HIking along the coastal path in Bamble: Rognstranda - Åby

About

Formerly a busy hub and charging station, Åby was also a municipal center in the old Bamble municipality.

The coastal path first follows Valleveien before entering a rather steep gravel road up to Åstadheia. Continue on the forest path and pass two old, idyllic ice ponds. Here is a nice picnic area just off the pond. The trail then leads to a fantastic view of the Åbyfjorden and the Rognsfjorden.

From Åstadheia, at Stangodden, the path continues to the right in a T-junction. However, it may be worth taking the detour to the left, to the headland itself. Here you come to a marina and a small recreation area with nice views over the fjord. To the north is also the idyllic and cozy Elvikstranda with bathing opportunities even for the smallest.

The coastal path passes the sheltered lagoon Lønnungen and the fine sandy beach Prisgrunn. A detour from the trail goes to the Daumannsbukta , a nice resting and bathing area that is usually completely sheltered.

On Prisgrunn, the trail goes right past a large slag heap, formed after a nickel smelter. The smelter was in operation shortly during the First World War, but there are now only ruins.

Before Ivarsand, one must go through an exciting cut. It is a bit steep, but there are railings to stay in. Ivarsand is a great and popular recreation area, with good opportunities for paddling and swimming. Here there is information board about the coastal path and good toilets.

From Ivarsand the trail goes through Skarsvika to Brevikstrand. On the headland west of Skarsvika there are good fishing opportunities and a nice place to relax. Along the trail at Rakkestadstranda there is a gap hawk which is good to crash in if the weather is bad. Rakkestadstranda is a recreation area with beautiful, shallow sandy beach. This is one of Bamble Coast's hidden gems.

Further on the trail you reach Vardås (Valås), with the best view of the Bambles archipelago - from Langesund in the east to Kragerø in the west. The name is said to come from the large cairn or barn which is located there. It was a part of the great warning system used when the country was threatened by unrest.

From Vardås the coastal path goes to Melby and on to Trosby, where there is a shop and you can go out to Kjønnøya. Besides beautiful scenery, with cozy roads and houses, there is also a nice outdoor area here (the sign).

At Trosby there is a map with information about the coastal path.

If you do not want to go the whole route, the following trips can be tried:

1) Start at Åby and follow the path to Stangodden, Prisgrunnen, Ivarsand and to Brevikstrand. Follow Valleveien back to Åby. Please note that Vallieien can be quite busy during the summer.

2) Start at the parking at Trosby. Take Valleveien road east and turn right at the entrance to Rakkestad residential area. Follow the gravel road south to Rakkestadstranda. Walk the coastal path to Valås and follow it back to Trosby. This trip can possibly be combined with a trip to Kjønnøya.

Parking:
At Åby there is a private parking space for users of the coastal path. Follow Valleveien 1 km after the signpost at Åby and turn left at a separate parking sign for the coastal path. The car park is 60-70 m from Valleveien.

Across the road from the Trosby store there is parking for users of the coastal path. Then you see the marks of the coastal path.

Along the trail there is a large, public car park at Ivarsand. From this it is a short distance to the beach itself. Here it is possible to use a wheelchair. At the exit to the Rakkestad residential area, there is little opportunity for parking for those who want to get directly to Rakkestad beach.

We are working to find better parking here.

Length: Approx. 15.0 km
Duration: 4 hours +
Rating: Medium +
Suitable: Adult, child