Drammen Spiral tunnel (Spiralen Drammen)

Please note: in 2020 the tunnel was upgraded.

The spiral tunnel in the city of Drammen is a unique experience and in fact has been ranged by CNN Travel as one of the world’s most special tunnels. You enter from the town and drive up 1650 meters in six and a half spirals , to emerge at Skansen. Here, apart from the magnificent view over the city, the river, and far away across the valley to the snow topped mountains of Blefjell, you will find a restaurant, outdoor folk museum and lovely paths for walking or skiing. A dense network of these paths is lit in the winter for evening skiing.

The tunnel was excavated in 1953 when stone was needed for road and harbour building in the city. It starts 50 meters above sea level and comes out at the top at 213 meters over sea level. The tunnel is in the shape of a helix and the car driver will soon find that he can set the driving wheel in one position to take the vehicle all the way up to the top. Pedestrians may not use the tunnel and instead there is a zigzag track up the hillside.

In the photos above you see the Spiral Troll who stands guard half way up the tunnel. If you decide to take the 2 km walk (please see the map below, from the car park, through the folk park where there are houses, a shop, a cabin and several Norwegian style farm store-houses (stabbur) then you’ll pass these and more. The old style shop is open all the Sundays in May, June, August and September from noon to 3 p.m. They sell pancakes, coffee, icecream, lemonade and candies. Along the last 500 meters of the walk, there are magnificent views over the Drammen river and to the mountains beyond. And pleasant benches to rest while enjoying it. I especially recommend Hans Hansen’s viewpoint! You end back at the restaurant, where there is a canon, pointing over the city below, to fascinate children.

Children’s playgrounds and training apparatus for all ages

Every school and kindergarten in Norway has an outdoor playground. During school hours these are for the use of the children attending that place. However after 17:00 on weekdays, at weekends and during national or school holidays, most of these may be used by all children. There are several in and around Vollen. By walking down to the village and across towards Arnestad school, you will find five fun outdoor playgrounds and also outdoor training apparatus for older children and adults.
New in 2019, is a kilometer long track around the school grounds for roller skiing. Children can also practise cycling skills there. The track is, of course, also used for cross country ski practice in the snowy months of the year.

The pictures below are from May 2018 and as well as showing some of the playgrounds at Arnestad school, they also show one of the tee-offs and a hole at the new Frisbeegolf. The whole course is found throughout the forest and down to the seaside at Vollen. This frisbeegolf course attracts keen adult experts who are amazing to watch in action, and also complete beginners and all those whose skill lies in-between! I have some frisbees for SheepsInn guests who would like to try so just ask me if you’d like to borrow them.

Below are a couple of photos from April, as the snow was finally melting in Vollen. Maybe not as pretty as in spring and summer, but still a great place for children to enjoy.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump Tower, Ski Museum & Magic Activity Centre for kids

The famous statue of the late King Olav V is at Holmenkollen which has been the site for more than a century of skiing competitions. Inside the Ski Jump is the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, the oldest of its kind in the world. The museum presents over 4,000 years of skiing history, Norwegian polar exploration artifacts and an exhibition on snowboarding and modern skiing. Recently a new activity centre has been added for children. Because the big events at Holmenkollen are sometimes “attacked” by fog, children can now meet the Blue gnomes and trolls who make fog – and also dispel it. There are caves and slides to enjoy and of course the magical characters to meet. The Blåkollen (Blue Kollen) centre is open from 10.00 to 16.00 every day.

The observation deck on top of the jump tower offers panoramic views of Oslo. It is possible at certain times of the year, and in suitable weather conditions to buy a ticket to take the zip-line from the top to a platform at the bottom of the jump. I have taken the zip-line myself – it was tremendous fun! The only danger is that you might want to try it several times and thus spend all your holiday money!
The ski jump simulator next to the Jump gives a great thrill to those who dare to try that!

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When you are up at Holmenkollen to visit the ski-jump or museum, you should take the opportunity to visit the famous Frognersæteren Restaurant just 5 minutes further up the road. This restaurant is in the best Norwegian tradition for excellent food and a wonderful atmosphere – and view! Prices are reasonable – some examples are (in NOK): soup of the day 105,- ; homemade fishcakes with vegetables and potatoes 148,- ; warm moose meat-cake with onions 105,- ; coffee and cake from 75,-

You can take the tram from Oslo to Frognerseteren station. From here you can either walk on up to the Oslo Winter/Summer Park or walk five minutes back down to the restaurant.

Henie Onstad Kunstsenter / Art Exhibition Centre

The Henie Onstad Kunstsenter (HOK) is located in the beautiful park and recreation area of Høvikodden on the Oslo fjord peninsula, surrounded by public trails, wharfs and shorelines. The statues outdoors in the park are well worth looking at. The exhibitions change several times a year. For example from 3rd January to 3rd May the Henie Onstad Centre is hosting an absolutely fascinating exhibition of Picasso’s Suite 347 which consists of 347 erotic etchings and engravings. The suite of works has only been presented in its entirety once before. In addition the exhibition presents Picasso’s work in the Government Quarter in Oslo.
From 3rd January to 23rd August 2020 there is a mini exhibition of Claude Monet’s motifs from Norway. These paintings are really beautiful and a treat for those who love Impressionist work.

The museum ticket is NOK 120,-, students NOK 70,- with free entrance for children and youths below 18 years.
Opening hours:
Monday: closed
Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 – 17:00 but open until 22.00 on Thursdays
The centre is closed on 1st, 17th and 30th May; 21st December – 26th December and on December 31st and January 1st.

The photos shown below are from the permanent Yayoi Kusama installation – Hymn of Life (on the upper left hand side), the Picasso Exhibition and the Monet exhibition (on the lower right side)

Sonja Henie was one of Norway’s most famous women, winning three Olympic gold medals, six European Championships and ten World Championships in figure skating and, after 1936, becoming a very successful film actress in Hollywood. Sonja and her husband Niels Onstad donated all her awards, films and documentation as well as their art collection to the Exhibition Centre at Høvik in Bærum.
Today the Henie Onstad Art Centre is well known for its modern art exhibitions, sculpture park and events.

Henie Onstad kunstsenter Sonja Henies vei 31, 1311 Høvikodden, Norway

Risenga ice-skating rink (kunstisbane)

Risenga ice-skating rink is about 6 km from Vollen and is prepared daily during the winter season from the beginning of November. The opening hours are given here but in general the rink is open from 09:00 – 22:30 daily.

Korketrekkeren – Oslo Corkscrew sleigh track

A run down the Corkscrew track takes about 8 – 10 minutes – it’s 2700 meters long with a fall of 255 meters. You get to the start by taking the 13 minute long Metro (T-banen) from Midstuen to Frognerseteren. Alternatively you can drive up to Frognerseteren or take the 35 minute Metro from Nationaltheatret in Oslo centre to Frognerseteren.
You can either use your own sleigh or rent one at Akeforeningen or Skiservice. Rent of a wooden sleigh costs about NOK 100,- with half price for children under 18. Remember to wear a helmet – if you don’t have one, you can rent that too.
In season the track is open: Monday – Friday 10:00 – 20:30, Saturday 10:00 – 20:00, Sunday 10:00 – 18:00.

When you are up at Frognersæteren to enjoy sleighing, you should take the opportunity to visit the famous Frognersæteren Restaurant just 50 meters down the road from the sleigh rental house. This restaurant is in the best Norwegian tradition for excellent food and a wonderful atmosphere – and view!