The hills behind Tvedestrand carry some of the northernmost oak forests in Europe — a distinctive coastal woodland that thrives on the relatively mild climate of the Sørlandet shore. Several marked trails lead up from the town into this forest, with routes ranging from an easy hour's stroll to half-day walks that reach viewpoints over the fjord and the outer islands.
The oak trees here are old and gnarled, quite unlike the tall managed forests further inland, and the understorey in spring and early summer is thick with wildflowers. The trails are well marked and not technically demanding, but the terrain is rocky in places so decent footwear helps. The views back down over the red and white rooftops of the town, with the fjord beyond, are among the better perspectives on the Tvedestrand townscape.