Hello, friends, and greetings to the community! I hope you are all doing well and spending quality time with your loved ones. Today, I'm taking another walk in nature. This summer seems to be a bit longer than in previous years, as we are still enjoying sunshine, warmth, and no rain. After a long day at work, I often feel tired and seek revitalization in nature. When I asked my husband for a suggestion, he recommended visiting Børkeskogen, the beech forest in Larvik.
It's just a 12-kilometer drive to the town. After parking, you can choose to walk in any direction through the cool forest, which is incredibly vibrant and green in summer. The beech forest in Larvik spans 300 acres and sits majestically above the town. It offers a beautiful area for hiking and recreation, with blue-marked circular trails of 2, 6, and 10 kilometers. You can find a trail map online.
Beneath the high canopy of beech trees, light plays beautifully, creating an ambiance that enhances both the sounds of birds and music.
This photo was taken in the middle of May.
In May, the forest shines in its light green splendor as nature awakens from its long winter hibernation.
The beech forest is part of the great Ra moraine, which dates back to the end of the last ice age. This moraine stretches through Vestfold, from Horten to Mølen. Down in the Ra ridge, composed of clay mixed with sand, gravel, and stone, there are gravel layers that allow water to flow. This area is the source of Farris, the spring water that emerges at Olavskilden near the Farrisvann factory.
In the Stone Age, Farris was a fjord arm filled with saltwater, providing Norwegians with a safe haven from storms and bad weather. They could fish and gather oysters and other shellfish for a plentiful diet. Since the 19th century, the beech forest has served as a picnic spot for the local population and has been widely used for city festivals and celebrations. Among other things, the beech forest is a natural gathering point on May 17th, Norway's National Day.
At the large square right by the main gate, where we can find Bøkekroa, it was the northern end. However, when we enter into the forest from the south, we seldom visit that side for food or coffee. Nonetheless, I know that many different music events and concerts are arranged during the summertime.
Walking through the lush green forest in the hot summer is a delightful experience. The interplay of sunlight and shade makes for a beautiful walk. As we entered the forest from the south end, the nice fresh breeze created a wonderful feeling. For a moment, I stopped and took a deep breath, filling my whole body with the fresh air.
From here, there are many paths to choose from. This time, we headed southwest, a direction I hadn't explored before. This area is crowded with trees, and heavy winds had knocked down some of them, blocking the path. Usually, this area is wetter, but it has been dry due to the lack of rain, making it easier to walk.
As we continued westward, we reached the highest point of the beech forest, known as Utsikten. Here, we enjoyed a great view of Lake Farrisvannet. With its well-maintained walking paths and hiking trails, the forest—encompassing a mix of different tree types—stretches along Lake Farrisvannet like a beautiful elongated natural gem. From our vantage point, we could see the New Farris Bridge on the E18 national highway Kristiansand to Oslo. Sitting on a bench and looking at the surroundings was a great opportunity for nature lovers, though the nearby highway and summer traffic occasionally distracted from the serene environment.
After taking in the view, we decided to turn back. Instead of retracing our steps, we opted for a different route. We met an old oak tree. Nearby, there are open tennis courts, where many children and adults were training and playing, as school had not yet started for the season. After spending about two hours walking around the forest, my stomach began to rumble; I was hungry. To reach our car, we took our usual route, which led us into a residential area.
That is for today, see you soon, take care
Thank you.
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