Karljohansvern – a beautiful tour in historic surroundings

Karljohansvern in Horten was once the Norwegian navy’s main base and is now a historic cultural centre that is open to everyone. Here you can follow the trails through a landscape characterised by impressive defence buildings, old avenues and beautiful nature.

The architecture spans different eras, and many of the buildings date back to when Karljohansvern was established in 1818. Today, the area is filled with museums, galleries and cafés, making it an exciting place to explore – whether you’re interested in history, culture or just want to take a stroll in beautiful surroundings.

Although Karljohansvern is now open to the public, the Norwegian Armed Forces are still present on Østøya, Mellomøya and Vealøs.

The fortress trail

The fortress trail at Karljohansvern is an exciting tour that takes you through the area’s rich history. Along the trail, you’ll find 31 information stops with boards that provide insight into the significance of the site, many of which are equipped with QR codes for further information via your mobile phone.

👇🏻 You can also download the map as a PDF.

The Horten Canal

If you want to walk along the Horten canal, you can start at Preus Museum and follow the coastal path south to the Fyllinga marina. Along the path you’ll find beautiful beech trees that have stood here for over a hundred years, and there are several nice places to sit down and enjoy the surroundings.

Did you know that?
The Horten Canal was built around 1860 to create a connection between the Oslofjord and the inner harbour of Horten, while at the same time acting as a line of defence against attacks from land.

The canal separates Karljohansvern from the mainland, and three bridges connect the old naval station with the rest of Horten.

The Horten forest

From Fyllinga, the trail continues through Horten forest, a lush mixed forest with old oak trees. The protected mistletoe also grows here – a great walk for those who enjoy forest trails and tranquil surroundings.

Beaches and shipyards

Along the trail you will find several nice bathing spots, perfect for a cooling stop on hot days⛱️

First, you’ll arrive at Batteritangen, where the old gun battery from the 1870s still stands. Continue past Det Grønne Badehuset before reaching Vollane bathing area – Horten’s largest and most popular bathing area, with a large grassy area and a narrow sandy beach down to the fjord.

The trail continues to Møringa, where you can cross over to the west side and follow the shoreline back towards the Naval Museum. Along the way, you’ll also pass Horten Church from 1855 and traces of the town’s long shipyard history.

Cultural stop

If you’re at Karljohansvern and want a cultural touch, both the Naval Museum and the Preus Museum are worth a visit.

The Naval Museum is one of the world’s oldest naval museums and offers exciting exhibitions about the history of the Navy through war and peace.

At Preus Museum, Norway’s national photo museum, you can explore exhibitions in photography and visual art.