Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark Steinvika

About

Steinvika is declared a nature reserve due its unique fossil deposits and vulnerable vegetation. Help us to take care of Steinvika, leave the bedrock and plants alone and use the designated campfire sites if you want to make and enjoy hot food in this beautiful area!

The bedrock in Steinvika is from the geological period Ordovicium, from around 450 million years ago. Back then, Norway was located south of the equator, more or less below the ocean surface. Shallow and warm sea water provided perfect conditions for animals and plants to thrive. Some animals were able to build up reef structures, and the unique reef in Steinvika was mainly made up of an extinct group of calcareous algae-stromatoporoids. The reef in Jentesteinvika is among Europe's oldest fossil reefs and a rare occurrence.

Many different organisms are preserved as fossils in the rocks in Steinvika, such as corals, shell-like brachiopods, sea lilies, octopuses, snails and green algae. In some places you can also find tracks that show the animals' activities in the then soft seabed - track fossils.

Marvel at the beautiful nature and feel free to take pictures of what you find in Steinvika - it is, however, not allowed to remove or otherwise destroy the fossils!

There are signposted paths that take you from the parking lot and out on Langesundstangen. During the summer months, Steinvika is a popular spot for swimming.