Tour 9 – Hyttelien and Våkendalen valley

Take a journey back in time, following the ancient routes of farmers carrying their fare to town. A popular route centuries ago, the old ”town road” from Våkendalen valley had fallen into disrepair but has now been restored to its former glory.

Download detailed tour description and map

Tour description

Starting from the junction at the top of the funicular, follow the track to Brushytten cabin. From the cabin, follow the path up to Rundemanen, continue down towards Hyttelien and past Tarlebøvannet lake. This area is perhaps at its most beautiful in the autumn, with a breathtaking array of colours. The track from Rundemanen down Hyttelien to the Tarlebøvannet dam was built in the 1930s to help with the construction of a local ski jump. The ”new” track has been restored in the same style as it was built.

Continue downhill through Våkendalen valley on a sturdy gravel track until you reach historical ground and the foundations remaining from the settlement in Kobbeltvedt. These can be found on the right hand side of the track, on a tractor trail signposted ”Blåmansveien”. Walk to the top of the tractor trail then continue into the forest on the left. From here, the path up to Blåmansveien is signposted.

The path follows the route thought to have been used for centuries as the old ”town road” by tenant farmers from Våkendalen valley. Before the road was built along the banks of Svartediket lake in the first half of the 19th century, the farmers often walked over Fløyen to get to town where they would buy and sell their wares.

The path is steep and at times difficult, but provides wonderful views. You follow the sign-posts to Blåmansveien then return on the normal track back to Brushytten cabin then Fløyen, while pondering over the differences between modern life and that of those farmers from centuries ago.

Map