Saltrød: Trails, Forests and Shipyard History

In Saltrød, a built-up settlement, shipbuilding history, and hikes by the sea and through the forest come together. The local area includes a church and cemetery, as well as a listed building. In the 19th century, Saltrød had five shipyards. These shipyards give the settlement’s history a tangible connection to shipbuilding—a different subject from the varied landscapes you can experience on the hikes.

Local History and Hikes in Saltrød

A number of hikes pass between historic buildings, along the sea, and through the forest. The different settings offer different points of interest: when planning your trip, you can consider whether you are particularly interested in local history or would rather include trails in the surrounding seaside and woodland areas. When choosing a holiday apartment in Saltrød, these interests can help you decide what kind of stay you would like.

Paulus holme also offers a clear seasonal highlight: in summer, it is a swimming and meeting place for young people. The hikes and Paulus holme thus offer different ways to spend your stay; the swimming and meeting place is specifically associated with the summer season.

The Bymarkshytta Udimærka west of Saltrød

The Bymarkshytta Udimærka is located by Saltrødtjenna, on a hiking trail in the municipal forest west of Saltrød. The cabin is open to everyone, open at all times, and designed to be accessible. You can take a break there, eat a meal you have brought with you, and warm up. Its amenities include a wood-burning stove and a small hiking library.

The grounds also include an accessible toilet, a barbecue area, and benches and tables. There is a wheelchair ramp by the pond, and an outdoor escape room is also available there. The cabin offers a dedicated place to take a break near Saltrød, while the hikes in the area feature a variety of landscapes and historic buildings.

Culture and History in the Wider Destination of Arendal

In the wider destination of Arendal, the exhibitions at KUBEN focus on the history of Aust-Agder and Arendal. The museum also has its own children’s exhibition, “Barndom.” Another perspective on maritime history can be found at Bratteklev Skipsverft: fourteen ships were built there between 1868 and 1924—eight sailing ships, five steamships, two of them made of steel, and one schooner with a diesel engine. The shipyard has been almost entirely preserved from the age of sailing ships. Visitors can explore the sawmill, forge, workshops, and boathouses.

The Eydehavn Museum presents Eydehavn’s industrial and working-class history. The first floor covers the companies Arendal Smelteverk and Nitriden, as well as the community that developed around these industries. Other exhibition topics include a workers’ home from the 1920s and “Marens minner,” about the work of coastal women in earlier times. Together, these examples show how varied the cultural themes are across the wider destination of Arendal.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kilsund, His, Arendal, Rykene, Eydehavn, Kolbjørnsvik, Bjorbekk, Kongshavn.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Arendal.