3-night norway Road Trip: Stavern, jettegrytene in Treungen & Lake Nisser
Southern Norway is packed with hidden gems that are perfect for a long weekend in a campervan.
This three-day road trip combines coastal charm, beautiful swimming spots, scenic drives and peaceful lakeside camping.
The route starts in Halden, continues to the seaside town of Stavern, before heading inland to Treungen and the famous Giant’s Kettles (Jettegrytene).
Day 1: Halden to Stavern
Distance: Approx. 140 km
Driving time: Approx. 2.5 hours including the Moss–Horten ferry crossing.
The adventure begins in Halden, heading north-west towards Moss before boarding the Bastø Ferry across the Oslofjord.
The short ferry ride offers a welcome break from driving and beautiful views of the Norwegian coastline.
Good to know
All Happycampers campervans are equipped with AutoPass, making toll roads and ferry crossings hassle-free. There’s no need to purchase tickets in advance, as charges are registered automatically and deducted from the security deposit after your trip.
After arriving in Horten, continue south towards Stavern, one of Norway’s most charming summer towns.
Known for its maritime history, beaches and relaxed atmosphere, Stavern is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the start of your campervan adventure.
If you have time, consider visiting:
- Nerdrum Museum
- Fredriksvern Verft
- The coastal path (Kyststien)
- Local beaches
- Farris water and Farris Bad Spa
We originally planned to stay outside town but ended up parking in central Stavern and exploring on foot. It turned out to be a great way to experience the harbour, cafés and lively summer atmosphere.
Spend the evening wandering along the waterfront, enjoying dinner by the sea and watching the sunset before settling in for the night.
Day 2: Stavern to Treungen
Distance: Approx. 145 km
Driving time: Approx. 2.5 hours
After a relaxed morning in Stavern, it’s time to leave the coast behind and head inland towards Telemark.
The scenery changes quickly. Coastal towns give way to forests, lakes and winding roads as you travel deeper into one of Norway’s most beautiful regions.
At one point, it felt like we’d entered the world of trees. Endless forests, quiet roads and nature in every direction.
Fun fact: “Treungen” directly translated means “Child of tree”.
The main destination for the day is Jettegrytene in Treungen.
These giant potholes were formed by powerful meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age and are now one of Telemark’s most unique natural attractions. On warm summer days, the crystal-clear pools become a natural swimming paradise! Incredibly fun, for both adults and children.
We visited on a sunny day with temperatures around 25°C and beaming sun. The water was refreshing, incredibly clear and perfect for cooling down. This was easily one of the highlights of the trip!
Jettegrytene is a fantastic place to spend several hours, but facilities are limited.
- Seasonal toilet with basic standard
- No kiosk or café
- Few shopping opportunities nearby
- Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch for the day
- Take all rubbish with you when leaving
If you’re travelling by campervan, we recommend packing a picnic and making the most of the surroundings.
The area around Treungen offers several peaceful places to spend the night close to nature. For campervan travellers who enjoy quiet evenings, lakeside views and waking up surrounded by forest, this part of Telemark is hard to beat.
As the day comes to an end, find a peaceful spot for the night and enjoy one of the best parts of campervan travel: complete freedom and a front-row seat to the Norwegian wilderness.
Highlights
- Jettegrytene (The Giant’s Kettles)
- Swimming in crystal-clear freshwater pools
- Scenic forest roads through Telemark
- Peaceful summer evenings
Day 3: Treungen to Lake Nisser
Distance: Approx. 25 km
Driving time: Approx. 30 minutes
After a peaceful night in the Treungen area, continue towards beautiful Lake Nisser and Sandvin Camping.
The short drive leaves plenty of time to enjoy the day. Swim in the lake, relax by the water or simply slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
Sandvin Camping offers spacious lakeside pitches, a sandy beach, shower facilities and direct access to Lake Nisser. It is the perfect place to slow down, recharge and enjoy a full day by the water.
One of the best things about campervan travel is not having to rush. Day three is all about slowing down and enjoying the surroundings.
As the evening sun settled over Lake Nisser, it was hard to imagine a better place to spend a summer night in a campervan.
One of the biggest surprises for many visitors to Norway is how bright the summer nights can be. During our visit on 21 June (the longest day of the year), it was still light enough to enjoy the view across the lake at 1 am.
Good to know
Fortunately, all Happycampers campervans are equipped with blackout curtains, making it easy to get a good night’s sleep even when daylight lingers long into the night.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sandvin camping
- Swimming directly from the campsite
- Beautiful lakeside pitches
- Peaceful surroundings
- Great shower facilities
- Perfect place to slow down and recharge
Day 4: Lake Nisser to Halden
Distance: Approx. 265 km
Driving time: Approx. 4,5 hours
After one final breakfast by Lake Nisser, it’s time to begin the journey back to Halden.
Although this is the longest driving day of the trip, there is no need to rush. One of the joys of travelling by campervan is the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye.
The route takes you through forests, lakes and rolling countryside, offering plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Make a few pit stops at local farm shops and discover some real local flavours.
During our trip, we made a stop at Holte Farm in Drangedal, a family-run farm specialising in chickens, ducks, geese and eggs. Their self-service farm shop is packed with local products og meats, ice cream, fruit- and berry drinks, and is well worth a visit if you’re passing through the area!
It was one of those small, unexpected stops that ended up becoming part of the adventure.
By the time you return to Halden, you’ll have experienced coastal towns, deep forests, crystal-clear swimming spots, peaceful lakeside camping and some of Southern Norway’s most beautiful scenery, all in just four days.
Highlights
- Scenic drive through Telemark
- Forests and lakes
- Holte farm shop
- Relaxed journey home
- A perfect introduction to campervan travel in Norway
Route Summary
Day 1: Halden → Stavern
Day 2: Stavern → Treungen
Day 3: Treungen → Lake Nisser (Sandvin Camping)
Day 4: Lake Nisser → Halden
Total distance: Approximately 650 km
Total driving time: Approximately 10–11 hours
Perfect for: Long weekends, couples, friends and first-time campervan travellers looking for a mix of coastal towns, forests, swimming spots and peaceful lakeside camping.
Ready for your own adventure?
This three-night road trip combines some of the best experiences Southern Norway has to offer.
Explore the charming summer town of Stavern, swim in the crystal-clear pools of Jettegrytene, spend peaceful nights surrounded by forests and enjoy long summer evenings by beautiful Lake Nisser.
Whether you prefer campsites, free camping or a little bit of both, this route offers the perfect introduction to campervan life in Norway.
Why travel with Happycampers?
✓ Unlimited kilometres included
✓ Fully equipped campervans
✓ Blackout curtains for bright Norwegian summer nights
✓ Pickup in Halden, just 90 minutes from Oslo
✓ Personal service from a local, woman-owned business
Start planning your trip
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Happycampers – If freedom is important.
Campervan Route, Free camping, Jettegrytene, Lake Nisser, Road Trip Norway, Sandvin Camping, Southern Norway, Stavern, Telemark, Treungen