Hvaler comprises 833 islands and skerries. Ytre Hvaler National Park extends across a large part of Hvaler’s west coast; its archipelago forms large, connected areas with rich biodiversity on land and underwater. Nature enthusiasts will find a range of ways to explore: birdwatching on Asmaløy, trails in the national park and the Storesand nature and outdoor recreation area. There are also places where coastal culture, art and history each offer a distinct focus. When planning, it is worth keeping these interests separate: wildlife watching, hiking, swimming and cultural attractions each offer a different emphasis for a stay.
Island Nature Throughout the Seasons
Rare birds are often spotted on Asmaløy during migration; white-tailed eagles and golden eagles can also be seen there in winter. The fen orchid grows in Norway only on Asmaløy. These sightings offer nature enthusiasts different seasonal reasons to visit, while the orchid adds a botanical perspective on the island. If you want to plan your trip around a particular aspect of nature, you can first decide whether birdwatching or plants should take priority.
Hiking Trails and Finding Your Way
Ytre Hvaler National Park has a network of trails suitable for hiking. On Kirkøy, the Coastal Path starts at the national park centre in Skjærhalden and leads to Homlungen Lighthouse. In the west of Asmaløy, marked trails run from Åsebu in the north to Vikerhavn. The waypoints differ between the two options: the Coastal Path has a named starting point and destination, while Asmaløy offers an area with marked trails. You can consider which of these two hiking options best suits your outing, without treating them as one continuous route.
Swimming and Time Outdoors
Storesand is a large nature and outdoor recreation area set up for swimming, walks, play and nature experiences. It also has a kiosk and a beach café; visitor services may be seasonal. Check in advance whether these are available during your visit. Kroksand beach has a bathing jetty and a diving platform. The beach is considered suitable for the whole family. As beach facilities can change or be seasonal, it is advisable to check their current status before your visit. Storesand and Kroksand therefore offer different options if you would like to spend time by the water on Hvaler.
Art, Coastal Culture and History
StenKunstHvaler is an open-air exhibition at Rødshue on Kirkøy. It features stone art by internationally renowned sculptors who work with local stone. Here, the artistic theme is connected to the material that shapes the works. Another cultural venue is Brottet amfi on Spjærøy: the amphitheatre was built in an old quarry and can accommodate approximately 500 spectators.
The Coastal Museum is located in Dypedal on Spjærøy and focuses on Hvaler’s coastal culture. Its themes include agriculture, fishing, piloting, shipping and other maritime occupations. The focus is on the history of life and work along the coast. Hvaler’s medieval church is also a historic landmark; it is one of Norway’s oldest churches. Quarry art, coastal culture and church history offer different ways to explore Hvaler’s culture.
Take the Ferry to the Eastern Islands
The Hvaler ferry departs from Skjærhalden and takes passengers to the eastern islands of Hvaler. Its destinations include Herføl, Søndre Sandøy and Nordre Sandøy. If your trip includes these islands, check the current timetable before travelling, as routes and booking conditions can change. This lets you include the ferry connection in your plans without conflating it with the destination’s other hiking, nature or cultural offerings.
Discover more destinations: Nedgården, Skjærhalden, Vesterøy.
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