East of the mainland part of Nøtterøy, Færder National Park stretches across most of the archipelago. Its total area is approximately 340 km²; about 15 km² of that is land. These figures represent different measures: the park’s total area and its land area. The distinction helps avoid interpreting the larger figure as land area alone. The national park is also known for its favorable climate and rich biodiversity. From this expansive natural area, the focus shifts to Nøtterøy’s specific coastal communities and paths.
Coastal communities with their own character
Fjærholmen, on the eastern side of Nøtterøy, is a beach with a sandy shore, rocky areas and a large grassy area. Its features extend beyond sand, offering a vivid picture of this coastal spot.
Søndre Hella is a popular swimming and hiking area. It is also home to a restored burial ground dating from the Late Iron Age, or Viking Age; more than 20 graves have been registered. This brings together different interests in one place: recreational use and archaeological heritage. Unlike Fjærholmen, which is defined mainly by its beach features, Søndre Hella combines these two perspectives.
Fandens spillebord is also located near Søndre Hella and Øra. The stone formation consists of a large boulder resting on several smaller stones. Whether it is natural or man-made remains uncertain. This raises two distinct questions: the burial ground concerns dating, while the stone formation raises the open question of how it came to be.
Two coastal paths, two different distances
The coastal paths also offer a clear comparison. The path from Årøysund to Torødstranda on Nøtterøy is approximately 1 km long and marked with blue-painted posts and signs. The coastal path from Hella to Vrengen Bridge is approximately 8 km long and passes through varied terrain along the Vestfjord. For planning purposes, the difference comes down to the scale of the routes: the path to Torødstranda is considerably shorter and marked; the path to Vrengen Bridge is longer and passes through varied terrain. This allows you to compare the two paths by length and by their respective features.
Cultural monuments and different periods
Nøtterøy’s cultural monuments offer a glimpse into several periods. Nøtterøy Church is a cruciform stone church dating from the early Middle Ages, built in the 12th century. West of the church, in the Prestegårdsskogen area, stands Nøtterøy Rectory, a cultural monument dating from the 19th century. Until the Reformation, Teie Hovedgård was a bishop’s estate belonging to the Diocese of Oslo. These dates help distinguish the medieval church, the 19th-century monument and Teie’s history, which extends back to the Reformation.
Discover more destinations: Nøtterøy, Vestskogen, Kjøpmannskjær, Torød, Veierland, Stokke, Sande, Svelvik.
Return to the main travel overview: Vestfold.
