The Skotfoss Trail
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 km | 1 hour | Path | Easy | Hikes |
The Skotfoss Trail in Skien Municipality follows the disused Skotfoss Line, Scandinavia's first electric industrial railway. The trail starts and ends at Løveid Lock.
Skotfoss Bruk Railway. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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Skotfoss Bruk Line
From Løveid follow the canal westwards until the trail crosses it after 400 metres. The path continues into the forest and passes an old charcoal pile. The forest path comes out at the old paper mill, Skotfoss Bruk, and continues along the river below a nursery school. You will pass many tourist information boards about the railway and the paper transport.
Røråsen Quay
You will soon reach the loading berth at Røråsen where the paper products were loaded onto barges and sent for export. Before you continue you may take a detour and follow the signpost to the burial mound at Røråsen. The Skotfoss Trail will follow a former spur as a woodland road. Turn left when you reach the sports ground. The trail will continue along Forvalds veg pass the old houses where the employees lived. When you reach Løveid lock, consider extending the trip to Dalen on the Telemark Canal. You will pass 18 locks on this stunning boat ride to the foot of Hardangervidda plateau.
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How do I get there?
Skotfoss is signposted along County Road 357 from Skien. If you are driving from Bø, exit the National Road 36 towards Åfoss and continue on Rambergvegen when you pass over the waterfall Skotfossen on a tiny road. There are bus services every hour from Skien to Skotfoss.