Cycle along the Halden Canal

Cycle along the

Halden Canal

Lillehammer Bergen

NORGE

SVERIGE Aurskog-Høland Rømskog

OSLO

Marker Aremark

→Karlstad

→STOCKHOLM

Halden Strømstad Kristiansand Gøteborg Frederikshavn

The Halden Canal is in south-eastern Norway, along the border with Sweden, and just an hour or so from Oslo. A great area with DANMARK beautiful and in parts KØBENHAVN ­untouched countryside. It is the oldest canal in Norway, with three sets of locks and five lakes.

Malmø Trelleborg

Sassnitz

Kiel Hamburg

BERLIN

TYSKLAND

On the following pages

you can read about the beautiful cycle tours you can take in the area.

There are many great experiences to be had in and along the canal. Here, you can swim, fish, eat, enjoy art and culture, stay in and experience the great outdoors. The Halden Canal is a good place for everyone – both for those who live here and tourists.

CONTACT US? SEE OUR WEB PAGE HERE

ROUTE 1

Around Hemnessjøen Hemnes 27 km Akershus/Østfold

TIME: 1-2 hours ROAD SURFACE Asphalt throughout BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Occasionally heavy traffic on the FV115 START & FINISH: Søndrehallen, Hemnes

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Good parking facilities by ­S øndrehallen in Hemnes.

ACCOMMODATION AND ­E ATING Cabins for rent www.utmarksavdelingen.no Café in Hemnes Shop and petrol station in Hemnes.

BICYCLE RENTAL AND ­WORKSHOP Not in the area as of January 2019.

For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Around Hemnessjøen

The route starts at Søndrehallen in Hemnes where you can ­visit the Aurskog-Høland folk museum with its old farm ­buildings. Søndrehallen, with “Kafeen på Hemnes”, is the ­village's social and cultural meeting place.

Follow the RV 226 past Hemnes Church along Lake Hemnessjøen towards Ydersbotn. The route goes through farmland and has views of the water throughout. At Kollerudvika and Kragtorpvika there are wetland reserves and the chance to see a number of species of birds. From Ydersbotn, the route continues along the RV 123 until you reach the Bingen junction. Here, too, the landscape is characterised by farms and the Kallakmosen wetland area, with several nesting species of birds.

On the FV 115 the route turns back towards Hemnes.

2

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Cycle path Paved road 0 km

27 km

Gravel road 3

ROUTE 2

Kroksund tour Skulerud 34 km Akershus/Østfold

TIME: 1-2 hours ROAD SURFACE Asphalt. Gravel along the ­“ Linna” road between Skulerud and Hemnes BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Little/moderate traffic START & FINISH: Skulerud

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Good parking facilities by ­S kulerud beach.

ACCOMMODATION AND ­E ATING Cabins for rent www.utmarksavdelingen.no Coastal cabins, Smia Café in Hemnes Shop and petrol station in Hemnes.

BICYCLE RENTAL AND ­WORKSHOP Not in the area as of January 2019.

For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Kroksund tour

The route starts at the beach at Skulerud. Here, we have ­bicycles attached to rails, a sandy beach with good bathing opportunities, just a stone’s throw away from the old quay and railway, called the “Tertitten” on the old Urskog-Høland Line, which ran between Sørumsand and Skulerud. From Skulerud, timber and passengers were transported along the Halden waterway.

Follow the “Linna” gravel road, the former route of the Tertitten, or take the FV 125 towards Hemnes. At Hemnes you can visit the café in Søndrehallen and the Aurskog-Høland folk museum with its old farm buildings. Follow the RV 226 past Hemnes Church along Lake Hemnessjøen towards Ydersbotn.

The route goes through farmland and has views of the water throughout. At Kollerudvika and Kragtorpvika there are wetland reserves and the ­opportunity to see a number of species of nesting birds.

At Ydersbotn, the route goes along the FV 123 towards Kroksund and you can take a detour up to Basmo fortress, ancient fortifications from 1683. Later you will pass the Halden Canal at the Kroksund Bridge and the route follows the FV 125 back to Skulerud.

4

START END

Cycle path Paved road 0 km

34 km

Gravel road 5

ROUTE 3

Around Rømsjøen

Rømskog Spa&Resort 33.5 km Østfold

TIME: 3-4 hours ROAD SURFACE: Mainly asphalt. Gravel on a 5.5 kmlong stretch on the east side of the lake BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: A short stretch of the FV 21 occasionally has heavy traffic, otherwise light.

START & FINISH: Rømskog Spa & Resort / Rømskog Church

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Good, with parking along large parts of the cycle route, including Rømskog Spa & Resort (guests), Kurøen museum and cultural centre, Rømskog Church and Trosterud school.

ACCOMMODATION AND ­E ATING Rømskog Spa & Resort, +47 69 00 25 80 Nord Steinby Kro & Camping, +47 928 47 982 Cabins for rent www.utmarksavdelingen.no (Flaten-Trosterud) BICYCLE RENTAL AND ­WORKSHOP Not in the area as of January 2019.

For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

6

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Around Rømsjøen

The route around Rømsjøen takes in varied terrain and offers exciting nature and cultural experiences.

Rømskog Church is the starting point for the trip. The church is situated on a beautiful promontory facing Rømsjøen and is worth visiting, both from inside and outside. One kilometre later, you reach Kurøen museum and cultural centre. The area around Kurøen provides opportunities for fishing, picnicking and swimming.

During summer weekends, there is also open-air dining at Kurøen. South of Kurøen, the route goes past Sandvika. This is a 5,000 year old Stone Age dwelling with cooking pits. Today, Sandvika has also been adapted into a bathing area.

Going onward to the south-east, a gravel road leads to the border. At Nordre Posttjern, you can see border post number 49 from 1753. At the southern end of Rømsjøen we have the Trosterud School Museum from 1860. At the time, the school had a permanent teacher who lived in the schoolroom. It was closed down in 1940 and became a school museum in 1977. The museum has beautiful outdoor areas where you can eat a picnic.

START END

Cycle path Paved road 0 km

33.5 km

Gravel road 7

ROUTE 4

Around Rødenessjøen Ørje 37.4 km Østfold

TIME: 2-3 hours ROAD SURFACE Paved for most of the route.

Gravel road on the detour to Huervannet (7 km) BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Occasionally heavy traffic on the FV21.

START & FINISH: Ørje

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Parking in Ørje by the petrol station, by Ørje Church or Dråpen.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Sukken camping, +47 480 96 800 Rørvik Camping, +47 932 38 800 Solstrand terrasse, +47 69 81 21 37

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Around Rødenessjøen

Rental cabins www.utmarksavdelingen.no (Names of cabins: Taraldrud, Klokkerud) Solspillet, Vidsyn

The route around Rødenessjøen is based on easy terrain in a landscape dominated by the rural Rødenessjøen.

Sluseporten Båtcafe (boat café), +47 904 02 515

From the lock town of Ørje, it runs north along the FV 21, surrounded by working farms. At Sukken you can take a detour from the FV 21 through pleasant countryside to the Huevann where you can cool off and go fishing.

Bakergaarden Cafe & Restaurant, +47 904 02 515 Butt's Tandoori fast food, +47 401 46 193 BICYCLE HIRE www.visitindre.no WORKSHOP Nilsen Sport & Elektrisk, Ørje For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

8

Back on the FV 21 you will reach Joval campsite which has exciting farm and wilderness experiences to offer (must be booked in advance).

Further on, you will pass Kroksund Bridge and the Halden Canal, which were built for timber floating between Skulerud, the terminus of the Urskog-Høland line, and Tistedalen near Halden. Kroksund was the port of call for the steam ship Engebret Soot and had a hotel, sawmill and land trade in its heyday.

The rest of the route is based on a quiet road back to Ørje. Just south of Kallak, you can drop into the Dahl farm, with its many animals and farmer’s market.

START END

9

ROUTE 5

Around Gjølsjøen

Ørje 12.4 km Østfold

TIME: 1 hour ROAD SURFACE Paved for most of the route.

Gravel road from Kasbo to the FV21 (2 km) BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: The FV21 has occasionally heavy traffic, but is usually quiet.

START & FINISH: Ørje

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Parking in Ørje by the petrol station, by Ørje Church or Dråpen.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Solstrand terrasse, +47 69 81 21 37 Rørvik Camping, +47 932 38 800 Sukken Camping, +47 480 96 800 Rental cabins www.utmarksavdelingen.no Sluseporten Båtcafe (boat café), +47 904 02 515 Bakergaarden Café & Restaurant, +47 904 02 515 Butt's Tandoori fast food, +47 401 46 193 BICYCLE HIRE www.visitindre.no WORKSHOP Nilsen Sport & Elektrisk, Ørje For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

10

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Around Gjølsjøen

This route around Gjølsjøen will take you through open ­countryside with a number of views of water. On the way to Kasbo, the route runs through beautiful open farmland.

The route goes via Kasbo down to Gjølsjøen, with a bridge over Gjølsjøen. The lake is a wetland reserve, is 5 km long and narrow, surrounded by farms. The lake is rich in birdlife and for keen bird-watches there is a great opportunity to see a number of species from the bird tower on the east side of the bridge.

Further along the FV 21 you get to Solstrand Terrasse. Here, you can stay overnight and eat out. Back in Ørje, the locks from 1849 and the canal museum are both worth a visit. The lock and museum complex tells the story of the cultural and natural history of the Haldenvassdraget watercourse which runs from Nes to Halden.

START END

Cycle path Paved road

0 km

Gravel road

12.4 km

11

ROUTE 6

Around Buerkroken Ørje 23.5 km Østfold

TIME: 2 hours ROAD SURFACE Paved for most of the route.

Gravel road from Buer to the FV21.

BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Occasionally heavy traffic on the FV21.

START & FINISH: Ørje

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Parking in Ørje by the petrol station, by Ørje Church or Dråpen.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Solstrand terrasse, +47 69 81 21 37 Rørvik Camping, +47 932 38 800 Sukken Camping, +47 480 96 800 Rental cabins www.utmarksavdelingen.no Sluseporten Båtcafe (boat café) +47 904 02 515 Bakergaarden Cafe & Restaurant, +47 904 02 515 Butt's Tandoori fast food, +47 401 46 193 BICYCLE HIRE visitindre.no WORKSHOP Nilsen Sport & Elektrisk, Ørje For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

12

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Around Buerkroken

“Around Buerkroken” takes you through open countryside rich with culture. On the way to Kasbo, the route runs through beautiful open farmland. Between Kasbo and Buer the countryside alternates between forest and agriculture.

A nice detour is via the lake of Gjølsjøen. Gjølsjøen is 5 km long and narrow, ­surrounded by farms. It is rich in birdlife and for keen bird-watchers the bird tower on the east side of the bridge over Gjølsjøen is a “must”.

On the way north on the FV21 back to Ørje, we pass Øymark Church. Further along the route you get to Solstrand Terrasse. Here, you can stay overnight and eat out. Back in Ørje, the locks from 1849 and the canal museum are both worth a visit. The lock and museum complex tells the story of the cultural and natural history of the Haldencanal.

START END

Cycle path Paved road

0 km

Gravel road

23.5 km

13

ROUTE 7

The “Swedish route” Buer-Väng Buerkrysset 48 km

TIME: 3–4 hours ROAD SURFACE Gravel throughout.

BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Little traffic.

START & FINISH: Buerkrysset

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Parking facilities at Buerkrysset.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Solstrand terrasse, +47 69 81 21 37 Rørvik Camping, +47 932 38 800 Sukken Camping, +47 480 96 800 Rental cabins www.utmarksavdelingen.no (Name of cabin: Buer) BICYCLE HIRE www.visitindre.no WORKSHOP Nilsen Sport & Elektrisk, Ørje For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

“Swedish route” Buer-Väng

The Swedish route from Buer to Väng back via Mon to Buer is a lovely route on a gravel road involving varied terrain through two countries. The countryside is characterised by forest, agriculture, ponds and lakes. The route is hilly.

The route starts in Buerkrysset and goes along Vängsveien on hilly terrain across the border down through the forest to the Swedish agricultural location of Väng and the Foxen lake, with good picnic opportunities. You’ll need to bring ­provisions on this trip.

The route goes south for about 8 km towards Bästnäs, where a car graveyard has become a popular tourist destination. The road then turns once more towards the border with Norway via Mon where you pass one of the 18th century border posts.

The route back to Buerkrysset goes past Rørvik Camping, with a good ­opportunity to take a dip. From Buerkrysset, you can combine the trip with another journey: “Around Buerkroken” to Ørje.

14

START END

Svenskeruta-Buer 200 M

Data: DTM 10 Terrengmodell (Norge 10 m)

Cycle path Paved road

100 M0 km START

48 KM

48 km

Gravel road 15

16

Canoeing With idyllic coves, peninsulars and islands, the beautiful landscape lends itself to a canoeing trip. The Halden Canal and surrounding lakes are very suitable for canoeing. Along the canal there are both beaches and shelters, as well as the spectacular locks of Brekke, Strømsfoss and Ørje.

You can take both canoes and bicycles on the MS Brekke boat, which operates on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, so you can canoe one way and take the boat back.

PHOTO: BERIT LUDVIGSEN

PHOTO: PÅL EGIL NORDLI

For more information about rental businesses, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no 17

ROUTE 3

85 km

90 km

95 km

100 km

105 km

110 km

115 km

120 km

125 km

130 km

135 km

140 km

145 km

150 km

Cycle route, see p. 24 Boat

ROUTE 1

ROUTE 8

ROUTE 13

ROUTE 4

ROUTE 11

ROUTE 2

ROUTE 14

ROUTE 10

ROUTE 9

ROUTE 7

ROUTE 6

ROUTE 5

0 km

5 km

10 km

15 km

20 km

25 km

30 km

35 km

40 km

ROUTE 12

45 km

50 km

55 km

60 km

65 km

70 km

75 km

80 km

Fishing There are abundant fishing opportunities, both saltwater and freshwater. Hire a fishing guide and catch a big fish. fiskeland.no/eng/fiskeguide.php Saltwater fishing does not require a fishing permit. Fishing permits for most rivers and lakes in the area can be purchased at www.iNatur.no. There are other shops along the Haldenvassdraget watercourse, including petrol stations and sporting goods shops.

www.iNatur.no • www.fiskeland.no 22

Hiking The Halden Canal Regional Park is excellent for hiking. There are a number of marked trails and paths. There are also several floodlit trails in the region. For more information, visit www.ut.no (in Norwegian).

Feel free to visit one of the many sports cabins or shelters.

Maps are sold in tourist offices.

Digital maps of Ă˜stfold and Akershus: www.turkart.no

See www.visithaldenkanalen.no for more info 23

Cycling

An unforgettable trip along the Halden Canal 130.6 km

TIME: 4 days ROAD SURFACE Varied BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Varied traffic START & FINISH: Halden

Sunday (Day 1): Cycling – 27.6 km

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ACCOMMODATION Day 1: Solstrand Terrasse, Ørje.

Day 2: Høland Gårdsmotell, Løken.

Day 3: Eidsverket, Bjørkelangen.

You can also take this trip on other days of the week, but then you’ll miss out on the boat trip and will have to cycle the route instead.

BOOKING Tel: + 46 733 64 08 66 Email: info@dalslandsresor.se Order code: 1934 4 days along the Halden Canal PRICE: NOK 3450 per person.

24

Start at Halden railway station. On the first day, you will cycle the 5 km to Tistedal, where you will board the MS Brekke. The boat will take you along the Halden Canal, through Europe's highest contiguous lock.

From Strømsfoss, it’s a 23 km ride to Ørje, with dinner and accommodation at ­Solstrand Terrasse. You can also canoe here if you like.

Monday (day 2): Cycling – 43 km After breakfast, you can make a packed lunch and cycle to Løken in beautiful lakeside scenery. In Løken you will stay at Høland Gårdsmotell. This is self-­ catering. You can buy food on the way.

Tuesday (Day 3): Cycling – 16 km Today you will be riding along a former railway, to Bjørkelangen. You will stay overnight here at Eidverket mansion. There are great opportunities for hiking and other activities.

Wednesday (Day 4): Cycling – 44 km On the last day, you cycle to Årnes, where you can take the train back to Halden.

The train journey takes about 3 hours and departures are once an hour.

25

ROUTE 8

Around Øymarksjøen Strømsfoss 50.4 km Østfold

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

TIME: 4-5 hours ROAD SURFACE Asphalt, apart from the road from the FV 21 to Buer via Stikle BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: An 8.6 km stretch of the FV21 has ­occasionally heavy traffic, but is usually quiet.

START & FINISH: Ørje

PARKING Parking in Ørje by the petrol ­station, by Ørje Church or Dråpen.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Solstrand terrasse, +47 69 81 21 37 Rørvik Camping, +47 932 38 800 Sukken Camping, +47 480 96 800 Rental cabins Coastal path cabin, Flaghytta www.utmarksavdelingen.no (Names of cabins: Buer, Smiåsen and Feriehus) Bøensætre (must be prebooked), +47 419 34 060 Café and shop in Møllerens Hus, +47 916 39 075 Sluseporten Båtcafe (boat café), +47 904 02 515 Bakergaarden Café & Restaurant, +47 904 02 515 Butt's Tandoori fast food, +47 401 46 193 BICYCLE HIRE www.visitindre.no WORKSHOP Nilsen Sport & Elektrisk, Ørje For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

26

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Around Øymarksjøen

Going around Øymarkssjøen offers you natural and cultural experiences along a varied route, with great opportunities for activities and experiences along the way.

From Li there is a beautiful view over Øymarksjøen. There are large farms and cornfields here. At Strømsfoss you can visit the museum and art gallery, as well as the indoor shop and café. From the pier, the MS Brekke goes along the river.

A detour to Bøensætre may be well worth considering. Bøensætre offers ­pre-booked courses and lessons, food, drinks and accommodation.

Further along the route, there is a picnic area with a toilet at Otteidvika. The route leaves the FV 21 towards Stikle – Buer and Ørje and runs through forest and farmland scenery where you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of the King of the Forest. Keen birdwatchers are recommended to make a stop by Gjølsjøen on the way back to Ørje.

Cycle path Paved road

Gravel road

START END 0 km

50.4 km

27

ROUTE 9

Around Aremarksjøen Strømsfoss 26.5 km Østfold

TIME: 2-3 hours ROAD SURFACE Asphalt throughout BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Occasionally heavy traffic on the FV21 (8km) START & FINISH: Strømsfoss

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Good parking facilities at ­A remark Church, Strømsfoss and Fossby.

ACCOMMODATION AND E ­ ATING Kirkeng Camping, +47 901 94 244 Stora Lee Camping, +47 880 04 387 Cabins for rent www.utmarksavdelingen.no Bøensætre (must be prebooked), +47 419 34 060 ­ Café and shop in Møllerens Hus, +47 916 39 075 Furulund Kafe Aremark, +47 69 19 90 00 In Fossby there is a bank, shop and petrol station BICYCLE RENTAL AND ­WORKSHOP Not in the area as of January 2019.

For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

28

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Around Aremarksjøen

Aremarksjøen in the middle of the Haldenvassdraget watercourse has many islands and straits, both large and small.

With its numerous coves and peninsulas, it’s lovely scenery to cycle in.

At Strømsfoss you can visit the museum and art gallery, as well as the indoor shop and café. The ship Brekke docks at the pier and can take you down to Tistedal. On the western side of Aremarksjøen you can take a detour to ­Vestfjella, which offers unique outdoor experiences and the possibility of cottage ­accommodation. The Vestsia road is slightly hilly and runs through farms and cultivated land. At the Skolleborg dam, you have a chance of seeing beavers.

At Skotsberg, Aremarksjøen flows through the Tordivelen to Aspern and the view from the Skodberg bridge is beautiful. From here, there may be some traffic on the next 2 km of the FV21 to Fossby. From Fossby, the cycle path continues for about 3 km to Aremark Church, before the route joins the FV 21 again for a slightly hillier 6 km stretch. The scenery is characterised by verdant farmland and farms with livestock.

START END

Cycle path Paved road 0 km

26.5 km

Gravel road 29

ROUTE 10

Around Aspern Strømsfoss 30.9 km Østfold

TIME: 2–3 hours ROAD SURFACE Asphalt surface all the way BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Occasionally heavy traffic on the FV21 (10.5 km) START & FINISH: Fossby

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Good parking facilities at Fossby.

ACCOMMODATION AND E ­ ATING Kirkeng Camping, +47 901 94 244 Stora Lee Camping, +47 880 04 387 Cabins for rent www.utmarksavdelingen.no Furulund Kafe Aremark, +47 69 19 90 00 Shop, bank and petrol station in Fossby.

BICYCLE RENTAL AND ­WORKSHOP Not in the area as of January 2019.

For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

30

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Around Aspern

The tour starts in Fossby, the administrative centre of ­Aremark municipality. This is a slightly hilly route on asphalt, where parts of the stretch go on the FV21.

The route around Aspern offers a lot of beautiful views around the lake, which is deep with many islands and shallow coves. The road on the eastern side of Aspern passes through an active agricultural landscape. The southern side is sparsely populated and has a wilderness feel. This, combined with good pike and perch fishing, means that Aspern is an angler’s dream. There are picnic areas at several places along the route, perfect for enjoying a packed lunch.

At Stensbrua you will pass the Halden Canal, built to float timber between ­Skulerud and Tistedalen. After taking the FV 21 through the active farming village of Kvisler, we again cross the Skodsbergelva river, which connects Ara and ­A spern. At its narrowest, the river is only 14 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep, and is known as the “Beetle”.

Cycle path Paved road

0 km

Gravel road

30.9 km

START END

31

ROUTE 11

Strømsfoss–Tistedal Strømsfoss 37 km Østfold

TIME: 2–3 hours ROAD SURFACE Gravel road on some of the route between the FV 21 and Torpedal, but mainly asphalt.

BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Occasionally heavy traffic on the FV21 (2km) START & FINISH: Strømsfoss

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Good parking facilities in ­Strømsfoss and Tistedal.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Stora Lee Camping, +47 880 04 387 Kirkeng Camping, +47 901 94 244 Rental cabins www.utmarksavdelingen.no Café and shop in Møllerens Hus, +47 916 39 075 Furulund Kafe Aremark, +47 69 19 90 00 Shop and bakery in Tistedal Bank, shop and gas station in ­Fossby. All facilities in Halden.

BICYCLE RENTAL AND ­WORKSHOP Not in the area as of January 2019.

For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Strømsfoss–Tistedal

This combined bike and boat trip will take you through the Halden Canal’s many historic gems. You can cycle from Strømsfoss to Tistedal and take the “Brekke” back, or vice versa. These boat trips on Sundays only (2019).

If you cycle south from Strømsfoss on the western side of Aremarksjøen you can take a detour to Vestfjella, with unique outdoor experiences and the possibility of cottage accommodation. The Vestsia road is slightly hilly and runs through farms and cultivated land, and has a view of Aremarksjøen at several points.

At the Skolleborg dam, you have a chance of seeing beavers. At Skodsberg, follow the FV 21 for about 2 km before leaving it in the direction of Torpedalen.

At Moanene, the road becomes a gravel track for around 9 km. The Fisma river winds idyllically alongside the road and features trout and eel. From Torpedalen, the road is paved to Asak and Tistedal.

The ship Brekke docks at the pier in Tistedal and will take you up to Strømsfoss, going through the Brekke locks, northern Europe’s highest sluices at 26.7 m.

32

Cycle path Paved road

Gravel road

START END

0 km

37 km

33

ROUTE 12

Østkroken to Tolsby Tolsby camping 20.5 km Østfold

TIME: 2 hours ROAD SURFACE Asphalt for around half of the route BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Little traffic START & FINISH: Stora Lee Camping

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Parking at Stora Lee Camping (guests) or at Aremark Church ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Stora Lee Camping, +47 880 04 387 Kirkeng Camping, +47 901 94 244 Rental cabins www.utmarksavdelingen.no (Name of cabin: Tolsby) Furulund Kafe Aremark, +47 69 19 90 00 Shop and petrol station in Fossby BICYCLE RENTAL Kirkeng camping and Stora Lee Camping For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Østkroken to Tolsby

The route starts at Aremark Church or at Stora Lee Camping, which is idyllically situated by the Store Lee lake. There are s­ pecial activities for children, canoe and bicycle rental and a kiosk.

The landscape here is a little hilly and winds through farmyards and forest. You have a good chance here of seeing both elk and deer. At night, wild boar can also be observed.

The asphalt road is replaced by gravel when you go west at Kallerødkrysset. You follow this road to Aremark Church, and the last kilometre of the road is paved.

At Kallerødkrysset you will pass Arestad, formerly a vicarage, owned by Aremark Historical Society. The baroque and renaissance gardens here are worth visiting, as is nearby Aremark Church.

The cycle path goes from the church along the idyllic Aremarksjøen to Fossby.

There is a restaurant at Furulund.

At Fossby, you go east again towards Østkroken and Tolsby, where you will ride on a gravel road through pleasant scenery.

34

START END

Cycle path Paved road 0 km

20.5 km

Gravel road 35

ROUTE 13

Skauskroken– Bästtorp Bergsplassen 46.2 km Østfold

TIME: 3–4 hours ROAD SURFACE Asphalt for around half of the route BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Little traffic START & FINISH: Kornsjø

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Parkering at Grensestua, Kornsjø, Rv101.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Bråtorp camping, +47 928 66 434 Rental cabins www.utmarksavdelingen.no (Names of cabins: Bergsplass, Søndre Bokerød) Villa Kornsjø B & B, +47 959 99 951 Grensestua cafe & kiosk, +47 959 99 951 BICYCLE RENTAL Grensestua; Electric bike and regular bike For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

36

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Skauskroken-Bästtorp

Skauskroken-Bästtorp takes you through beautiful s­ cenery from start to finish with great views of Swedish and ­Norwegian rivers and bodies of water.

Kornsjø offers attractions such as a model railway, plaster of Paris sculpture and steamboats. From Kornsjø you cross the border into Sweden and follow the road towards Bästtorp. On the Swedish side, the route passes through varied forest and farmland scenery for around 30 km. You will pass the Bullaren islands, with wonderful views.

The route crosses the border back into Norway at Vassbotn (FV22) and ­Elgåfossen, which is Østfold’s highest natural waterfall at 46 metres.

The border with Sweden goes through the middle of the waterfall, which flows into the E ­ nningdalselva river. From Elgåfossen there is a pedestrian bridge over the Enningdalselva river. From there, you can either continue on the FV 22 or take a short cut by wheeling your bike through paths and footbridges via Gribsrød to the road to Skauskroken. An alternative route is to take the FV 22 to Bråtorp camping, where you leave the FV22 in the direction of Skauskroken.

START END

Skauskroken-Bästtrop 200 M

Data: DTM 10 Terrengmodell (Norge 10 m)

Cycle path Paved road

20 M

START

0 km

46.5 KM 46.5 km

Gravel road 37

ROUTE 14

Nordre Kornsjø– Skauskroken Bergsplassen 32.7 km

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARKING Parking at Kornsjø.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING Bokerødstranda Camping Rental cabins www.utmarksavdelingen.no (Names of cabins: Søndre Bokerød, Bergsplass) Villa Kornsjø B & B Grensestua cafe & kiosk BICYCLE RENTAL Grensestua; Electric bike and regular bike For more info, see www.visithaldenkanalen.no

TIME: 2–3 hours ROAD SURFACE Gravel and asphalt. Cycle path for a short distance.

BICYCLE REQUIREMENTS: Standard bicycle TRAFFIC: Little traffic START & FINISH: Kornsjø

ROUTE DESCRIPTION Nordre

Kornsjø–Skauskroken

This route will take you through varied forest, lake and ­pastoral scenery in two countries. On the way you will ­encounter idyllic waterfalls, meadows in bloom and ­opportunities for camping.

Follow the FV101 until the Bokerød exit. Here you will find Bokerødstranda camping and cabin rental where you can enjoy a packed lunch or buy ice cream.

Further on, the route takes you to the Swedish border, formed by a river. After crossing the river and border via a bridge, you can enjoy the view of a waterfall upstream.

On the Swedish side, the route consists of gravel roads through varied forest and pastoral scenery until Jakobsrud. Here, the road is paved again, and you cross the border back into Norway at Kornsjø. Kornsjø offers attractions such as a model railway, plaster of Paris sculpture and steamboats. Kornsjø has a kiosk and places to eat.

38

Cycle path Paved road 0 km

32.7 km

Gravel road

START END

39

PHOTO: SVERRE HJĂ˜RNEVIK

Accommodation

Place of interest

Cabin

Groceries

Camping

Place to eat

Shelter

Boat transport in collaboration with

Maps: Kartverket, Geovekst and the municipalities