Furulunden

Furulunden is a large nature and outdoor area of about 1400 acres just west of the city center of Mandal. Here, you will find numerous hiking trails suitable for cycling, jogging, and walking. The area also features several beautiful beaches and lovely rocky outcrops. The vegetation consists of pine and deciduous mixed forest with some areas of spruce. In 2001, the area was voted Norway's best outdoor recreation area, and in 2008, visitnorway.com declared it the country's best place for running.

Sjøsanden is the most well-known and longest beach in the area. Starting from Piren, you can walk along the entire 807-meter-long beach. When you reach the end at Hobdeheia, you can go through Sjøsanden Feriepark and turn left at the intersection with Bankeveien. This will take you to the Risøbank area.

Here, you'll find a stately building named Risøbank. The house was built by the Scottish Lord Salvesen (whose parents emigrated from Mandal) as a summer residence in 1901. The property is now protected, owned by the state, and managed by the Mandal municipality. The house is used for art exhibitions and a summer café and can be rented for private events. The park around the house is a sight in spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom! Continuing further from Lordens sandstrand below the house, you'll find many idyllic large and small sandy beaches with rocky knolls and outcrops.

Inside the area, there is a extensive network of roads and paths that invite for walks and jogging. The area is relatively flat, but there are some heights, including Hobdeheia, where you can enjoy a nice view of the city, the archipelago, and the sea beyond.