Gjerstad
Municipality · Agder
About Gjerstad
The parsonage where mathematician Niels Henrik Abel grew up, the old workers' houses of Egelands Verk and the handmade Gjerstad knife.
What to do and where to stay in Gjerstad
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Gjerstad prestegård and the Abel memorial stoneHistory & culture
The vicarage above Lake Gjerstadvannet where mathematician Niels Henrik Abel grew up while his father was priest here; a memorial stone stands in the garden.
Gjerstad village, north end of Gjerstadvannet · 15–30 min · all year (outside)
2Gjerstad kirkeHistory & culture
The village's wooden long church from 1848; the Abel family were priests in the parish from 1785 to 1821, before this church was built.
Gjerstad village · 15 min · outside all year; inside at services
3Egelands Verk at EikelandHistory & culture
An ironworks that ran from 1707 to 1884; six protected workers' houses and the remains of 'Verksgata' still stand – all privately owned, so view them from the road.
Eikeland, south Gjerstad · 20–30 min · all year (outside, private land)
4Solhomfjell fire lookout towerHike
A 12 km return hike from Heiland through a large forest reserve to a 16 m fire lookout tower on Solhomfjell, on the Nissedal border, with views over 25 municipalities.
Northwest Gjerstad, trailhead at Heiland; the tower is on the Gjerstad–Nissedal border · 4 h (12.4 km return, 440 m up) · May–October
5Tjennimellom day-trip cabinHike
A small modern day cabin with a wood stove between two small lakes, open and free all year, an easy 2.5 km return walk from Brokelandsheia.
Woods north of Brokelandsheia · 45–60 min (2.5 km return) · all year
6Gjerstadvannet along Fv418Nature
The long lake on a fault line that Fv418, the old E18, follows from Gjerstad village past Sunde bru; the fault is easiest to see at Egddalen, west of the village.
Fv418 between Gjerstad and Sunde bru · 20 min drive · all year
7Risfjell loop past SteinhyttaHike
A blue-marked 8 km loop from Heiland to Risfjell (503 m) and Steinhytta, a restored stone hut built for haymaking (last mown 1943), with views over upper Gjerstad.
Heiland, northwest Gjerstad · 2.5–3 h (8.4 km loop, 265 m up) · May–October
8Drivheia loopHike
A blue-marked loop to Drivheia (441 m) with views over Lake Vegår, Hovdefjell's mast, the Solhomfjell fire tower and, in places, the sea off Kragerø.
North Gjerstad, parking at Kleivvasstjenna or Torbjørnsli · about 2 h (4.8–6.5 km loop) · late May–November (access road usually open from late May)
9The war memorial trail to SjølskottjennaLocal secretHike
On 30 September 1944 weapons were dropped over Sundsmyrane and hidden under a rock by Sjølskottjenna. A marked trail from Marksettjenna leads to a memorial and info board.
Between Marksettjenna and Torbjørnsli, north Gjerstad
10Prestekonesteinen in Gjerstad churchyardLocal secretLocal oddity
A stone by a grave in the churchyard with a dark legend: a priest killed on the road to Vegårshei was found tied to it. Be quiet, it is a churchyard.
Churchyard of Gjerstad kirke