Posts Tagged Walking
Østfold in Pictures: Haukenesfjellet, Rømskog
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on February 8, 2010
Haukenesfjellet Tower, Rømskog
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on February 8, 2010
A few kilometres south of Rømskog village in the Rømskog municipality, Haukenesfjellet former fire tower is Østfold’s highest vantage point, 333m above sea level. The view from the platform at the top of the 12m high tower is impressive, particularly in winter – with snow-covered forest stretching as far as the eye can see, and the white surface of frozen Romsjøen reflecting the winter sunshine. If you look straight ahead of you when you come out on the observation platform you will spot a red wooden church by the bank of the lake – this is Rømskog Church, one of the oldest in the county. A marked trail leads to the tower, and makes for a pleasant walk, while in winter you can use the prepared cross-country skiing tracks to get there (different departure point, see below).
How to get there: Follow signs for Rømskog along Rv21 coming from Ørje in the south.
In summer: When you get to Rømskog, follow the signs to Zen Resort & Spa. After about 70m turn left. Follow the dirt road through the quarry (on your left). Take the first left, just before the top of the hill. Drive to the roundabout and park. Then follow the marked trail to the tower.
In winter: A few kilometers before you reach Rømskog, you’ll see a bus holding place on your left. Take it left here and drive a few hundred meters to the end of the road. There is a small car park here, and the ski tracks start some 100m to the north.
Useful websites (Norway)
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on January 8, 2010
Here are a few useful websites if you’re planning a trip to Norway. See also earlier entry for useful websites specifically for Østfold (www.elusivemoose.eu/2009/10/useful-websites/). All the websites listed below have info in English, unless otherwise stated.
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Transport
www.hurtigruten.com: The famous Norwegian coastal voyage
www.nsb.no: Norwegian railway
www.nor-way.no: Coach travel in Norway
www.flytoget.no: The express airport train (Oslo)
www.norwegian.no: Low cost airline with many domestic and international routes
www.wideroe.no: Domestic airline also covering a few destinations in southern Scandinavia and Scotland
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Accommodation
www.dehistoriske.com: Historic hotels throughout Norway
www.camping.no: Camping in Norway
www.norgesbooking.com: Hytte rental
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Destinations
www.visitnorway.com: The official website for the Norwegian Tourist Board
www.visitoslo.com: Ditto for Oslo
www.visitbergen.com: Ditto for Bergen
www.regionstavanger.com: Ditto for Stavanger region
www.trondheim.com: Ditto for Trondheim
www.destinasjontromso.no: Ditto for Tromsø
www.visitalesund.com: Ditto for Ålesund
www.sorlandet.com: Ditto for Kristiansand
www.fjordnorway.com/en/: Ditto for the fjords
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Other
www.billettservice.no: Ticket booking service for events in Norway
www.turistforeningen.no/english/: The Norwegian Trekking Association
www.yr.no: The weather where you are in Norway
www.newsinenglish.no: News about Norway and all things Norwegian
http://jtisdall.wordpress.com: Excellent blog by Oslo-based journalist Jonathan Tisdall
Østfold in Pictures: Kuvauen, Hvaler
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on November 29, 2009

Walking in Østfold: Kuvauen, Hvaler
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on November 29, 2009
Kuvauen is one of my favourite walks on Hvaler. I’ve been there in all seasons, and I always find something of interest, whether it’s bog cotton dancing in the wind in early spring, sailing boats on the shimmering sea in summer, or a storm brewing on the horizon in winter. The ever-changing landscapes fascinates me, and the views of the Oslofjord from the top of the rocky peninsula are just breathtaking. And while there can be quite a few people there on a hot summer day, in winter the place is all but deserted. Imagine – a bit of Hvaler all to yourself!
How to get there: Just past the Esso station on Vesterøy, take it right direction Hauge first, and then follow signs for Papperhavn. After reaching a little inlet on your right, and driven around it, you’ll see a large car park on your left. This is your starting point.
Follow the signs from the car park. The path goes through a wood before reaching the sea at Guttormsvauen. There is a little sandy beach here (ideal for kids in summer), toilets and a picnic table. From here make for the rocks to your right. Once on the rocks just head south (it’s easier to find your way if you stay high up on the rocks than if you try to get too close to the shore) and you’ll get to the tip of the peninsula. The views from here are absolutely stunning.
Then retrace your steps and head north following the coastline to your left. You’ll see the Søster islands in the distance. The wind can be quite strong here, which explains why the few trees that grow here are so bent – some of them seem to grow almost horizontally. After a while you’ll see the fishermen’s cabins at Kuvauen ahead of you, an idyllic spot that’s inspired many a local painter. Be careful as you reach the cabins, as there is no path to speak of, and finding a way down is not always easy. From Kuvauen a path leads back up to the Papperhavn road. Take it right when you get to the road – the car park is about 500m to the right. Allow 2.5 hours.
Østfold in Pictures: Jeløya, Moss
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on November 25, 2009

Rakkestadfjella, Indre Østfold
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Sport on November 18, 2009
Rakkestadfjella is the largest continous forested area in Indre Østfold. With over 80km of marked trails and 70km of cross-country skiing trails, it’s a great recreation area right in the middle of the wilderness, used by locals in both summer and winter. Pine forests dominate the landscape, which is dotted with ponds, lakes and marshes. You can swim and fish in many lakes in summer, and ice-skate and go cross-country skiing in winter.
One of the easiest ways to access Rakkestadfjella is to drive to Skrabberud, from which trails lead in various directions. Follow road 124 from Rakkestad – you’ll see a sign on your left after about 6.5km, then follow the dirt road for another 7km. There is a 20kr toll on the way.
South of Rakkestadfjella lies Linnekleppen, one of the best viewpoints in Østfold. On a clear day, and armed with a good pair of binoculars, you can make out Gaustatoppen at Rjukan on the other side of the Oslo Fjord. See separate entry on this blog under ‘Walking’.
Østfold in Pictures: Mærrapanna, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Photos and videos on November 9, 2009

Østfold in Pictures: Lake Kløsa, Indre Østfold
Posted by admin in Photos and videos on November 8, 2009

Walking in Østfold: Mærrapanna, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on October 30, 2009
This is a very pleasant walk in the Fredrikstad area – ideal for a lazy sunday afternoon, and particularly recommended for those with kids in tow, as the facilities are quite good (toilets, playground, tables and BBQ area, plus a child-friendly beach that’s quite popular in summer). The walk, which takes about 90 minutes to complete, will take you around the Mærrapanna peninsula (it’s not marked as such, but just hug the shoreline all the way and you will close the loop eventually), and offers great views over the Oslofjord. It’s often quite windy here, with impressive waves on particularly stormy days, so make sure you are appropriately dressed. You’ll be walking on rocks pretty much all the way, so again, ensure you have appropriate footwear. To get there, follow R110 towards Gressvik from Fredrikstad’s town centre, then take R117 towards Vikane. You will see signs for Mærrapanna on your left, and will soon reach the big car park that’s the departure point for this walk.
