by: Horten & Åsgårdstrand

Horten Næringsforening

The business community in Horten is diverse, with everything from small one-man companies to large international companies, start-ups and companies that have existed for generation after generation.

The sum of this is a business that makes Horten an exciting city, and there are many opportunities in the city. Horten Næringsforum wants to support those who do business, and is interested in promoting important issues in culture, industry and trade. Horten Næringsforum does this in good dialogue with Horten municipality.

Horten Library

At Horten library you will find children's and youth books, non-fiction books, novels, audio books, newspapers, magazines, films, games and PCs with internet access.

There is also a separate quiet room where you can read and study.

The library also has its own branch in Åsgårdstrand. Here it is open every Monday at 16.00 – 19.00. The library is located in Åsgården school's premises and opening hours follow the school's holidays.

Summer Open Café – Løvøya Camping

The summer café at Løvøya Oslofjord is located at Løvøya Camping and Marina, approximately five kilometres from Horten town centre. The café serves hot dishes, light meals, ice cream and drinks in a waterfront setting. Fully licensed to serve alcohol, it welcomes campsite guests, boat owners and day visitors exploring Løvøya.

Food and Drinks
The café offers a varied menu of hot dishes and lighter meals. Enjoy food and drinks after a day on the water or take a break while exploring Løvøya.
The campsite is also home to Campis, an ice cream kiosk serving scooped ice cream, soft serve and ice lollies.

Café with Sea Views
The café is located in Løvøyhallen, a bright glass-enclosed extension with a wood-burning stove and views of the marina. Indoor seating is available, along with outdoor seating where guests can enjoy the coastal surroundings.
From the café, you can watch the boats and activity along the waterfront.

Private Events and Meetings
The venue can be hired for smaller private events, meetings and other gatherings. Contact Løvøya Oslofjord for information about capacity, catering options and bookings.

Opening Hours
The café is open seasonally during the summer, with opening hours varying throughout the season.

Visit the Løvøya Oslofjord website for current opening hours and visitor information.

Vikinggilde – A Viking Feast (for groups)

This Viking evening is held in the Viking hall "Gildehallen", located at the Midgard Viking Centre in Borre. (About 3 km outside the center of Horten).

Tapas buffet with contemporary food based on short-traveled ingredients. Various meat dishes, fish, pea and cabbage stew, salad etc. are served. A full menu with seasonal variations is available on request.

It is recommended to bring/wear some warm clothes. (Preferably an extra jumper also in spring/summer). A bonfire in the middle of the hall warms the room.

3-4 hours duration. (After wish).

From 18 years.

From 20-90 participants.

Facilitated activity for wheelchair users.

 

Midgard Viking Centre delivers this activity.

The Oslofjord Visitor Center

The Oslofjord Visitor Centre is located at historic Karljohansvern in Horten. Families can explore life in the fjord through interactive exhibitions, digital experiences and creative activities. Admission is free, and visitors can learn about marine life and how we can help protect the Oslofjord.

Send your own fish into the Oslofjord
What does life beneath the surface really look like? At the visitor centre, you can colour your own fish and watch it swim through a large digital aquarium. You can also try marine-themed games, quizzes and the microplastic catcher, or observe tiny organisms through a microscope. In the creative workshops, children can make their own reusable shopping bags and crab-fishing lines.
Hands-on activities make discovering marine life both fun and educational.

What is happening to the Oslofjord?
The Oslofjord faces serious environmental challenges. Through exhibitions and educational activities, you'll discover how human activity affects marine life. Learn about marine litter, microplastics and ghost fishing, and explore the efforts being made to restore the fjord's ecological health. The centre also shows how research, technology and practical measures can contribute to a cleaner, healthier Oslofjord.

Combine your visit with a walk around Karljohansvern
The visitor centre is located in the historic Karljohansvern area. Afterwards, explore the nearby woodland and coastal paths, where nature meets the history of the former naval base. To discover more about Horten's maritime heritage, visit the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum. You'll also find Preus Museum, Norway's national museum of photography, in the same area.

School programmes and group visits
The Oslofjord Visitor Centre offers educational programmes for school classes, combining hands-on activities with learning about the fjord's wildlife and environmental challenges. Schools with an agreement through DuVerden can attend free of charge, while other school groups pay a group fee. Businesses and organisations can also arrange private group visits with a host. These must be booked in advance and have separate charges.

Plan your visit
The visitor centre is located at Kommandørkaptein Klincks vei 7, Karljohansvern, Horten. Regular opening hours are Wednesday to Friday from 11 am to 3 pm and Saturday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. The centre is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Extended opening hours may apply during summer.

Admission is free for individual visitors and families, with no advance ticket booking required. Educational programmes and private group visits must be booked separately. Check current opening hours, activities and group booking information on the official website.

 

 

Coastal trails Åsgårdstrand – Tønsberg

The coastal trail from Åsgårdstrand to Ringshaugstranda in Tønsberg is approximately 10 kilometres long. The route combines coastal woodland, pedestrian paths and beaches with views across the Oslofjord. Walk the entire point-to-point route or choose a shorter section.

Start at Badeparken in Åsgårdstrand
The walk begins near the guest harbour and Badeparken, just below Grand Hotel Åsgårdstrand.
A sandy beach and marina make this a pleasant starting point. You can explore the waterfront or stop for a coffee before setting off. From Badeparken, follow the coast south. The first section passes close to the beach before continuing along roads and pedestrian paths past Feskjær and Saltkopp.

Walk through Essoskogen woodland
From Saltkopp, the route continues towards Essoskogen in Tønsberg Municipality. This coastal woodland is one of the highlights of the walk, with forest paths, mature trees and pebble beaches along the fjord. There are places to pause by the water where the trees open towards the shoreline. Essoskogen has a mixture of woodland trails and a wider forest road. Surfaces vary, so use a walking map to follow your chosen route.

From Karlsvika to Ringshaugstranda
South of Essoskogen, the trail leads towards Karlsvikodden and Karlsvika. Here the landscape alternates between woodland, rocky beaches and open stretches overlooking the fjord. Continue towards Skallevoldstranda and Ringshaugstranda, with several opportunities to stop and enjoy the coastal scenery. Ringshaugstranda marks the end of the approximately 10-kilometre section. The coastal trail continues towards Furustrand and Vallø if you would like to explore further.

Walk the full distance or a shorter section
This is a point-to-point walk between Åsgårdstrand and Ringshaugstranda. It is described as predominantly flat and easy to walk, although surfaces include pedestrian paths, woodland trails and pebbles. Arrange your return journey before setting off. If you prefer cycling, consult an up-to-date map of National Cycle Route 1, as the cycling route may not follow every shoreline section of the walking trail. The area can be explored in different seasons when weather and ground conditions allow. Wear shoes with a good grip, particularly after rain or in frosty weather.

Discover more coastal walks
To explore further north, try the coastal trail from Horten to Åsgårdstrand, a longer route along the Oslofjord. You can also discover more routes in Coastal trails in Tønsberg.

 

Plan your visit

The coastal trail runs from Åsgårdstrand to Ringshaugstranda in Tønsberg, passing Saltkopp, Essoskogen and Karlsvika. Walk the full point-to-point route or choose a shorter section.

Distance and terrain
Approximately 10 km one way to Ringshaugstranda. The route is mainly flat, with pedestrian paths, woodland trails and sections of pebble beach. Walking time for the full route has not been verified.

Starting point and parking
Start near the guest harbour and Badeparken in Åsgårdstrand. Parking is available near the harbour, but charges and time limits should be checked. There are also parking areas near Karlsvika, Skallevold and Ringshaug.

Route and accessibility
Some sections follow established pedestrian paths, while others cross woodland and stony shores. The entire route has not been verified as suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Use a walking map, particularly between Saltkopp and Essoskogen.

Good to know
Arrange return transport before setting out. The trail can be walked when weather and ground conditions allow, but rocks and woodland paths may be slippery. Check public transport timetables and follow local signs. Cyclists should use a separate map of National Cycle Route 1.

View walking maps and trails →

Sykkeltur Horten – Tønsberg – Hvasser

Horten – Borre – Åsgårdstrand – Ringshaug- Tønsberg

The surroundings are varied with forests, cultural landscapes and small towns. The substrate changes slightly on the way to Tønsberg with both wide and slightly narrower trails through idyllic forest areas. Once at Hvasser, there are various food options and hiking opportunities. It is also possible to take the bus back to Tønsberg.

Challenges: You have to follow the signs along National Bicycle Route 1 to find the way. There may be some car noise along the way on the road beyond Nøtterøy, especially during the public holidays. Separate bike paths next to it still make the route safe.

Start point / end point: Horten harbor / Hvasser v / Tjøme
Distance: 56 km
Estimated time: Two days
Substrate: Approx. 85% asphalt, 15% dirt road / wide path
Total climb: 440 h
Difficulty: Easy
Suitable for: Families with cycling children from 9-10 years
Recommended bike type: Most bike types can be used, but road bikes are less suitable here.
Digital map link: here

Source: VG – Fem fine sykkelturer for familien

Karljohansvern

Karljohansvern is located just outside the centre of Horten and was once the main base of the Royal Norwegian Navy. Today, you can explore the historic naval grounds on foot, visit museums, walk beside the Horten Canal and enjoy the natural surroundings of Hortenskogen forest. Historic military buildings, maritime heritage and coastal scenery make this an ideal place for a relaxing walk or a day of exploring.

Discover the history of Norway's naval base
Karljohansvern's history as a naval base began in 1818, when the Norwegian Navy established its main station in Horten. Over the following decades, the area developed into an extensive military complex with dockyard buildings, warehouses, workshops and other facilities connected to naval operations. The architecture reflects this development. Buildings from different periods stand alongside one another, revealing how the naval base expanded and adapted to changing technology. Much of Karljohansvern was once closed to the public. Today, you can walk among the historic buildings and discover how the former naval base has become an active cultural and heritage area.

Explore the Naval Museum and historic warships
At the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum, you can discover the history of Norway's naval forces in times of war and peace. Its collections include maritime objects, ships, models and equipment that reveal life at sea and the development of the Royal Norwegian Navy. Visitors can also explore historic naval vessels, including the KNM Utstein submarine and the KNM Blink gunboat, when these are open to the public. Nearby, KNM Narvik, a preserved Norwegian warship from the Cold War, offers the opportunity to explore life aboard a naval vessel and discover its military history.

Discover photography and the Oslofjord
Inside one of the historic naval warehouse buildings, you will find Preus Museum, Norway's national museum of photography. Its exhibitions explore the history of photography and photography as an artistic medium. Karljohansvern is also home to the Oslofjord Visitor Centre. Particularly suitable for families, the centre offers interactive activities that introduce visitors to marine life and the environmental challenges facing the Oslofjord. Each museum has its own opening hours, so check current visitor information before planning your day.

Walk along the Horten Canal and through Hortenskogen
Karljohansvern is surrounded by green spaces, old trees and coastal scenery. The Horten Canal separates the historic naval grounds from the rest of the town, with paths offering views of small boats, historic buildings and the waterfront. Continue into Hortenskogen forest to discover woodland paths, mature oak trees and a varied natural environment. Parts of the area are protected for their plant and birdlife, so visitors should respect the natural surroundings. For a longer walk, follow the Karljohansvern circular trail, which leads through the historic naval grounds, beside the canal and through Hortenskogen towards the coast and Møringa.

Historic buildings and cultural experiences
Karljohansvern has developed into a place for art, culture and activities in historic surroundings. Former military buildings now serve various cultural purposes, and the area hosts concerts, exhibitions, markets and other events throughout the year. A visit can therefore include more than museums and history. You might discover a cultural event, explore the architecture or simply enjoy walking between the historic buildings. Events and activities vary throughout the year, so check current programmes before visiting.

Plan your visit
Karljohansvern is located in Horten, with the general address Karljohansvern, 3183 Horten, Norway. The museum area is approximately a 20-minute walk from central Horten and the harbour. The outdoor grounds are open to the public 24 hours a day, throughout the year. Exploring the grounds is free, while museums and selected events operate with their own opening hours and possible admission charges. Parking is available in designated areas, including near Kulturverftet on Kommandørkaptein Klincks vei. The area inside the historic walls at

Kulturverftet is car-free, with ordinary vehicle access and parking prohibited. The grounds include paved paths, woodland trails and historic outdoor areas with varying surfaces. Visitors with specific accessibility requirements should contact individual museums or venues for information about their facilities. Visit the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency website for further information about Karljohansvern and visiting the historic grounds.

Karljohansvern rundt

Karljohansvern rundt is a coastal circular walk through Horten's former naval base. Starting at the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum, the route follows the Horten Canal, woodland paths and stretches of shoreline around the historic grounds. Along the way, you will find old military buildings, mature trees and views across the Oslofjord.

Follow the Horten Canal
From the Naval Museum, follow the path south alongside the Horten Canal towards the Fyllinga marina. The canal separates Karljohansvern from the mainland and is crossed by three bridges. Mature beech trees line the water, and there are places to stop and watch boats passing through. In autumn, the changing leaves make this part of the walk particularly atmospheric.

Through Hortensskogen to Møringa
From Fyllinga, continue through Hortensskogen on the eastern side of Karljohansvern. The woodland is home to old oak trees, and the path gradually leads towards the coast. Along the shore, you pass the bathing areas of Batteritangen, Det grønne badehuset and Vollane before reaching Møringa. Bring a packed lunch and enjoy a break overlooking the Oslofjord.

From Møringa, return along the western side of the grounds, following the shoreline where accessible, before heading back towards the Naval Museum.

Discover Horten's naval history
Karljohansvern became a naval base in 1818. Today, the historic grounds are open to visitors and bring together military architecture, museums, cultural attractions and green spaces. You can combine your walk with a visit to the Naval Museum or Preus Museum, Norway's national museum of photography.

For a closer look at the area's history, explore Festningsløypa, a separate heritage trail with information boards throughout Karljohansvern.

A walk through the seasons
Karljohansvern is open to the public year-round and offers a convenient coastal walk close to Horten town centre. The route includes established paths and woodland trails, and some sections near the water may be slippery in wet or icy conditions. Parts of the area are protected for their wildlife and vegetation. Stay on established paths and respect any local restrictions. Discover more about Karljohansvern and its historic surroundings.

 

Plan your visit

Karljohansvern rundt is a circular coastal walk in Horten. Start at the Naval Museum, follow the Horten Canal to Fyllinga, continue through Hortensskogen towards Møringa and return towards the museum area.

Distance and terrain
A related coastal trail description lists the walk as approximately 4 km, but the exact distance still needs map verification. The route combines established paths and woodland trails. Allow extra time for stops at the beaches or museums.

Starting point and parking
Start near the Naval Museum at Karljohansvern. Free parking is listed in designated spaces near Kulturverftet, off Kommandørkaptein Klincks vei. Check current time restrictions. The historic grounds inside Kulturverftet are car-free.

Access and accessibility
The Karljohansvern grounds are open around the clock, with free public access. Museums have separate opening hours and admission arrangements. Accessibility for wheelchairs and pushchairs has not been verified for the full circular route.

Good to know
The grounds can be visited year-round, although paths and shoreline sections may be slippery in wet or icy weather. Parts of the natural area are protected. Follow established paths and observe signs and local access restrictions.

View the walking route →