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.

Kongen’s Utsikt – The King’s Viewing Platform

The King’s Viewing Platform is 484 meters above the Tyrifjorden and Steinsfjorden lakes. You can either start at Sundvolden and hike the 1300 meters up to Kleivstua or you can drive up to Kleivstua parking area beside the hotel (this is a toll road and costs NOK 30,-) From Kleivstua you hike the rest of the way on a well marked (blue stripes on trees) path to the the viewing platform. This takes about 30 minutes each way and when you arrive, the steep parts of the path have been worth the effort for the views are amazing! However it is sensible to bring water bottles and perhaps a snack to eat at the top.

We enthusiastically recommend the restaurant at Sundvolden Hotell. Pictured are the King’s View Chicken salad and the delicious Prawn sandwich (Rekedigg). Either cost about Nkr 200,- in 2019. The chef uses herbs from the Hotel herb garden.

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.

Astrup Fearnley Museum at Tjuvholmen

Astrup Fearnley Museet is a private museum of contemporary art, and has since its opening in 1993 been one of the most important art institutions in Oslo. The museum moved to Tjuvholmen in 2012, beautifully located in Oslo centre by the Oslo Fjord in a building designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano. The museum presents temporary exhibitions of international art, and houses the Astrup Fearnley Collection, one of Norway’s most important and most extensive private collections of contemporary art, with iconic works by artists such as Damien Hirst, Anselm Kiefer and Jeff Koons.

Opening hours: Monday closed; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 12-17; Thursday 12-19; Saturday and Sunday 11-17. Ticket sales ends half an hour before closing time. Click here for opening hours on public holidays

Admission: Adults: 120,- Students: 80,- Children under 18 free; Oslo pass free.

Michael Jackson and Bubbles by Jeff Koons

From 31st January 2020 until 17th May 2020, the museum is showing an exhibition of Contemporary African Art – Alpha Crucis. This is an absolutely great exhibition and unreservedly recommended when you are in Oslo. The pictures on the right below are from that exhibition while the others illustrate the quality and fascination of many of this art centre’s displays.

Looking in wonder at works by Damien Hirst

Miss Dakar: sculpture by Romuald Hazoumè, 2011 one of the jerry can masks exhibited

Above is one of the fascinating installations at the Alpha Crucis exhibition of Contemporary African Art.

Below: the photograph is taken in early February, as we are walking along Akerbrygge ((Aker Wharf where the boat from Vollen arrives in Oslo) towards the Astrup Fearnley Museum. The tall square towers in the background are Oslo City Hall.