Raet National Park | Visit Southern Norway

Many experiences in Southern Norway’s first national park - Raet.

Do you enjoy swimming off delightful beaches, canoeing, boat trips, camping, walking in a unique natural setting, cycling, fishing, diving, birdwatching, visiting idyllic outlying harbours or exploring cultural heritage? If so, welcome to Raet National Park in Arendal, Grimstad and Tvedestrand in Southern Norway.

This is Raet National Park

Raet National Park was created in 2016 to protect the special natural area which extends from the Valøyene islands off Grimstad along the entire Arendal coastal strip to Lyngør in Tvedestrand. The park covers a total of 607 square kilometres of coastal nature and sea.

See signs of the ice age

Raet contains visible traces of the ice age around 12,000 years ago. When the enormous glacier that once existed in the area retreated, it left behind huge quantities of stone, sand, gravel and clay which it had picked up during its journey. This process led to the creation of a unique coastal landscape.

Getting to the skerries by boat

Outdoor recreation and beaches

Raet National Park is one of Southern Norway’s most popular outdoor recreation areas, and many people visit the seaway, particularly during the summer months. Many of the islands are protected as outdoor recreation areas and as an archipelago park. The national park is ideal for kayaking, windsurfing, boat trips and walks, recreational fishing and swimming.

Bathing spots in Raet National Park

Natural experiences around Raet

Explore the islands

Sandøya is a beautiful small island community outside Tvedestrand in Southern Norway. Forbes.com visited Sandøya in 2019 and listed it as one of "11 Insanely Beautiful Lesser-Known Islands Around The World".

Lighthouse experiences

The cultural history of the national park is dominated by its proximity to the sea. There are four protected lighthouses in the park: Lyngør, Møkkalasset, Store and Lille Torungen.

Destinations

Featured

Destinations

Arendal

Hotels, restaurants and things to do in Arendal, Southern Norway. Read more

Arendal

Grimstad

Think of Grimstad, and you think of skerries, white-painted wooden houses, festivals, good food, and summer atmosphere. Enjoy lazy days in the sun, a… Read more

Grimstad

Tvedestrand

In Tvedestrand you can stroll between white wooden houses on narrow cobbled streets with a bookshop on every corner. Sandøya island has… Read more

Tvedestrand

Island paradise of Lyngør

In 2015, Lyngør was number one on the list "top ten 'lesser known' European islands to visit by British newspaper The… Read more

Island paradise of Lyngør

Outdoor activities and beaches

Hove beaches

At Tromøy outside of Arendal you find the beaches at Hove. These are fine, family-friendly beaches connected to a camping ground and hiking area. Read more

Hove beaches

Hove and Spornes

The recreational areas at Hove are protected, since it is part of the southern moraine, and adapted with walking paths and resting areas along the… Read more

Hove and Spornes

Spornes beach

Spornes is just outside Tromøy, Arendal, close to Hove. Spornes offers a stunning view towards the Skagerrak, a sandy beach and a pebbled beach. Read more

Spornes beach

Ferry to Lyngør

Ferry between Gjeving and Lyngør, a beautiful island in Southern Norway. Read more

Ferry to Lyngør

Hiking area at Hove and Spornes

The Hove-Spornes area is part of a protected moraine that lies along the southern coast, and is adapted for walks with resting places along the shore. Read more

Hiking area at Hove and Spornes

Stølsviga in Arendal

Stølsviga is located on Hisøy outside of Arendal. Well suited to children, two beaches separated by rocks, large playground, toilets and a kiosk. Read more

Stølsviga in Arendal

Merdø beach outside of Arendal

Merdø is a charming island on the seaward approach to Arendal, with family-friendly beaches, pebbled beaches and smooth, coastal rocks. Read more

Merdø beach outside of Arendal

Storesand Recreation Ground

Public recreation ground within walking distance of Fevik. Read more

Storesand Recreation Ground

Bike trip on Hisøy

The Hisøy bike route is a nice route that takes the tour from the center of Arendal and out to the ferry at Kolbjørnsvik. The route has possibilites… Read more

Bike trip on Hisøy

Hasseltangen Recreation Ground

Family-friendly area with beach Read more

Hasseltangen Recreation Ground

Boat hire in Grimstad

Boat hire in Grimstad Read more

Boat hire in Grimstad

Fishing and skerry tours with Grimstad Taxi boat

Grimstad Taxi boat offers boat and fishing trips in Grimstad including the Homborsund lighthouse and Raet National Park for up to… Read more

Fishing and skerry tours with Grimstad Taxi boat

Grimstad Taxi boat

Grimstad Taxi boat offers transport at the sea in Grimstad, sightseeing, day and fishing trips for up to 12 people. For booking call: +47 99 47 67 60… Read more

Grimstad Taxi boat