Posts Tagged Walks
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.
Homlungen Lighthouse, Kirkeøy
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on November 5, 2010
Walking in Østfold: Skjærhalden, Hvaler
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on November 5, 2010
A lovely walk that starts by Hvaler Church, takes in the village of Skjærhalden, and then follows the coast in a loop back to the departure point. From the car park follow the path through the forest that runs parallel to the main road. When you get to the end and the first houses, take it left and continue on the narrow access road to Skjærhalden, the main village in the archipelago. Turn right into the village and find the stairs climbing to the rocky outcrop on your right, Kollen. From the top you will have a good view of the harbour and the surrounding area, as well as the islands of Nordre and Søndre Sandøy in the background. You will have to go down the same way you came.
Continue holding to your right (i.e. heading south), past two little marinas and following the blue and white signs for the kyststien (coastal path). After a while you will see the path going up on your right. A short climb later you will emerge over the tree line, again with great views of the sea. Just follow the blue dots that will take you past the picturesque Homlungen Lighthouse, and follow the coastline all the way to the little campsite at Døvika and eventually back to Storesand, Østfold’s largest sand beach, a short walk from your departure point. The loop takes about 3 hours to complete, including a break for a picnic. Enjoying the fresh air and not quite ready to head back home yet? Combine this walk with a walk to Rødshue, north of Storesand (see link below for details).
How to get there: From Fredrikstad follow Rv108 all the way to Kirkeøy (the island after the tunnel) until you get to a crossroad. There is a big car park here. The first 3 hours are free, but you must take a ticket at the machine and display it behind your windscreen. If you are using public transport, bus no.365 from Fredrikstad runs several times daily to Skjærhalden, and stops by the car park, on request. Ask the driver to let you off.
More info on Rødshue at www.elusivemoose.eu/2010/05/02/
The view over the Oslofjord from Blåsopp
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on October 17, 2010
Walking in Østfold: Blåsopp, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on October 17, 2010
An easy walk that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon, and offers great views over Mærrapanna and the Oslofjord from the top of a rocky promontory. It’s marked all the way from Oksrødkilen, as it is part of the Coastal Trail (Kyststien), so just follow the signs/marks on the rocks or tree trunks. If you are feeling energetic you could continue on to the little harbour at Slevik, about 1km further to the north. You can then either retrace your steps, or come back by doing a loop and eventually walking back to Oksrødkilen following Rv117 for a couple of kilometres, but this will significantly add to the length of your outing. Up to you 
How to get there: From Fredrikstad, follow Rv117 (Vikaneveien) until you see a sign for Foten on your left, then take the first dirt road you see on your left after the bend, leading to Oksrødkilen. Continue on this road for about 200m, take it right at the fork, and park at the little car park you will see on your right. From here it’s a short walk to the kilen, where you will find signs for the path.
Østfold in Pictures: Sølvstufoss
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on September 12, 2010
Top 5: Walks in the Sarpsborg area
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on September 12, 2010
- Sølvstufoss: You can reach the waterfall from the south or from the north (more scenic). The view from the wooden bridge over the Ågårdselva is quite impressive, with the river caught in between steep canyon-like rock walls. In season you can watch the salmon making their way upriver and going through the salmon stairs by the fall. The area attracts many anglers, as the Ågårdselva is one of only a few salmon rivers in Østfold.
- Sarpsborgmarka: A popular recreational area within easy reach of Sarpsborg town centre, offering a number of paths to choose from. The marked trail to Holen, which goes via the prettily named Appelsintoppen, is a good option, and the loop will take you through varied terrain. Follow the blue marks from the car park.
- Krysstjern: One of my favourite walks in this area, departing from a little car park along Rokkeveien, about 6km from the crossing with Skjebergveien. It’s not marked, and there is a little bit of climbing and bog crossing on the way up to the lake, but it’s well worth the effort, as the area is beautiful. A small path goes round the lake.
- Harehjellhytta: A 15 minute-drive from Sarpsborg centre, this area is better known for its ski slope (one of only two in the county) and its cross-country skiing tracks. But outside wintertime, it’s also popular with families going for a walk at weekends, as there are a few tracks to choose from, and they are well marked.
- Børtevann: Børtevann is a popular area for kayaking and canoeing, but you can also go around the lake on foot. Follow the dirt road behind the little cafeteria. The first half of the walk takes you through agricultural landscape with a good view of the lake, while the second part goes through the forest.
Shelter for the night?
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on July 30, 2010
Walking in Østfold: Fridtjof Nansen’s Hotel
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on July 30, 2010
This is a great day walk in the footsteps of Fridtjof Nansen, the famous polar explorer, who used to hunt in this area some 100 years ago. The ‘hotel’ is just a sheltered spot under a rocky face where Nansen and his fellow hunters would rest for the night, and not much to write home about, but the nearby lake makes for a good picnic spot before you head back on the return leg of your trip. You will feel like you’re really venturing into the wilderness on this walk, which is quite exciting, but you should make sure you have appropriate footwear (and pack enough water and mosquito repellent) before you set off. Allow about 5 hours to get there an back, with a short pause half-way.
The terrain is varied, ranging from pine trees and carpets of blueberry bushes to bog and green conifer forest, and peppered with little lakes, making for a pleasant walk. The path, which is quite narrow in places and from time to time disappears under lush wild grass, is marked all the way, but not used all that often. Finding the blue spots to follow can be a bit tricky as a result, as the paint has peeled off some of the trees. When this has happened keep going straight and just look for the next blue spot. We only struggled twice to find our way – when we reached the little forest road, about one-third in (you have to follow the dust road to the right for about 50m before finding the path again on the other side, skirting the bog) and again about two-thirds in, when the path seemed to have all but disappeared, and we found white marks, instead of blue ones, going down to a little lake on our right. We continued straight for a few minutes, and found our path again, slightly to the left, after about 50m.
How to get there: From Halden follow signs for Tistedal, and then continue on Rv21 along Femsjøen (the big lake on your left). You will pass the crossing for Brekke Sluser (locks). Continue on Rv21 for about 4.5km, and you will see a sign for Fridtjof Nansen’s Hotel on your right, a couple of km before Store Ertevatn (another, smaller lake), where Rv21 goes to the left towards Aremark.