Bike trip on the island of Tromøy

Tromøy is the largest island in southern Norway, and offers wonderful cycling possibilities just a short ferry ride from the centre of Arendal.

Visit the island paradise of Tromøy outside of Arendal.

Arendal-Tromøy I, Skilsø-Rævesand, 7,7 km
Take the ferry from Tyholmen in Arendal to Skilsø, on the north-west part of Tromøy island. Follow the road Ytre Rævesandsvei to Rævesand along the water. In the summer, there are ferries to Merdø from Rævesand. Take your bike from Rævesand back to Skilsø, past Bratteklev if you wish, and take the ferry back to Arendal again.

Arendal-Tromøy II, Skilsø-Hove, 18 km
Take the ferry from Tyholmen in Arendal to Skilsø on Tromøy. Follow the Ytre Rævesandsvei along the water toward Rævesand, and continue past Færvik and turn toward Hove. Head in the direction of Hove Camping and then to Hove Leirsenter through the woods. Here there is a high rope course and a soccer field, and more.

Arendal-Tromøy III, Skilsø-Rævesand-Hove-Hastensund-Arendal,40 km
Follow Tromøy II until you get to Hove leirsenter. Take the road Spornesveien east, the first asphalt road from Hove leirsenter [1].
Spornesveien ends on the main road by Tromøy church. Take this road further east past the sign Bjelland [1]. Ride on the asphalt road through the woods. Just before arriving on classified road no. 409, there is a foot- and bicycle path on your right. Follow signs to Alve, take this way almost to the end, turn left when you see a sign saying ”0,5 Brinch” on your left hand. This road will eventually become a gravel road that you follow all the way to the path on your right hand through the woods towards almost on the other side of the island. Just before a straight road, there is a cattle grid over to a path on your right hand. Follow this path through to Skareveien [1]. Skareveien runs towards a turnaround and continues on the left side of the narrow bay Skarekilen. This becomes a sandy gravel road after a while.

Take the right hand road by the crossroads with two similar gravel roads, and when you get to the farmyard you take the road on the left side of the garage, into the woods. Follow the sign that says Turvei mot Hastensund. The path is very rocky and most bicycles must be wheeled for parts of this stretch. Follow the path, choose the path straight ahead when it divides in two. When you get to the crossroads with parking spots with several possible paths, choose the one going downhill past the green renovation building. This path leads you to Hastensund.
Take the main road from Hastensund along the Tromøy strait. There is a foot- and cycle path from Omdalsøyra past Sandnes towards the Tromøy bridge. Either cross the bridge and take NSCR no. 1 back to Arendal, or continue on Tromøy towards Færvik and Skilsø, with a ferry to Arendal. The two alternatives are approximately the same length.

[1]: Follow the sign to Bjelland, take the road about 700 metres to Bjellandstrand gård. This is a rose garden in the summer, and a pleasant shop with items for sale inspired by life in the countryside. Great hiking area and a small beach close by. 1,4 km extra.

[1]: On the street Skareveien, before the roundabout, it’s possible to follow the signs to Skarestrand, where you can enjoy a beautiful area, the beach, and perhaps a break on Motteberget summer restaurant before continuing towards Skarekilen.