The marked coastal path on Kirkøy begins at Skjærhalden-Torg; the village is also home to Kroksand, the harbour and the visitor centre for Ytre Hvaler National Park. When planning your stay, you can therefore decide whether to focus on Skjærhalden itself, paths on Kirkøy or destinations on the eastern islands.
National Park Exhibition and Coastal Path
The visitor centre is on the third floor of the Kornmagasinet cultural centre. The exhibition about the national park’s natural environment features texts, images, natural specimens and screen presentations. The centre also organises lectures and guided tours in the national park. Admission is free; it is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 3 pm. Opening hours may change, so check the times before your visit. The Kornmagasinet also offers brochures, paper maps, digital mapping services and tips on excursions and activities; information services may vary seasonally.
The Hvaler Tourist Information Centre is on the first floor of the same cultural centre. It offers information and tips on things to do in Hvaler and Fredrikstad and is open in summer. If you need specific seasonal dates, check them before your trip.
The coastal path on Kirkøy leads south from Skjærhalden-Torg towards Homlungen fyr and on to Døvika, Storesand, Ørekroken and Rød; northwards, it runs to the Grønne Bakke recreation area. Most of the path lies within Ytre Hvaler National Park, and the route offers many viewpoints. Across the wider Hvaler travel area, the national park covers 354 km² of coastline and archipelago. 96 percent of its area is underwater; it was inaugurated as Norway’s first marine national park on 09.09.09.
Beaches and Nature Around Skjærhalden
Kroksand, also known as Bystranda, is in the heart of Skjærhalden. The beach has Blue Flag status, is equipped for accessibility and has a diving tower. Storesand is on Kirkøy, north of the village. The beach is part of Ytre Hvaler National Park and is 500 metres long, shallow and south-west-facing. A smaller national park visitor centre is located right by the beach.
There is also a way to explore marine nature at the harbour: Lilleputtsenteret has an outdoor aquarium there, offering a glimpse of life beneath the sea’s surface. Skjærhalden is the municipal centre and has a guest harbour as well as several restaurants and shops. You can buy fresh Hvaler prawns in Skjærhalden as soon as they are brought ashore.
Art and History in the Village and Surrounding Area
In Skjærhalden, Fargekolonien Galleri Garage hosts exhibitions and offers artistic activities. Galleri Lisa Aisato has a permanent sales exhibition featuring digital prints, as well as numbered Giclée and DGA prints; books are also for sale. The two venues have different focuses: Galleri Garage centres on exhibitions and artistic activities, while Galleri Lisa Aisato focuses on prints and books.
Nearby, on Kjerringholmen, is Huth Fort. It was built around 1790 and remained unfinished, but was used. In 1814, the fort opened fire during the brief war against Sweden; it is open to the public. A reconstructed Archimedes screw, the only one in the country, is also located at the mouth of Arekilen on Kirkøy. The area is part of the Arekilen Nature Reserve. A marked path leads to the installation, which is 400 metres from the road.
Ferry Connections and Choosing Where to Stay
The Hvaler ferry departs from Skjærhalden and serves the eastern islands of Hvaler municipality. The journey is free for passengers. As fares and operations may change, check the current timetable before travelling. Across the wider Hvaler travel area, Vy6 express buses connect Hvaler with Oslo and Fredrikstad several times a day all year round; checking the current timetable is also recommended for these services.
This lets you choose how to balance the village’s attractions, the path on Kirkøy and the ferry destinations to suit your excursions.
Discover more destinations: Nedgården, Hvaler, Vesterøy.
Go to the wider travel overview: Hvaler.
