The municipality of Søgne with its approximately 11.000 inhabitants and a area of 150,8 km2, and is a mixture of inland countryside and an archipelago with over 1.200 islets and skerries. Tangvall close to E 39 is the centre of the district. There are beautiful beaches at Åros and Høllen suitable for swimming and water sports. There is also a large salt-water pool at Åros. A boat runs from Høllen to Ny-Hellesund, which has been immortalised in the poetry of Vilhelm Krag.
In Ny-Hellesund you can see the wartime coastal forts which are now open to the public. Trysnes with its restaurant, guest marina and traditional fisherman´s shacks for hire, lies in the outer reaches of Trysfjorden. This is the perfect place to start your holiday if you are interested in deep-sea fishing.
LUNDE
Søgnes previous administrative centre has preserved its special architectural environment. Søgnes´s main church dates back to 1861. North of the church is the Søgne Bygdemuseum, which consists of farmhouses and objects telling about the old farming society in Søgne.
SØGNE OLD CHURCH
From 1640. Renaissance and Baroque paintings. The church dates back to the 16th century. This is one of Søgne´s major attractions. The wall and roof decorations are from the 17th and 18th centuries, rennaisance altar piece from 1665 and a gallery from 1726. It was restored in 1957. There are evening worships during the summer.
THE OLD VICARAGE
Today the old vicarage is a cultural centre. Peder Bjørnson, the father of the great writer Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, lived here for 16 years from 1853. Bjørnstjerne is the author of the text of the Norwegian National Anthem. There is a 2 meter high rune stone outside of the vicarage.
SØGNE MUSEUM
North of the church at Lunde is the Søgne Museum, which consists of farmhouses, storehouse and grinder, and objects telling about the old farming society in Søgne.
SØGNE GUEST HARBOUR
Mooring places for 60 boats, all year.
NY-HELLESUND
This group of Islands is a summer paradise. Earlier a busy harbour with a coastal pilot station, school, post office, guest house and shipyard. Today it is dominated by summer dwellings. The MF Høllen sails to and through Ny-Hellesund several times a day.
COASTAL FORT at NY-HELLESUND
German coastal fort from World War II, partly restored. The Fortress was built by the Germans in 1942-45. The restoration began in 1987. The fortress was once called “Norway´s little Gibraltar”, with its ca. 150 soldiers, four 10,5 cm cannons, radar, 31 buildings, and 26 bunkers. Daily arrivals on the MF Høllen from Høllen.
ZOOLOGY EXHIBITION
One of Europe´s largest collection of stuffed birds. Species of animals native to Norway also on display. Guided tour by prior arrangement with the Tourist Information Office.
HELLEVIGA
From Tangvall take road 456 towards Vågsbygd. After about 9 kms of beautiful views and settings, there is a sign to the right for Helleviga. Helleviga in Langenes is a large public recreation area with sandy beaches, rocky shores, coves and open areas of grass. There are signs informing about the local fauna and flora. Close by there is a pilot mark from where there are fine views of the sea and the islands. There is also a natural history school. In the summer months the café at the main house sells waffles, icecream and soft drinks. Barbeques for visitors to use. The Helleviga recreational area is within easy reach of Søgne and Kristiansand. Trails have been prepared in the area and are also suitable for wheelchair users. Ideal bathing spot. Cars can be parked near the RV 456 highway.
LINDÅSEN
A nice hike to Lindåsen (height 234 metres) on well-marked trails in varied terrain, approx. 1,5 – 2 hours one way. Round trip 12 km. Car park at Søgne School (ungdomsskole).
ÅROSVEDEN
Close to the Krossnesveien road, east of Åros Motell Camp. Lovely view of the skerries. Height 73 meteres, 10 minutes walk from Krossnesveien road.
LANGENES / KILNESET
Free area with good parking. WC. Places to swim both in fresh and salt water.
ÅROSSTRANDEN BEACH
A long shallow beach, ideal for families with children. Norway´s biggest outdoor heated sea water swimming pool and children´s pool at Åros Motel Camp.
HØLLEN
Architecturally Høllegata´s rows of old, white, wooden houses make it a true pearl. Here are also bathing Høllesanden beach with a long and shallow beach which is great for children. Good parking. WC, and an excellent harbour, with guest facilities. Shops. Café/ Restaurant. The MF Høllen sails from Høllen several times a day.
MF HØLLEN
Scheduled boat Høllen – Ny-Hellesund – Høllen. Disembarkment at Helgøya (coastal fort) available. Approximately 1 hour. 4 departures daily, 3 departures Sundays.
UVÅR
Uvår is a group of islands sticking out into the sea with a good harbour and large areas open to the public. In the summer it is a popular excursion spot.
TRYSNES MARINA
Located at the mouth of Trysfjorden. A modern marina with guest facilities, fishermen´s shanties for rent, holiday apartments and free emptying of caravan and boat toilets, grocery store and pub. Just 7 km from the highway E39 and 23 km from Kristiansand.
FISHING
Trysnes with its restaurant, guest marina and traditional fisherman’s shacks for hire, lies in the outer reaches of Trysfjorden. This is the perfect place to start your holiday if you are interested in deep-sea fishing. Kjellandsvannet (1 km west of Lunde) holds good decent-sized trout. Kvernhusvannet (near Åros) has trout and perch. Fishing licence for the Søgne area available at G-sport Søgne and Åros Motell Camp.