A new Treetop Walkway has opened in Hamaren Activity Park, a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in southern Norway’s Telemark region. Designed by Copenhagen-based design and research studio EFFEKT, the walkway offers a novel perspective on the mountainous pine forest of Fyresdal. Raised up to 15 meters (49 feet) in the air, the canopy walkway is the first of its kind in Norway.
The one-kilometer-long and two-meter wide boardwalk winds and loops its way through a picturesque forested landscape. The walkway extends from the forest floor, by the side of lake Fyresvatn, and up between the treetops. It meanders along the mountain ridge to the peak of Klokkarhamaren (a hill with an elevation of 338 meters or 1,109 feet), at times curving outwards to create viewing points and dramatic drops. The trail ends with a sweeping circular panorama: at a diameter of 50 meters (164 feet), it offers all-round vistas across the forest, lake Fyresvatn, and surrounding mountains.
“The real task before us was to reconnect people with nature and create a design that would enhance the experience of the visitors. It takes them on a slow and poetic walk through the forest canopy, culminating in a rush of excitement as they take in a scenic view of lake against sky at 60 meters [197 feet] above lake water level,” explains Tue Foged, co-founder of EFFEKT.
In an area with a long tradition of logging and wood construction, the design and build of the Treetop Walkway was inspired by vernacular wood structures and local craftsmanship. The load-bearing structure, boardwalk, and railing are made from locally sourced pinewood, thereby directly connecting the walkway with the pine forest.
One notable objective was that the walkway should not damage or destroy the natural setting within which it stands. To achieve this, EFFEKT worked with Inge Aamlid, a local contractor. The studio explains: “We invented a simple wooden building system that is used throughout the whole treetop walk. It uses small and straight prefabricated elements that can be easily handled with small machinery and by hand on-site, thus protecting nature during the building process. When joined together, the segments form an organic shape that bends around the trees and along the mountain.” Transported as a flat-packed assembly system, this enabled Aamlid to build the walkway on location. The design also allows for future disassembly.
The idea for a walkway in the treetops was first conceived in 2017, when Hamaren Activity Park opened. The project’s design was developed in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result site visits were not possible. “We had to send over GPS coordinates from topographic maps to Fyresdal Municipality who in turn took pictures of the landscape, allowing us to adjust the route according to the learnings from the actual site,” says Foged. “The process resulted in 3D-models, which enabled our local contractor to build the design of the boardwalk very precisely in the challenging terrain.”
The walkway is designed to be entirely accessible to everyone, ensuring anyone can enjoy the sensation of being amongst the treetops. “Although it is a small gesture in the bigger picture, we hope that granting people free and universal access to experience the sublime nature of this site can serve as an example for others,” says Foged.
