by: Tønsberg & Færder

Ilene Nature Reserve

The wetland area has both great conservation value and great importance as a resting and eating location during the spring and autumn migration. Here you will find a great nature and cultural trail with a bird observation tower.

What birds can you spot?

A total of 236 different bird species have been observed on Ilene. Here you can see many wetland birds such as ducks, geese, swans, waders and vipers. In the spring there are many colorful burrowing ducks. The pheasants nest in the reed forest. In late summer, large flocks of greylag geese are seen. The autumn migration offers many sparrow species, herons and also a number of interesting birds of prey.

Getting to Ilene

There is access on foot or by bicycle at Grevestien. The gravel road is closed with a barrier (but on open days it's possible to drive right up to the door). If you come by car, there is parking at Aulie river or Korten.

Gunnarsbø Park

At the southern end of the park there is a fountain with a monument of Wilh. Wilhelmsen, which was erected in connection with the shipping company's 100 years' jubilee in 1961.

Spring water

In "Codex Tunsbergensis" (town laws from 1276) it is called "Frodakelda" and this name is carved in the stone wall behind the water basin.

Before the district was connected to Farris water supply in 1968, many of the local residents came here to collect good coffee water. There are still some who do so today.

Hvalfanger Svend Foyn f. 1809- d. 1894

Whaler Svend Foyn was the founder of modern whaling, and lived from 1809 – 1894.

Foyn was accustomed to the sea early and became a skipper at the young age of 24. He revolutionized whaling, and is today honored with street names in several Norwegian municipalities.

Unveiled on 16.04.1915.

Prinsesse Kristina

Location: On the way to the Slottsfjellet.

As part of an alliance, Christina Haakonsdatter of Norway was betrothed to the Castilian infante Philip, brother of King Alfonso X of Castile. She travelled from Tønsberg and arrived at Las Huelgas in Burgos on Christmas Eve of 1257. Philip and Christina married in March of 1258. The couple lived in Sevilla until she died childless at the age of 28. Her body was transported to the monastery in Covarrubias, Spain where she was buried.

In 1953 a sarcophagus believed to be empty was mistakenly opened, only to reveal a woman. A scroll written in Old Norse was found with the body and revealed that it was in fact Infanta Christina. Legend has it that she wanted a wedding present in the form of a chapel in honor of St. Olav in Spain. The chapel was never built during her lifetime – but was eventually completed in 2011, 749 years after her death.

In 1978 a statue of Princess Kristina made by artist Brit Sørensen was unveiled in Covarrubias, and a copy was later erected in Tønsberg.

Tønsberg and Covarrubias have entered a friendship agreement as the result of this old connection.

The Princess Christina foundation has been established to further the work to preserve and advance the cultural and historical ties.

Maier Arena Tønsberg

Free entrance.

Skate renal from the kiosk from 12.00 Saturdays and Sundays in the season.

In the summer, the arena is used for concerts, music shows and exhibitions.

For opening hours see Tønsberg kommune

Frisbeegolf

Tønsberg Frisbee golf course consists of 26-29 holes (in 2019), where the longest hole is approx. 140 metres, and the shortest is around 50 metres. For an updated course map, it may be a good idea to visit the Facebook page of Tønsberg Frisbeegolf, where weekly competitions are also announced.

30-60 players take part in Tuesday golf every week throughout the summer, and everyone is welcome to join. It is free to play on the course.

There is also a 20-hole Frisbee golf course at Vearhallen on Vear.

Frisbee golf (disc golf) is played with a separate type of frisbee. The purpose of the game is to get from the throw point to the basket in the fewest possible throws.

Coastal trails in Tønsberg

COASTAL PATHS
Essoskogen (Esso forest) 5,8 km
Exciting combined coastal path and nature trail through a veritable and stunning natural area with a rich collection of rare plant species and insects. The forest is also rich in edible mushrooms. Characteristic of Essoskogen are the beautiful pebbles along the fjord. The forest has beautiful hiking trails and a good forest road that makes it easy to traverse with both a wheelchair, a walker and a bike. In old days holiday colonies were held for Oslo children here. Essoskogen stretches from the Essorafferium at the Slagentangen of Skallevold. There are good parking opportunities outside of the Essoraffenium.

Husøy 4 km.
Coastal path that takes you around the island. Start at the sports facility and follow the trail via Bloksberg around the island's east side to Husøy Brygge. Paved road between Sandoddveien and Husøystrand.
Parking at the sports facility.

CENTRAL NATURE TRAILS 
Grevestien 3,2 km. (alternatively a longer hike over Frodeåsen hill – Great view! Ca. 12 km)
Marked path – Peewit symbol – from Honnørbryggen through Nordby and Ilene Nature Reserve to the bird watching tower. The tour takes you through much of Tønsberg's venerable medieval history. From Ilene Nature Reserve there is a short detour to the forest Gullkronene nature reserve. (Be aware of the busy road that must be crossed) 
Parking at Tønsberg Stadium or at Brygga.

CULTURE TRAILS
For those who are interested in both nature experiences and history, 8 cultural trails can be recommended. The paths are largely connected to each other, so the length of the trip is up to you to decide.

1. Oseberg 7 km.
In Oseberghaugen, the world's largest Viking are find – the Oseberg ship – was discovered in 1904. Oseberg is located in Slagendalen, 5 km northeast of Tønsberg city center in Vestfold. Traces of older settlements and burial mounds dating back to 3000 years ago can be found here.

2. Storemyr 7 km.
Caves, large and ancient oak trees and "Tusenårseika" are some of what this trail has to offer.
Parking at Ringshaug school.

3. Bekketjønnmyra 7 km.
Exciting landscape with grave. Short distance to the coastal path between Vallø and Karlsvika.
Parking at Slagen idrettspark.

4. Aker – Hoksnes -Manum 
A trail through bygdeborg, gravøyser, farm history and the history of the ski slope on Bjelland.
Parking at Bjelland and Aker.

5. Nordre Slagen 17 km.
Exciting forest path in beautiful cultural landscape.
Parking at Slagen Idrettspark or Åsgårdstrand.

6. Romsrunden 6 km.
The trail flows through old farms and mansions.
Parking at Tønsberg Montesorriskole at Jareteigen.

7. Rakkåsstien 11 km.
Nice jogging trail in variable terrain.
Parking at Greveskogen Sports Park.

8. Bergstien 2,5 km.
A path of prison history from World War II. Berg Prison was established as a detention camp for Jews and opponents of the Nazis. Information boards and memory discs are installed around the trail.
Parking at Berg Prison.

FOREST HIKES
Signalen 4,5 km
Easy path to Tønsberg municipality's highest point 145 moh. Here is a great view. Previously, the Signal had a village castle and a place of residence. This trip is also suitable for children.
Parking at Holt farm. 20 km from Tønsberg

Langevann in Re 3,6 km
Easy roundtrip around the lake Langevannet. Parking Langevannsveien. 20 km from Tønsberg.

Trollsvannet rundt 4 km
Popular Sundaytrip to Trollsvannstua. Parking Trollsvann. 30 km from Tønsberg. Link to map ut.no.

Merkedammen in Re ca. 25 km
Hard roundtrip on roads and paths. 
Parking Merkedammen. 33 km from Tønsberg. Link to map ut.no.

Maps
Free maps of the hiking trails can be found on the Tønsberg municipality's website, and at the Service Center of the municipality at the Town Hall.