Lillesand–Flaksvand Line from Eikeland
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 km | 3 hours | Gravel road, Path | Medium | Hikes |
Follow the Lillesand—Flaksvand Line as a fabulous forest trail between Eikeland and Tveide Station. The rail trail continues as a gravel road to Birkeland and further as a bike trail to the terminus at Flakksvann.
Lillesand—Flaksvand Line. Photo: Styrkar Braathen
Information boards
You access the trail by crossing the bridge over Moelva river at the municipal boundary between Lillesand and Birkenes. The corridor continues along a forest path close to the river. After a hundred metres you will pass information boards fastened to the rock face with historical photos and a copy of a share certificate.
Tveide Station
Before the trail ends in the cycle and footpath along Birkelandsveien, you cross an eight-metre long railway bridge over Moelva. Turn left at the crossroads and follow the signs to Tveide. After a kilometre you will pass a red house on the right side of the road. You have now arrived Tveide Station. Here you will find a few metres of the original railway tracks.
Kippsporet
Follow the gravel road to the right of the station, which is the rail trail towards Birkenes. When the corridor continues in a long loop higher up, you can clearly see the long wall beneath on the left. After a while you reach "Kippsporet", the highest point on the Lillesand—Flaksvand Line.
Birkenes Station
Keep to the right after you have past Birkeland school and lake Valetjønn on your left. When you meet the county road, turn left and continue on the cycle and footpath. Take the cycleway on your right just before the crossroads. You are now following the spur up to Birkeland Station. You will soon pass a copy of the steam engine Flaksvand, which was made by Egil Flakk. The station building was located on the other side of the street, approximately where the hotel café is now.
Flaksvatn Station
Return to the cycle and footpath and continue along the county road. After you have passed the lake, turn left over the bridge. You are now following the cycle route to Kristiansand, which is built over the railway line. After 600 metres you pass Flaksvatn Station, the white house on the right side of the road.
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How do I get there?
Take Bus 133 from Lillesand (towards Birkeland) to Øvre Eikeland. If you are driving from Oslo, exit E18 at the Storemyr Crossroads and follow the signposted road to Birkeland. Follow Fv. 402 about 12 kilometres until you pass an open area to the right, just before the municipality border. You can park free of charge here.
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