Everything we've discovered about travelling, hiking, eating and playing around Vrådal, collected for our guests.
Compare crossings and prices at directferries.com. From Denmark, Fjord Line sails two to three times a day from Hirtshals to Kristiansand (2 h 15 min) and Color Line about 14 times a week (3 h 15 min). If you are coming from Germany, Color Line also sails from Kiel to Oslo. See fjordline.com and colorline.com.
Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) is well connected to many European cities, and Kristiansand (KRS) has connections via hubs such as Oslo and Amsterdam. Examples from the Netherlands: Eindhoven–Oslo with Transavia (1 h 45 min), Schiphol–Oslo Gardermoen with KLM/SAS (1 h 40 min) or Schiphol–Kristiansand (1 h 25 min). From Kristiansand it's about a 2.5-hour drive to the villa; from Oslo it takes about an hour longer. Feel free to stop along the way, as the views are fantastic in many places.
Rental cars are easy to hire at both airports (from about €45 a day), with winter tyres in the winter and snow chains if needed.
One of Vrådal's most popular hikes is the walk up Venelifjell, "the beautiful mountain". The 4 km route crosses boardwalks and rocky terrain to the idyllic Venelitjørni lake, so bring a fishing rod or take a dip before the final stretch to the summit (904 m). On a clear day the view stretches to Kragerø, the Hardangervidda and Gaustatoppen.
Also lovely: forest walks near Vrådal Hyttegrend (Roholtsfjell, 6 km) or on Fossøy (follow the light-blue posts past two Stone Age settlements), the more challenging route to Hægefjell above Panorama Vrådal, and Dusanfossen, a hidden waterfall you can swim beneath.
MORE HIKING TIPS →
Fine dining at Bjaaland Bygderestaurant in Morgedal: an extensive six-course menu of pure, regional ingredients, cooked by owners Thomas (sommelier) and Hellene (head chef). Tel. +47 469 63 631. A real favourite of ours!
In Vrådal itself, try GK Restaurant, where head chef Gintas and his wife Kristina cook with love (open Wed–Sun, gkcatering.no). At the golf club, the Indonesian dishes by chef Yati (our neighbour across the road) are a must in high season. Straand Hotel also serves good food and rents out boats and e-bikes.
Take a look at the webcams. Vrådal Panorama Skicenter offers something for the whole family in one of the most beautiful parts of Telemark.
Cross-country skiing: the ski centre lies between 260 and 740 m, with trails for all levels, plenty of lifts (including an 8-seater chairlift), a terrain park and 35 km of cross-country trails.
Skis & snowboards: most of the 20 slopes are easy, with a few black runs for advanced skiers and a safe area for children and beginners.
Straand Sommerland is just around the corner, with beach volleyball courts, trampolines, seesaws, slides and an obstacle course. An hour's drive away, even more action awaits at Bø Sommarland, home to the biggest water slide in Europe.
Vrådal in Telemark is an ideal starting point for exploring southern and eastern Norway, see visittelemark.com. Also worth a visit: the sauna at Panorama Vrådal, the Mjonøy bakery on the E134, golf hotel Kragerø Resort on a fjord (1.5 hours' drive), and a glamping campsite for mountain bikers via canvas.norrona.com.
Even more nearby: marvel at the Jettegrytene (giant's kettles) at Reinsfoss, one of Norway's most remarkable natural phenomena. Or drive to Dalen, on Lake Bandak, to visit the historic Dalen Hotel and the Soria Moria Sauna, a Finnish sauna with views over the mountains and the water, followed by a dip in the lake.
Swim and sunbathe in Lake Nisser; an inflatable SUP and canoes can be rented at the golf club.
Barbecue on the veranda or on the beach, and in the evening light a fire at our own fire pit in front of the house (firewood is for sale everywhere).
Hit balls on the driving range, play nine holes or practise your putting. Clubs can be rented at the clubhouse.
A tennis court (rackets and balls are in the storage room) and a field for football and volleyball, right behind the house.
Several routes around the island and, in season, berries to pick for the tastiest pies or jam.
Relaxing on our own veranda with its breathtaking view is often the best plan of the day.
Then we highly recommend a visit to NoorsDroomhuis.nl (in Dutch), where Cecile Hermans shares her knowledge and experience of building a house in Norway, with an eye for beauty, sustainability and the magic of living in nature.
NOORS DROOMHUIS →