Borøy: Coastal paths and maritime history

Borøy combines local maritime history with paths by the water. Borøy Customs House and the sea voyage to Sandvika associated with Richard Wagner give the island a historical character. There are also coastal hiking trails, a kayak route through Snaresund and views of the skerries at Direnes. If you are looking for a hotel, you can use these themes as a guide: decide whether history, hiking or a trip on the water is your priority during your stay.

History by the water

Borøy Customs House was established in 1839 on Borøya in the municipality of Tvedestrand. Its main building is the only known example of Christian Heinrich Grosch’s type drawings being used for homes for deputy customs officers. This makes the customs house both a tangible historic site and a distinctive architectural example.

In the summer of 1839, Richard Wagner and his wife Minna Planer were travelling by ship from Riga to London. During a storm, the ship sought shelter in Sandvika in the southwest of Borøya. This sea voyage became the inspiration for the opera “The Flying Dutchman”. Sandvika’s connection with Wagner’s journey links local history to the history of opera.

Hiking and paddling

The coastal hiking trail from Dynge via Sia to Sandvika follows paths that are closed to cars. At Sandvika, a detour from the trail to Direnes offers a bench and beautiful views of the skerries. Facilities and views may change with maintenance; check conditions before your visit.

Another hiking trail leads from Snaresund to Kalvenbrua. It follows Kalvenveien to a suspension bridge over the strait between Kalven and Dynge. The two trail descriptions offer different points of reference: the coastal trail runs via Dynge, Sia and Sandvika, while the other leads to the bridge at Kalven. Check local trail conditions in advance.

For a trip on the water, a kayak route runs through Snaresund on the inner side of Borøya. Before setting out, check the water conditions and kayak launch options yourself. This lets you consider the hiking trails and kayak route as different ways to experience the coastal landscape, without assuming a particular duration or level of difficulty.

Nature, food and boat connections

Rare plants grow on Borøya; their presence is attributed to seeds in ballast soil brought to the island by ships. This local explanation links a feature of the island’s natural environment with its maritime history.

The Hilda Larsen restaurant at Hagefjordbrygga on Borøya serves small and large dishes with a maritime focus. It uses ingredients sourced from nearby as well as local ingredients. The restaurant operates seasonally; take this into account when planning.

Scheduled boat, taxi and charter services operate from Hagefjord brygge in the northeast of Borøya. Timetables and availability may change. Check both before departure, especially if your plans depend on a particular connection.

Additional context in the wider destination of Tvedestrand

The town of Tvedestrand, which shares its name with the wider destination, lies at the head of the Tvedestrandfjord. The regional cultural offerings also include the Næs Ironworks Museum. It offers guided tours of its buildings and demonstrates, among other things, the reconstructed bellows machine. The museum has been designated a nationally prioritised cultural heritage site of technological and industrial history.

Explore more destinations: Gjeving, Nesgrenda, Tvedestrand, Songe.

Return to the main travel overview: Tvedestrand.