Ytre Hvaler National Park, Marine national park in Østfold, Norway.
Ytre Hvaler National Park stretches along southern Norway's coast, combining marine environments with several land islands distributed across the protected area. The park features coastal landscapes, waterways, and hiking routes accessible from several trailheads that serve as starting points for exploration.
Humans have inhabited this coastal region since the Bronze Age, as evidenced by archaeological remains on the islands. Settlement grew over later centuries, particularly from the 1600s onward, when fishing communities and seafarers established permanent presence in the area.
The lighthouses Torbjørnskjær and Homlungen shape the character of this protected area and show how maritime navigation defined this coastal region. Visitors can see today how these structures marked the way for ships along Norway's southern shore.
Several hiking trails wind through the park and are reachable from access points along road 108. The area is best explored during dry weather, as routes become slippery, and visitors should be prepared for changeable coastal conditions.
A coral reef near Tisler island hosts cold-water corals that are uncommon in shallow waters. This underwater formation draws marine scientists and reveals the ocean diversity thriving in this northern European setting.
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