Walk To The Rising Tide: Haugesund's Famous Horse Sculptures

Q: What should I wear or bring for the walk to the Rising Tide?

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat , sunscreen and jacket , as it can be quite windy along the coastal walk, even on a sunny June day, as I found out! Also, bring a filled water bottle , as there's no place to buy water or fill your water bottle once you leave the city centre.

Q: Are there toilets or restrooms near the Rising Tide?

The only public toilet / restroom on this walking trail is before you reach the Rising Tide sculpture, near the car park. It was very clean when I visited on a weekday! If you miss it on the way back to Haugesund town centre, there's also one in the trailer / RV Park along the way too but I guess you'll have to pretend that you're staying at the park!

While many visitors to Haugesund flock to its colourful harbour houses and Viking monuments, a truly unique and hauntingly beautiful sight awaits just north of the city—one that many cruise passengers miss.

Imagine four ghostly pale horses and their riders emerging from the depths of the North Sea, their forms revealed and concealed by the rhythm of the tides. This is “The Rising Tide,” one of Norway’s most thought-provoking public art installations, and an absolute must-see for cruisers visiting Haugesund Cruise Port.

It’s an easily accessible trip from Haugesund Cruise Port via a refreshing and scenic coastal walk. This guide contains everything you need to plan your visit, from step-by-step directions from your ship to the crucial details on the best time to see the sculptures and tips for capturing that perfect photo.

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What are the Haugesund Horse Sculptures known as “The Rising Tide”?

The Rising Tide art installation in Haugesund, Norway, featuring four white horse and rider sculptures at low tide along the coastline.

The Rising Tide sculptures in Haugesund are the work of the world-renowned British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, a name you might recognise for his groundbreaking underwater museums in places like Mexico, Grenada, and Cannes, France. He is a master of using the aquatic environment to create art that evolves and interacts with nature.

“The Rising Tide” is no different. The installation consists of four horsemen, modelled after the iconic Shire horse, a traditional working breed. Originally installed on the banks of the River Thames in London in 2015, the sculptures were moved to their permanent home in Haugesund in 2019.

Where is “The Rising Tide” in Haugesund?

Panoramic view of The Rising Tide horse sculptures located in a rocky bay just north of Haugesund, Norway, with clear blue water and a rugged coastline under a bright sky.

“The Rising Tide” is located in the shallow waters of a bay at Kvalsvik, an area about 3km (~2 miles) north of Haugesund’s town centre. They are a prominent and unmissable landmark along the beautiful coastal walking path, known locally as Kyststien.

You can see The Rising Tide marked in my Haugesund Cruise Port map below – the route marked in blue is the coastal path walking route to the Rising Tide:

On Desktop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
If the map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps

How to Get to The Rising Tide from Haugesund Cruise Port

Your cruise ship will dock at the Garpeskjær Quay, at Haugesund Cruise Port, around 15 minutes’ walk from Haugesund’s city centre or about an hour’s walk away from the Rising Tide. For more details on Haugesund Cruise Port and other self-guided itineraries in Haugesund, read my main 👉 Haugesund Cruise Port Guide here.

Getting to the Rising Tide sculptures from Haugesund Cruise Port is an easy and enjoyable DIY excursion. You have four main options:

Option 1: Walk
Option 2: Local Small Group Tour or e-Bike Tour
Option 3: Bus & Shorter Walk
Option 4: Taxi or Uber

Note that the Hop-On-Hop-Off (HOHO) bus and the mini Haugesund Sightseeing CityTrain do NOT stop at the Rising Tide sculptures. Read my main 👉 Haugesund Cruise Port Guide for more info on the HOHO bus and the CityTrain.

Option 1: Walking to the Rising Tide via the Coastal Path

Scenic view of the Haugesund coastal path, showing a grassy shoreline and rocky islands in the North Sea, on the walk to The Rising Tide sculptures.

By far the best way to experience “The Rising Tide” is to walk, especially if you’re a keen walker. The journey is an attraction in itself, taking you along a beautiful, well-maintained coastal path that showcases the stunning local scenery.

Walk Distance: The walk from Haugesund Cruise Port is approximately 5 km (~ 3 miles) one-way, or roughly an hour’s walk, one-way, at a leisurely pace.

There are plenty of places to stop and rest along the way if you’d like to break up the walk into shorter chunks, including a well-sheltered swimming spot with changing facilities. You can also bring your lunch or snacks, as there’s picnic tables along the route.

Walking Directions from Haugesund Cruise Port

Aerial view of Haugesund, Norway, showing the path from the city centre across the Risøy Bridge, which visitors must cross to reach the Rising Tide sculpture. — Risøy Bridge in Haugesund | Photo by Nordic Drone, courtesy of Visit Haugesund

Below are the detailed walking directions from Haugesund Cruise Port to the Rising Tide sculptures. You can also use my Haugesund Cruise Port map above to navigate.

Exit the Port Area: Walk out from the cruise terminal gate. Follow the pavement for about 5 minutes and take a left when you see a sign marked “City Centre”. Once you’ve taken the left turn, you’ll almost immediately see the impressive Risøy Bridge (Risøybrua) straight ahead.
Cross the Bridge: Walk towards and across the bridge. You’ll see the Smedasundet strait, the waterway that separates the mainland from the islands of Risøy and Hasseløy. You’ll get a great view of Haugesund’s picturesque waterfront.
Left at Haraldsgata: Once across the bridge, take a left at Haraldsgata – one of the main streets in Haugesund’s town centre. Keep going straight; Haraldsgata then becomes “Haugevegen” once you walk past Haugesund’s town centre. If you see signs that you’re walking along Haugevegen, you’re on the right track!

Photo of the street corner in Haugesund showing a blue and white 'Skillebekkgata' sign, marking the turn-off point for the coastal walking trail to The Rising Tide sculptures. — Turn Left at Haugevegen / Skillebekkgata Junction for Coastal Path

Find the Coastal Path: Take a left at Skillebekkgata and walk downhill towards the sea. This junction IS marked – see photo above 📷👆 – though it may not seem that obvious at first. Don’t worry, it’s not a dead! Follow the pavement as the road bends to the right and you’ll see the start of the trail 📷👇!

The beginning of the scenic coastal path in Haugesund, Norway, located at the end of Skillebekkgata, showing the paved start leading toward the calm blue water. — Start of Coastal Path to Rising Tide

Enjoy the Journey: The path will lead you past charming Norwegian homes, small rocky beaches, and recreation areas. Just keep walking on the main path and you’ll get to the Rising Tide.

Option 2: Local Small Group Tour or E-Bike Tour

If you prefer a less active option, with the need to worry about maps or timing, join this scenic mini-bus tour of Haugesund. You’ll be picked up at Haugesund Cruise Terminal, get to see the Rising Tide, Haraldshaugen (the National Monument) as well as visit Steinsfjellet’s Viewpoint.

Steinsfjellet, which translates to “Stone Mountain,” is around 230 metres (about 745 feet) above sea level and offers a 360-degree panoramic view over the entire city of Haugesund. You’ll see the intricate network of islands and waterways that define the coastline.

Alternatively, for an adventure on two-wheels, join this guided e-bike tour. You’ll get to experience the beautiful coastal path up close with the gentle assistance of an electric bike.

Option 3: Bus, then Walk

A local bus is another option to get you to Rising Tide but there will still be about a 2 km (~1.3 miles) walk one-way after you get off the bus to the sculptures. Here’s how to get the bus:

Find the Bus Stop: Follow directions above to walk from Haugesund Cruise Terminal and across the Risøy Bridge.
Strandgata Terminal: Then catch bus #201 from Strandgata terminal bus stop – see this marked on my Haugesund Cruise Port map above 🗺️👆
Get off at “Gard”: Alight the bus at stop “Gard”. It’s easy to recognise the stop as it’s at an Esso gas station but it’s best to tell the bus driver where you’re going. “Gard” is the stop closest to Haraldshaugen. So the final stretch is to follow signs to Haraldshaugen, then follow the coastal path towards the Rising Tide.
Bus Timetables: Timetables here but it’s a lot easier to use Google Maps and see live bus departures!
Tickets: 45 NOK one-way, I think the easiest way is to download the Kolumbus Billett app and purchase on your phone. Note cards are not accepted on the bus. Tickets onboard buses, paid with cash, is 65 NOK one-way, as there’s a surcharge.

Note: If you use Google Maps, you may see a Bus #231 with stops closer to both Haraldshaugen & the Rising Tide sculpture. Note that this is a “school-run” bus, so there’s only one AM and one PM departure.

Option 4: Taxi and Uber

Taxis are readily available at Haugesund Cruise Port and offer the quickest and most direct route. Simply ask the driver to take you to “The Rising Tide” sculptures at Kvalsvik. (Uber is also available in Haugesund.)

Taxi cost: Expect to pay around 200-250 NOK (around €17-21) each way, depending on traffic. You’ll need to ask the taxi driver to wait while you look around, as there’s no taxi stand at the Rising Tide, for your return journey back to Haugesund Cruise Port. So factor in additional charges for waiting time. (Alternatively, if you want to stay for a long time, be sure your mobile phone works, so you can call a taxi back!)

Rising Tide: The Meaning Behind the Horse Sculptures

The 'Rising Tide' sculpture in Haugesund, Norway, featuring a horse with an oil pump derrick head, symbolizing the region's oil industry and historical reliance on the sea.

The symbolism behind the Rising Tide horses are meant to be multi-layered:

A Nod to the Past and Future: The workhorses represent the industrial revolution and our historical reliance on fossil fuels. The “oil pump” heads of the riders point directly to the modern oil and gas industry, a cornerstone of the Norwegian economy.
A Commentary on Climate Change: The placement of the statues in the intertidal zone is the core of the message. Twice a day, the figures are either revealed or submerged by the tide. This constant ebb and flow serves as a stark, visual metaphor for rising sea levels and the urgent threat of climate change.
A Question of Power: The impassive, faceless riders is meant to invite us to question “who is really in charge” about climate change.

Best Time to Visit the Rising Tide

Because the sculptures are in the intertidal zone, the experience of seeing them changes dramatically depending on the water level. There is no single “best” time to visit — it depends on the experience you want.

Low Tide vs. High Tide: A Different Experience

A view of two 'Rising Tide' horse sculptures at low tide in Haugesund. The foreground sculpture with its rider is almost entirely exposed, standing on a rocky, seaweed-covered seabed next to clear blue water, with a second sculpture visible in the background.

At Low Tide: The water recedes completely, exposing the full figures of the horses and their riders. You can walk right up to the base of the sculptures (be careful on the slippery rocks!). This is the best time to visit if you’d like to see the intricate details of the artwork — the texture of the horses’ manes and the industrial design of the “nodding donkey” heads.
At High Tide: The sea swallows the sculptures, leaving only the riders’ torsos and heads visible above the waves. They truly look like they are “rising” from the deep, silently weathering the force of the ocean.
During the Change: Perhaps the most fascinating time to visit is as the tide is either coming in or going out. You can witness the transformation firsthand as the water slowly reveals or conceals the figures.

I visited during low-tide, so you’ll notice from the photos in this blog post that all the sculpture’s details can be easily seen.

How to Check the Tides in Haugesund

Before you head out, do a quick search on Google for “tide times Haugesund” or “tide chart Haugesund”. I used Tideschart but note that Tideschart does not give you extended forecasts – it only gives you accurate tide times for the coming week.

My Recommendation: When Should You Go?

I have to admit that I wasn’t that bothered about when to go. I knew that I wanted to do the walk, as soon as I disembarked, when I’m energetic than late afternoon. It happened to coincide with low-tide when I visited.

But if you’re a keen photographer or want to see a specific perspective of the Rising Tide, here’s what I recommend:

To See the Full Artistic Detail: Aim to visit within an hour of low tide.
For Most Atmospheric Experience: Visit within an hour of high tide.

Photography Tips for the Rising Tide

These sculptures are incredibly photogenic! All shots were taken just with my phone. Here’s what I did:

Play with Angles: I walked around the small bay to see what angles I liked. If I got down low and shoot up at the figures, they looked more imposing.
Take close up shots: I tend to capture wide-angle shots for use on the blog, so as to give you a sense of perspective. The sculptures with the vast North Sea behind them and the rugged coastline, tell more of a story. But don’t forget to take some close up shots of the unusual mix of horses and their riders. I did!
Don’t worry if it’s overcast: Don’t give up your walk just because it’s an overcast day! The scene becomes more moody and mysterious!

The Rising Tide at Haugesund: FAQs

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and jacket, as it can be quite windy along the coastal walk, even on a sunny June day, as I found out!

Also, bring a filled water bottle, as there’s no place to buy water or fill your water bottle once you leave the city centre.

The only public toilet / restroom on this walking trail is before you reach the Rising Tide sculpture, near the car park. It was very clean when I visited on a weekday!

If you miss it on the way back to Haugesund town centre, there’s also one in the trailer / RV Park along the way too but I guess you’ll have to pretend that you’re staying at the park!

No. There’s no cafes or shops nearby to buy food. If you’d like to bring your own food, then either visit a cafe or supermarket in Haugesund town centre before your walk or alternatively, bring a snack from the ship and eat lunch back in Haugesund.

For two cafes on the walking route from Haugesund Cruise Port, try either Lutchfood or Poke & Bubbly – both are located on the Main Street Haraldsgata. For supermarkets, try either Joker Haugesund or Rema 1000. See all these marked in my Haugesund Cruise Port map above.

Yes absolutely! There are picnic tables and benches nearby and along the coastal walk.

Yes. There’s a sheltered swimming spot, just before you reach the Rising Tide. There’s public changing huts close by. I visited during low tide, so the water was fairly shallow.

What’s Nearby the Rising Tide

A dramatic sunset view of Haraldshaugen, Norway's National Monument in Haugesund. This historic site, with its tall obelisk and stone crosses, is located very close to the 'Rising Tide' sculptures — Haraldshaugen | Image: Jone Torkelsen & VisitHaugesund.no

The Rising Tide is one of the key attractions on Haugesund Coastal Path (Kyststien). There’s a few other points of interests nearby:

Haraldshaugen (Norway’s National Monument): A 10-minute detour along the same coastal path, you’ll find Haraldshaugen. This 1872 monument was erected to commemorate the 1000th (millennial) anniversary of King Harald Fairhair uniting Norway in a single kingdom. It’s believed that King Harald died in Haugesund.
Kvalen Lighthouse: A small lighthouse that you can see as you walk towards the Rising Tide. You can take a detour and walk all the way to the lighthouse, at the edge of the waterfront for even better coastal views.

The Rising Tide: Your Guide to Haugesund’s Famous Horse Sculptures

On This Page

What are the Haugesund Horse Sculptures known as “The Rising Tide”?

Where is “The Rising Tide” in Haugesund?

How to Get to The Rising Tide from Haugesund Cruise Port

Option 1: Walking to the Rising Tide via the Coastal Path

Walking Directions from Haugesund Cruise Port