Explore Telemark

EN

NO

Kragerøbanen

Type:Hiking/cycle trails

Neslandsvatn, 3760, Neslandsvatn

Add Kragerøbanen to your Itinerary

picnic area by the pedestrian and bicycle path "Kragerøbanen" in Drangedal
  • picnic area by the pedestrian and bicycle path "Kragerøbanen" in Drangedal
  • picture of the kragerø line by walking and cycling path "Kragerøbanen" in Drangedal
  • picnic area with a view of the water by the walking and cycling path "Kragerøbanen" in Drangedal
  • playground and sand volleyball court by the walking and cycling path "Kragerøbanen" in Drangedal
  • picnic area with a view of the water by the walking and cycling path "Kragerøbanen" in Drangedal
  • climbing wall in progress and cycle path "Kragerøbanen" in Drangedal
  • little boy climbs in climbing wall by footpath - and cycle path "Kragerøbanen" in Drangedal
  • winter picture from the walking and cycling path Kragerøbanen in Drangedal

Book Tickets Online

About

Kragerøbanen
The Kragerø line was simply called "The line" on Neslandsvatn. The settlement south of Drangedal was an important train junction on the Sørlandsbanen line, with the siding to Kragerø, until 1 January 1989, when the line from 1927 was closed.

Attractive communal walking and walking path
A few years ago, parts of the disused railway line between Neslandsvatn and Eskilt were removed, and turned into an attractive hiking trail. On the first part of the approx. 1 km long stretch, you will today find climbing wall, climbing pyramid, bocce court, campfire / barbecue hut, playground, bathingplace, exercise benches, beach volleyball court, peton court, street lights and adapted picnic areas.

Further down the course is Oterbekkbua, which is a gathering place at Oterbekk swimming area, with outdoor kitchen, covered seating, barbecue and toilet. The track ends at the old stop Eskilt, where a path goes down to Fiskesteinen, where Neslandsvannet ends in the Heldøl river.

The work on continuing with the footpath will begin in the autumn of 2021 and will extend the track by 5.5 km to Merkebekk.

History 
The Kragerø line is a disused railway line between Neslandsvatn station on the Sørlandsbanen line and Kragerø. The track was opened on December 1, 1927 and was 26.6 kilometers long. From 1927 to 1989, passengers and goods were transported on this stretch. After opening in 1927, the Kragerø line had five stations (Merkebekk, Farsjø, Sannidal and Vadfoss) and 11 tunnels.
A continuous railway connection was to be established between Oslo and Stavanger and as part of this, the Sørlandsbanen line was extended from Lunde to Kragerø. For a time, the line was the terminus for the Sørlandsbanen line. From December 2, 1927, it went into ordinary traffic. But when the Sørlandsbanen was extended further to Arendal in 1935, the Kragerøbanen became a sideline to the Sørlandsbanen.
After this, passenger traffic dropped drastically. So it went as it had to go, in 1989, passenger traffic was stopped by a Storting decision. Since then, it has been quiet on these tracks.
The inhabitants of the town of Neslandsvatn wanted to have this old railway line turned into a pedestrian and bicycle path. After Jernbaneverket gave the land to the municipality, the work was started.
Just over 1 kilometer of the route from Neslandsvatn has been converted into a new pedestrian and bicycle path. 600 meters of the old train line was opened on 9 November 2017, and in September 2019 there was great joy at Neslandsvatn. Then the stretch of 1 kilometer, which was the first pedestrian and bicycle path on a disused railway in Telemark, was officially opened.

Hiking trail along the entire old Kragerø line
Drangedal and Kragerø municipalities are investigating the possibility of creating an attractive and long walking and cycling path along the rest of the route to Kragerø. 
 

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Contact

Tel: 35 90 00 20

What's Nearby

  1. Sannidal Church

    Sannidal Church is a cruciform church built in 1711. Sannidal originaly had its own stave…

    10.29 km away
  2. Sannidal Bygdetun

    is a local historic collection of buildings. Since 1949, eight buildings from 1700 and…

    10.48 km away
  3. Drangedal Bygdetun

    Drangedal bygdetun is one of Norways most beautiful open-air museums, close to the forest…

    15.11 km away
  1. Berg - Kragerø Museum

    Berg-Kragerø Museum promotes art, history, holiday life, coastal culture and export of…

    16.25 km away
  2. Steinmann Lookout

    Steinmann is a viewpoint just above downtown with great views over the city. Well worth a…

    18.37 km away
  3. Kragerø Church

    Kragerø church was consecrated in 1870 and is a Gothic Revival church designed by Georg…

    18.50 km away
  4. The house of Theodor Kittelsen

    Welcome to Theodor Kittelsen’s childhood home.

    18.56 km away
  5. The Art City Kragerø

    Kragerø is referred to as "The gem among coastal cities" of Edvard Munch, Norway's most…

    18.63 km away
  6. Gea Norvegica Geopark

    Gea Norvegica Geo Park is Scandinavia's first UNESCO certified geopark.
    The geopark is…

    18.62 km away
  7. Viewpoint Veten - Øya

    Veten is Øyas magnificent viewpoint. From here you have the opportunity to experience…

    19.06 km away
  8. Støle Church

    Støle Church is a charming little wooden church from 1892. It is located on the old…

    20.88 km away
  9. Strømtangen lighthouse

    Strømtangen fyr is one of three lighthouses in Kragerø and lies between Rapen and…

    23.14 km away
  10. Krikken Coastal Fort - Skåtøy

    Krikken Coastal Fort, a German construction from World War 2 is well worth visiting. The…

    23.37 km away
  11. Skåtøy

    Skåtøy is the largest of Kragerø’s islands and has a flourishing Cultural life year-round…

    24.13 km away
  12. Opplev Skåtøy

    Oppelv Skåtøy is a network of ten companies on Skåtøy, which deliver everything from…

    24.13 km away
  13. Jomfruland island

    The island of Jomfruland is located on the outskirts of Kragerø's spectacular archipelago.

    27.52 km away
Previous Next