Skip to content
NOEN
A person on a snowmobile in deep snow throwing up a cloud of powder, with low winter sun over the mountain behindPhoto: Kristina Skeie Thorsland
Hægebostad · Lister · Agder

Eiken

Snowmobilesandcosymeetingplaces

In Eiken, the snowmobile is part of the village identity. Reliable sources say that 100 % of the children in Eiken have sat on a snowmobile before they come of age. But Eiken is much more than that, just so it is said.

Eiken in brief
Residents
~1,000
Hekkfjellet
704 m
Municipality
Hægebostad
School
Eiken skule, years 1–7
Kindergarten
Eiken barnehage

Eiken · Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Snowmobiles
  3. All year
  4. Everyday life
  5. Nostalgilåven
  6. School
  7. To town
  8. Employers
  9. Jobs
  10. Location
  11. FAQ

Nine out of ten homes have a snowmobile

– I would guess that nine out of ten homes here in Eiken have at least one snowmobile, says Arne Eiken. He has three daughters, from their teens to early adulthood. All of them have a snowmobile licence, and like so many others here they use the snowmobile to ride on the moors, to visit friends at the cabins and on the trail network.

– I think it all goes back to when the people from Eiken who had emigrated to America came back here in the 60s and 70s. Many of them brought snowmobiles with them, and that is how it became part of everyday life in Eiken, says Arne.

– And that is probably also why country music is so incredibly popular here in the village, he says with a little laugh.

Eiken – all year round

It is not only in winter that things happen. This is, after all, the sunny south of Norway.

How about a canoe trip on Lygnevatnet after work? A Sunday on the beach with the children? Or a hike up Hekkfjellet before dinner? In Eiken it is a short step from everyday life to outdoor life – and if you like being outside, there is plenty to do.

Eiken is a small village in Hægebostad municipality, with around 1,000 residents. About 900 of them live in and around the centre, and around it lie fine little hamlets such as Vatne, Hobbesland, Kvåle and Meland. People know each other here, and you will neither be hidden nor forgotten in the crowd.

Arne Eiken, black-and-white portrait in front of birch trunks
Arne Eiken. Photo: Framtre

«It has a bit of a Linus i Svingen feel here in Eiken.»

Arne Eiken
Lygnevatnet in Eiken on a clear day, with spruce forest along the water and steep mountainsides behind
Don’t you feel like a swim?Photo: Peder Austrud

Lygnevatnet is a natural centrepiece, with a lovely beach, a floating jetty, a water trampoline, canoe hire and activities for young and old. By the water there is also Lygne Fritids- og Aktivitetspark, an activity park with an obstacle course, balance and rope installations, a zipline and lean-to shelters. For those who like a longer walk, there are plenty of trails and a lit trail that also works for buggies.

On the water

  • Beach
  • Floating jetty
  • Water trampoline
  • Canoe hire

In the activity park

  • Obstacle course
  • Balance and ropes
  • Zipline
  • Lean-to shelters

On land

  • Walking trails
  • Lit trail for buggies

Perhaps you fancy an even longer walk, of the summit kind. Hekkfjellet, 704 metres above sea level, is a popular destination for those who want mountain air. There is also a fine day hut up there, which many make use of.

A boy in shorts walks up the path towards Hekkfjellet, with the lake and the village far below
The path up from the village. Photo: Kristina Skeie Thorsland
View from Hekkfjellet in bright sun, with a small tree in the foreground and a lake down in the valley
From the top you look out over the valley.

Everyday life in the village

But Eiken is not only about nature. The little village also has workplaces and services that let many people spend a large part of their everyday lives here. Eiken Mekaniske verksted, Eiken Hytter og Hus, Eikås Hytter og Hus and Sørlandets Rehabiliteringssenter are among the businesses that provide local jobs, while Eiken Hotell og Feriesenter welcomes visitors and locals alike.

– People in Eiken are good at seizing opportunities; there are many capable business people here, says Arne.

– The job market is varied, and commuting a bit is no problem either, he states.

And then Eiken has Stompen.

The little bakery is one of the village’s natural meeting places. People meet here over coffee, cocoa and baking, and the talk can be about anything from everyday life to local politics. On Fridays the men have their regular get-together, while Saturdays tend to fill up with both women and men who want to get something good for the weekend.

The front of Stompen bakery with the sign over the entrance, benches and flower pots outside, under a blue sky
Stompen bakery in Eiken. Photo: Stompen bakeri
Close-up of freshly baked buns with vanilla cream and sugar
Fresh baking from Stompen. Photo: Stompen bakeri

Nostalgia you will not forget

Eiken also has Nostalgilåven. What a place! Here you can take a little trip back in time to old America, without leaving the village.

At Nostalgilåven a diner awaits, with a 50s and 60s atmosphere, a jukebox feel and milkshakes in classic glasses. The menu tempts with banana splits, fluffy American pancakes and pizzas with names like Nashville and Memphis. Right next door is a general store with everything from grandfather’s day, while the first floor offers meeting rooms where nostalgic charm meets modern facilities. Nostalgilåven is also a place where people gather, whether for concerts or the summer’s «Cars & Bikes».

The diner at Nostalgilåven with red chairs, guitars and records on the walls and a jukebox

Diner, general store and concert stage under one barn roof. Photo: Nostalgilåven

1 / 7

For who says village life has to be dull, when you can get an American diner feel and the roar of engines thrown in?

School and kindergarten

In a small community you may have to be a little more active yourself to get to know people. In return, the social network can be close. For newcomers there are several natural meeting places, including the kindergarten, the school, leisure activities and events.

Eiken also has an active community for children and young people. Eiken barnehage has around 45 children, while Eiken skule is a small primary school with around 85 pupils. The school makes active use of the local area in its teaching, and the outdoor areas invite both play and activity. For lower and upper secondary school the children travel to Byremo.

– I do think this inter-municipal school cooperation is a big success factor, says Arne.

– At that age it is good to meet more young people and get to know each other across the villages. We have very good experience with it.

A boy in shorts walks up the path towards Hekkfjellet, with the lake and the village far below

The path up from the village. Photo: Kristina Skeie Thorsland

Forty kilometres to town

For a wider choice of shops, culture and town life, Lyngdal town is not far away either. With around forty kilometres between Eiken and Lyngdal, you can combine quiet village life with trips to a larger town whenever you like.

Perhaps it is exactly this combination that defines Eiken: a small, close-knit community, while larger places are never further away than an easy trip when you need them.

Snow-covered mountain landscape at sunset, with low trees and frost smoke over the snow
The winter mountains are something special.
Open positions

Jobs in and around Eiken

Within about 45 minutes' drive — the area covers Evje og Hornnes, Flekkefjord, Hægebostad, Kvinesdal, Lindesnes, Lyngdal, Vennesla and Åseral. The newest below; all of them on the jobs pages.

Eiken · 27 October 2026
Newest · Other health occupationsInternkunngjøring TannhelsesekretærEvje tannklinikk, Agder fylkeskommuneEvje, Evje og HornnesHeltidFastDeadline 8 NovSee the position →
Social care workersStudentstilling 13-19% fast helg Helgestilling miljøterapeut 13-19%Åmodt bofellesskapKvinesdalDeltidFast2 positionsDeadline 9 NovNursesSykepleier 80% fastFjotland omsorgssenter, Kvinesdal kommuneKvinlog, KvinesdalDeltidFastDeadline 8 NovNursesVi søker sykepleiere til 50 % og 75 % faste stillinger i nattjenesten ved Lyngdal helsehus.Lyngdal kommune HJT/INST: NattjenestenLyngdalDeltidFastDeadline 10 NovNursesHelgestillingerAvdeling for habiliteringEvje, Evje og HornnesDeltidFast4 positionsDeadline 8 NovSocial educators / learning disability nursesEnhet for habilitering søker vernepleier og fagarbeider til faste stillingerLyngdal kommune HAB Avd 4 - LALyngdalDeltidFast2 positionsDeadline 8 NovSocial care workersMiljøveilederAvdeling for habiliteringEvje, Evje og HornnesHeltidFastDeadline 8 Nov
PublicPrivateSee all 44 within 45 minutes of Eiken →See all positions in Hægebostad →
Janne Fardal Kristoffersen, Lister relocation guide

Want to know more about moving to Eiken? Send a message to a Lister relocation guide who knows Eiken.

How to get started
Location

Where is Eiken?

Eiken lies at the top of the Lyngdal valley, around the lake Lygnevatnet, in the north of Hægebostad. Lyngdal town is about forty kilometres away.

Eiken

MunicipalityHægebostad
RegionLister
CountyAgder
Open in Maps

Sources & Credits

Photography

Photos: Kristina Skeie Thorsland (snowmobile and Hekkfjellet), Peder Austrud (Lygnevatnet), Framtre (Arne Eiken), Stompen bakeri and Nostalgilåven.

Text

Text from the content provider, translated provisionally.

Janne Fardal Kristoffersen — one of the Lister relocation guides. Photo: LyngdalBy
Lister Portal

For anyone who wants to know more about moving to Eiken

Whether you are thinking of moving back home, want to try something new in Norway or are coming from another country: create a free profile and register what you are looking for. You will get suggestions for places that fit, alerts about new jobs, and a way to be in touch with municipalities, employers and a local guide in Lister.

  • The place that fits youRegister what you are looking for and get suggestions for places that match.
  • Jobs that fitGet an alert when positions that suit you are posted.
  • Contact both waysMunicipalities and employers in Lister can reach you, and you them.
  • A guide who lives hereAsk a person who knows the municipality.
Create a free profile Log in

Free profile · no obligations