Skjærhalden between coastal path, national park and harbour

Skjærhalden combines harbour life with nature experiences and art. A marked coastal path starts in the village, and the visitor centre for Ytre Hvaler National Park explores the protected area’s natural environment. There is also a beach in the centre of the village, galleries and a ferry connection to the eastern islands of Hvaler municipality. If you want to choose between walks, exhibitions and a maritime setting for your holiday, Skjærhalden offers various starting points.

National park and visitor information

The Ytre Hvaler National Park visitor centre is on the third floor of the Kornmagasinet cultural centre. The exhibition introduces the national park’s natural environment through texts, pictures, nature finds and screen presentations. Admission is free; the centre is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 3 pm. It also organises talks and guided tours in the national park.

The Hvaler tourist information office is on the first floor of Kornmagasinet. It offers information and tips on things to do in Hvaler and Fredrikstad, and is open in summer. The two information points are therefore on different floors of the same cultural centre. The national park itself was inaugurated on 09.09.09 as Norway’s first marine national park; 96% of its area lies underwater. This gives the exhibition a distinctive natural environment as its subject, while the tourist information office broadens the focus to activities in the surrounding area.

Coastal path and beach options

The marked coastal path on Kirkøy starts at Skjærhalden Torg. From there, it leads south towards Homlungen Lighthouse and onwards to Døvika, Storesand, Ørekroken and Rødshue; northwards, it runs to Grønne Bakke recreational area. Most of the path lies within Ytre Hvaler National Park and offers many viewpoints. This information can help you choose an outing: you can head south or north and treat the places mentioned as destinations along the way.

Kroksand, also known as Bystranda, is in the centre of Skjærhalden. The beach has Blue Flag status, is accessible and has a diving tower. There is also a sauna for hire on the breakwater. If you enjoy spending time by the water, you can choose between the beach and a sauna visit that can be rented separately. Nearby, Storesand on Kirkøy is part of Ytre Hvaler National Park and has a 500-metre-long, shallow sandy beach facing southwest.

Discover nature and compare trails

At the harbour in Skjærhalden, Lilleputtsenteret offers an outdoor aquarium with a glimpse of life beneath the sea’s surface. There is also a smaller national park visitor centre at Storesand. If you would rather focus on a distinctive inland attraction, you’ll find the country’s only Archimedes screw at the mouth of Arekilen on Kirkøy. The area is part of the Arekilen Nature Reserve. A marked path leads there; the Archimedes screw is 400 metres from the road.

There is also a marked circular trail on Søndre Sandøy: it runs from the Nedgården ferry terminal via Løkkeberg and Rød to Stuevika and back to Nedgården. The route is about 3 km long. This gives you a choice of different types of trail: the coastal path on Kirkøy, with several destinations and viewpoints mentioned, or the circular trail on Søndre Sandøy, which is about 3 km long.

Art, history and harbour life

Art lovers can visit Fargekolonien Galleri Garage, which hosts exhibitions and offers artistic activities. Galleri Lisa Aisato has a permanent sales exhibition featuring digital prints and numbered Giclée/DGA prints, and sells books. Together, the two galleries offer different perspectives: one focuses on exhibitions and activities, while the other centres on prints and books.

Nearby, on Kjerringholmen, stands Huth Fort. It was built around 1790, remained unfinished but was used, and opened fire in 1814 during the brief war against Sweden. The historic fort adds a tangible connection to the area’s history to its nature and art attractions.

Skjærhalden is the centre of the municipality and has a guest harbour, several restaurants and shops. You can buy fresh Hvaler prawns as soon as they are brought ashore. The Hvaler ferry departs from Skjærhalden and travels to the eastern islands of Hvaler municipality; the crossing is free for passengers. If you’d like to combine your stay with this ferry connection and the village’s amenities, Skjærhalden can serve as a starting point for planning your trip.

More places

More destination pages: Vesterøy, Nedgården, Hvaler.

Back to the main travel overview: Hvaler.