This European Country Has A Unique Park That Lets You Walk Along The Tree Line
With its otherworldly glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls, Norway is an avid hiker's dream. From top to bottom, there's no shortage of stunning scenery to explore, but the rugged terrain can prove challenging to access for all body types and capabilities. Enter the new Treetop Walk in Haramen Activity Park, about four hours southwest of Oslo. Here, a gently sloped boardwalk gives visitors the chance to take in a knockout view above the tree canopy — the first project of its kind in Norway. Whether you want to walk, jog, cycle, push a stroller, or ascend to the top in a wheelchair, the ramp is designed to be accessible for all.
The project was designed by EFFEKT, a leading architecture firm from Denmark, which spent six years developing the idea before its completion in 2023. The goal was to connect visitors to nature in a steady, graceful walk that culminated in a spectacular grand finale, said the co-founder Tue Foged in a statement to Travel + Leisure. He hopes that the free and universal design will inspire other firms to tackle projects with the same level of accessibility.
What to expect on the Treetop Walk
The Treetop Walk is located in the Telemark region, a rural refuge prized for its plentiful ski slopes, historic churches, and endless forest scenery worthy of a European fairytale. The walk begins on the forest floor near the town of Fyresdal. The first thing you'll notice is that the 6.5-foot wooden boardwalk is made of pine wood, like the surrounding forest. This intentional detail, along with the simplicity of the structure, is meant to compliment the environment and work with the natural curves of the mountain, notes the firm's website.
As you walk along the boardwalk on a slight incline, you'll take in the views of a peaceful forest in all directions, with nearby Lake Fyresvatn peeking through the trees. On the way, you can pause and reflect on dramatic vistas from different angles or rest on a bench. After half a mile or so, you'll be ambling through the forest canopy 50 feet above the forest floor. When you reach the summit of the hill, called Klokkarhamaren, you'll enjoy a spectacular view of the forest and lake. Now would be the perfect time to relax and enjoy a picnic or use the bonfire pit to cook lunch from 165 feet above the Earth.
What to know before you go
Though the nearby town of Fyresdal only holds 1,287 people, the Hamaren Activity Park attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year for its accessible design and gorgeous landscapes. The park is free for visitors of all ages, including those who want to explore the Treetop Walk. You can expect to spend anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half walking along the forest canopy toward the summit of the hill and back.
After that, go ahead and make a whole day of the rest of the park. There's a treetop trampoline, a climbing zone, and a biking trail suitable for cyclists of all ages. If walking is more your style, there are plenty of marked nature trails with signs that explain the flora, fauna, and history of the area. If you're visiting Norway during the warmer months, rent a stand-up paddleboard in town and see the lake from a different point of view. However you prefer to relax and enjoy your time in nature, there's something in this park to impress everyone.