Kjøkøya
I was a bit tired from recent travels, so for the next trip I decided to go somewhere closer. I found a book recently about Norwegian national parks. I read from it that the nearest park is Hvaler, near Fredrikstad, less than an hour drive from Oslo. Hvaler is an archipelago of islands with unique flora and fauna, and the park itself is mostly focused on the underwater area, but to a lesser extent extends along the coastline. On the mentioned islands, however, there are paths along which you can organize a quite pleasure hike. And that was my goal. However, I did not reach the archipelago. Looking for a suitable route, I found another interesting island, just outside the Fredrikstad outskirts, called Kjøkøya, with a several-kilometer loop trail. I decided that a light walk in this place would be just right for the beginning, and we will see where to go next.
Get Directions
I got there without major problems (and minor ones as well).The challenge was to find a place to leave the car.The island’s narrow roads and lots of vacation homes with little driveways gave the impression that outsiders like me were not welcome.However, I found a bit of space for the car, parked and headed towards the trail.About 20 minutes later, I received a text message from one of the owners of the house I parked next to, that she was expecting a gravel haul for the driveway and that my car was a bit in her way (interestingly, in Norway you can easily reach the owner of the car with the registration number).So I had to go back and move the car somewhere.By the way, I’ve been told that a little further inland there is a larger parking lot.I went there and actually managed to find a lot of space to leave my car while hiking.
I’m back on the trail.The route initially ran along the very shore.I quickly discovered that there had once been defensive fortifications and artillery emplacements on the island.Concrete trenches take up quite a lot of space on the southeastern shore.Then I plunged into the forest and the shoreline disappeared from sight.I reached the northern part of the island and turned back, taking the western path this time.It did not run along the shore, but rather through the center of the island among trees and rocks.Soon after, I ended my hike, emerging from the woods right next to my car.
Although the route was neither too long nor too demanding, I decided that it was enough for the day and returned home.
Map of the route “Kjøkøya”: 6,210 m, 247 m of climbing and 242 m of descent, elevation between -1 m and 58 m, time 01:59:57. It is a loop that starts and ends at 59.13227, 10.94756 (latitude, longitude).
