The Child Wanderer path in Southern Norway

In the 1800's, many children from southern Norway were required to travel for work. Stories of child wanderers exist as far back as 1830. The children came from the middle and inner villages of Vest-Agder and migrated to the areas surrounding Kristiansand and the rich farms in the east part of Agder, eg. Landvik, Birkenes and Mykland. In most cases, they walked along old pathways across the moors.

Historical Societies in Agder have defined a trail that is likely to have been used by many of the children wandering from Vest-Agder to Aust-Agder. This trail goes by the name of the "Child Wanderer Path" or “Barnevandrerstien” in norwegian.

The trail starts in Årli, Kvinesdal. It extends eastward across the valleys through Snartemo in Hægebostad, Konsmo in Audnedal, Laudal in Marnardal, Greipstad Church in Songdalen and Kristiansand. From Kristiansand the trail enters Aust-Agder. It crosses Birkenes municipality before ending up at Landvik Church outside of Grimstad.

The Child Wanderer Path starts in the west of Vest-Agder in the municipality of Kvinesdal, by Årlia and ends at the Bauta park near Snartemo Station, Hægebostad. If you are travelling by train, exit at Storekvina station and take the bus into Liknes. Look for the bus timetable on www.177agder.no. From here you can order a taxi or drive your own car to Årlia. Årlia is located near to the toll road that runs from Moi in Kvinesdal to Birkeland in Hægebostad. From the center of Kvinesdal (Liknes) it takes approximately 15 minutes by car to the starting point of the trail. There is ample parking at the illuminated skiing route in Årlia. After parking, follow the toll road for approximately one kilometer to reach the starting point.

From Årlia the Child Wanderer Path is well-marked. The terrain is open with marshes and forests, and you pass several beautiful mountain lakes. There are many good viewing points along the way. The highest point along this stage of the the path is about 500 meters above sea level. The last two kilometers of this stage follow the mainroad. There are no great changes in the altitude of the terrain, so this stage is relatively easy to walk.

Day 1: Kvinesdal - Snartemo Ca. 11 km

Day 2 : Snartemo - Konsmo Ca. 18 km

Day 3 : Konsmo - Laudal Ca. 12 km

Day 4 : Laudal - Nodeland Ca. 31 km

Day 5 : Nodeland - Kristiansand Ca. 11 km

Day 6 : Kristiansand - Birkeland Ca. 34 km

Day 7 : Birkeland - Landvik Ca. 20 km

Movie about the path youtube.com/watch.