Bakkestranda bathing place

About

The idyllic Bakkestranda bathing place is easily accessible on the north side of Lake Hjellevannet near Skien town centre, approx. 5 min. to walk from the center. On nice summer days, this is a favorite bathing spot for young and old alike. Families can safely bring their children here, there are plenty of activities.

Bathing area in Skien with sandy beach
Here you will find a great open area with a large grassy area and a sandy beach. There are great barbecue and picnic options. Here you will find both toilets and a universally designed playground.

Canoe and kayak slipway
In 2021, a new universally accessible canoe and kayak slipway was opened at Bakkestranda. This slipway provides everyone who wishes to do so with the opportunity to launch or retrieve canoes and kayaks.

In early 2023, a loading and unloading bay was placed along Strandgata. This bay allows you to stop and load or unload equipment that you can then carry down to the pier for water activities. It's important to note that the loading and unloading bay is intended for short-term parking only. This means that you must park your car elsewhere while you're out on a trip, such as in the parking lot on Oscars gate.

Universally designed bathing platform
A universally designed bathing platform is now available at Bakkestranda in Skien. This bathing platform provides wheelchair users with access to the water.

The bathing platform consists of a gravel access path that leads to a ramp. From the ramp, one can easily descend into the water and into the bathing platform. The ramp has handrails on both sides for added safety. The water level in the bathing platform is constant and is set at 90 cm. From the bathing platform, there is a gate that leads out to Hjellevannet.

New volleyball net at Bakkestranda
Bakkestranda is under constant development, and now you can also play both table tennis and volleyball here. The activity offers are a foretaste of the development of Bakkestranda as an innovative activity arena.

The Rat-Wife sculpture
At Bakkestranda, you will see a 7 meter tall sculpture that has been named "Rottejomfruen". It originates from Henrik Ibsen's poem "Little Eyolf". The town's schoolchildren have made the 2,349 eyes that you can see on the sculpture.