Discover Horten: Karljohansvern, museums and coastal paths

When planning a trip to Horten, there are several areas to focus on: Karljohansvern’s naval history, visits to museums and churches, and paths and nature in the wider Horten destination. The Karljohansvern fortress area is open around the clock. If you’re looking for a hotel in Horten, you can start by deciding which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Karljohansvern: Fortress and Naval Museum

Karljohansvern was established in 1818 as the Navy’s main base and was one of Norway’s most important military-strategic and technological centres for over 150 years. The site is a national fortification in Horten; the fortress trail has 31 information stations. The Naval Museum at Karljohansvern is one of the oldest naval museums in the world.

At the Naval Museum, you can go aboard the gunboat KNM Blink and the submarine KNM Utstein. If this particular experience matters to you, check the current visitor arrangements before your museum visit: operational details may vary. This lets you consider the site’s historical significance and the possibility of boarding the two named vessels separately when planning your visit.

Coastal paths and cycling

National Cycle Route 1 runs from the ferry terminal in Horten along the coastal path to Åsgårdstrand. In the wider Horten destination, there is also a continuous coastal path from Åsgårdstrand to Falkensten. The disused Hortenlinja railway line has been converted into an accessible walking and cycling path for cyclists and wheelchair users. The route descriptions emphasise different points: for Cycle Route 1, the starting point and destination are specified; for Hortenlinja, the focus is on the former railway line and the accessibility of the converted path.

Museums, art and churches

In the wider Horten destination, museum themes range from photography to individual artists. The Preus Museum covers all aspects of the history of photography and has two galleries for temporary exhibitions. The Harald Kihle Art Museum displays 170 works, from the artist’s childhood drawings to his final works. Edvard Munch’s house in Åsgårdstrand is a small museum; its interior has been preserved as it was during the artist’s lifetime. These museums have different focuses: photography, the development of an artist’s work, and a preserved interior.

Åsgårdstrand has the character of a historic seaside resort and artists’ town. There, Galleri Ask presents a wide range of artistic expressions and materials from contemporary visual art and applied arts. Its exhibition programme is seasonal and may change, so check in advance what will be on during your travel dates. Galleri Verftsporten is home to eight resident artists and craftspeople, each with their own studios and workshops. Opening hours may change, so it’s a good idea to check the current hours before visiting.

The churches also differ in terms of age and architectural style. Borre Church is a listed medieval brick church from the 12th century, built in the Romanesque style. Løvøy Chapel is the smallest of Horten’s three medieval churches and dates from the 13th century. In summer, the pilgrimage route passes Løvøy Chapel.

Nature and practical information

Swans, ducks, geese and gulls are typical bird species at the Borrevannet nature reserve. In the wider Horten destination, Borrestranda/Steinbrygga and Indre havn each have a ramp for people with reduced mobility. These two named locations therefore provide specific points of reference for planning; the information in each case refers to their ramps.

Discover more destinations: Skoppum, Nykirke, Åsgårdstrand.

Back to the wider travel overview: Horten.