Bikepacker - Grenland region

About

Experience a varied and scenic 2-day cycling holiday that takes you from the city life in Porsgrunn through the deep forest landscape of Siljan and Luksefjell, with a brief detour into Kongsberg municipality (Buskerud). The route is an Eldorado for cyclists, with many opportunities for side trips to popular hiking areas like Farris and Styggmann, in addition to unique sport fishing opportunities.

Start/End Point: Porsgrunn Station

Stages and Highlights

Stage 1: From Railway History to Forest Idyll (Porsgrunn – Årholtstua)

The trip starts at Porsgrunn Station and follows the beautiful, disused railway track through Bjørkedalen to Oklungen. From here, the climb begins on a gravel road up through Orholtdalen, with Svarteberget on the east side.

• Important passage: After approx. 19 km, you pass Årholtstua, a cabin belonging to the local trekking association.
• Optional stop/shortening: After a descent near Kiste, you can include a small loop to a swimming beach by the dam or shorten the route through Siljan center.

Stage 2: To Buskerud and the Route's Highest Point (Kiste – Myklevann – Besstul)

The journey continues around Kistekollen and up to Fv32 at Mælakollen. After a descent, you reach the intersection towards Grorud.

• Last Supplies: Grorud is the last opportunity to replenish food and drink before the next 75 kilometers.
• Altitude: The next 25 km offers a gentle ascent through beautiful terrain, changing from cultural landscape to forest, past Grorud and up to Myklevann. Here you cross into Buskerud County (Kongsberg municipality) and reach the route's highest point between Mykle and Ramsvann.
• Trail and Re-entry into Telemark: After 65 km, you cycle a good kilometer on a trail before reaching Hoppestulvegen and crossing back into Telemark, now on Øktervegen towards Besstul.

Stage 3: Luksefjell, Bird Life, and Return to Skien

After Besstul, the trip descends along Besstulelva and into the lush Luksefjell area.

• Sport Fishing: This area is an Eldorado for sport fishing for those with a fishing license from Grenland Sportsfiskere.
• Route Choice Luksefjellvannet: At Luksefjell Church and Luksefjellvannet, you can choose between a good gravel road on the east side, or the official route on the west side along Grønnsjøvegen, past Sildrevika, until the two roads meet again along Moelva.
• Asphalt and Nature: The road gently descends past the motorsport center at Flittig, where you get asphalt under your wheels again and the settlements towards Skien begin to appear.
• Børsesjø Nature Reserve: After Grenland Golf Club, the route turns towards Børsesjø, a unique wetland area known for its rich bird life. Here you will find viewing towers for avid bird watchers and photographers.
• Conclusion: Through Gjerpensdalen (Grenland's pantry), along the canal from Børsesjø, you follow roads through the cultural landscape until you reach Kjølnes. After a few hundred meters, you are back at Porsgrunn Station.