Vrådal Lock Museumis located at Småstraum lock close to Vrådal centre and is thus within walking distance of most accommodation in Vrådal. The lock is the highest in Northern Europe and is still operated by hand, just as it was when it was built more than a century ago.


At the museum you can see the lock in action when the veteran boat M/S Fram passes by, and you can also experience the museum's exhibition about lock operation, boat traffic in the area around 1900, timber transport on Lakes Nisser and Vråvatn and the construction of the locks.
See photos and opening hours on the Slusemusem website

Setesdal

summer

Vrådal Slusemuseum

The spectacular mountain peak of Hægefjell is a popular destination for hikers from all over Europe. If you want a little something extra, start your trip in the Vrådal Panorama Ski Centre gondola and watch the beautiful mountain landscape open up around you as the gondola slowly rises.
From the top of the gondola, the hike takes you through the beautiful mountain terrain along a marked route to Hægefjell. Don't forget to bring plenty of food, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the trip over the fascinating high mountain – and not least the stunning views of Vrådal, Nisser and Vråvatn. On parts of the tour, you even have a clear view of the landscape in all directions.
If you don't feel like going all the way to Hægefjell, you can head for Skardstøylnetten instead, which is an easier and shorter trip.


Read more and download a guide to the trip on the VisitTelemark website

Gondola in Vrådal Panorama Ski Centre

At Vrådal you can enjoy a spectacular golfing experience – in fact, some call the course Norway's most stunning.
Vrådal's nine-hole golf course is located on the small island of Fossøy at the northern end of Lake Nisser, so when you walk the course, you're surrounded by forest, mountain and lake on all sides. It's also not uncommon to encounter local wildlife on the trail – including seabirds, deer, elk, beavers and golden eagles.
The spectacular location also provides extra challenges on the round trip, (regardless of your handicap) when hitting shots over small bays or out to the lake shore. Maybe you should do a competition between you to see who can hit the most (or least) times in the water?
Read more on the golf course website

Vrådal Golf Course

Do you love exploring nature on foot or by bike? Then set course for Vrådal!
Hiking in Vrådal
In the area around Vrådal you will find many pleasant forest and gravel paths, which among other things go along the lake Nisser. At the same time, a string of longer hikes and top trips beckons within a short distance.
In other words, you can put together a holiday programme to suit your tastes, whether you prefer relaxing forest walks along the nature trail at Vrådal Hyttegrend or at Fossøy (where you will also pass two Stone Age settlements), a top trip for the whole family to Venelifjell or more challenging top trips to Hægefjell or Roholtsfjell.
All the routes are well marked, so just lace up your hiking boots, pack your lunch and set off.
Findinspiration for hiking in Vrådal in our travel article here
Cycling in Vrådal
Whether you like cycling on country roads or more challenging mountain bike routes, plenty of great experiences await you in Vrådal. There are short, pleasant routes for the whole family and long, demanding routes for the more experienced – all with Vrådal's spectacular scenery as a backdrop.
Straand Hotel Vrådal has developed the concept of Hubriding – first for motorcyclists, but since December 2020 also for cyclists. In the Hubriding concept you can book stays where you use the hotel as a base for your bike rides and return to the hotel every evening to rest your legs, have something good to eat and drink and or just to wash and maintain your bike. The hotel also offers assistance if something happens to you or your bike during one of your trips.
Hubriding has planned and tested ten routes of varying length and difficulty, which can be downloaded to smartphone and GPS – and you can also make use of the many cycling routes if you live elsewhere or just want a day trip during your holiday.
See route suggestions on the hotel website here

Hiking and cycling in Vrådal

Right next to Straand Hotel Vraadal, a very special experience awaits: the silversmith's workshop Sølvsmedtunet where you can experience the work of silversmith Astrid Søftestad, based on Telemark's old craft traditions. Get up close to the fascinating processes of hammering, heating and soldering silver to create a tiny work of art in the form of a new piece of jewellery.
Once you've had your fill of the beautiful jewellery (and perhaps bought some to take home from the gift shop, which has an exciting selection of gifts and souvenirs as well as jewellery), pop into the Nisseloftet – it's Christmas all year round here, and children (and childlike souls) can send a Christmas card stamped bythe Christmas elf in Nissedal.Christmas cards can be written all year round and sent (of course) in December, so they're sure to get there in time for Christmas!
Read more and see opening hours on the 

Sølvsmedtunet and Nisseloftet

If you want an experience that combines nature, culture and, above all, fun, you should take a trip on the vintage boat M/S Fram.
 
The charming boat was built in 1909 as a barge and now annually takes thousands of tourists on "lock cruises" among the cosy islands in the northern part of Lake Nisser at Vrådal.
The tour goes from Straand Hotel through Vrådal's historic locks and past the Lock Museum and through Nissers inland archipelago with lots of small idyllic islands. Sit back and enjoy the views and tranquillity as the boat glides past the fascinating landscape of forests, mountains, cliffs and islands. If you get thirsty along the way, there's a kiosk on board, so you can grab a refreshment or a hot cup of cocoa.
Several of the weekly trips have a guide on board – 

see sailing times and different trips on the boat's website.

Lock cruise with the vintage boat M/S Fram

If you have water lovers in the family, there are plenty of opportunities to let them romp in and on the beautiful waters of Lake Nisser.
At Straand Sommerland you'll find a lovely beach where you can soak up the sun and take a cool dip, and if you prefer to explore the lake above water, you can hire canoes, kayaks, SUP boards and rowing boats or take a leisurely pedal boat ride along the beach at Vrådal.
If you fancy a longer canoe or kayak trip, there are plenty of places to explore on Nisser or neighbouring Lake Vråvatn to the south. Enjoy the tranquillity as you glide silently over the surface of the water, passing dark mountainsides, deep forests, cosy coves and white beaches. Several of Nisser's small islands are equipped with campsites and benches, so you can stop and eat your packed lunch along the way.

Water activities at Lake Nisser

If your holiday also includes a bit of fun and action for the family's children, there's plenty of opportunity to colour your cheeks at Vrådal's Straand Sommerland activity area – and just an hour's drive away is Scandinavia's largest water park, Bø Sommerland.
Straand Summerland
On the beach at Nisser just below Straand Hotel you will find Straand Sommerland – an area full of play and activity opportunities for children of all ages. Children can play on the playground, trampolines, jumping pillows, water trampoline and beach volleyball court – or climb to the top of Scandinavia's tallest climbing tower at 12 metres.
If you don't feel like hitting the trampolines yourself, you can soak up the sun on the fine sandy beach right next to the summer land or take a refreshing dip in the Nisser, where the water temperature in summer can reach a lovely 20 degrees.
Bø Summerland
For even more excitement, take a trip to Bø Sommerland only around one hour from Vrådal. Bø Sommerland is Scandinavia's largest water park and offers lots of big and fun water activities – from the "racing slide" Vassføyka, where you can race each other, to the water slide Magasuget with a free fall of ninbe meters, the artificial surf wave FlowRider or a "halfpipe" where you hurtle along in a rubber boat.

The summer park also has plenty of water fun for the little ones in a heated pool and sun loungers if parents need a break while the kids have fun in the water.


Read more and see opening hours on the Bø Sommerland website

Straand Sommerland and Bø Sommerland

For a touch of indulgence during your ski holiday, treat yourself to a range of delicious options at Quality Straand Hotel Vrådal.

Spend an afternoon enjoying a traditional “Afternoon Tea” in the hotel’s historic rooms dating back to 1864. You’ll be served delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweet treats in true British upper-class style. You can even opt for a glass of bubbles to complete the experience!

Alternatively, treat yourselves to the hotel restaurant’s five-course gourmet menu, featuring local specialties such as venison carpaccio, chanterelle risotto, and cloudberry sorbet. For a truly unique experience, start the evening with an aperitif and storytelling session, where you can learn more about the history of the hotel and the Vrådal area.

For more information, visit the hotel’s website.

NB: We take no responsibility for any potential changes to offers at the ski resorts.

winter

Indulging at Straand Hotel

If you’re bringing the kids along, you can pack a lunch and enjoy the short 3.5 km loop, which takes you past the “Grillbui.” Here, you can enjoy your picnic at the tables or roast sausages on the grill before continuing back to Vrådal Hyttegrend. When the snow is good, this route also offers the opportunity for a fun sledding experience.

For a longer and slightly more challenging adventure, you can choose the 6.8 km trail, which winds through beautiful forest landscapes with several spectacular viewpoints—and maybe even some tracks from local wildlife.

In normal winter conditions, the trails can be walked with regular winter footwear and ice grips, but if you plan to venture off the trails, snowshoes can be rented at the reception in Vrådal Hyttegrend.

For more information, visit Vrådal Hyttegrend’s website.

Snowshoeing Adventures

Next to Quality Straand Hotel Vrådal, two extraordinary experiences await. On the ground floor, you’ll find Sølvsmedtunet, where silversmith Astrid Søftestad practices traditional Telemark craftsmanship. You can witness the entire fascinating process, from hammering out the silver to the creation of a unique piece of jewelry. Perhaps you’ll even find a special Christmas gift for a loved one!

But the real magic happens in the loft above the silver workshop: Nisseloftet. Here, it’s Christmas all year long, with the attic packed with figurines of every shape and color. From here, you can also send a Christmas card with a special stamp from Santa Claus in Nissedal. Write your cards anytime throughout the year and send them in December to ensure they arrive just in time for Christmas!

Christmas Magic at Nisseloftet

Nestled in the scenic beauty of Telemark, Vrådal Panorama Ski Center is just 2.5 hours (176 km) from Kristiansand. This means you can travel from Denmark in the morning and arrive in Vrådal by late afternoon, with most—if not all—of the trip completed before the sun sets.

This family-friendly ski center, located at an elevation of 260–740 meters, offers slopes for all skill levels, numerous lifts—including an 8-person chairlift to keep lines short—a children's area, terrain park, 35 km of cross-country trails, and plenty of cozy, off-piste fun.

Activities at Vrådal Panorama Ski Center

The center has something for everyone, whether you're a beginner or advanced, nature lover or adrenaline seeker. There are also plenty of opportunities for enjoyment beyond the slopes.

Vrådal’s 20 alpine slopes are mostly easy, but the area also has a few black runs for the more experienced skiers in your group. For snowboarders, Vrådal’s 

, built in 2018, offers jumps and tricks. The 

 will lead you through Telemark’s stunning highland scenery, where you can relax and escape everyday stress. And for the little ones (and other beginners), Vrådal’s safe 

 provide a fun and secure start to skiing.

See an overview of the ski center’s facilities here.

Vrådal Panorama Ski Center

The ski center in Vrådal has a large children’s area where the little ones can spend the day having fun on the sledding hills. But the real magic begins when the sun goes down: Both kids and adults can grab a sled or bobsled and head to the “Lille-Petter” hill, which is illuminated until 9 p.m. The ski lift will keep running, so you can sled down the hill as many times as you like.

Additionally, there is a 60-meter-long illuminated sledding hill right next to Vrådal Hyttegrend, where the whole family can enjoy sledding whenever it suits you.

Snow Adventures on the Sledding Hills

Is it your first time on skis? Or are you hoping to improve enough to tackle the black slopes confidently?
No matter your age or skill level, you can enhance your abilities on skis or a snowboard with lessons from Vrådal Ski School.
Lessons are available in groups or one-on-one, with difficulty levels based on the well-known piste colors: green, blue, red, and black. You’ll gain confidence and become a better skier, preparing you for new challenges and experiences, whether it’s slalom, cross-country, or snowboarding.

Check prices and book your spot on the ski center’s website.

Ski School

 8 in total. Includes 1 chairlift, 1 t-bar lift, 3 platter lifts, 3 conveyor belts


For more details, visit the ski center’s website.

Piste Information

Vrådal Panorama Ski Center offers ski and boot rentals tailored to your ability and preferences, ensuring a comfortable and safe fit.

If you want to try something other than skiing, the center also rents out snowracer sleds.

Read more and see prices on the ski center’s website.

Ski Rental

Enjoy the peace and quiet as you escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Strap on your cross-country skis and immerse yourself in the sparkling snow and bright blue sky as you head out on your skiing adventure.

You can choose a route through valleys and forests or take in the breathtaking views from the mountain trails. With 35 km of groomed tracks, there’s something for everyone. Opt for the 4 km loop at the top of the ski center or plan a longer trip to Hægefjell, where you can spend the entire day exploring the magnificent highlands.

For more information and trail maps, visit the ski center’s website.

Cross-country skiing

The terrain park at Vrådal Panorama Ski Center is packed with fun and excitement for adventurers of all ages and skill levels.

Opened in January 2018, the park is located on piste 9, offering 10 features, including:

Don’t have your own snowboard? No problem! You can rent one at the 

Terrain Park

Here, even the youngest skiers can easily hop on conveyor belts, and fun figures help guide them through their first slalom turns. There’s also a sledding hill, a barbecue hut, and a playground for when they need a break.

If the kids still have energy to burn in the evening, you can take them night sledding on the illuminated "Lille-Petter" hill until 9 p.m.

If you’re a beginner yourself, you’ll also take your first ski trips here on the children's area conveyor belt, safely away from the busier slopes.

Children’s Area

Norway

In the heart of Telemark – and just two hours' drive from Langesund – you'll find the village of Vrådal. Although most people know the area as a winter paradise for ski enthusiasts, the beautiful natural area also offers a wealth of holiday experiences at other times of the year.

The idyllic village lies on the shores of the island of Nisser, which offers plenty of activities for young and old. Take a dip from one of the lovely sandy beaches, explore the calm waters of the lake in a canoe, rowing boat or bicycle boat, or set out on a cosy lock cruise with the vintage boat M/S Fram, which will take you through Vrådal's stunning island landscape and thecentury–old locks "Småstraum" and "Storstraum."

Vrådal is undoubtedly located in the middle of one of Norway's most beautiful natural areas. Right on your doorstep, you'll find a host of great walking and cycling routes of varying length and difficulty – there are even special routes for Nordic walking. Here you will feel the peace and quiet as you hike through the pine forest or cycle along the idyllic little paths along the banks of the Nisser.

If you have golf enthusiasts in the family, the island of Fossøy is worth a visit – here they can play nine holes on the spectacular course surrounded by forest, mountains and lake. If there's an angler in the party, the mountains also offer prime fishing waters.

One of Vrådal's most popular activities is the top hike to Venelifjell, a beautiful outdoor experience for the whole family. The four–km walk up the mountain – whose name means "The Beautiful Mountain" – starts on landscaped bridges over marshland and then crosses rocky ground to the idyllic lake Venelitjørni. Here you can try your luck with a fishing rod or take a refreshing dip before continuing the last few metres to the top of the 904–metre–high mountain. In clear weather, you can enjoy your packed lunch to a fantastic view, where you can see all the way to the coastal town of Kragerø, the high mountain plateau of Hardangervidda – and not least the spectacular and famous mountain Gaustatoppen.

See more hiking suggestions in Vrådal here

If you have children (or are a child at heart) on holiday, Straand Sommerland is just around the corner. Here you can play on beach volleyball courts, trampolines, seesaws, slides, obstacle course and much much more! Just an hour's drive from Vrådal, even more action awaits at Bø Sommarland, which features Europe's largest waterslide and a giant surf wave.

Located in Telemark, Vrådal is an ideal base for exploring the many towns, cultural attractions and natural gems that southern and eastern Norway has to offer.

In Vrådal, you can choose the type of accommodation that suits your needs – cabin, holiday apartment or even hotel room with full board. So you can put together a trip with just the right elements to make your holiday perfect.

Read more about Vrådal's facilities and accommodation below and find inspiration for your holiday in our travel articles about the area.

Hirtshals

Kristiansand

If this year's holiday to Norway is about world–class nature experiences, Vrådal in Telemark is an obvious holiday destination.

Vrådal – The natural pearl in the heart of Telemark

Vrådal

In Vrådal, you can choose from several accommodation options, depending on how many of you are travelling together and how you prefer to spend your time between your adventures in Vrådal's beautiful nature.
You can choose to stay in smaller rooms (down to a single room in the hotel) or large multi–bedroom cabins (up to ten people).

In Vrådal you can choose the accommodation that will give you the perfect holiday – cabin, holiday apartment or even hotel room with full board.

Accommodation in Vrådal 

Here are tips for your holiday in Vrådal, whether you prefer relaxation and cosiness, challenging hiking or fun and action with the kids.

Here you will find tips for great holiday experiences for the whole family in Vrådal. 

Experiences in Vrådal

We've teamed up with a number of Danish experts on Norway and locally renowned guides to share advice, recommendations and tips on "hidden treasures" that can help you and your family and friends have a fantastic holiday in Vrådal.

Vrådal offers plenty of experiences on water, on land and in the air. Find inspiration for this year's holiday in our travel articles. 

What to experience in Vrådal

Things to do