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Sti for øye – Path for the eye

An art project that, in close collaboration with nature, affects everyone who visits the trail to give the senses free space. The path STI FOR ØYE is almost two kilometers long, available all year round.

The light designer Erik Selmer makes sure that the trail, nature and art are lit in an exciting and adventurous way. The lighting is automatically turned on every night at dusk and turned off at midnight.

The trail is made by the landscape architect Rainer Stange.

The path is covered in red rombeporfyr, "the red carpet", which is hardly anywhere else than in Stokke. The forest on both sides of the trail has Norway's richest incidence of laurel species. Each spring wood anemone cover the forest like a carpet. The area is also rich in birdlife, and each fall the chanterelle shows up in fine yellow bunches on the forest ground.

12 artists from 8 European countries were chosen to create their stories about the nature. The project started in 2001, and officially opened September 30, 2010.

The path is almost two kilometers long and winds its way towards Himmeltrappen (The Sky Stairs). From there, hikers have a clear view of Slottsfjellet in Tønsberg.

GROUP TOURS

Do you want a guided tour? STI FOR ØYE offers guided tours of one to two hours, or lectures followed by guided tours for groups of min. 10 people. Food and drink can also be offered. Get in touch for enquiries.

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.

Midtåsen

It was the home of Anders and Bess Jahre until his death in 1982, and Bess continued to live there until her death in the summer of 2006. The estate, which has a unique sculpturespark and fantastic views over Sandefjord, is open to the general public.

Sculpture park:
A sculpture park of Knut Steen is open all year (free entrance).

Guided tours of the villa:
There are guided tours of the villa one or twice a month (in Norwegian) during the summer season. Guided tours for groups on other days is possible. Contact person for booking and price is Morten Christensen, mobile +47 917 28 243.

Free parking happens on the left before the gate at the top of the villa.

Visitor Center Færder National Park

On the southern tip of Tjøme, World's End is the Visitor Center for Færder National park. The center was opened June 26 2015 by H. M. Queen Sonja. The rotunda provides panoramic views of Færder national park.

DISCOVER LIFE ABOVE AND BELOW THE SEA IN FÆRDER NATIONAL PARK
The Visitor Centre’s mission is to share knowledge about the national park through engaging exhibitions, family-friendly activities, guided experiences, and educational programs.
All activities and exhibitions are free of charge.

For updates on upcoming events, follow Færder National Park Visitor Centre on Facebook.

VENUE RENATAL & CONFERENCES AT VERDENS ENDE
The Visitor Centre’s 360° panoramic room offers breathtaking views of the iconic Vippefyret, Færder Lighthouse, the dramatic archipelago, and the unique national park landscape. This spectacular setting is ideal for conferences, seminars, weddings, anniversaries, and special celebrations.
For more information, contact: heidi@ferdernasjonalparksenter.no +47 970 22 441

ABOUT FÆRDER NATIONAL PARK
Færder National Park was established to protect coastal landscapes, ecosystems, geology, and cultural heritage on both land and sea in the outer Oslofjord. It is one of Norway’s most biologically diverse coastal areas.
The park includes rare habitats such as deciduous forests, coastal pine forests, coastal meadows, and traditional hayfields, as well as kelp forests, eelgrass meadows, soft seabeds, and shell-sand areas beneath the sea. These environments support a rich diversity of plants, animals, and marine life.
The national park also protects historical sites and offers visitors opportunities for peaceful nature experiences and simple outdoor recreation.
Færder National Park covers 340 square kilometres of mainland, islands, skerries, and seabed within Færder municipality. It stretches from Ormøy in the north to Færder Lighthouse in the south, and includes Verdens Ende, Moutmarka, and the islands south of Hvasser.

OPENING HOURS
Please see opening hours above.
Extended opening hours during school holidays.
Closed during Christmas and selected public holidays.
School groups and organised groups are welcomed outside regular opening hours by arrangement.

The Restaurant Spiseriet Verdens Ende, located in the same building, and the kiosk "Handleriet" by the harbour. These have their own opening hours.

Parking in designated places for the disabled.

The childhood home of Thor Heyerdahl

Thor Heyerdahl's childhood home
Thor Heyerdahl was a scientist and explorer, and became world famous for his expeditions with Kon-Tiki, Ra and Tigris. Heyerdahl grew up in Steingata 7 and from his room he had an inspiring view to the sea.

Guided tours available to the public
The house is open to the public from mid June to mid August for guided tours. This is arranged by Larvik Historielag.

Larvik city council made Thor Heyerdahl honorary citizen of the town Larvik in 1971, and for his 75th birthday a monument of stone specie "Larvikite", was made. You can view the statue at idyllic Tollerodden. In 2007, five years after Thor Heyerdahl passed away, Larvik city council bought his family home in Steingata 7.

Famous adventurer
Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) was an archaeologist, an author and an adventurer. He is regarded the most famous person ever to come from Larvik. Already as a youngster he was interested in nature, animals and science. He developed a passion for Polynesia when he got in touch with a friend in Oslo, who had lots of literature on this Pacific island.

He studied zoology at the university of Oslo, but he also took major interest in related subjects like biology and anthropology and other topics that had to do with the Pacific region.

Thor Heyerdahl was originally buried on the family estate in Italy in 2002. In the summer of 2024, the urn was transported home to his new burial place at Larvik church.

Thor Heyerdah had three major expeditions:

The Kon-Tiki expedtion in 1947 tried to prove Heyerdahl's theory about Polynesia having been settled from South America in contrast to from Asia. He pointed to vegetation, ocean currents and tropical winds as his argumention, and he meant local oral tradition supported this views.

The Ra expeditions in 1969 and 1970 tried to link the South America Indian tribes together with old African and Middle East civilzations.

The Tigris expedition in 1977. Through the expedtion with Tigris, Thor Heyerdahl wanted to test eventual coummunication between pre-historic civilizations either side of the continents. The reason for travelling to the Bay of Persia and the Indian Ocean was to show the Egpt and Mesopotamia could have had inter-continental business relations several thoursand years ago.

Thor Heyerdahl writings
Thor Heyerdahl wrote quite a few books and articles, and he led several archaeological excavations in Peru, in the Maldives and at the island of Tenerife.

Thor Heyerdahl documentaries
Heyerdahl is the producer of documentaries Kon-Tiki (1950), Galapagos (1955), Aku-Aku (1960) and Ra (1972).

Kon-Tiki the movie
The Oscar nominatd movie Kon-Tiki (2012) gave new awareness to Thor Heyerdahl's adventures and discoveries.

The house can be booked
Stavern and Larvik Event organizes meetings and dinner for groups all year.
The house enebles events up to 30 people. Happenings with concerts and barbeque may be arranged in the wonderful garden for up to 70 persons. There are three lovely bedrooms in the house.

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 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.

Fjordtaxi

Fjordtaxi is based at Arås marina outside Tønsberg town. Public bus service from / to Tønsberg every 20 minute. There is also parking at the marina.

From Arås there are short distances to the archipelago and Færder national park. The boat is a fast Halco 29 'with 310 hp. and bears the name "The Crow".

It is registered for up to 12 people with luggage.

Fjordtaxi has one owner, Rune Hübner. He is an experienced skipper, raised in the archipelago and know all the islets, reefs and attractions that are worth visiting.

In addition, Fjordtaxi offer guided sightseeing tours, fishing tours, lighthouse visit and seal safari.

The Viking Ship Saga Oseberg

Experience the Oseberg ship
The Oseberg Viking Inhertiance Foundation has built an exact copy of this ship on a voluntary basis. In the construction process only tools and construction methods identical to what was used during the construction of the original ship in the Viking era was applied.

You can visit the copy of the Oseberg ship at the harbor in Tønsberg.

A copy of the beautiful carved bow can also be seen at The Slottsfjell Museum.

The Klåstadship
The foundation Oseberg Vikingarv has also built a copy of another famous Viking discovery – The Klåstad ship. The original ship is located at The Slottsfjell Museum. A third ship named Saga Farmann was launched at the harbour of Tønsberg in September 2018.

In 2021, the construction of an archaeological replica of the Gokstad ship also started. The construction will take place both at Vikingodden in Tønsberg and by the Whaling Monument in Sandefjord. Here you have the opportunity to join and build ships with the Vikings' tools.

At the building site, called Vikingodden, The Foundation has a little shop where viking souvenirs and gift items are sold.