Discover Herefoss

In Herefoss, hiking experiences meet swimming spots and history along the Herefossfjorden. Kolåsbu, several marked hiking trails and traces of timber rafting give the place many different sides. When choosing your holiday destination, you can consider whether you would rather spend your time outdoors on trails and by the water, or also learn about local history.

Church and local history

Herefoss Church was consecrated on 11 October 1865. The octagonal wooden church stands out with its tall central tower. Its design makes it a distinctive example of the architecture you can discover in Herefoss. Skrivargarden Nes offers another glimpse into the past: the estate on the west side of the Herefossfjorden was once the courthouse and administrative seat of the Råbyggelaget judicial district. The church and former courthouse represent different chapters in the area's history.

Hiking trails around Kolåsen

The Kolåsbu day-trip cabin is located just below Kolåsen and offers views over the Herefossfjorden and the settlement of Herefoss. Several hiking trails lead to the cabin. If you start from Hanefossbrua, the route from there is about 0.7 kilometres long. A circular route via Kolåsen and Hanefossdemningen is about 2.2 kilometres long. These details give you specific options for planning your day: you can choose between the route from the bridge and the longer circular route without confusing the two.

Herefoss IL maintains several marked hiking trails in Herefoss, some in collaboration with Birkenes Municipality. More hiking trails start at the school by the Herefoss sports ground. If you want hiking to be a focus of your stay, you will find more than just one described route. The different details about Kolåsbu and the marked trails help you factor your preferred hiking activities into your travel plans.

Swimming spots and time by the water

Kirkekilen, right by Herefoss's old town centre, has a developed bathing beach with a sand volleyball court, bathing jetty and diving tower. Activities and swimming are among the options described here by the water. Tjøstolvs Brygge on the Herefossfjorden also has a small sandy beach. It is 300 metres from the shop in the direction of Hanefossen; there is also a shelter with barbecue facilities that is free to use. The two places offer different features: at Kirkekilen, a sports court, jetty and diving tower are mentioned, while Tjøstolvs Brygge has a beach and shelter.

A floodlit ski trail and practical facilities

The Herefoss lysløype is a floodlit ski trail 1,250 metres long. It starts at Herefoss School and runs through gentle terrain. This is a different activity from the hiking trails and gives you a specific distance to use when planning. Since 2024, there has also been a separate public toilet facility at the Herefoss sports ground.

Timber rafting and fishing

The Fløtermuseet, with its tugboat Padda, is located on the Herefossfjorden and presents the history of timber rafting on the Tovdalselva. Padda is better known as Fram II: the tugboat was in service on the Herefossfjorden from 1911 to 1955. During its 44 years of service, it transported many millions of logs. This long period of use makes timber rafting a tangible subject for anyone who wants to learn about the region's working history as well as enjoy hiking and time by the water.

In the area around Herefoss, the Tovdalselva is salmon-bearing as far as the Herefossfjorden. The Nedre Tovdal Fiskelag sells a separate fishing permit for this stretch. If fishing is one of your travel interests, this is a useful point to consider when planning.

You can also consider Söre Herefoss, Engesland, Birkenes, Evje, Birkeland and Oggevatn as further destinations for your trip.

For the main travel overview: Birkenes.