by: Tønsberg & Færder

Coastal trails in Tønsberg

Tønsberg offers walking trails that lead from the historic town centre to woodland, beaches and quiet countryside. Choose a walk over Slottsfjellet, follow Grevestien to the birdwatching tower at Ilene, or explore the coastal paths through Essoskogen. Longer heritage trails and woodland routes offer more ways to discover the municipality. Whether you have an hour or a full day, there is a walking route to explore.

Essoskogen – coastal woodland and pebble beaches
Essoskogen lies near Slagentangen and extends towards Skallevold. The approximately 5.8-kilometre walking route passes through coastal woodland, with forest tracks, natural trails and pebble beaches beside the Oslofjord. Walk among the trees, find a place by the water and enjoy a break overlooking the fjord. The broad forest track provides easier access for walkers, cyclists and some visitors using wheelchairs. The natural trails have more varied terrain, so choose your route according to your needs. To explore more of the coastline, follow the Coastal Trail from Åsgårdstrand to Tønsberg, which passes through Essoskogen and continues along the beaches around Karlsvika, Skallevold and Ringshaug.

Husøy – an island walk
Husøy offers a circular coastal walk of approximately 4 kilometres. Start near the sports ground and follow the path via Bloksberg along the eastern side of the island towards Husøy quay. The route combines woodland, sea views and the island's residential surroundings. There is a paved connection between Sandoddveien and Husøystrand, while other sections have more varied surfaces.

Karlsvika to Vallø – an easy coastal walk
The coastal trail between Karlsvika and Vallø is approximately 4.5 kilometres long. This is a good choice for a relatively easy walk beside the sea, with several beaches and places to pause along the way. You can start near Karlsvika, Skallevold, Ringshaug or Vallø, depending on how much of the route you wish to walk.

Slottsfjellet – panoramic views and medieval history
Just a short walk from Tønsberg waterfront, Slottsfjellet rises above the historic town centre. An approximately 3.7-kilometre circular walk takes you up the hill and through the remains of the medieval Tunsberghus fortress. From here, enjoy views across the town, the fjord and the surrounding countryside. The northern approach includes steps, while the eastern approach offers an alternative way up. Visit Slottsfjell Tower and make time for the Slottsfjells Museum at the foot of the hill. Its exhibitions explore Tønsberg's medieval past, Viking heritage and local history.

Grevestien – from the waterfront to Ilene
Grevestien is an approximately 3.2-kilometre marked route connecting Tønsberg's historic streets with coastal wetlands. Starting at Honnørbryggen, follow the lapwing waymarks through Nordbyen and towards Ilene Nature Reserve. At Ilene, the landscape opens into wetlands, where a birdwatching tower overlooks the reserve. Bring binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching. A connecting path leads towards Gullkronene, although this involves crossing a busy road.

Heritage walks through Tønsberg's history
Several heritage trails combine walking with stories from the area's past. Osebergstien is approximately 7 kilometres long and passes through Slagendalen, home to the burial mound where the Oseberg ship was discovered in 1904. Discover more about the area's Viking history in the Viking Route through Vestfold. Storemyr offers another approximately 7-kilometre walk, passing old oak trees, glacial potholes and traces of former peat extraction. Bekketjønnmyra also has an approximately 7-kilometre heritage trail, featuring ancient burial mounds and protected natural surroundings. The shorter Bergstien route is approximately 2.5 kilometres long. Information panels and memorials explain the history of Berg internment camp during the Second World War, where Jewish people and political opponents of Nazism were imprisoned.

Woodland walks and lakes
For a change of scenery, head inland to the forests of Tønsberg Municipality.
At Langevann, an approximately 3.6-kilometre circular trail follows the lake, with bathing opportunities nearby. Trollsvannet offers an approximately 4-kilometre walk. A gravel track follows the eastern side towards Trollsvannstua, while the western shore has more uneven natural paths. Merkedammen is a starting point for longer forest hikes, including routes passing several trekking cabins. For a shorter hill walk, Signalen offers views over the surrounding landscape. At approximately 145 metres above sea level, it was the highest point in the former Tønsberg Municipality.

Choose a walk that suits you
Walking routes around Tønsberg range from paved paths and broad gravel tracks to woodland trails with stones, exposed roots and steep sections. Some routes are well suited to shorter outings, while others require several hours. If you are visiting with a pushchair or wheelchair, check which specific sections have suitable access before setting out. Wear footwear suited to the terrain and consult the map for your chosen walk. For additional coastal walking ideas, explore Hiking and Coastal Trails in Vestfold.

 

Plan your visit

Tønsberg offers coastal walks, historic town routes and woodland trails. Choose a specific walk and check its map before setting out.

Distance and route options
Essoskogen is approximately 5.8 km, the Husøy circuit 4 km and Karlsvika–Vallø 4.5 km. Near the town centre, Slottsfjellet is approximately 3.7 km and Grevestien 3.2 km. Longer woodland and heritage walks are also available.

Trailheads and parking
Starting points include Tønsberg waterfront, Honnørbryggen, Husøy sports ground, Essoskogen and Karlsvika. Parking arrangements vary by location. Use the map to select your starting point.

Terrain and accessibility
Surfaces range from paved routes and forest tracks to natural paths with roots, rocks and steps. The broad forest track in Essoskogen provides an easier option. An eastern approach to Slottsfjellet avoids the northern steps. Not all routes are wheelchair or pushchair accessible.

Good to know
Walking conditions depend on weather and season. Respect birdlife around Ilene and take care when crossing the busy road towards Gullkronene. Wear suitable footwear and take litter home. Plan return transport for point-to-point walks.

View walking maps and route information →

Søndre Slagen Church

Søndre Slagen church is a modern but medieval-inspired church. The church is built of brick.

Inside the church there are around 350 seats.

There is, among other things, a gallery and an altar inside the church. On the altarpiece hangs a large altar carpet, measuring 4×8 metres, from 1979.

On the outside of the church there is a relatively large cemetery.

Teie Church

Teie church is made of brick and wood, and was inaugurated in 1977. The architect was Elisabeth Breen Fidjestøl.

The altar tapestry was made by Else Marie Jakobsen, while Brit Sørensen did the crucifix.

The church has several functions, and is used for both meetings and events in addition to the weekly services and Sunday school.

The church has 520 seats.

Torød Church

Torød church is built of wood, and has 200 seats.

Although the church grounds are fenced, no funerals are held in Torød church. For this they use the cemetery of Nøtterøy church, which is also 700 years older than Torød.

Sem Church

Sem church was first built in wood at the beginning of the 12th century. The church burned down in 1682, and was then rebuilt as we see it today, in stone. In 1999, the 900th anniversary of the church was celebrated after it was renovated. The result of this is today's appearance.

There are around 300 seats in Sem church.

Nøtterøy Church

Nøtterøy Church is a beautiful church building from the early Middle Ages (12th century). The building is cross-shaped and built in stone with a romantic style. The building was originally consecrated as Mary's Church, and is the main church in Nøtterøy parish.

The church has 600 seats, and stands in the middle of a pretty cemetery. Nearby there is a war memorial in honor of Norwegian war veterans, created by sculptor Carl E. Paulsen.

To the west of the church you will find Prestegårdsskogen, with the cultural monument Nøtterøy clergy house from the 19th century.

The church's altarpiece is from the 18th century, and was painted by Jacob Lindegård.

Slagen Church

Slagen church is located in Tønsberg municipality, and is a long church built in stone.

There are over 500 seats in the church.

In the years 1955-56, the church was restored. The altarpiece, pulpit and baptismal font we see today in the church are from that time. The cemetery seen on the outside of the church has been expanded in recent times. Today it stretches to both sides of the road.

Tønsberg Coast Culture Centre

Tønsberg Coastal Culture Center is located by the Canal in Tønsberg, and was established in 1991. Both buildings and boats can be rented out for groups and events.

The Coast Culture Centre includes the quayside, vessels worthy of preservation, slip, shipyard for the restoration of vessels, smithy and foundry, motor repair yard, sail maker's workshop and rigging workshop.

The Coast Culture Centre is also the home port for the Arctic sailing ship "Havnøy".

The shanty choir was started in 2003, and usually practices at Riggerloftet on Monday evenings from 18-20.45.

The seaman`s wife

The Seaman's Wife stands at Verdens Ende – World's End, on the southern tip of Tjøme in Færder municipality. The bronze sculpture depicts a woman and two children looking out to sea, waiting for their loved ones to return. Created by Norwegian sculptor Nina Nesje from Nøtterøy, the artwork was unveiled in 2004. It commemorates the women who cared for their families and homes while sailors were away at sea, often for months or even years.

A mother and two children looking out to sea
The Seaman's Wife stands in the exposed coastal landscape of World's End, overlooking the sea and surrounding islands. The sculpture depicts a mother with two young children, dressed for the coastal weather. They look out towards the horizon, just as many families along the Norwegian coast did during the age of sailing ships. Those waiting at home could never be certain when their loved ones would return, or whether they would return at all. Take a moment to stop beside the sculpture and look out to sea. Its setting brings the emotions of longing, uncertainty and hope into focus.

The story of the seamen's wives of Tjøme
During the 18th and 19th centuries, shipping was an important industry on Tjøme, Nøtterøy and the surrounding islands. Many men worked aboard merchant vessels and spent long periods away from home.
Women cared for children, managed households and often worked on farms while their husbands were at sea. Many also lived with the constant fear of shipwrecks and accidents. From elevated viewpoints along the coastline, families watched for ships approaching their home ports. The Seaman's Wife commemorates this part of Norway's coastal heritage, which has often received less attention than the sailors and their vessels.

A memorial unveiled in 2004
The idea for a memorial to seamen's wives grew from local family histories and a desire to recognise the contributions of women in maritime communities. Norwegian sculptor Nina Nesje was commissioned to create the artwork. Cast in bronze, the sculpture is approximately two metres tall and weighs 290 kilograms. The Seaman's Wife was unveiled on 2 May 2004 and presented as a gift to the former municipality of Tjøme. World's End was chosen as the location because of its connection to the sea, panoramic coastal views and maritime history.

Explore more of World's End
The sculpture stands in one of Vestfold's best-known coastal landscapes. Here you can walk across smooth coastal rocks, explore the archipelago and enjoy views towards the Skagerrak and Færder Lighthouse. A short walk away is the distinctive tilting lighthouse, built in 1932 and now a landmark of World's End.

You can also visit the Færder National Park Visitor Centre, where exhibitions and activities introduce visitors to the wildlife, natural environment and coastal landscape of the national park. Allow time to see the sculpture, the tilting lighthouse and the surrounding rocks. Together, they offer different perspectives on the relationship between coastal communities and the sea.

Plan your visit
The Seaman's Wife is an outdoor sculpture at Verdens Ende, 3145 Tjøme, in Færder municipality, Norway. The sculpture can be viewed throughout the year, free of charge. No ticket or advance booking is required.

Paid parking is available at World's End. The area can also be reached by public transport, although connections and timetables should be checked before travelling. A pathway was created to provide access to the memorial, but current wheelchair and pushchair accessibility has not been fully verified.

For more information about the area, parking and other attractions, see Visit Vestfold's guide to World's End.