Norway

Hirtshals

Kristiansand

In the area around Vrådal you’ll find lots of delightful forest and gravel trails along Lake Nisser and other places. A wide selection of longer hikes also beckons in the immediate vicinity. Below is a selection of five routes that are particularly popular among holidaymakers to the region.

The Veneli hiking area is located south of the hotel. A favourite excursion is the climb to Venelifjell’s summit – ‘The Beautiful Mountain’ – where you quickly reach the stunning highland terrain and can relish the views en route to the top. On the way to the top you can also take a break to dip your toes in Venelitjørni, where you’ll find a resting place, campfire site and toilet.

This 1021 metre-high mountain rises majestically over Vrådal and Lake Nisser and guarantees spectacular views. The marked trail to the top starts at Vrådal Panorama Ski Resort, only 10 minutes by car from the hotel. Here you can skip some sections of the climb by taking the gondola up the mountain.

Roholtsfjell is 1005 metres high and among Vrådal’s tallest peaks. This is a more demanding hike, but the panoramic views from the top definitely make the effort worthwhile!

A 30-minute drive from the hotel takes you to Bjørgefjell, where you’ll find a wealth of hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty. The climb to the top is steep and challenging but once you reach the summit, you’ll be treated to breath-taking panoramic views across Seljordsvatnet. Maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to get a glimpse of Norway's very own sea monster, Selma, who reportedly lives in the depths of the lake!

As the icing on the cake of our top five list, we have chosen one of Telemark’s absolute gems: Gaustatoppen, located around two hours by car from Vrådal. From a height of 1883 metres, on a clear day you can see a sixth of Norway from the top – and if you don’t fancy the three-hour hike to the top, you can simply take the unique Gaustabanen funicular instead, which runs inside the mountain.

Vrådal’s stunning nature offers numerous spectacular hiking opportunities. Here are our top five.

Five fantastic mountain hikes in Vrådal

Setesdal

Vrådal

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.

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

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. 

Five fantastic mountain hikes in Vrådal

Venelifjell

Hægefjell

Roholtsfjell

Bjørgefjell

Gaustatoppen