Holmestrand combines coastal trails and swimming spots with the municipality’s cultural history. Kyststien offers walking and cycling routes, while Dulpen has a sandy beach and a bathing jetty. Eidsfoss adds water activities and historic building complexes. During your stay, you can choose between activities by the water and insights into local history.
Explore Kyststien
Kyststien between Holmestrand and Sande is about 13 kilometres long. People of all ages can walk or cycle it, taking short or long trips. This means you can adapt the length of your trip to the time you have available. About seven kilometres of the trail follow a disused railway line. There, the route passes through woodland, along the water and over rocky coastal terrain. One of the sights along Kyststien at Smørstein is a disused railway tunnel, which is now illuminated.
Beach and paddling hut
The Dulpen bathing spot has a sandy beach, a bathing jetty, two purpose-built beach volleyball courts and toilets. The focus here is different from Kyststien: swimming, the jetty and beach volleyball are the main features. As facilities can change, check their current condition before your visit.
The “Tvillingbru” paddling hut is near Holmestrand and is the nearest rest stop to the town centre. It can be used free of charge and without a reservation. Availability may vary when you arrive, so take this into account if the hut is a fixed part of your plans.
Eidsfoss: Water and industrial heritage
Eidsfoss lies between the lakes Bergsvannet and Eikeren. Visitors can rent canoes and SUP boards to explore Eikeren or Bergsvannet and the surroundings of whichever lake they choose. As booking arrangements may change, check them in advance if you plan to rent equipment. Another way to get to know the area is the Kulturstien, which passes through natural landscapes and historic building complexes.
Industrial history is also part of Eidsfoss. The Jernverksmuseet displays impressive iron-furnace art from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as fine cast-iron craftsmanship. Eidsfos HovedgĂĄrd was built around 1750 as the residence of the owner of the Eidsfoss works and was listed for protection in 1923. These places offer different perspectives: the museum showcases iron art and craftsmanship, while the history of HovedgĂĄrd is connected to its former role as a residence.
Church history and getting there
Botne kirke is a medieval stone church dating from the 13th century in the municipality of Holmestrand. It adds an example of religious architecture to the municipality’s historical attractions.
Several trains run through Holmestrand every day, connecting the town with the rest of Vestfold, Drammen and Oslo. The E18 is another point of reference for getting there: the road between Oslo and Kristiansand runs just outside Holmestrand. When planning your journey, you can consider these rail connections and the town’s location on the road corridor separately.
Discover more destinations: Holmestrand, Re, Lardal, Nøtterøy, Sande, Tønsberg, Svelvik, Tjøme.
Back to the main travel overview: Vestfold.
