Photo: Bjoertvedt·CC BY-SA 3.0· Wikimedia Commons
Islands / Nesodden / Steilene
Group of five islets in the inner Oslofjord off Nesodden: Persteila, Landsteila, Storsteila, Knerten and Fyrsteila. A state-secured public recreation area with buildings of heritage value from older industry, a coastal trail cabin (*kystledhytte*) in the old lighthouse, and a small-boat harbour, beach and fire pit on Persteila. The name is tied to an old execution site.
Steilene is the cluster of low islets west of the Nesodden peninsula, in the middle of the approach. The small white lighthouse on the outermost islet is the landmark, visible from a long way off. Behind it the other islets lie in a close row, with small boats in the harbour on the inner side through the summer.
Fyrsteila is a plant conservation area; Knerten is a bird reserve with a landing ban 15 April–15 July. The boundaries and the rules are in Naturbase, and they are worth checking before you land anywhere outside the marked areas.
Seasonal ferry Undine from Alværn in summer / private boat.
Times shift with the season, and several of the island boats run only in summer — check the current timetable at Ruter.
The name comes from the execution ground. A steile was the stake used there, alongside the wheel: the bodies of the executed were set up on stake and wheel as a warning, out here in the shipping lane where everyone sailing in towards Christiania had to pass. The group is made up of five islets: Persteilene, Landsteilene, Storsteilene, Knerten and Fyrsteilene.
The lighthouse on Fyrsteilene was established in 1837. It was destaffed and automated in 1984, and a new light structure was put up beside the old one. The lighthouse is owned today by the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) and leased by the Oslo Fjord Outdoor Council (Oslofjordens Friluftsråd). Several of the islets carry buildings of heritage value from older industry and coastal culture. An old fish-oil tank still stands on Storsteilene, and a sea cable runs west from here. Nortek has operated a weather station on Fyrsteilene since 2008.
Steilene is a state-secured public recreation area and one of the most used natural harbours in the inner Oslofjord. Persteilene and Landsteilene have a small-boat harbour, a sand beach, toilets, a shower, a changing room and a shared grill and fire site. The old lighthouse on Fyrsteilene is run as a coastal trail cabin by the Oslo Fjord Outdoor Council, and houses Kunstfyret, a programme where children and young people meet history, art and nature.
The seasonal ferry Undine runs from Alværn in summer; otherwise private boat. The cabin in the lighthouse is booked through the Oslo Fjord Outdoor Council (kystled.no). **Conservation:** Fyrsteilene is a plant conservation area. Knerten is a bird reserve with a **landing ban from 15 April to 15 July**. Storsteilene is exposed to the north wind.
The islets are named after the execution ground: the bodies of the executed were displayed here on stake and wheel, placed where all shipping heading for the city had to see them.
The lighthouse from 1837 is now a cabin you can rent, sleeping in the keeper's quarters where someone kept the light going for nearly 150 years before it was automated in 1984.
Five islets carry five different jobs between them: lighthouse, natural harbour, bird reserve, weather station and heritage coastal buildings, all in one cluster.
Oslo Sea Experience passes Steilene on its private fjord trips from Tjuvholmen.
The Norwegian version notes which facts were taken from each source: Steilene på norsk.