Experience Østfold on two wheels – The Great Østfold Cycle Route

Welcome to The Great Østfold Cycle Route – an unforgettable cycle tour through beautiful landscapes, charming small towns and historic cities in Østfold. This approximately 470 km long cycle route is a unique combination of four established cycle paths that give you everything from deep forests and lakes to coastal idylls and cultural and historical highlights.

The tour can start in any of the towns along the route, all easily accessible by car, train or bus. To start in Moss - the tour will take you along the Unionsleden to Ørje - with two alternative routes that make it possible to experience Inner Østfold as a round trip if desired. From Ørje you will continue south on the scenic Wilderness Route (National Cycle Route No. 9) to Halden. From here you will continue along the coast through Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad on the Coastal Route (National Cycle Route No. 1) and the Pilgrims Route (National Cycle Route No. 4), before ending up in Moss again.

Whether you want a leisurely multi-day tour with stops and overnight stays along the way, or a more sporty challenge over fewer days, the Østfoldrunden gives you a complete and varied cycling experience - close to nature, culture and history. Get in your seat and discover Østfold - pedal by pedal.

Some Facts about the route

Return transport along the Unionsleden

A separate return bus has been set up along the Unionsleden on Tuesdays and Thursdays - with stops at Scandic Brennemoen and Spydeberg - a practical solution for both day trippers and long-distance cyclists. This is a trial arrangement for 2025. Whether there will be transport in 2026 depends on the traffic in 2025.

Bike on the train

Investigate the possibility of taking your bike on the train. Some departures may be full, and you may have to wait for the next departure. But it is possible to bring a bike as long as there is space.

Safety: Generally moderate traffic in the Inner Østfold areas, more traffic in the coastal cities. The route runs in mixed traffic, and along the coast there is more pedestrian and bicycle path.

Ascent: The total maximum elevation of the trail is approx. 200 meters. There are many meters of elevation gain in total during the trip, but with a few exceptions, most of the slopes are gentle and relatively easy to cycle.

Surface: Most of the trip is on asphalt, some gravel roads.

Challenges:

Some stretches may be far between service offerings such as accommodation, dining and shopping. Cyclists should bring food, or find out where food stores are located in advance.

Accommodation: varies from hotels and camping cabins

Charging options: There are sometimes far between charging points, and you should charge at your accommodation. A good tip is to look at the individual daily stages and consider the length against what your own bike can handle. If necessary, bring an extra battery. There is a charging point at the tourist office in Ørje.

Route description stage 1

Moss - Askim / Slitu

Stage 1: Moss – Askim, via Fossum (Unionsleden Hovedleden): 45 km

                   Via Solbergfoss (Unionsleden Nord): 53 km

                   Time: Approx. 3.5 - 5 hours with a regular touring bike, depending on pace and breaks

Surface: Asphalt - Car traffic: A lot around Moss otherwise generally little - Start & finish: Moss - Askim / Slitu  Marking: Unionsleden​

This route follows the signs for the Unionsleden, which runs on cycle paths, gravel roads and quiet country roads through beautiful nature and small towns. The surface is varied, but suitable for hybrid bikes, gravel or electric bikes.

Route description

Moss – the city by the Oslofjord

The Union Trail starts at Konvensjonsgården, which is located by Møllefossen in the center of Moss, a historic place where the peace treaty between Norway and Sweden was ratified in 1814. Moss is a cozy city with around 50,000 inhabitants, and offers great accommodation options, restaurants, museums and galleries. The city is perfectly located for a break before setting off on your bike ride. There are great recreational opportunities on Jeløya, so feel free to come to the city a day before and get to know the area.

The cycle route from Moss to Askim

From Konvensjonsgården, follow Osloveien up to the roundabout at Krapfossveien. You then cycle through a residential area and round Grindvoll kindergarten, before crossing under the E6. From Patterødtjernet, you cycle on to Mosseporten center, where you will find good shopping opportunities and cafes. Then follow Vålerveien on a paved cycle path to Vansjø, and cross the Rødsund bridge on FV120 before continuing along FV115 to Kirkebygden. There may be some car traffic on this section, but we hope to eventually reroute the route for a safer cycling experience.

Experience Vansjø and "Ville Vakre Våler"

In Kirkebygden you will find the historic Våler Church, a beautiful stone church from 1175, which has an important place in Norway's constitutional history. Here, Østfold delegates to the Constitutional Assembly at Eidsvoll in 1814 were elected. Våler municipality is known for its great nature experiences, such as Middagsåsen ski center, Bygdemuseum, Kjærnesgårdene and climbing park. There are also good opportunities for fishing and other recreation.

Kirkebygden – Spydeberg

From Kirkebygden, the tour heads north along the FV243 Vålerveien and further onto the Mørkveien towards Spydeberg. This is a pleasant stretch with several pleasant stopping points along the way. Here, you pass Mørk Golfbane, where it is perfect to take a break and perhaps enjoy something good in the golf course café with a view of the green landscape.

You continue cycling towards the FV122, and as soon as you come out onto the main road towards Spydeberg, the old Spydeberg rectory appears on the right. We recommend a stop here! The rectory is a historically important place, known as the place where the peace negotiations in 1814 took place – the precursor to the Moss Convention. Here you will also find a beautiful reconstruction of Jakob N. Wilse's romantic garden from the 18th century. The rectory welcomes groups and is normally open to everyone on Sundays. A little closer to Spydeberg, you will also pass Spydeberg Church, a beautiful village church with a long history.

Route description stage 2

Elverum - Gravberget Gård

Length 55.5 km

Difficulty: Medium

Region / Area: Elverum, Våler, FinnskogenNational Cycle Route

Time: Approx. 5 hours - Surface: Gravel/Asphalt - Car traffic: Generally very little - Start & finish: Gravberget/Finnskogtoppen - Marking: Yes, as national cycle route 9

Route description

Another stage with little car traffic, here it generally feels very safe to cycle. The stage has a fairly large proportion of asphalt. From the Flisaelva at Velta and up to Damstjern, the road rises more than two hundred meters in altitude in just over a mile up to just over four hundred meters in altitude. From here to Svullya it is much easier, about two and a half miles, characterized by gentle downhill slopes or flat road. Here you cycle along several of the larger lakes in the area; Fallsjøen, Rotbergsjøen and Røgden. On the east side of Rotbergsjøen there is a beautiful sandy beach. Finnskogtoppen is located on the south side of Røgden, and is a small detour from the Wilderness Route of nine kilometers. Should you wish to interrupt the trip along the Wilderness Route here, it is about 42 kilometers to Kongsvinger.

Challenge

This part of the Wilderness Route has a noticeable uphill slope from Velta to Damstjern, where you climb approx. 240 meters of elevation gain in twelve kilometers of cycling. As with stage 1, there is very little to offer along the trail. At Kilen there is a detour two kilometers west to a Joker grocery store, on Kaptein Dreyers vei.

Finnskogtoppen Hotell & SPA

Finnskogtoppen Hotell & SPA is a place that gives you more energy, increased physical and mental well-being, good and healthy food. The hotel is located in the middle of Finnskogen with a beautiful view of Lake Røgden where you cycled past earlier.

For more information about accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc. see Visit Øst-Norge

Route description stage 3

Finnskogtoppen - Magnor

Length: 97 km (83 km)

Difficulty: Medium

Region / Area: Sør-Finnskogen

Surface: Asphalt / Gravel road - Car traffic: Varies, generally low, slightly more in the southern part of the stage - Start & finish: Vortungen/ Ørje - Marking: Yes, as national cycle route 9 - NOTE: The stage can be shortened to 83 km by following the E16 from Øyermoen to the north of Austmarka. In Austmarka you will return to the Wilderness Route.

Route description

Parts of the trip are still in Finnskogen, and this is another stage dominated by roads with very little car traffic. From Svullrya - the center of Finnskogen with both the Finnskogen Museum, grocery store, cafe, and a village garden - there are initially long stretches on a wide, flat and fast gravel road, over large pine forests, with a gap down to the Rotnavassdraget. From Lebiko to Varaldsjøen the landscape is particularly wild, and there are hardly any buildings.

Several nice viewpoints over the lake. At Osvika, at the north end of the lake, there is a large open area with a beach, lawns, benches and an information board. Nice shelter and campfire site at Abbortjenn, south of Lebiko. The trip further towards Magnor provides contact with a number of lakes. Particularly nice cycling terrain from Austmarka south to Utgardsjøen.

Challenge

Slopes from Nordre Øyersjøen to Svarttjenn, and quite steep up the last few hundred meters to Lebiko. The gravel roads on the stage may have loose and slightly coarse gravel. Otherwise, two noticeable uphills, with about a hundred meters of elevation gain, from Varaldsjøen in the direction of Hærsjøen, and from Utgårdsjøen to Vintertjønnet. The first 25 kilometers of the stage are on gravel roads of slightly varying quality, but from Austmarka there is a good asphalt road.

Magnor

A nice little town with a good bakery and Magnor Glassworks, which is worth a visit. Nearby is The Pluss, the world's most environmentally friendly furniture factory built of wood, and a sight in itself.

For more information about accommodation, sights, dining, shopping etc., see Visit Eastern Norway

Route description stage 4 

Magnor - Rømskog

Length: 64 km

Difficulty: Medium

Region/Area: Eidskog, Innlandet, Aurskog Høland

Time: Approx. 4 hours - Surface: Mostly asphalt - Recommended equipment: Hybrid bike - Car traffic: generally low - Start & finish: Magnor / Vortungen, Rømskog - Marking: Yes, as national cycle route 9

Route description

A stage mostly characterized by a lot of forest and some small hamlets. From Magnor the first half mile is on a separate and safe cycle path along Fv.202. The last few kilometers down towards Harstadsjøen are car-free on the gravel road, where there are also nice picnic areas on the west side of the lake. From Gåsvika to Rømsjøen there is little car traffic. Grocery stores can be found in Magnor, Skotterud, Setskog and Tørnby, just north of Rømsjøen. There is a detour of about three kilometers from Rømsjøen to the hotel Unike Rømskog hotell spa & resort.

Challenge

On the west side of Stangnessjøen, route 9 runs on a gravel road ("Vektervegen"), which in places is just a wide path. The last few kilometers before reaching Harstadsjøen are on a gravel road of slightly loose quality. The climbs from Harstadsjøen to Gulltjenn give almost a hundred meters of elevation gain in three kilometers. You will encounter a similar climb from Rømsjøen up Vortungsveien towards Vortungen and the Unike Rømskog hotel & spa resort. The traffic from Harstadsjøen to Lake Setten is noticeable, and has some heavy traffic, including timber transport. The road is also partly winding and somewhat confusing. This stage is only for adults who are used to cycling.

Rømskog

Here you will find a Joker shop and a gas station. Rømskog is a small, peaceful town with around 700 inhabitants, formerly the centre of a separate municipality, now part of Aurskog‑Høland in Akershus. The village is located deep in forests with more than 100 lakes, and has a varied terrain with wooded hills such as Slavasshøgda (formerly Østfold's highest peak) For those who want a spectacular view, there is a unique wooden fire tower on Haukenesfjellet / walking distance from Rømskog Unike Hotell – from here you can see vast stretches of forest and water, and even Gaustatoppen on clear days

Rømskog Unike hotell spa & Resort

The unique Rømskog Hotell Spa&Resort is practically in the water, built on stilts into Lake Vortungen, with panoramic views from the rooms facing the valley. Here you will find a saltwater pool, cold pool, steam and traditional sauna, and an outdoor hot bath right by the water's edge. A good place for tired cycling muscles.

For more information about accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc. see Visit Øst-Norge and Visit Greater Oslo

Route description stage 5

Rømskog - Ørje

Length: 46.6 km

Difficulty: Medium to somewhat demanding

Region / Area: Aurskog Høland, Marker

Time: Approx. 2.5 - Surface: Asphalt - Car traffic: Varies, generally low, slightly more on the southern part of the stage - Start & finish: Vortungen/ Ørje - Marking: Yes, as national cycle route 9

Route description

Bring what you need for food and drink on the trip. There is a Joker shop just north of the exit to Rømskog Spa, which you can stop by. This is a somewhat hilly but attractive stage. You will cycle through forests and open cultural landscapes. Most of the stage is on roads with little traffic. The trip offers good views of Rødenessjøen in the northern part of the Halden Canal. Cyclists will also appreciate the six kilometers of downhill slopes from Kislebergmosen to Rødenessjøen. There is a farm shop, Joval Gård, on highway 125, if you take a small detour from highway 21 at the junction. Joval Gård can also offer various accommodation and canoe rentals. Otherwise, there are no shops or restaurants along the route. From here, you cycle along the Halden Canal down to the town of Ørje. The wilderness route runs on the east side of the canal, but if you choose the west side, there is a little less traffic.

Challenge

No major challenges, but the route is quite hilly along Rømsjøen and further south towards Kislebergsmosen, a stretch of around two kilometres. A total of seven hundred metres of elevation gain on this stage.

Ørje

Here you will find many nice niche shops, restaurants, gas stations, hairdressers, fitness centers, sports shops, banks, pharmacies, libraries and more. Every year several activities are organized in the center. An idyllic place, which is becoming more and more popular. Take a trip to the Haldenvassdragets Canal Museum. There you can learn more about the history of timber rafting and the construction of the canal, and in a separate part of the museum you can learn more about the wildlife around the waterway. Ørje has Norway's largest steamboat community and if you are lucky you will see the boats passing through the locks. Here you will also find Visit Indre Østfold's tourist information.

For more information about accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc. see Visit Greater Oslo and Visit Indre.no

Route description stage  6

Ørje - Halden

Length: 64 km

Difficulty: Medium

Region/Area: Eidskog, Innlandet, Aurskog Høland

Time: Approx. 5 hours - Surface: Asphalt - Traffic: Varies, generally low, slightly more on the southern part of the stage - Start & finish: Vortungen/ Ørje - Marking: Yes, as national cycle route no. 9

Route description

A stage through both forest and cultural landscape and is one of the easiest along the Wilderness Route. It is possible to take a dip in several places along the route. Aremark The small town of Strømfoss (1 km detour from the Wilderness Route), 23 km south of Ørje, is worth a visit. Here there are also locks and lock history, the Strømsfoss Mill gallery, a general store and the Miller's House with clothes, trinkets, jewelry and also a cafe with simple meals. At Fossby (after 40 km) there are benches, a grocery store and a cafe.

Challenge: No major challenges on this stage, but from Trollnestjern to Tistedal you cycle in mixed traffic with a speed limit of 80 km/h, and here there can be periods of traffic of over two thousand cars a day. This stage is best suited for adults who are used to cycling.

Strømsfoss

Strømsfoss - a small treasure trove just a short detour from the FV21. Here is the middle lock in the Halden Canal, surrounded by beautiful nature and living cultural heritage. By the locks you will find the nostalgic Landhandelen, which takes you straight back in time, and the Møllerens hus, filled with everything from clothes and jewelry to cups and vessels – and a very own gnome room. Nearby is Strømsfoss Galleri, located in the old mill, with changing art exhibitions in historic surroundings. A charming stop for both the curious and the nostalgic

Halden

At Krusetertjern there is a 2.5 kilometer detour to Brekke locks, which with a lift height of 27 meters, is Northern Europe's highest lock system. From Tistedal and to the city center, turn off from Fv.21 and follow residential roads for about 2.5 km, before you come to hiking trails over and through Fredriksten fortress. Around the fortress there are various hiking trails and sights, and otherwise very good views of Halden city. Bicycle shop and various accommodation and dining options in Halden. If you want a slightly longer leg, you can choose to cycle on the east side and around Lake Aspern at Fossby.

For more information about accommodation, sights, dining, shopping, etc. see Destination Halden