Blaafarveværket (The Cobalt works) and the Haugfoss waterfalls

The cobalt ore from the mines 8 km further up the hills was brought down to the Haugfoss waterfalls where it was processed using the power from the big 6 meter water wheel. Today the Blaafarveværket site is a beautiful natural museum about the making of cobalt used for fine china many years ago. We recommend that you set aside some time here as it is very worthwhile to stroll along the Culture Path of a little over a kilometer. You begin at the car park , walk up to the delightful Thranestua café (where the waffles are delicious!), cross above the waterfall and then down to the huge waterwheel and further to the lake side. Here you can take the pulley float across the Simoa lake back to the Cobalt works centre. You might also be interested in visiting the annual art exhibition. Those who are energetic might enjoy renting a bicycle to visit the fascinating Cobalt mines, 8 kilometers further up in the hills, or to explore more of this district.

You will find lots of more information about the museums, parks and mines on the Blaafarveværket website

Above are pictures of the pulley-float on Simoa lake, waffles at Thranestua cafe, a view of the museum buildings and one of the water wheel and waterfalls. These pictures were taken in July after weeks of dry weather. After rain, the waterfalls can be really dramatic!

Some of the beautiful cobalt blue articles in the shop are quite pricey but there are also lovely little items too so you will be sure to find something to remind you of your visit!

Haugfoss waterfall after a week of rain – Viewed from the path from Thranestua cafe to museum buildings on 5th September 2015.

Ice-cream in Vollen

Especially in the summer season, there are lots of places where you can enjoy some delicious Norwegian ice-cream in Vollen village. Here are some we recommend:

In the picture below, Sofie is enjoying a BIG soft ice from Vollen Marina sports shop. This is the store where you can buy sailing equipment, clothes, hats and lots more good quality articles for summer sports.

Of course there is an assortment of delicious ice cream desserts at Vito’s Restaurant just behind her in the picture. Vito’s is open from April to late autumn and is the place to buy take-away pizza and other Italian meals, or have a meal or drink inside or out while watching boating life.

The closest place to buy ice-cream when you are down at the beach in Vollen, is in the Fjord Museum. On your way up or down from the beach, you might like to enjoy a delicious ice-cream in the Greek restaurant, Elea, just across the street from the supermarket. However it is cheapest to buy ice-cream in REMA 1000 supermarked – look for special offers of boxes of six.

Café Oscar in the village centre, sells ice-creams as well as lots of wonderful cakes and bakes. The soft-ice machine has an exciting strawberry soft-ice as well as the usual vanilla! Below Liam is enjoying some soft-ice in March… looks as if he’s enjoying it!

Hunderfossen Family Park with lots of trolls!

For those traveling north from Oslo, the Hunderfoss Family Park, about 3 hours by car from Vollen, at Lillehammer, is just great for children, big and small. There are dozens of great activities for each age group but perhaps this park is most famous for the big Fairytale cave where children and adults can enjoy reliving some of the most famous fairytales, involving princesses, kings, princes and TROLLS!

You will find lots of information about the park throughout the year and also about the Hunderfossen Snowhotell on the Hunderfossen website

Tusenfryd Amusement Park

Tusenfryd Amusement Park is open from spring to autumn. In 2019, the park opens on the 27th April. During May, the park is open only at weekends and on public holidays but you must always check opening times and also if the park is closed for special arrangements.

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.