by: Sandefjord

The coastal path through Vestfold

Along the Vestfold coast, marked walking trails lead through woodland, past beaches and across rocky shores overlooking the sea. You will find routes from Holmestrand and Horten in the north to Larvik and Helgeroa in the south. Choose a short local walk, a circular route or a longer point-to-point hike. The coastal trails have different starting points, distances and terrain. Choose your preferred section and check its local route description before setting out.

Coastal walks in Larvik and Stavern
Approximately 35 kilometres of marked coastal trails connect the areas around Stavern, Nevlunghavn and Helgeroa. The landscape alternates between sandy beaches, smooth coastal rocks, woodland and sheltered bays. Choose a shorter section for a relaxed walk by the sea or plan a longer outing along the coastline.

Explore the Sandefjord coast
Sandefjord has approximately 45 kilometres of marked coastal trails across the Vesterøya and Østerøya peninsulas. On Vesterøya, the paths lead towards Folehavna, where coastal woodland and rocky shores meet the remains of a former coastal fort. Østerøya offers routes towards Yxney, with varied natural scenery near the outer end of the peninsula.

Walking on Tjøme, Hvasser and Nøtterøy
Færder Municipality offers both shorter coastal walks and longer circular routes. On Hvasser, you can choose a short circular walk via Sandøsund and Lilleskagen, as well as longer routes around the island. In Moutmarka on Tjøme, the trail crosses an exposed coastal landscape of pebbles, smooth rocks and open sea views. Sturdy footwear and a windproof jacket are recommended. Nøtterøy also has several coastal trails passing through woodland and recreation areas near the sea.

From Tønsberg towards Horten
Around Tønsberg, coastal routes include Grevestien and paths towards Karlsvika and Vallø.
The approximately 10-kilometre route between Åsgårdstrand and Ringshaugstranda passes through woodland and coastal areas, including Essoskogen. From Åsgårdstrand, you can also walk north towards Horten, passing beaches, woodland and sites connected to the region's naval history. For a shorter walk in Horten, explore Karljohansvern.

Coastal trails in Holmestrand
Holmestrand Municipality offers walks along Sandebukta and routes extending south towards Horten. Between Sande and Holmestrand, part of the trail follows a former railway line close to the sea, with viewpoints and places to stop. The Berger–Sande route has more varied terrain. Be aware that some sections follow roads without separate pedestrian or cycle paths. Read more about coastal walking in Holmestrand before choosing your route.

Find the walk that suits you
Coastal trails across Vestfold range from established pedestrian paths and gravel tracks to uneven woodland trails and rocky shorelines. Distance, difficulty and accessibility vary considerably. Walking is possible in different seasons when weather and ground conditions allow. Wet rocks can be slippery, while exposed coastal sections may be windy.

Follow local trail markings, respect wildlife and vegetation, and take your litter home. Check any local restrictions on access and fires. For more walking inspiration, explore Hiking and coastal trails in Vestfold.

 

Plan your visit

Vestfold has many marked coastal trails, from short circular walks to longer routes between towns and villages. Choose your walking area before planning transport and access.

Distance and difficulty
Distances and terrain vary between routes. Choose from short local walks to longer coastal hikes. Surfaces may include pedestrian paths, gravel tracks, woodland trails, pebbles and coastal rocks. Check the individual route for distance and difficulty.

Trailheads, maps and transport
There is no single starting point for Vestfold's coastal trail network. Some walks are circular, while others require a return journey from a different location. Check maps, waymarking, public transport and parking for your chosen section.

Accessibility
Accessibility differs considerably between trails. Some sections use established walking paths, while others are narrow, steep or rocky. Do not assume that the entire network is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or bicycles.

Good to know
Coastal walks can be enjoyed when weather and ground conditions allow, but woodland paths and rocks may be slippery. Some areas have protected habitats and local access restrictions. Follow trail signs, take your litter home and check current rules on fires and access.

Explore walking and coastal trails →

Ice Cream Bar

Iskrembaren is tucked away at the back of the colourful courtyard at Håndverkeren Kaffebrenneri, located at Kongens gate 17 in central Sandefjord. The ice cream bar serves a wide selection of scooped ice cream and soft serve, with outdoor seating in the courtyard.

Ice Cream and Coffee
Choose from a variety of ice cream flavours and soft serve. Enjoy your ice cream in the courtyard, surrounded by palm trees, flowers and string lights.
Iskrembaren is run by the same owners as Håndverkeren Kaffebrenneri, making it easy to combine an ice cream treat with a cup of coffee or lunch from the café.

Opening Hours
Iskrembaren is open seasonally during the summer months. Visit the Håndverkeren Kaffebrenneri website for current opening hours and seasonal information.

Chapels

Ekeberg chapel

Ekeberg cemetery in Sandefjord was put into use approx. 1930. Planning for the chapel and crematorium began in 1937, but was interrupted by the war and resumed only in 1949. Arnstein Arneberg drew up plans, but it is said that they were found to be too expensive. Arneberg is said to have then approached Anders Jahre, who offered to contribute to the financing in exchange for Arneberg's plans being used. A number of other private actors also contributed.

The crematorium was inaugurated on 1 July 1960. The facility belonged to and served Sandefjord and Sandar municipalities, which were merged in 1968. Because of the Jahre connection, "Jahre-grillen" was an early popular name for the crematorium.

In terms of shape, the building is very reminiscent of Ullensaker church, which was also designed by Arneberg and inaugurated a couple of years earlier, but the dimensions are somewhat smaller at Ekeberg. After an arson attack at the crematorium in 2000, extensive restoration was necessary. In this process, the chapel also got a new organ. It has 14 votes, was built by Robert Gustavsson and was inaugurated in June 2002.

The main entrance to the chapel is through a forecourt and then through large glass doors. Inside there is a view of an enclosed garden with a small pool through the windows in the south wall. On the end wall of the choir is a marble relief by Ragnhild Butenschøn, who also stands behind a light granite relief at the entrance. The choir vault is painted by Per Krohg and Morten Krohg. Above the main entrance is a sculpture of Jesus on the cross made by Nic Schiøll, and the wrought iron gates on the outside are made by Hans Holmen.

The church bells hang in a separate bell house. As the cemetery has been filled up, the city now has a main cemetery at Orelund chapel. However, Ekeberg cemetery is still in use, and on it you can find a number of different war memorials: British, Russian, Canadian and Norwegian. There is also a memorial grove for sailors who have been lost at sea.

 

Orelund chapel 

Orelund Chapel is the burial chapel at Orelund Graveyard. Orelund Chapel was designed by Telje-Torp-Aasen and was inaugurated in 2000. Sandar church has for a number of years had a burial plot at Nybo chapel (on the opposite side of the railway line) after the cemetery around the church was filled up. The cemetery at Nybo has eventually been expanded to the northeast, and in 1999-2000 Orelund Chapel was built as a replacement for Nybo.

These days the cemetery serves the entire municipality and not just one parish. The building has a shell wall of jointed brick, and the roof is constructed of glulam on columns and curved beams. The building contains ideologically neutral (or ideologically flexible) ceremony space.

Outside this there is a vestibule. A bell tower stands in front of the chapel's main entrance. The ceremony room is simple and stylish, and it is decorated with textile art by Brynhild Slaatto. There is a gallery at the back of the room, and there stands an eleven-voice organ from Venheim organ building, which was inaugurated in 2001.

 

Olav's Chapel 

Olav's chapel is located in Bjerggata in Sandefjord. It is a concrete long church from 1962, and has 70 seats.

The church was created with financial help from Sandefjord municipality and a monetary gift from shipowner Lars Christensen and his wife, Ingrid. Christensen also contributed to the chapel's decoration.

The chapel is affiliated with the Sandar congregation.

The Catholic Church

St. Johannes Døperen's Catholic Church was designed by architect Haldor Larsen Børve. It was previously the town's Methodist church for 90 years, but then became Catholic in 2008. In 2013, the church received the Old Sandefjord Association's conservation award for the restoration of the beautiful Art Nouveau building.

The church is only open in connection with church activities and other announced events.

Both the church's interior and exterior are protected.

The church has between 140 and 150 seats. The lower floor also contains a congregation hall.

Art Nouveau town Sandefjord

Sandefjord has a lesser-known side waiting to be discovered in its historic architecture. Throughout the town centre, you can find buildings with decorative façades, curved details, wrought-iron balconies and features inspired by the Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century. Many of these buildings were constructed after devastating fires changed the town. Look up as you walk through the streets, and you will discover traces of this history in the architecture around you.

Discover Art Nouveau above the shop windows
It is easy to miss Sandefjord's architectural details when walking along its shopping streets. But above the shop windows, you can spot decorative window frames, elaborate brickwork, curved shapes and wrought-iron balcony railings. Art Nouveau drew inspiration from the lines and shapes found in nature. Alongside historicism, which borrowed architectural features from earlier periods, it influenced the new buildings constructed as Sandefjord was rebuilt. The streets around Storgata, Kongens gate, Kirkegata and Chr. Hvidts plass are good places to look for examples of architecture from this period.

The fires that changed Sandefjord
Sandefjord experienced major town fires in 1882, 1900 and 1915. The most destructive occurred on 16 March 1900, when large parts of the town centre were destroyed. Among the buildings lost were the former church and part of the town school. Following the fire, the town centre was redesigned with straighter streets, new blocks and regulations requiring brick and masonry construction. Architects and craftspeople arrived to help rebuild Sandefjord, creating much of the historic streetscape that can still be seen today. Another major fire in 1915 affected buildings in Storgata. The architecture now reflects several periods of rebuilding and town development.

Take an architectural walk through town
A good place to begin is Chr. Hvidts plass. From here, follow Storgata through the town centre and look for buildings from different periods, with decorative details that reflect Sandefjord's reconstruction and development as a trading town. Continue through Kongens gate and Kirkegata, where you can see how Art Nouveau and historicism influenced the architecture. One interesting stop is Sandefjord Church, completed in 1903 after the previous church was destroyed in the fire of 1900. You can also admire St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at Chr. Hvidts plass. Designed by architect Haldor Larsen Børve and built in 1917–1918, the building is a good example of Art Nouveau architecture in Sandefjord.

Combine your walk with more of Sandefjord
An architectural walk is easy to combine with a coffee break in the town centre or a stroll towards the waterfront. Follow Jernbanealleen towards Badeparken, a green public park with sculptures and walking paths. From here, the harbour and the Whaling Monument are nearby.

Plan your visit
Sandefjord's Art Nouveau architecture is spread throughout the historic town centre. There is no single museum building or entrance to the area.
You can explore the streets throughout the year, free of charge and without booking. Allow time to wander through several streets, as many of the most interesting architectural details are found above street level. Sandar Historielag, the local history association, has published a booklet about Sandefjord's Art Nouveau architecture. Visit the Sandar Historielag website for information about the association and its local history publications.

 

Marked trails from the center of Sandefjord

These marked trails for walking or jogging are starting from Matrosgata 6, in Sandefjord town center.

A free map are available at DNT Sandefjord in Matrosgata 6.

Five tours are marked with blue and T-signs on poles. In the terrain, it is marked with blue paint.

– Preståsen, easy walk 3.5 km
– Stub – Hjertnes forest, a little demanding 5.9 km
– Fjellvikåsen via Rødsåsen, little demanding 7.3 km
– Mokollen, Midtås and Mølleråsen, a bit demanding 6.3 km
– Culture Walk, easy walk 6.9 km

DNT Sandefjord

DNT Sandefjord is a local branch of the Norwegian Trekking Association, with a visitor centre at Matrosgata 6 in central Sandefjord. It is a useful starting point for discovering hiking trails, outdoor activities and nature experiences in Sandefjord and the wider Vestfold region. The association organises group walks and courses, maintains marked trails and offers outdoor activities for children, young people and adults.

Hiking advice in the town centre
At the DNT visitor centre, you can get advice on local walking routes, membership and equipment for your next outdoor adventure. Whether you are planning a short afternoon walk or a longer hiking trip in Vestfold, the centre can help you get started. Among the local walking options are Sandefjord's Urban Walking Trails, featuring five marked routes around town, and the Sandefjord Ten Peaks Walk, which takes you across ten hilltops overlooking the town and surrounding landscape.

Organised walks for different ages and interests
DNT Sandefjord runs activities and walking groups for a wide range of ages and interests. Barnas Turlag introduces children and families to outdoor activities, while youth groups, senior walks and other organised outings offer opportunities to explore nature together. The association also provides mountaineering activities, courses and adapted outdoor programmes. Distances, difficulty levels, age requirements and booking arrangements vary, so check the DNT activity calendar before joining.

Cabins, outdoor centres and marked trails
DNT Sandefjord operates cabins and outdoor facilities and helps maintain walking trails in the surrounding area. Its accommodation options include Heisetra and Slirabu, offering opportunities to stay overnight in the woodland areas around Sandefjord. Near Lake Goksjø, DNT Svinessaga Outdoor Centre provides a setting for group activities and outdoor experiences.

For more independent walking ideas, discover the Green Trails, a seasonal programme of marked walking routes across Sandefjord municipality.

Plan your visit

Visit the DNT Sandefjord visitor centre at Matrosgata 6 in central Sandefjord. Find information about local walks, outdoor activities, membership and hiking equipment.

Opening hours
Thursday and Friday, 10:00–16:00. Check the DNT website for any changes before visiting.

Activities and registration
DNT offers organised group walks and self-guided hiking suggestions. Some activities require advance registration. Check the activity calendar for dates, meeting points and participation details.

Contact
Phone: +47 95 40 50 85
Email: sandefjord@dnt.no
Address: Matrosgata 6, 3210 Sandefjord

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Connections – Business tours & Events

Connections deliver business trips and events for groups, and this includes everything from trips for employees, incentives, study tours, exhibition visits and customer events.

Unike Midtåsen Banqueting

In Arneberg room you are sitting under a beautiful chandelier with great 1700's tapestries on the walls. 10-100 persons. Up to 170 people in the garden. Here we make delicate tables for any occasion with 1800's chandeliers and flowers as desired. Arneberg hall can accommodate up to approximately 80 people. At the smaller groups we can also meet up in one of the other dining rooms, all with their unique character.

The house is surrounded by a 60-acre park that provides the perfect setting for arrangements outside during the summer. The breathtaking view of Sandefjord city to be experienced.