Welcome to the area – on nature’s terms!
When visiting the national park, you are nature’s guest and have a responsibility to leave behind as little trace as possible. You are welcome to enjoy simple outdoor activities that take place off the beaten track. Here are some rules that visitors need to be aware of.
Avoid nesting sites. Photo: Haakon Braathu Haaverstad
Below is a simplified list of rules based on the legislation for Ytre Hvaler National Park.
Hiking: Visitors can hike throughout the national park, except in zones designated for nesting seabirds from 15 April to 15 July.
Cycling: Visitors must use roads and routes approved for cycling in the national park. Here is an overview of permitted cycling routes (electric bikes are not permitted).
Cycling is prohibited throughout the year at Ørekroken outdoor recreation area on the island of Kirkøy. This is in accordance with the special regulation for Ørekroken dated 18.06.2022.
Horse riding: The use of horses, unless it is organized riding, is permitted on roads and trails on uncultivated land in the national park. No areas in the national park are suitable for organized riding. Organized horse riding trips refer to either trips involving 10 or more horses in a group, or trips with fewer than 10 horses that are organized by a riding center or other organization/business that offers horse riding as a regular activity.
At Ørekroken outdoor recreation area on the island of Kirkøy, horse riding is prohibited all year round in accordance with the special regulation for Ørekroken dated 18.06.2022.
Jet skis: Jet skis are prohibited throughout the entire national park.
Boats: Boats can be used throughout the national park, with the exception of zones designated for nesting seabirds and seal haul-out sites from 15 April to 15 July. Visitors must keep a distance of at least 50 meters from these areas. This also applies to surfing, kayaking/canoeing, diving and other types of water sports. The national park has areas with speed limits at sea .
Drones: The use of drones is prohibited.
Taking breaks and pitching tents: You are welcome to take breaks and pitch tents on uncultivated land, with a few exceptions. Pitching tents is prohibited year-round on the islands of Akerøya, Vesleøya and Heia within the zone designated for nesting seabirds. Otherwise, the general rule (the Outdoor Recreation Act) is that you can pitch a tent/hang a hammock for up to two days without the landowner’s permission, at least 150 meters from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. Adapted campsites and specific rules for longer stays can be found at Storesand.
At Ørekroken outdoor recreation area on the island of Kirkøy, pitching tents and hanging hammocks or other forms of overnight stays is prohibited all year round in accordance with the special regulation for Ørekroken dated 18.06.2022.
Emptying boat toilets: Emptying boat toilets in the sea is prohibited throughout the national park. There are disposal stations at Skjærhalden guest harbor and in Tordenskjoldbukta at Nordre Sandøy.
Garbage: Clean up after yourself and don’t leave any garbage or waste behind. You can also help clean up trash through the søppeldugnad initiative when you are out on a trip.
Campfires and barbecues: Visitors are permitted to light campfires or disposable barbecues/grills, but never on bare shoreline rocks or other vulnerable substrate. The heat can cause the bedrock to crack and be permanently damaged. We recommend that visitors use the designated/established campfire pits. Remember that it is generally prohibited to light campfires between 15 April and 15 September. However, throughout the year, visitors are permitted to light small campfires on shoreline sand or gravel where there is no vegetation. Remember to remove what is left of the campfire when you leave. Follow the the national park!
At Ørekroken outdoor recreation area on the island of Kirkøy, campfires/disposable barbecues/grills are prohibited all year round in accordance with the special regulation for Ørekroken dated 18.06.2022.
Fishing, picking and foraging: Foraging for shells and picking berries and mushrooms for your own consumption/use is permitted. The same applies to picking common flowers. However, coastal cod in the Oslo Fjord is protected all year round and must not be fished.Lobsters have their own protected area within the national park.
Hunting and trapping: is permitted pursuant to the Wildlife Act, except in the areas around Vikerkilen and Skipstadkilen on the island of Asmaløy (Zone B).
Ytre Hvaler National Park Map of Protected Areas
Map of areas for outdoor recreation and boat sports in Fredrikstad and Hvaler
Visitors may hike throughout the entire national park, except in zones designated for nesting seabirds during the period from 15 April to 15 July.
Outdoor recreation map
Here is a map that provides information about areas adapted for outdoor recreation in Fredrikstad and Hvaler.
Among other things, the map provides information about swimming areas, places to moor boats, trash bins and outdoor toilets. There is also information about speed limits at sea, jet ski restrictions, protected areas and nautical charts.
Here are some tips on great hiking and kayaking trips with trip descriptions.
Screenshot of the map