Saltnes combines several bathing spots with a coastal trail whose southern starting point is in Saltnes. The beaches each have their own features: Saltholmen has rocky shore and a small sandy beach, Rubingen has a bathing platform with a diving board, and Ellingstranda has a small west-facing sandy beach and a bathing ramp. The Kyststien also passes Rubingen beach. This makes it possible to explore Saltnes both by the type of coastline and by its connection to the trail.

Beaches with Distinctive Features

Saltholmen is a popular local recreation area in Saltnes, with attractive rocky shore and a small sandy beach. There is also a bathing platform at the bathing spot. The peninsula, which is connected to the mainland, lies in Saltnes in Råde municipality, right on the border with Fredrikstad; Saltholmen also has a small boat harbor. Saltholmen can be reached by car via Saltnes, and there is a large parking area. The rocky shore features potholes and glacial striations. In the wider Råde destination, two glacial potholes on Saltholmen measure 160 to 180 cm in diameter.

A tourism description from 2019 mentions about ten fishermen’s cabins on Saltholmen, which were being used as summer homes at the time. The distinctive cabins are considered a landmark along this stretch of the Østfold coast. Saltholmen was designated a selected cultural heritage site by Råde municipality in 1997.

Rubingen has a sandy beach and a bathing platform with a diving board. The Kyststien passes the beach, making Rubingen an identifiable beach stop along the trail. Ellingstranda is a public recreation area with rocky shore and a small west-facing sandy beach. Behind the bathing spot is a grassy area for playing, and the spot itself has a bathing ramp. The three locations can be distinguished by their respective features: beach and rocks, a diving board, a grassy area or a bathing ramp.

The Kyststien and Planning Your Stay

The Kyststien through Råde municipality is about 32 km long in total and starts in the south at Saltnes, on the municipal border with Fredrikstad. In the wider Råde destination, it follows small roads as far as Moss municipality. Saltnes is therefore the southern starting point of the trail described here, while the total length covers the route through Råde to Moss. When looking for a hotel in Saltnes, you can first consider whether beaches, the start of the trail, or both should be the focus of your stay.

Culture and Events in Råde

The wider Råde destination also has its own attractions for culture enthusiasts. Råde Church is a medieval stone church that probably dates from the 12th century. The main painting on its altarpiece was painted by Thomas Blix in 1725. Alongside Saltnes’s coastal features, Råde therefore offers medieval church architecture and a work of art with a known date as separate points of interest.

For travel planning around a specific date, the Råde park festival is also relevant: it has been held annually in Karlshus since 2012, during calendar week 41. The food festival “Smaken av Råde” is part of the event, with local exhibitors on Saturday morning. Check the current festival dates and program before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Råde

Go to the main travel overview: Råde.