The Brevik–Skjelsvik coastal path

About

Discover the marked and signposted coastal path on the west side of the Eidanger Fjord, stretching 7 km from Skjelsvik Marina (båthavn) to Brevik town center. This hike in Porsgrunn Municipality offers beautiful views, historical traces, and excellent swimming opportunities along the sea.

Route Description and Sights

The trail starts at Skjelsvik Marina and follows the coastline, providing great views over the water toward the Langesund Fjord (Langesundsfjorden).

• Historical Traces: Along the path, you will pass Tangendammen (The Tangen Dam), a cultural site reminding visitors of historical ice production. You will also find old trenches dating back to World War II on the Ørstvet Peninsula (Ørstvethalvøya).
• Swimming and Recreation: After passing a charming small boat harbor, you reach the popular swimming spots Hvalen Beach and Malkenstranda. Further along the route, after a newly developed section of the coastal path, you reach a residential area and then Heistadstranda, which is also a great place for swimming.
• End of the Trail: From Heistadstranda, the path follows a gravel road by fields. You pass the area near the old Norcem factories, and from here into Brevik town center, the route follows the main road.
• Views: Along the entire trail, there are several wonderful viewpoints looking out over the Langesund Fjord.

Practical Information and Access

• Length: The trail is a total of 7 km long (one way).
• Recommended Parking (Start): For the best start, park at Mule Varde. Then, follow the pedestrian path down to Skjelsvik Marina. The walk from Mule Varde to the start of the coastal path takes approximately 10 minutes.
• Access by Bus: Take bus M1 to the Heistad stop. From here, it is barely 300 meters to the start of the trail. You can choose to walk in the direction of Brevik or toward Skjelsvik/Mule.
• Return: It is easy to take a bus back from Brevik or from Skjelsvik/Mule (check timetables on farte.no).

Responsible Travel for Sustainable Nature

When traveling along the coastal path, you contribute to preserving the beautiful coastal environment through responsible conduct:

• Always follow marked trails to protect the ecosystems.
• Take all litter with you (leave-no-trace principles).
• Respect the wildlife and local rules.