Borre Viking Park

Borrehøjene

An archaeological park featuring ancient Viking ship burial mounds dating back over a thousand years, set in a beautiful forest landscape. The site combines historical significance with natural beauty and offers hiking trails through the sacred Viking burial grounds.

Things to do

• Walk the Mound Trail — Follow the marked hiking path through the forest that connects nine prominent Viking burial mounds, the largest of which reach up to 7 meters in height.
• Visit the Museum Building — Explore the modern visitor center at the park entrance which displays Viking artifacts, burial goods, and explains the archaeological significance of the site.
• Explore Borre Church Ruins — Examine the remains of a medieval church built directly within the Viking burial complex, showing the layering of sacred sites across centuries.
• Hike Through Borre Forest — Enjoy natural woodland trails beyond the mounds that wind through beech and oak forest with seasonal wildflower displays and wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Climb Mound 1 Summit — Ascend the largest burial mound to gain panoramic views of the surrounding Oslofjord landscape and understand the mound's original prominence.
• Attend Guided Archaeological Tour — Join scheduled park guides who provide detailed interpretations of Viking burial practices, ship graves, and the site's 1,300-year history.

Food to try

• Smørrebrød at Local Cafés — Sample traditional open-faced Danish rye bread sandwiches with herring, roast beef, or cheese at cafés near Borre or in nearby Tønsberg.
• Fresh Oslofjord Fish — Seek out restaurants in the region serving freshly caught local fish such as plaice, cod, or salmon, honoring the Viking maritime heritage.
• Medieval Game Meat — Try venison, wild boar, or pheasant dishes at regional restaurants, connecting to the forest hunting traditions that sustained Viking communities.
• Danish Rye Bread (Rugbrød) — Purchase dense, seeded dark rye bread from local bakeries, a staple that echoes Viking-era grain cultivation in the region.
• Berry Desserts and Preserves — Enjoy local cloudberry, lingonberry, or blackberry tarts and jams from the surrounding forests, reflecting seasonal Viking food preservation.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the Sacred Landscape — Stay on marked trails and avoid climbing directly on mounds to preserve the archaeological integrity and honor the ancient burial site's spiritual significance.
• Visit in Summer for Full Access — The park is best visited May through September when all facilities are open, guided tours run regularly, and the forest is fully accessible.
• Learn Viking Burial Context First — Begin at the museum before exploring mounds to understand that these were not just graves but elaborate ship burials reflecting Viking beliefs about the afterlife and wealth.
• Embrace Forest Appreciation — Danes deeply value their natural spaces; take time to move slowly, observe wildlife, and appreciate the integration of archaeology with undisturbed woodland ecology.