Stretching about 60 km (40 miles) from Mølen in the south to Borre in the north, the Vestfold- region unveils a treasure trove of Viking history. Prepare to discover impressive burial mounds, remnants of Norway’s first town, and the very grounds where pivotal Viking Age discoveries have been made.
The Viking Trail offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore authentic Viking heritage. Dive into the heart of Scandinavia’s Viking Era and experience the wonders of Vestfold – by foot, car, train, bus or bike.
The Viking Trail in Horten
Curious to learn about local Viking history – and about Vikings in general? Make sure to add Horten to your itinerary!
Step Back in Time: Discover Viking Life at Midgard Viking Centre
Immerse yourself in Norway’s Viking Age at Midgard Viking Centre in Vestfold, the region’s premier destination for Viking history! Located in the heart of Borre, this historic site was once home to powerful chieftains and influential figures. Explore the sacred burial grounds where these leaders lived, ruled, and now rest and tour exhibitions to gain a unique glimpse into Viking leadership, traditions and society in Vestfold and Norway.
In the same area you can also experience an authentic glimpse into Viking life at the Guild Hall, a remarkable reconstruction of a royal hall from the Viking Age.
Engage with Viking history by tasting Norse food and unleash your inner warrior at the Viking playground with activities like archery, axe throwing and more.
Borrehaugene
Midgard Viking Centre is located with a view over the majestic Borre Mounds. The mounds are the home to the Nordic region’s largest collection of monumental burial mounds from the Viking Age.
Most of the burial mounds are located within the 182-acre area covered by Borre Park, which is a listed cultural monument. Borre is a popular recreational area with information boards and facilities for walking and cycling.
The Viking Trail in Tønsberg
There are four large burial mounds in and around Tønsberg town: Farmannshaugen, Haugar and Oseberghaugen. They resemble each other externally, but their contents have been very different.
The Oseberg mound in Slagendalen contained the most spectacular find of all known Viking burial mounds. In addition to the Oseberg ship itself, the find consisted of a large number of artefacts from both everyday life and religious practice, many adorned with beautiful carvings in what we call the Oseberg style.
At the pier in Tønsberg you can visit Vikingodden and see a replica of the Oseberg ship. The Oseberg mound is equipped with information signs.
Slottsfjellet – The Castle on the Mountain
The castle ruins on Slottsfjellet mainly date from the middle of the 13th century, which is a couple of hundred years younger than the Viking Age. However, there was some form of defence here even before the 13th century, perhaps back in the Viking Age. When King Sverre besieged the Birkebeinerne on the mountain in the winter of 1201/02, there was a wooden castle up there.
In any case, the remains of Tunsberghus are so interesting that those who follow Vikingveien should also take the time for a detour up the mountain. From there you have one of Vestfold’s finest views of the town, the fjord and the beautiful surrounding cultural landscape.
Norway’s fourth Viking ship, the merchant ship from Klåstad, is presented in the Slottsfjell Museum’s Viking Hall, the only preserved Viking ship outside Oslo. There is also the story of the Oseberg discovery.
The Viking Trail in Sandefjord
Gokstad – a Viking Ship and a Burial Mound
When the Gokstad mound was excavated in 1880, for the first time we gained solid knowledge of what a Viking ship looked like. The Gokstad ship and its artefacts are on display at the Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy (closed: will reopen in 2026).
Fortunatley, you don’t have to travel to Oslo to see what this Viking ship looks like. At Framnes, you can see the replica of the ship in the summer, built in 1990 and cared for by Båtlaget Gaia, which also has replicas of the small boats from the Gokstad Mound.
Sandefjord Viking Park is located by the harbour in the city centre. Here you can watch the construction of the Gokstad ship and learn about traditional crafts. The construction of the ship will take place both in Sandefjord and at Vikingodden in Tønsberg.
The Viking Trail in Larvik
Istrehågan – a Ship Made of Stone
In between Larvik and Sandefjord you can dive back into old Norse times. Surrounded by nature, this ship constructed of stone can be gazed upon. The layout has so much in common with later Viking ships that we have chosen to include it on the Viking Trails – even though this burial ground is even older. Presumably, it dates all the way back from the 400s and 500s, also known as the Migration Period.
The stone ship is located at Jåberg in Tjølling, between Larvik and Sandefjord. The ship is 24 metres long and 9 metres at its widest.
Magnificent Mølen
For centuries, Mølen has captivated people with its wild beauty and magnificent nature. Discover over 230 ancient burial rock mounds, some reaching an impressive 35 meters in diameter, dating back to the Iron and Viking Ages (400-900 AD). Could this be the final resting place of the Ynglinge family, the Viking kings who once ruled these lands? Explore the unique boat-shaped stone setting, a possible site of burnt boat burials. Some cairns even predate the Viking age!
The area has some very distinctive nature, botany and geology and since 2008 it has been a part of the the UNESCO Global Geopark.
Kaupang – Norway’s first city
Extensive excavations were carried out in the Kaupang area in Larvik between 2000-2003. This research helped us understand more about Kaupang as a permanent and vital society which were in contact with much of Northern Europe during the Viking age.
The town was established in the first decade of the 800s and extended in a 500 m wide belt along the west side of the Kaupang inlet. There were probably around 500 inhabitants in the town, which was deserted some time in the 900s. There are several burial mounds from Viking times; at North and South Kaupang.
During the excavation remains of houses, roads, docks and production of various kinds were found. In total, more than 10,000 artefacts were uncovered – from glass beads to coins, moulds, bronze fittings and suit buckles, ceramics and combs.
The Kaupang Viking Town Museum is open to visitors during the summer season.
Vikings – Typically Norwegian
Visit Vestfold and Lorelou explain to tourists in 4 short films what is typically Norwegian. In part 4, the focus is on Vikings.
