Larvik: Coastal Paths, History and Nature

More than 60 surviving burial mounds make Bøkeskogen a special place to discover Larvik’s natural and historical traces together. The area is a protected landscape and part of the Gea Norvegica Geopark. It also lies on the great Ra Moraine, formed at the end of the last Ice Age.

Nature and trails in Larvik

In Bøkeskogen, blue-marked circular trails cover 2, 6 and 10 kilometres. The three distances offer different route options for your planning. The Kyststien also gives your stay a clear point of reference: the marked coastal trail is 35 kilometres long and runs between Stavern and Helgeroa. Along the way, skerries, sandy beaches, shallow bays and different types of forest shape the landscape. Its length makes the Kyststien markedly different from the shorter circular trails in Bøkeskogen.

The Fjordstien offers another way to orient yourself. It runs from Larvik to Stavern along the west side of the Larvik Fjord. In Stavern, you can access the Kyststien directly from the centre. The routes therefore have different starting points and lengths, which you can take into account when planning your stay.

The Strandpromenaden and Revstien route is about 4 kilometres long and follows the water from Vadskjæret to Kanalkaia. The illuminated section of Revstien is about 1 kilometre long and is easily accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Rakke offers a different coastal setting: this rocky area is in Larvik municipality, two kilometres south of Stavern, and is used for swimming and fishing.

Archaeology and maritime history

A centre for trade and production was established at Kaupang around the year 800. The exhibitions offer insights into the archaeologists’ work, the finds and what is known today about the site’s history. Guided tours explore Viking crafts, knowledge, religion and food culture; they take place every day Kaupang is open. Check opening times and the availability of a guided tour before visiting.

Herregården also tells the story of the region: the building was constructed in 1674 for Ulrik Fredrik Gyldenløve and evokes the more than 400-year history of Denmark-Norway. The Larvik Museum has two locations in Larvik. It researches and presents the town’s history, focusing on the period of the county, the cultural environment and urban development.

Construction of Fredriksvern verft began in Stavern in 1750. It was Norway’s first main naval base. Together with Kaupang and Herregården, this site offers another way to explore Larvik: the town and its surroundings can be experienced through archaeological traces, historic buildings and maritime history.

Getting here and finding your way around

The Vestfoldbanen train stops in Larvik city centre. VKT buses make it easier to get around Larvik. For planning, you can combine this transport information with the trails and topics that interest you most—from the circular trails in Bøkeskogen to the coastal routes or historic sites.

The Kystmuseet near Rakke is an unstaffed information centre about the history of Brunlanes and Stavern, the Kyststien and the geoparks in Larvik. If you plan to visit, check current accessibility beforehand.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Helgeroa, Kvelde, Tjodalyng, Larvik, Nevlunghamn, Stavern, Tønsberg, Holmestrand.

For the main travel overview: Vestfold.