Treetop Walk at Hamaren Activity Park by EFFEKT: A Floating Path Through Norway’s Forest Canopy

Nestled in the heart of Norway’s Telemark region, the Treetop Walk at Hamaren Activity Park in Fyresdal redefines how we experience nature. Designed by acclaimed Copenhagen-based architecture firm EFFEKT, this one-of-a-kind structure offers an immersive journey through the forest canopy—blending accessibility, environmental sensitivity, and breathtaking landscape design into a singular architectural experience.

A Journey Through the Trees: Boardwalk Design and Experience

The project spans one kilometer in length and is built entirely as a two-meter-wide wooden plank boardwalk, gently rising from the forest floor to the summit of Klokkarhamaren mountain. Elevated on slender pillars, the pathway meanders along the tranquil shores of Lake Fyresvatn, gradually ascending through pine forests and along mountainous ridgelines. At its peak, the trail culminates in a 50-meter-diameter circular viewpoint, offering 360-degree panoramic vistas of the pristine landscape—where pine trees, shimmering lakes, and rugged granite outcrops meet the sky.

Organic Architecture: Responding to Topography

The design of the wooden boardwalk is a direct response to the natural contours of the mountain. EFFEKT’s team used topographical mapping and site-specific modeling to ensure that the structure follows the terrain's existing rhythm—hugging ridges, bending outward to form lookout points, and floating through clearings where visitors can feel the wind whispering through the treetops.

The result is an architectural promenade that feels effortless and weightless, yet meticulously crafted to ensure safety, longevity, and minimal environmental disruption.

Universal Accessibility: Nature for All

Inclusivity is at the heart of this treetop experience. Designed with a universal accessibility approach, the trail has a gentle gradient, making it suitable for pedestrians, cyclists, parents with strollers, and wheelchair users alike. According to Monica Sølyst, Project Lead at Faun Naturforvaltning, the goal was to provide “the sensation of walking among the treetops to everyone—regardless of physical ability.”

This democratic design approach transforms the boardwalk into more than just a recreational structure—it becomes a shared space of discovery, wellness, and nature immersion.

Local Materials and Sustainable Construction

In both material and method, the project prioritizes sustainability and local craftsmanship. The load-bearing structure, handrails, and decking are constructed entirely from locally sourced pinewood, allowing the walkway to visually merge with the surrounding pine forest. The construction technique makes the boardwalk appear as if it's levitating through the forest, seamlessly integrated with the landscape.

To minimize environmental impact during construction, EFFEKT collaborated with local contractor Inge Aamlid to develop a lightweight, prefabricated wooden system. Composed of small, straight timber elements, the system could be assembled on-site by hand or using small machinery, ensuring minimal disturbance to the environment. This strategy not only protected the landscape but also paid tribute to Fyresdal’s historic logging traditions, celebrating the region's timber-based heritage while introducing contemporary craftsmanship.

Architecture as Landscape Infrastructure

The Treetop Walk at Hamaren is more than a scenic trail—it is a compelling example of how architecture can act as landscape infrastructure, enriching the environment it inhabits rather than extracting from it. By merging nature, community, and design, the project exemplifies how thoughtful architecture can promote well-being, ecological respect, and regional identity.

Whether you're a hiker, cyclist, child, elder, or nature enthusiast, this floating walkway invites you into the treetops to pause, breathe, and connect with the forest from an entirely new perspective.

📍 Project Details:

• Project Name: Treetop Walk – Hamaren Activity Park
• Location: Fyresdal, Norway
• Architects: EFFEKT
• Year Completed: 2023
• Photography: © Rasmus Hjortshøj
• Collaborators: Faun Naturforvaltning, Inge Aamlid

All photographs are works of Rasmus Hjortshøj