Hiking in Hålandsheia

Mandal's most popular hiking areas.  The terrain is open with bogs, juniper bushes, pine and deciduous forest, heather and bare rock.

Hålandsheia is one of Mandal's most popular hiking areas. In the 1950s and 60s it was also the local place for cross-country skiing.

Begin the walk from the carpark at the sharp bend on Hålandsbakken Hill. The main trail, which is marked in blue, begins here and goes via Flovarden to Skogen, approximately 4 km.

The terrain is open with bogs, juniper bushes, pine and deciduous forest, heather and bare rock. There are also areas of spruce. The area is elevated at around 200 metres about sea level. Follow the signs eastward to Flovarden where there is a fantastic view over the town and far out to sea. The trail continues east along the edge of a bog and over a stream to Speiderhytta. The original cabin was most likely built in the 1920s and was later used by the scouts, thence the name. It burnt down in 1952. The Outdoor Activity Council (Friluftsrådet) has since constructed a basic lean-to shelter on the site.

The trail continues from here down to Skogen and ends at the cart track. If you continue along the track for approximately 2.5 km, you will come to Skihytta. From here it is a reasonably easy trip back to the carpark.

If you would like to extend the walk, there is also a trail marked in red which goes from Flovarden to Tjortedal and an excellent path that goes via Hålandsvarden (Håland's Cairn) and Bombeheia to Skogen.