. In 1920 a new track was built ten metres higher up due to the construction of Nomeland Power Station. The old track with all its tunnels ended up under water. Even thought Nomedal Tunnel is lit, you must be careful. It's narrow, so watch out for cars!
Hidden tunnels
After 500 metres you can take a shortcut along an overgrown railway path through two short tunnels. These are not maintained, so you do this at your own risk. You have to follow the road for the last hundred metres until you reach Røyknes Station. Here you will find a waiting room and ticket office, and you can buy coffee and waffles at the kiosk when steam engines are running on the Setesdal Line. If you want to extend the trip, you can continue along the Otra river and walk along the timber slide to Grovane..
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How do I get there?
Bus 170 runs every hour in the weekdays from Kristiansand to Kile (Hægeland stasjon).
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