Explore the Halden Canal by bike

The Halden Canal is perfect for two-wheeled adventures!

Sykkeltur .
Photo: Haldenkanalen regionalpark / Jonas Ingstad

Here is our suggestion for an unforgettable bike ride along the Halden Canal. Our recommended route starts at Brekke Locks, but the ride can just as easily be done in the opposite direction. Remember to book your accommodation in advance

Sykkeltur .
Photo: Haldenkanalen regionalpark / Jonas Ingstad

Start: Brekke Locks

Today, you wake up refreshed and ready to set out on a bike ride along the Halden Canal toward Brekke Locks. Along the way, you will cycle past Tistedal and along Femsjøen. After 35 km, you arrive at Brekke Locks, Europe’s highest continuous lock staircase, with a height of 27 meters.

At Brekke Locks, you can stay overnight in Fløterhytta, a cozy little cabin where you can watch the daily passage of small and large boats through the locks. Renting the cabin includes two canoes that you are free to use. Nearby, you’ll also have access to a summer-open kiosk, swimming areas, and hiking and cycling opportunities. With a canoe or kayak, you can even experience being locked both up and down the locks—a truly powerful experience! The area around the cabin offers a variety of hiking options. Be sure to buy food from a store in Tistedal on your way up.

Brekke sluser i Haldenkanalen regionalpark .
Photo: Jonas Ingstad/Haldenkanalen regionalpark

Fredriksten Fortress

For those seeking more comfort and a stay closer to the urban vibe, you can, as an alternative to staying at Brekke Locks, head into Halden instead. This small town with big experiences offers accommodation at Fredriksten Hotell, located on Fredriksten Fortress, high above Halden city center. Here, you can enjoy a good night’s sleep and delicious meals. It’s within walking distance of the town center and Halden Guest Harbor, with several charming restaurants and shops.

Bilde fra et hotellrom med utsikt på Fredriksten Hotell

Fredriksten festning i Halden, langs Borgleden. .
Photo: Thomas Andersen, www.vikenfotovideo.no

Brekke Locks – Strømsfoss – 29 km

The route from Brekke Locks to Strømsfoss takes you through exciting forest areas, open cultural landscapes, and long stretches of lakes. In Strømsfoss, you can stay overnight at the barn - Fjøset. Don’t be fooled by the name! The barn was indeed formerly used as an outbuilding for the stately lock keeper’s residence at Strømsfoss Locks, but the cabin was renovated in 2014 and meets a high standard.

From the cabin, you have a view of the locks and the lock environment that developed around the operation of the facilities. Strømsfoss was once a transportation hub where road and waterway met. Here, you can experience a lively environment from a bygone era. Besides the locks, the small village of Strømsfoss also offers a mill museum, an art gallery, and the cozy Møllerens Hus. In the café, you can relax in a cozy setting, and during the summer, you can sit outside on the beautiful terrace and enjoy the view of the Halden Canal. There is no grocery store in Strømsfoss, so make a stop in Fossby to pick up supplies for your trip.

Sykkel ved Strømsfoss sluser .
Photo: Visit indre Østfold / Jonas Ingstad

Strømsfoss – Skulerud – 48 km

On the way to Skulerud, you pass the small and charming Lock Town Slusebyen Ørje. Ørje Locks have a total lift height of 10 meters, and the locks are still operated manually, just as they were when opened in 1860. Ørje is also home to Norway’s largest collection of steamboats at the Halden Waterway Canal Museum - Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum.

At the Canal Museum, you can learn more about the history of timber rafting and the construction of the canal, and in a dedicated section of the museum, you can explore the wildlife of the waterway. If you want to experience more of this charming lock town, we recommend the photo scavenger hunt with various stops around the area. There are also opportunities to paddle a canoe, rent pedal bikes, or try pedal boards.

Be sure to have lunch at the cozy Boat Café Båtcafeen before heading toward Skulerud. The Boat Café enjoys a superb location on the water’s edge at Rødenessjøen, serving delicious food in a unique setting—practically on the Halden Canal. Here, you can sit back and enjoy the day!

After lunch, it’s time to continue cycling toward Skulerud. Here, you can stay overnight at the smithy Smia. The smithy is located by Skulerudvannet, at the top end of the Halden Canal, about 25 km north of Ørje. There is no grocery store in Skulerud, so make sure to buy everything you need in Ørje before continuing your ride.

The Smithy was formerly part of a terminus on the Aurskog-Høland Railway, and there are many traces of timber rafting and passenger traffic in the area. Take the opportunity to ride the handcars on site and visit the small museum “Isbingen”, which houses over 100 artifacts from the timber rafting era. There are excellent fishing opportunities in Skulerudvann, both from the shore and by boat. When renting the cabin, two canoes are included for free use to explore the area.

Skulerud .
Photo: Haldenkanalen Regionalpark/Jonas Ingstad

Skulerud – Rømskog Spa – 39 km

From Skulerud, you cycle north toward Rømskog. Along the way, you’ll ride through exciting, hilly forest terrain. In Rømskog, you can stay at Rømskog Spa & Resort – Norway’s most beautiful spa and conference hotel. The hotel is idyllically located on the water’s edge in Østfold’s deepest forests. Almost all rooms offer views of the stunning Vortungen Lake.

Indulge in relaxing spa experiences combined with refreshing forest walks and canoeing — it can’t go wrong! The hotel offers a Japanese bath, steam sauna, regular sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor hot tub. Down by the lake, a stylish outdoor sauna with a view of the water awaits you.

Rømskog Spa & Resort – Lillestrøm – 70 km

On the final day, you cycle to Lillestrøm. Lillestrøm is a transport hub, and from there you can easily continue to your next destination—whether by airport express train to Gardermoen Airport, by train to Oslo city center, or back to your starting point in Halden.

Skulerud Brygge Haldenkanalen regionalpark .
Photo: Jonas Ingstad/Haldenkanalen regionalpark