Scenic attractions Arkiver

Gea Norvegica UNESCO Global Geopark

In the season from May to September, there are free guided tours in the Geopark. The geopark is a limited area of 3.000 square kilometer and is in Telemark and Vestfold county, and includes the municipalities of Larvik, Bamble, Kragerø, Nome, Porsgrunn, Siljan and Skien.

At various geo-locations you can discover for yourself, and gain an increased understanding of, the dramatic events that have helped to shape the landscape.

The landscape in Larvik is characterized by the rugged landscape that a bedrock of larvikite often provides. Along the coast, the larvikite has been scoured by the ice that lay over the land during the last ice age. The result is the fine rocky cliffs that dominate the Vestfold coast.

Larvikite can only be found naturally in the Larvik area, and when you see this popular ornamental stone, cut and polished, with its beautiful play of blue colors on everything from wall facades on large buildings to worktops in kitchens and bar counters, you know it comes from Larvik. Larvikite is valued and in demand far beyond Norway's borders.

Lystlunden Park

Lystlunden Park is Horten municipality's largest park and sports facility. The park has a unique combination of enchanting nature and cultural attractions. The park's 150 hollow oak trees make it an exotic area. The many benches in the park to settle on, the park's duck pond were you can feed the ducks and its old pavilion makes the park a wonderful recreational area. Furthermore, you will find sculptures by Arne Durban and Ørnulf Bast here. Horten municipality has put a lot of effort into developing the park. You will also find new grills for general use – so just bring coal, food and blankets – and let the picnic start. In the evening you will be able to experience the park's special lighting.

Playground and adventure world
The park also has an exciting playground with old oak trees where the elves live. If you walk carefully and look around the trees, you may just discover them.

Multiple sports facilities
The sports center in Lystlunden Park has stadiums for football, rugby, archery range, and several training courses for football.

Gift from the Navy
Lystlunden was given as a gift to Horten's population by the Navy in 1852 for recreation and amusement. Most of the inhabitants of Horten were then part of the workers at the Navy's main yard (Karljohansvern).

Today, Lystlunden Park has its own association, which actively works to preserve the park's landscaping and distinctive features for the public's best interest.

Færder National Park

Færder National Park comprises 340 square kilometres of mainland, islands, reefs and seabed in Færder municipality. It stretches from Ormøy in the north to Færder lighthouse in the south. The islands south of Hvasser, Verdens Ende and Moutmarka are part of the national park. In the middle of the Oslo Fjord, Færder National Park borders Ytre Hvaler National Park.

Færder National Park is an important area for coastal outdoor life, and large areas are secured as publicly owned outdoor areas. Boating, kayaking, hiking and swimming are popular activities here, in addition to being an important local area for permanent residents and cottage owners. The proximity to Tønsberg city and the densely populated Oslo area means that Færder National Park is much used.

Færder National Park is a distinctive archipelago landscape that is the result of the work carried out by the enormous ice masses from the Ice Age.

The sea areas in the national park are very varied, from groundwater areas in the skerries to the deep sea areas further from land. In the shallow areas, there are large kelp forests and lush eelgrass beds that are important breeding areas for fish. At the depths, we find exciting seabed landscapes with large mountain gorges and flat soft bottom areas, and this variation provides a basis for a diverse animal and plant life on the seabed.

Several important nesting areas for seabirds are included in the national park. It is also home to a diverse black plant flora and insect fauna. Particularly important areas are Sandø, Bolærne, Østre Bustein and Moutmarka.

VISIT THE NATIONAL PARK

Færder National Park is easily accessible by boat, car and public transport. At the End of the World, you can drive a private car all the way to the border of the national park.

Dinner with a view – Verdens Ende Spiseriet is a restaurant at the End of the World, and open all year.

YOU CAN…

Tents are allowed for up to two days minimum 150 meters from houses and cottages. Tents are not allowed in the seabird areas, Ruseodden on Østre Bolæren, Sandø, Østre Bustein and Moutmarka. See map of tenting areas.

Barbecue is prohibited directly on the surface.

Bonfires are not allowed from 15th of October to 15th of April. Bonfires are not allowed directly on the mountains and rocks all year round.

Bathing is of course allowed. The same applies to the clearing of landed seaweed and kelp at widely used bathing sites.

Fishing of cod is forbidden. Fishing of other fish is perfectly fine, as long as you stay within the rules set by the fishing authorities.

Berries and edible mushrooms can be picked for your own use.

Flowers and ordinary plants can also be picked for own use, except in the former plant protection area in Kjøkkenbukta on Østre Bolæren.

BUT REMEMBER THAT …

The speed limit at sea is 5 knots within 100 meters of land, and otherwise 30 knots within the outermost islands. The speed must always be adapted to the conditions, so that there are no accidents or injuries.

Film and photo with drone is not allowed.

Water scooter is prohibited. The same applies to unnecessary noise when using motorized model aircraft and the like.

Motor traffic on land is not allowed, with some exceptions for agriculture and some other purposes.

Pollution and littering of all types is of course not allowed.

There is a leash requirement for dogs in the entire national park in the period 1 April to 15 October. In the seabird areas (zone B), the restraining order applies throughout the year. The bird life in the seabird areas must not be disturbed. In these areas, traffic on land and up to 50 meters from land is not permitted during the breeding period 15.04 – 15.07. Hi, nests, nesting, breeding and spawning grounds are protected against damage and unnecessary disturbance.

Release of animals on land and in water is prohibited.

Cultural monuments must be treated with respect and protected from damage and destruction. Loose cultural monuments must not be moved or removed.

Mølen

Mølen is Norway's largest beach of pebbles, and it is a part of Vestfoldraet: the terrain left behind after the end of the most recent Ice Age 10.000 years ago.

The cultural landscape of Mølen, with its total of 230 cairns from the Iron Age, is one of the most majestic landscapes in Norway. The area has 16 large cairns, many up to 35 metres in diameter, with almost 200 small cairns in rows parallel to the shoreline. The cairns probably served as "sea markers" along the shipping lanes between different trading centres. This, combined with its striking natural beauty and position on the edge of the sea, makes it a must-see when visiting the area.

You can enjoy a lovely view of the sea at Mølen, and also study the beautiful type of stone called larvikite, a speciality for the Larvik area. There are actually more than 100 different types of rock at Mølen, and a total of 316 different bird species has also been found.
The arrival and departure of the migratory birds is a real treat for visitors. Twice a year the migrants visit wonderful Mølen, heading north in springtime and eventually heading back south when autumn looms.

In the summer of 2008 Mølen was officially made into an UNESCO Geopark Area.

If you want to get to Mølen by walking, the coastal path is easily accessible from either Helgeroa or Nevlunghavn.

Welcome to Mølen!

The Kjærra Waterfalls Park

The Kjærra Waterfalls Park is situated in one of the most spectacular sceneries of Lågendalen you find the Kjærra Waterfalls Park. The Park, covering both sides of the river Lågen, derives its name from the famous Kjærra Waterfalls. Here, the river splits into two separate courses: The Eastern Falls and The Western Falls. The waterfall park is famous for its salmon and the historical fishing methods used are well documented.

In the waterpark you have the opportunity to go for a nice hike, admire the birds singing, go fishing or just find peace in the beauty of Kjærra Waterfalls Park. The park offers benches to sit and eat your lunch, as well as bonfires around the area.

The industry of fishing at Kjærra waterfalls park can be documented all the way back to the 1300, and lasted towards the end of 1958. After a while the plant was restored and opened for tourism in 1992. This brought tourists from all over the country to experience the Kjærra waterfalls, salmon fishing and summer concerts. It is also quite popular to visit Kjærra with kayaks.

The salmon trap is opened every Thursday during the season. There's usually a lot of fish and if you're lucky you get to buy a wild salmon on the spot. The fishing season for salmon is 10.06 – 26.08. Fishing license is bought online.

The Kjærra-bridge extend over Lågen with its 132 meters. The bridge is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by the outstanding natural beauty of the forest, waterfalls and leaping salmon. This project started in the fall of 2000 and was opened by county governor Mona Røkke July 5th, 2001.

The exhibitions around the park makes it interesting and creates a unique experience when walking around. In the park you will find 5 different spots that displays 5 photographs of Kjærra waterfalls park during winter time. The placement of the pictures is aligned so that the photographs shows the same landscape as behind the photographs. The photographer is Kjell Harangen. When walking around the park you’ll also find sculptures within the nature, by the artist Trond Fredriksen.

The Anagama kiln is both an art piece and a ceramic oven. The oven is inspired originally from Japan and it can hold up to 500 figures. This project is a cooperation between Stiftelsen Kjærra Fossepark, sculptor Trond Frederiksen, ceramist Ole Krongaard and the college of Telemark.

Toilets and drinking water are available on site for the visitors. If your looking for more excitement, speed and climbing its perfect to combine it with Høyt og Lavt Climbing Park.

The burial area of Istrehågan

The cultural monument Istrehågan consists of five stone settings and two ship settings. The biggest one is 25 metres long and consists of 18 single erect stones.

The Istrehågan burial ground is clearly visible up on a ridge. It is strategically located along the ancient road that runs through Tjølling from Sandar over Istre and on towards Tjodalyng (Tjølling church). Along the ridge there are several burial monuments from the Iron Age. Traces of the road are still found, among other things in the form of the path east of the burial field and several so-called hollow ways, which appear as ditches in the terrain south of the stone deposits.

Archeological excavations were undertaken in the early 1960s, and the restored burial ground is considered one of the best preserved cultural monuments of its kind.

Discoveries nearby indicate that there were settlements in this area as early as the Stone Age and the Bronze Age.

Practical information
Its forbidden to have bonfires in the burial area
Camping is not allowed
Horse riding only on the path
Clean up after your self – don’t leave food or garbage
Show respect, this is a burial area and our heritage.

Thank you for showing respect!

The Farris Lake

The Farris lake stretches from Kilen in Larvik in the south to Siljan in the north, and has an area of 21 km². Especially in summer, there is a lot of activity in Farris.

Many islands and coves offer unique opportunities for excursions, both by boat and canoe. It is also very nice to walk along Farris, and there are marked paths for this purpose. Both berries, mushrooms, birds and wildlife are found in abundance in these areas.

The Farris lake also consists of the Farris river, which flows into the sea at Larvik and is about 1,100 metres. The river's waterfall has been an important source of the city's industry since the 16th century.

Farriskilen in the south-east was in its time a hub for winter sports in Larvik, among other things for ice-skating and cross-country skiing.

The Beech Forest – Bøkeskogen

The Beech Tree Forest is used all year round for cultural and recreational activities by locals and tourists alike.

In mid-May you'll find joy in the light green petals from the beech trees while strolling along the 270-meter-long Passion Path, and eventually you'll end up at the square close to the main entrance. If you come here at Constitution Day, May 17th, you will see lots of happy children parading waving their Norwegian flags. In autumn the forest turns to red and yellow, and during winter the trees are snow-covered.

You also find the charming cafe called Bøkekroa where you can enjoy live jazz every single Friday during summer. Bøkekroa is open all year and serves traditionally Norwegian food.

For the historian, there are 80-90 registered burial mounds. You will find the largest Iron Age burial ground in Vestfold and one of the largest in Norway at this site.

The highest point in the Beech Tree Forest is called "The Bellevue". It is situated in the north-western part of the area. This place gives you an excellent view of the Farris lake, and some good rest for your legs.

The Beech Tree Forest stretches inwards along the Farris lake, and as you walk you will find small, cosy cabins and unspoilt places where you can enjoy the views and eat your lunch in the great outdoors.

Borrehaugene

In the period from 600 to 900 AD, nine great mounds were constructed at Borre.

On site there are three huge piles of stone amongst the mounds, which contribute towards the monumental character of the place. Nowhere else in Northern Europe are there more large mounds in one single location. The great mounds are evidence of political power, expressed through monumental symbols. Borre was probably the ultimate place for leaders to manifest their honour, even after life. Previously it was thought that it was members of a particular family, The Ynglinge clan, who were buried here – but recent research based on DNA analysis indicates that such large burial sites tend to contain people from several families. It was likely the spot itself – as well as its connection to previous leaders – what made this place an attractive location to be buried at.

Large parts of the eastern slopes of the ridge between Åsgårdstand and Horten were agricultural areas at the time when the burial site was established. The mounds consist of lots of old cultivated soil – this as a result of the area being used to grow crops before the mounds were erected. The site is strategically located, by the entrance to the Oslo fjord. The location indicates that the purpose of building these mounds here was for them to be visible from the water.

Only one of the major mounds on the Borre site has been completely excavated, and this happened in 1852. From this excavation hail the marvellous Borre finds. Unfortunately, due to the inexpert excavation of the Ship mound in Borre, a lot of knowledge was lost in the process. The find is nevertheless considered to be in line with the ship graves from Tune and Gokstad.

Verdens Ende – “The World’s End”

Verdens Ende (World's End) on the southern tip of Tjøme is probably best known for "Vippefyret" – the lighthouse, made by stones from the local beaches. The lighthouse is a replica built in 1932. The Færder National Park Center opened in June 2015.

Færder National Park Verdens Ende is located in Færder National Park, which is one of the country's most important areas for coastal outdoor activities. The national park covers 340 square kilometers of mainland, islands, reefs and seabed in Færder municipality. It stretches from Ormøy in the north to Færder lighthouse in the south. The landscape in the national park is distinctive and rich in geological formations. There are several important nesting areas for seabirds in the national park, and the national park has a very diverse flora and fauna. Plants and insects live here that can hardly be found anywhere else. The area in the national park is popularly used for boat trips, paddling, water sports, hiking, fishing and swimming.

Færder National Park is easily accessible by boat, car and public transport. At World's End, you can drive a private car all the way to the border of the national park – this means that Færder National Park can be experienced by everyone.

For more info and how to get here, see https://www.visitvestfold.com/en/tonsberg/articles/Verdens-Ende-The-Worlds-End/