Posts Tagged Sarpsborg
Roald Amundsen’s birthplace, Borge
Posted by admin in History and architecture on February 21, 2011
A great place to visit for anyone interested in one of Norway’s most famous sons – polar explorer Roald Amundsen. This is the house where he was born, the youngest of four brothers, on 16 July 1872. His family, which owned this farm and several others in the area, lived here for generations, and this place in Borge played a significant part in Amundsen’s upbringing. As a child the future explorer spent many a holiday here, watching the ships ply the River Glomma, already harbouring dreams of travelling to the far corners of the world. His childhood home has been preserved just like it was when Roald Amundsen lived there.
There is a cafe and a souvenir shop in the barn next door, which also houses a small conference centre. Guided tours in Norwegian, English and German every weekend during the summer (May to Aug), private tours can be arranged the rest of the year. Book via the tourist office in Fredrikstad (tel: 69 30 46 00)
Framveien 7, Torp (along Rv111 between Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg). Tel: 69 34 83 26, www.roaldamundsenminne.no (Norwegian only)
Eidet Timber Tunnel
Posted by admin in History and architecture on February 11, 2011
With so many big forests and the Glomma, Norway’s longest river, running through the county, it is little wonder that timber floating was a big industry in Østfold until well into the 1970s. But getting the timber down to Fredrikstad was not always easy. Two waterfalls in particular, Sølvstufossen and Sarpfossen, both near Sarspborg, were problematic, so the decision was taken to build a timber tunnel to avoid them. Construction started in 1906 and the tunnel was officially inaugurated on 18 September 1908. During busy years, such as 1953 for example, as many as 7 million timber stocks would travel through the 3km-long tunnel in the course of a year – over 300,000 a week. Up to 90 men would work at Eidet in season. With an incline of 21 metres, the tunnel, which runs between Isnesfjord and Eidet in Visterflo, was an innovative project, for which engineer Wilhelm Blakstad was later presented an honorary award by the Norwegian Engineer Association. The tunnel was bought by Fredrikstad Municipality in 1985, and is today a cultural monument.
Winter in Skjebergsmarka
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on February 5, 2011
Walking in Østfold: Krysstjern, Sarpsborg
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on February 5, 2011
This is one of my favourite walks in Skjebergmarka in the Sarpsborg area. I’ve been there in all seasons, and I love it there. Although there is often a couple of other cars at the departure point, we’ve seldom met people at the lake itself, so with a bit of luck you’ll have the place all to yourself. It takes about half-an-hour to reach the lake from the car park, and this involves having to cross a bog and climb a rather steep rock face. Then it’s another hour to walk around the cross-shaped lake and back. You can go back the way you came, although it is better to follow the path back down on the other side of the lake, thus doing a loop. Pack your skates in winter if you want to go for a spin on the ice (don’t expect the latter to be smooth everywhere though – it isn’t), and a basket in summer – this is good mushroom picking territory. The walk is not marked so it is advisable to study a map beforehand.
How to get there: From Sarpsborg, take Skjebergveien (Rv118) southeast, and then Rokkeveien (Fv599) east towards Rokke. After about 6km on Rokkeveien, you will see a little car park on your left. This is your departure point. Follow the dirt road into the forest for about 300 metres, until you see a path on your left. This is the way towards the lake.
Kjerringåsen, Sarpsborg
Can’t wait to go skiing again? Kjerringåsen in Sarpsborg opens for the season this weekend. This is the largest of only two Alpine ski centres in Østfold, best suited for beginners or intermediate skiers. There are three ski lifts, and five downhill slopes (the longest 650m), including one kids’ slope. Open 10am-9pm Mon-Fri, until 7pm at the weekend (see opening times for the Christmas holiday under ‘comments’). Day pass 260kr (210kr for kids up to 15 years). Morning, afternoon and evening passes also available. Cafe and equipment hire on site (220kr per day for a complete Alpine set).
You can also go cross-country skiing here, as there are several tracks nearby, some of them floodlit in the evening. There is no charge for cross-country skiing.
Alpinveien 109, Sarpsborg (off the Rv114 between Sarpsborg and Nordby). Tel: 69 14 81 85, www.kjerringaasen.no (Norwegian only).
The Bjørnstad Ship
Posted by admin in History and architecture on November 13, 2010
At 4.5m long and almost 1m high, the Bjørnstad Ship (Bjørnstadskipet) is an impressive sight, gracing a big vertical rock face a short walk from Haugeveien in Skjeberg, just outside Sarpsborg. This is one of the largest single Bronze Age rock carvings to have been found in Europe. It is flanked by two smaller ships on each side. The small vertical marks on the ship represent the crew, while the big figures at each end carry weapons (and might represent gods). People in the Bronze Age were used to travel, and the rock carvings show how important ships were to them as a means of transportation – as well as for fishing.
How to get there: The Bjørnstad Ship can be found by Haugeveien. Follow Fv583 through Skjeberg, about 3.5km from Hafslund Chapel. The exit towards the car park is signed from the road. From there it’s a 500m walk along a signed path.
The Quality Hotel & Resort Sarpsborg
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on November 7, 2010
Where to stay in Sarpsborg
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on November 7, 2010
- Quality Hotel & Resort Sarpsborg Superland: A good choice for families (family rooms and a huge indoor swimming complex) and business travellers (extensive conference facilities), a short drive from the centre just by the E6. Bjørnstadveien 20. Tel: 69 10 15 00, www.choicehotels.no
- Rica Saga Hotel: It’s showing its age a bit, but this hotel offers comfortable rooms and good service, and the location is convenient, right by the main shopping centre and a short walk from Kulås Park. Sandesundsveien 1. Tel: 69 12 42 00, www.rica-hotels.com
- St Olav’s Hotel. Budget accommodation in downtown Sarpsborg. Glengsgate 21. Tel: 69 15 20 55, www.hotelstolav.no
- Tuneheimen: Sarpsborg’s youth hostel, located near Tunevannet (lake). Open year round. Tuneveien 44. Tel: 69 14 50 01, www.tuneheimen.no