Jomfruland

Jomfruland lies about seven kilometres off Kragero, a thin island seven and a half kilometres long formed on the same Ra moraine as Molen, so its eastern shore is a bank of rounded stones facing the open Skagerrak while the western side is sheltered, sandy and wooded. The soil left on the moraine supports an unusually rich deciduous forest of oak, elm, ash and lime, rare at this latitude, and the whole island became part of Jomfruland National Park in 2016. Two lighthouses stand on it, an older stone tower of 1839 and a taller one from 1939. There are almost no cars; bicycles are hired at the quay, and a track runs the length of the island past farms, the church and the shore.

What you actually see

• The stone ridge shore - a pebble bank facing the open sea on the east.
• The deciduous forest - oak, elm and lime woodland rare this far north.
• The two lighthouses - towers of 1839 and 1939 on the island.
• The bicycle track - a car-free route the length of the island.

When to go

May to September, when ferries run frequently and the woods are in leaf; the island is a noted bird migration site in spring and autumn. July is the busiest month. Winter service is minimal.

Honest expectations

Facilities are limited to a couple of cafes and a small shop, open mainly in summer. Accommodation is very restricted, so most visits are day trips tied to ferry times. The eastern shore is exposed and uncomfortable in wind.

Nearby

Kragero town is across the water; Stråholmen island and the Telemark coast are nearby.