Channel: VisitVestfold.com

Bicycle trails in Horten

A wonderful place to bike
Could you imagine a bike ride along a beautiful coastline with exciting historic trails?
Then Horten is the right place. This is Vestfold's bike deerado due to the flat nice stretches Horten has to offer. Here young and old can join – for the terrain is suitable for people of all ages and with different physical levels.

Horten – a bikefriendly city
In 2016 it was decided that the municipality of Horten will be a bicycle city. A cooperation between the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Vestfold County Municipality and the municipality of Horten will help develop the cycling opportunities in Horten until 2020. Yet, today, Horten stands out with its long straight stretches through beautiful countryside, adventurous forests, historical trails and a beautiful coast.

Sykkelvei 1 (Bicycle road 1)
Part of the national cycle network is Sykkelvei 1. This is clearly marked with dark red signs with a green number route. Sykkelvei 1 leaves from the ferry port of Horten, and follows the coastal path to Åsgårdstrand. The coastal trail is also well distinguished with its light blue markings.

Recommended bike paths
* Horten – Åsgårdstrand (Sykkelvei 1) A beautiful ride along beaches, svaberg and through Fjugstad's rare ash forest and natural recreational areas.
* Karljohansvern around Bike past exciting architecture, museums, cafés, galleries, parks, canals and an adventurous deciduous forest.
* Lystlunden – Borre (the old railway) An historic route past the Gildehallen and Borrehaugene.

Map
Vestfold Bicycle Map is a detailed chart which can be bought at most of the hotels in Vestfold. It can also be purchased by VisitVestfold.
The coastal trails between Horten and Åsgårdstrand is part of Sykkelvei 1. This trail is well marked with light blue signs.
Maps of the coastal trails in Horten is also suitable for bikers. You will get maps of the trails in Horten for free at the Library in Horten (Addr.: Apotekergaten 10, next to the City Hall and the Sjøsiden shopping mall). You can also find maps on the information board at Paletten shopping center in Åsgårdstrand.

Borre Lake

The Lake Borre (Borrevannet) is about 2 km², and has status as a reservoir due to a diverse plant and animal life.

Wild life reservoir
There are approximately 255 registered bird species around Lake Borre. The lake also has a rich marine life with 9 different fish species. Hence it is not surprising that this magnificent area is protected by law to preserve its animal life. 

Fishing in Lake Borre
The Borre Lake is one of Norway's most exciting ponds for pike fishing. Catching fish of 1 meters is not uncommon – the record is 18 kg! Lake Borre also has a lot of perch, where 2 kg catches happens regularly.

Fish species
Pike, Perch, Eel (protected), Tench, Common rudd, Common bleak, Bream, Zander (protected) and Common roach.

Bastø Fosen

Bastø Fosen has five vessels with frequent departures between kl. 04:45 and 23:45 on weekdays, and from kl. 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on weekends.

You only pay for the vehicle. Passengers travel for free. You can not pre-book space on the ferries.

The ferries have a lift for disabled and wheelchair users.

As you cross the Oslo Fjord, you can relax and enjoy the view with a cup of fresh coffee. The ferries have a spacious café with a wide selection of hot and cold dishes and drinks.

Restaurant Rustad

Summer open à la carte restaurant

Restaurant Rustad is part of Hotel Horten with an attractive location at Horten guest harbor. During the summer season this is an attractive à la carte restaurant. Open daily during summer, while after ended season the restaurant can be rented with a varieties of custom made arrangements. 

 

New concept

Both the restaurant and the hotel can be rented with customized arrangements according to your needs. Examples of events that can be ordered are:

– Events
– Course
– Conference
– Wedding
– Confirmation
– Anniversary celebrations
– Chefs

It is possible to bring your own raw materials cooked either by yourself or with restaurant Rustad's skilled chefs. The possibilities are many.

 

Modern surroundings

Both the hotel and the restaurant are newly renovated and refurbished, and offer social events and wonderful dining experiences in Hortens stylish premises.

Arnadal Church

Arnadal church was designed by Johannes Henrik Nissen, and has 185 seats.

The church was consecrated on 26 April 1882, by Bishop Essendrop.

In the 1950s, the church was restored. At the same time, the name of the church was also changed. It used to be called Arendal, but in order not to be confused with the town in Southern Norway, they changed this in 1952. The church was then rededicated in the autumn of 1956.

The altarpiece in the church shows Jesus walking with two disciples. The picture was painted by Otto Valstad, and is a copy of a picture made by Anton Dorph. In 1980, the previous organ in the church was replaced, when the previous one was damaged. The organ that is in the church today was built in Gothenburg, by Hammarberg.

Along the walls inside the church hang knotted carpets, designed by Hans Gerhard Sørensen.

There is both parking and a toilet. This also applies to HC.

Andebu Church

Andebu church is the largest of the medieval churches in Sandefjord municipality, and has 300 seats.

In the 17th century, the church was restored, and major repairs were made, including new large windows. The church also got roof rails, which were replaced in 1701 when the old one blew down in a storm.

Both the pulpit and the altarpiece in the church are magnificent pieces from approx. 1650. On the altarpiece you can see the crucifixion of Jesus.

In 2008, a new organ was inaugurated in the church, built in the Netherlands.

Note: The church has neither a car park nor a toilet.

Kodal Church

Kodal Church is a protected long church of stone and timber in the Romanesque style.

After years of decay, in 1691 the church got a new nave in timber as a result of the establishment of the Countship of Jarlsberg. 100 years later, the church inherited the altarpiece from 1634 when Sandar church was demolished, which during modernization in 1854 ended up in the artist's home of the painter Otto Valsta, today the Asker museum.

Today's altarpiece is from 1781.

The church received its first organ in 1893, while new clocks from Nauen Klokkestøperi were installed in 1919.

The church has 225 seats.

Poetry Park

The project is an idea from Louis Jacoby in 2006. Larvik business community and Larvik municipality collaborated the project in 2006, with the vision of giving residents and visitors to Larvik greater vitality through Poesipark's dissemination.

Read more about the installations and where to find them here: Poesiparken.

Seterkaféen

Seterkaféen is located at Dronning Blancas gate 22 in Tønsberg, in the same historic courtyard as Slottsfjell Museum, at the foot of Mount Slottsfjellet. The traditional summer café is particularly known for rømmegrøt, Norwegian sour cream porridge, which has been part of its food offering for decades. Enjoy a meal in historic surroundings, whether you're visiting the museum or exploring Slottsfjellet.

Traditional Norwegian Food
Seterkaféen is known for serving rømmegrøt, traditional Norwegian sour cream porridge, accompanied by cured meats. Ice cream has also been part of the café's selection.
The café has a spacious outdoor area with room for families and other visitors.

Slottsfjell Museum and Mount Slottsfjellet
Seterkaféen is located next to Slottsfjell Museum and the walking route leading up Mount Slottsfjellet. Combine your café visit with a tour of the museum or a walk up to the historic ruins on the hill.
Its location makes Seterkaféen a convenient stop for families and visitors exploring Tønsberg's history.

Opening Hours
Seterkaféen is open seasonally during the summer months. Visit the Slottsfjell Museum website for current opening hours and visitor information.

Art for All in the World

The project was developed in times that saw significant changes in the political landscape and Europe was facing an immense migrant crisis. The project wanted to shine light on these issues and as a consequence convey a message that all kinds of people are welcome to our city. Sandefjord has some strong players working with social entrepreneurship and Café Vintage was heavily involved in the project. The café offers training programs mainly for women and their families joined in as volunteers. Naper’n, a youth club at the city centre came along too as volunteers. It all played out very nicely as people from all over the world be it artists or refugees together painted ten murals in a two week period in July 2017. The project kicked off on July 3rd with the Norwegian prime minister, Erna Solberg, opening the event. It all become a massive joint collaboration between businesses and volunteers and the following deserves a big thank you!   

Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Tenkt Stort, Tenk Sandefjord, Torp Lufthavn Sandefjord, Ramirent, Jotun, Scandic Park Sandefjord, Sandefjord Brann og Redning, Gleditsch fargehandel  

You can find the murals at the following locations:  

“Peace between nations” by Eduardo Kobra, Brazil – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B 

“Trekkfugl” by Aleksei Bordusov (AEC), Ukraine – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B 

“Nature for everyone” by Bart Smates Smeets, Belgium – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B 

“Stay with me” by Artez Street Art, Serbia – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B 

“We are all refugees” by Matias Sabotajealmontaje, Tenerife – Restaurant Smak, Thor Dahlsgt. 9 

“Våre refleksjoner” by Eric Okdeh, US – Parking lot at Storgata 7  

“Vårt Sandefjord” by Eric Okdeh, US Storgata 6  

“Birds don’t have borders” by Peacetu, Brazil/Norway, – By Café Vintage, between Kongensgate 1 and 3  

“The fruits of love” by Luis Lopez Alberto, Peru/Chile – Chr. Hvidts Plass 1 

“Never give up” by Artez Street Art, Serbia – At Coop Prix,  Kongensgt. 1B  

“There is more that what you see” by Victor Ash, France/Denmark – Stockfeldsgate 6-8 

Art for All in the World was founded by Sharon and Peter Claesson. Art for All is a non-profit organisation working with communities across the globe to harness the power of art as a force for positive change.  In 1995, Peter and Sharon's passion for their work led them to Quito, Ecuador for an education and awareness project for 6,000 street children living in the city. They led adventure tours to national parks outside the city. One day during the project, Peter and Sharon learned that there were children living in the prisons of Quito. They decided to visit the prisons and asked permission for these children to join their adventure trips as well. The prisons agreed, and after witnessing the joy of the children during the trips, Peter and Sharon recognized the need to create a more positive environment for these kids, one that would instill a sense of possibility and hope.  

The project then evolved further with the creation of a series of murals on the prison walls and throughout Quito in areas in need of regeneration. This proved to be a transformative experience, not only for Sharon and Peter, but also for those involved with the project. Many of the prisoners went on to exhibit and sell work and secure jobs following their release. This defining moment in Quito was the launch pad for Sharon and Peter who realized the need for public art and the joy that comes from creating with a community. They have gone on to run projects across the globe under the banner of Art for All ever since. Their largest project to date is a project where they did 70 murals in 70 countries simultaneously. The project in Sandefjord is the first in Northern Europe. 

An amazing artist Victor Ash from the Art for All family was unfortunately not able to come in 2017. However, in June 2018 he came and painted a mural where he interpreted the challenges we are facing with climate change. You can find the mural at Stockfeldsgate 6-8. In August 2018 a local artist Linn Horntvedt will do a piece in Stockfeldsgate too.