Things to do in Norway, Norway: The Best Beaches

ostre Randoya (previously Randoya Fort) is a magnificent recreation area with smooth rocks ideal for sunbathing, a sheltered bay and excellent paths for walking (some suitable for wheelchairs). Summer café. To get there, take the bathing boat from Kristiansand, from July 6 to August 9.

What is a smooth rocky shore? Cliffs and sandy beaches are very common, but the polished rocky shores are unique to Norway – almost. They do exist in other places, but not many. Stretches of such rock formations can be found from the Swedish west coast and up to Stockholm’s archipelago, and also in Greenland, Scotland, Alaska and possibly New Zealand. The rest of the world, however, does not have anything resembling these beautiful shores we associate with Southern Norway and the Oslo Fjord. The reason is that not many areas fulfil the two conditions required for such polished, smooth rocks to be formed. High-grade metamorphic rock such as gneiss or granite is required, and this coarse-grained formation must have been scoured and rubbed smooth by a thick layer of ice. As old as time itself! The Norwegian rocky shores originated long before the ice arrived - maybe as much as a billion years. Formation started 1.8 billion years ago and ended 1200 million years later. The time-span is almost incomprehensible! When the ice retreated for the last time, the rocky shores were given a last finish and took their current shape. This is only 10 000 years ago. Since then, the land has risen as much as 200 metres in some areas. Hence, the rocky shorescurrently lining the water’s edge were far below sea level and a thousand metres or more under the ice when they were formed. As the ice moved, masses of sand, gravel and stone were pushed in front and below. These deposits were pressed down and rubbed against the bedrock with immense force. This was how Norway’s rocky shores were formed. Soft elements were scoured away, and the hard rock was left polished, smooth and rounded. In several areas, characteristic scour lines are still evident, and some cracks in the actual bedrock can also be seen.

Solastranden is a 2,3 km long beach and lies near the airport. Parking by Strandhotell and south end of beach.

Molen in Brunlanes is a national treasure and one of Larvik’s most popular attractions. Molen is Norway's largest beach of rolling stones, and it is a part of Vestfoldraet: the terrain left behind after the end of the most recent Ice Age 10.000 years ago. The cultural landscape of Molen, with its total of 230 cairns from the Iron Age, is one of the most majestic in Norway. The area has 16 large cairns, many up to 35 meters in diameter, with almost 200 small cairns in rows parallel to the shoreline. The cairns probably served as sea markers along the shipping lanes between different trading centres. This, combined with its striking natural beauty and position on the edge of the sea, makes it a must-see when visiting the area. You can enjoy a lovely view out to sea here and also study the beautiful species of stone called larvikite, a speciality for the Larvik area. Actually there are more than 100 different species of rock at Molen, and a total of 316 different bird species has also been found. The arrival and departure of the migratory birds is a real spectacle. Twice a year the migrants visit wonderful Molen, heading north in spring and eventually heading back south in autumn. In the summer of 2008 Molen was officially made into an UNESCO Geopark Area. If you want to get to Molen by manual means, the coastal path is easily accessible from either Helgeroa or Nevlunghavn.     

“You have to have been there to understand,” sings the local troubadour, Terje Nilsen, describing Mjelle in a song. In the summer, many excursions end at Mjelle, both weekends and weekdays. You don’t have to be a child to collect shells or build sand castles, or to enjoy a good ball game. Bring firewood and cooking equipment if you want to barbecue.