Håøya – the island gem of the Oslofjord

Right next to the fortress island Oscarsborg lies Håøya, with boat connections from Oslo (Aker Brygge) and Drøbak during summer, and on weekends in both spring and autumn. Read more at Ruter.no.

This is one of the Oslofjord’s coziest islands, with idyllic swimming coves, great hiking trails, designated boat moorings, the café Håøya Naturverksted, and lovely tent spots. A varied and idyllic island gem to visit either for a day trip or an overnight stay.

History

Håøya, meaning “the high island,” is the largest island in the Inner Oslofjord, located one hour by boat with Ruter from Aker Brygge and 15 minutes by boat from Drøbak. In the Middle Ages, monks ran a small farm here, and remains of an old settlement have been found on the northern part of the island. Since then, churches, the Armed Forces, and private owners have held ownership of the island, which has housed everything from an explosives factory to an outdoor swimming school.

Today, the City of Oslo owns most of the island, except for the southern tip, which is owned by the Armed Forces.

Active island with exciting nature

Håøya has an exceptionally rich biodiversity, with more than 550 plant species. The southern part of the island is classified as a nature reserve with valuable old-growth forest. All plants and animals on Håøya are protected, and in the eastern part of the reserve, access is prohibited due to nesting sea eagles.

The varied landscape offers great conditions for hiking, and there are several beautiful routes for those who want to lace up their hiking boots.

Håøya på langs is an approximately eight‑kilometre hike that begins with the ascent up Ormeleina. The path winds its way toward the Haubitz Battery and the historic execution site where six resistance fighters were executed in 1942.

If you want to hike up Ormeleina to Håøya’s highest point, you can ask the Oscarsborg ferry to stop at Håøya South on the departures leaving ten minutes before the half hour from Sundbrygga. When you want to be picked up again, call the ferry at +47 900 99 414.

Walking Håøya på langs also takes you past the island’s—and Frogn’s—highest point at 229.4 metres above sea level. Here, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views toward both Oscarsborg and Drøbak.

Accommodation

Håøya is an excellent place to stay overnight, whether you arrive with your own boat, plan to stay in one of the coastal cabins managed by Oslofjordens Friluftsråd, or bring a tent or hammock.

There are three guest harbours where mooring is free: Sagbukta, Dragsund, and Tåjebukta. The latter has recently been upgraded by the City of Oslo with new floating docks and more than 90 boat berths. All guest harbours offer facilities such as outhouses, drinking water, and waste bins.

In addition, Håøya is one of the few islands in the Oslofjord where camping is allowed for up to five nights, and there are several great tent spots on the island—for example in Sagbukta, where you’ll also find barbecue areas, benches, new toilet facilities, access to drinking water, and football goals. There are also many good places to hang a hammock.

Not a fan of tents? In Sagbukta you’ll also find three beautiful coastal cabins of different sizes that can be rented from Oslofjordens Friluftsråd: – “Badstua” with four beds – “Gamlegården” with sixteen beds – “Eldhuset” with seven beds

When renting one of these coastal cabins, you also have access to a small rowboat.

Håøya Naturverksted

Håøya is also home to the Oslofjord’s coziest café — and cheese dairy. Every summer since 2014, goat farmer Helge Haugen and his family have run a traditional mountain farm and café in the beautiful surroundings of Baklia on Håøya, where they produce their own goat cheese from hand‑milked cashmere goats, as well as sourdough bread, pastries, apple juice, and cured meats.

On the menu you’ll find both cheese boards and cured‑meat platters made from Håøya goats, in addition to the famous cinnamon buns made with goat’s milk. Or how about a goat burger?

Every day at 14:00 during summer, visitors of all ages can watch the cashmere goats being hand‑milked, and children are welcome to join the farmers inside the milking shed.

The popular café operates in a newly restored building with outdoor seating by the guest harbour in Tåjebukta. The café usually opens around May 17 each year. Read more here.

How do you get here?

The Ruter boats B21 and B22 serve the island daily from June to August, but only on weekends during spring and autumn.

– B21 Aker brygge – Drøbak – Son usually operates from early April to early October (this may vary; check schedules at ruter.no). – B22 Aker brygge – Drøbak usually operates from early June to late August.

These schedules may vary — check boat routes at ruter.no for updated information.

If you arrive with your own boat, you can use any of the island’s three guest docks, all of which are free. Håøya Naturverksted also sets up ferry departures from Sætre during the summer.