Adventures need not entail expensive journeys to distant destinations. All you need is a bicycle. Between April and the end of September, Sandefjord is the perfect place for a cycling holiday. The land-scape is easy to cycle in, and you can choose what you want to see. What about cycling along smooth rocks and beaches on the Coastal Route that runs via Sandefjord? Or taking a tranquil trip through the woods along the beautiful Numedal Route?
Here are a couple of suggestions for either a daytrip for the more experienced cyclist, or a 2-3 days trip for those who want a more relaxing experience. There are a large number of places to stay on the way from camping and budget alternatives to more exclusive hotels.
ROUTE NR. 24, Sandefjord-Lågen (apx 90 km)
This is a very intresting route with changing scenery. It offers everything from coast and sea to woods, rivers and valleys.
From Sandefjord you follow the Åsrum Lake to Hagnes, and then to Pipenholt and Heia. Here you can see beautiful areas with woods and small inland waters. This area is very good for camping. Between Snappen and Hvarnes there are not paved roads, and the last kilometers can be a little steep for some.
From Hvarnes you follow "Opplevelseveien" south on the eastside of the river Lågen. By taking a little detour, you will reach Damvann. The water is in a "pot" where the mountain sides stands up 200 meters along the water. By Kvelde you will find an old setting of houses well preserved.
The route crosses the E-18 by Bommestad. Here you must pay attention since the road is very busy – be careful! In Larvik you can find Northern-Europe's largest beech forest, and several of the museums of the city are well worth a visit. From Larvik the route continues along the coast. On the way you will pass the famous setteling from the viking era where the country's first city from apx 700 AC is excavated each summer. By Tjøllingvollen you will pass Tjølling church from the first part of the 11th century.
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THE COSTAL ROUTE
The Costal Path runs along the coast from Svinesund/border with Sweden, and runs trough Sandefjord City Center.
**South on the Costal Route**
From Sandefjord, the path will take you over Tjøllingvollen on narrow roads a stretch away from the sea. You cycle past Kaupang, Norway's most famous Viking excavation. At Larvik's town square you can experience the exquisite beauty of the internationally famous Larvik granite, Larvikite. Before leaving Larvik, North-Europe's largest beech forest is worth a visit. There is also a jazz evening every Friday during the summer.
7.5 km away from Larvik you will find Stavern, an artists' town with a well of galleries and exhibitions. For generations artists have perpetualised the beautiful skerry landscape in their work, and many a poet has written a verse about Stavern.
The last few kilometres to Helgeroa take you through the exquisite Brunlanes, which thrives with beaches and camping sites. In Nevlunghavn, a small fishing town, you meet the open sea. You can sit on the quay-side, eating fresh prawns and listening to the cries of the seagulls, whilst watching the fishermen bring in their catch.
You cycle along a gravel track to Helgeroa, where there is a lovely marina and lots of places to eat out and enjoy the sea view. From Helgeroa, you can take the ferry to Langesund and continue your trip along the Telemark coastline.
**North on the Costal Route**
From Sandefjord you cycle through the Stokke region with the lovely villages of Melsomvik and Bogen towards Tønsberg past bird and nature reserves. You can also chose the alternative where you cycle from Sandefjord city centre to Engø. From there you take the cycle ferry "Juteøya" over to the car free island Veierland, and further to Nøtterøy in Tønsberg.
Tønsberg is the oldest town in Norway. In the centre of Tønsberg stands Slottsfjellet – castle hill – the town's historic pride. It is lovely to wander through the old town streets of Tønsberg or visit Haugar Vestfold Kunstmuseum, the town's art museum, which lies in the centre of town. On the quay-side in Tønsberg you will experience swarms of people and boat life to the extreme.
From Tønsberg continue to Åsgårdstrand, an idyllic town filled with quaint white wooden houses and a very special atmosphere. Edvard Munch, the famous artist, painted many of his most famous paintings here. As you stroll through the small winding streets, you will recognise the smell of newly baked "krabbelurer" (Norwegian doughnuts).
Then you can continue to Horten, an old, friendly maritime town. "Storgaten" – the main road – is the longest flower decorated road in Norway. The route passes through Borre national park, which has Europe's largest collection of royal graves from the Ynglinge family (Ynglingeætten). Here you also find Midgard Historical Centre.
If you want a longer trip, you can continue along the Costal Route to Oslo and Sweden.
The Tourist Office in Sandefjord sells cycle-maps of both The Costal Path and the Numedalsroute nr 24.
