Islands / Nesodden / Storsteila
One of the islets in the Steilene group off Nesodden. It is a state-secured public recreation area.
Storsteila is one of the five islets in Steilene, the group out in the Vestfjorden west of the Nesodden peninsula. From the deck it reads as low and wooded, in a cluster with Landsteila, Knerten and the lighthouse islet. Steilene separates the Vestfjorden from the main shipping lane in towards Oslo.
Seasonal ferry "Undine" from Alværn in summer, or your own boat.
Boats do run here, but the quay is not in Entur’s system. It is usually a summer service or a private crossing that never enters the national journey planner. Check with the operator before you build a day around it.
Steilene has been a seamark and a hub for the pilot and lighthouse services on the approach to Oslo. The light itself was on the neighbouring islet Fyrsteila from 1837, manned until it was automated in 1984. Storsteila has no lighthouse or industrial history of its own in the sources. It belongs to the group as a recreation islet. The name Steilene is traditionally linked to *steile og hjul*, the stake and the breaking wheel of the old execution ground, a sight that also warned passing sailors. The origin is uncertain.
Storsteila is a state-secured public recreation area (*statssikret friluftsområde*), managed for open access and boating. With the rest of Steilene it is a popular summer destination for boat owners from Oslo and Nesodden.
Come by your own boat or kayak. The natural harbour takes small craft. In summer the seasonal ferry Undine runs from Alværn on Nesodden out to Steilene. Check the timetable for the season you are travelling. The sources list no access restrictions specific to Storsteila, unlike the neighbouring islet Knerten, which is a bird reserve.
Steilene is five islets with a function each: the light on Fyrsteila, the guest harbour on Persteila and Landsteila, the bird reserve on Knerten, the natural harbour on Storsteila.
The light on the neighbouring islet was built in 1837 and had a keeper until 1984. The keeper's house is now let as a coastal trail cabin (*kystledhytte*) by Oslofjordens Friluftsråd, the regional outdoor recreation council.
Oslo Sea Experience passes Storsteila on its private fjord trips from Tjuvholmen.
The Norwegian version notes which facts were taken from each source: Storsteila på norsk.