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.

Drive to the End of the World (Verdens Ende)

The name is perhaps a little dramatic, but that what the southernmost point of the island of Tjøme is called. Two of our guests from the Netherlands drove down one windy afternoon in March and thoroughly recommended making the trip. Verdens Ende is reached by driving from Vollen to Tønsberg, crossing the bridge to the island of Nøtterøy and then across another bridge unto the island of Tjøme. These islands are a paradise in the summer months but winds and gales in other seasons make the experience even more thrilling as the waves from the Skaggerak break onto the polished rocks of the shores. Many of the art galleries, kiosks and booths are closed outside the summer season but there are restaurants such as Verdens Ende Spiseriet which has an absolutely amazing panoramic view of the sea. This restaurant is open daily from 12:00 – 19:00 but closed on Mondays.

The restaurant can be seen in the middle of the photo, up on the top of the rocks.

Even on a fine July day, it can be pretty windy right out at the end of the island. Best to bring a light jacket and it’s always possible to find a sheltered spot for some sun-bathing…

On fine days you might see wedding groups having photographs taken at The End of the World

The restaurant is especially popular on fine days but cosy and with spectacular views in stormy weather.

Hiking in Asker (with maps and well marked routes)

Asker Turlag (Asker Municipality’s hiking group) has made a website where a number of hiking trips of varying types are described in detail, with duration, length, elevation profile and map. You can use the automatic translation service on the site and giggle at some of the colourful translation suggestions.

Day trip to Sweden & ferry across the Oslo fjord to Sandefjord

You might like to take a day trip to Sweden and return by ferry across the Skaggerak. In the holiday season, it is wise to pre-book your passage and car on the ferry.
The photo shows the ferry arriving at the city of Sandefjord.

This needs a little organisation but is a rewarding trip. We suggest that you drive to Strømstad, taking Slemmestadveien road south from Vollen, through Nærsnes to Sætre and then the sub-fjord tunnel to join the E6 in direction Gøteborg. It will take you about 2 hours to drive to Strømstad.

From Strømstad you can take the Fjordline ferry Oslofjord or the Color Line ferry across to the city of Sandefjord. The ferry takes two and a half hours to make the crossing so there is plenty of time for a meal or some tax free shopping.

From Sandefjord you drive north through Drammen and Asker to Vollen, again about 2 hours drive.

Fjordline ferry Oslofjord

Departure Sandefjord 08:30 Arrival Strømstad 11:00 Departure Strømstad 12:00 Arrival Sandefjord 14:30
Departure Sandefjord 15:20 Arrival Strømstad 17:50 Departure Strømstad 18:30 Arrival Sandefjord 21:00

Colour Line ferry

Departure Sandefjord 10:00 Arrival Strømstad 12:30 Departure Strømstad 13:40 Arrival Sandefjord 16:10
Departure Sandefjord 13:30 Arrival Strømstad 16:00 Departure Strømstad 17:00 Arrival Sandefjord 19:30

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.