The Wilderness Route is the name of National Cycle Route 9, running from Trondheim to Halden. It follows the Swedish border quite closely and is signposted from Halden to Trysil. The route passes through areas with sparse settlement and limited services, making it especially suitable for experienced cyclists seeking peace and a close-to-nature experience. Cycling can easily be combined with fishing or hiking.

Some facts about the route:

Safety
Traffic is generally light – very little in the northern section, gradually increasing further south. The heaviest traffic is found on a stretch of around 10 km north of Tistedalen, and then more scattered traffic from Ørje to Aspern. The route runs almost entirely on roads shared with cars, with very few dedicated walking and cycle paths.

Elevation
Daily stages involve a total climb of 300-700 metres. Overall, the route is rated as moderately challenging. There is a significant amount of climbing throughout the trip, but with a few exceptions, most hills are gentle and relatively easy to cycle.

Surface
Roughly half tarmac and half gravel roads of varying quality, often with loose gravel on a firmer base. There is about 5 km of narrower, rougher gravel road north of Harstadsjøen.

Challenges
There are at times long distances between services such as accommodation, food and shops. Cyclists should bring provisions or check in advance where grocery stores are located.

Accommodation
Options vary from hotels to camping cabins.

Charging points
Charging stations can be far apart, so it is advisable to recharge at your accommodation. A good tip is to review the daily stages and match them with the capacity of your e-bike. Bringing an extra battery may also be useful.

Map
A map with the route and some of the available services along the way is provided.

Route description - Stage 1

Elverum - Wilderness Route trail

Length: 55.5 km
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Region / Area: Elverum, Våler, Finnskogen National Cycle Route
Time: Approx. 3 hours - Surface: Tarmac and gravel roads - Traffic: Very light in general - Start & finish: Elverum/Gravberget - Signposting: None

Route description
National Cycle Route 9, the Wilderness Route, truly lives up to its name! On this stage you cycle from Elverum to the Wilderness Route trail. You are close to nature all the way, with pine forests, small lakes, vast marshes and hills of 600-700 metres in altitude, following the Swedish border quite closely. Once you leave Elverum there is very little settlement along this stage. You will find the Wilderness Route at the crossroads 3 km past Gravberget Farm.

If you would like a fun detour near Gravberget, you can follow the short Haltorp Road down to the southern end of Lake Halsjøen. Here you will find a large timber shelter, a barbecue area and a picnic spot. At Haldammen you can visit the old timber floating barracks Spritfritt and Fyllerud.

Challenge
This section of the Wilderness Route has little climbing or other difficulties for cycle tourists. The highest point is 488 metres above sea level. Cyclists should be aware that there are no grocery shops or other services before reaching Gravberget Farm. There is also no public transport other than bus connections back to Elverum. It is recommended to buy the Finnskogen North touring map for this stage.

For more information on accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc., see Visit East Norway.

Route description - Stage 2

Elverum - Gravberget Farm

Length: 55.5 km
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Region / Area: Elverum, Våler, Finnskogen National Cycle Route
Time: Approx. 5 hours - Surface: Gravel/Tarmac - Traffic: Generally very light - Start & finish: Gravberget/Finnskogtoppen - Signposting: Yes, as National Cycle Route 9

Route description
Another stage with very little traffic, where cycling feels generally very safe. This section has a fairly large proportion of tarmac. From the Flisa River at Velta up to Damstjern, the road climbs more than 200 metres over a distance of just over 10 km, reaching an altitude of just above 400 metres. From here to Svullya, about 25 km, the route is much easier, with gentle descents or flat terrain.

Along the way you cycle past several of the larger lakes in the area: Fallsjøen, Rotbergsjøen and Røgden. On the eastern side of Lake Rotbergsjøen you will find a beautiful sandy beach. Finnskogtoppen lies on the southern shore of Lake Røgden, a short 9 km detour from the Wilderness Route. If you wish to end your ride along the Wilderness Route here, it is around 42 km to Kongsvinger.

Challenge
This section of the Wilderness Route includes a noticeable climb from Velta to Damstjern, where you gain about 240 metres in altitude over 12 km. As with Stage 1, there are very few services along the route. At Kilen there is a 2 km detour westwards to a Joker grocery shop in Kaptein Dreyers vei.

Finnskogtoppen Hotel & Spa
Finnskogtoppen Hotel & Spa is a place that provides renewed energy, increased physical and mental well-being, and healthy, delicious food. The hotel is situated in the heart of Finnskogen with beautiful views over Lake Røgden, which you passed earlier on your ride.

For more information on accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc., see Visit East Norway.

Route description - Stage 3

Finnskogtoppen - Magnor

Length: 97 km (83 km)
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Region/area: South Finnskogen
Surface: Tarmac/Gravel roads - Traffic: Varies, generally light, somewhat more in the southern part of the stage - Start & finish: Vortungen / Ørje - Signposting: Yes, as National Cycle Route 9

Note: The stage can be shortened to 83 km by following the E16 from Øyermoen to north of Austmarka. At Austmarka you rejoin the Wilderness Route.

Route description
Parts of the ride are still in Finnskogen, and this is yet another stage dominated by roads with very little car traffic. From Svullrya – the heart of Finnskogen with the Finnskogen Museum, grocery shop, café and heritage site – the route begins with long stretches of wide, flat and fast gravel roads across vast pine moors, with glimpses down to the Rotna watercourse. From Lebiko to Lake Varaldsjøen the landscape is particularly wild, with hardly any settlement.

There are several fine viewpoints over the lake. At Osvika, at the northern end, there is a large recreation area with a beach, lawns, benches and an information board. South of Lebiko, by Lake Abbortjenn, you will find a good timber shelter and firepit. The ride towards Magnor takes you past a number of lakes, with especially fine cycling terrain from Austmarka southwards to Lake Utgardsjøen.

Challenge
Climbs include the ascent from Lake Nordre Øyersjøen to Lake Svarttjenn, and a fairly steep section up the last few hundred metres to Lebiko. The gravel roads on this stage may have loose and somewhat coarse gravel. There are also two other noticeable climbs of around 100 metres each: from Lake Varaldsjøen towards Lake Hærsjøen, and from Lake Utgårdssjøen up to Lake Vintertjønnet. The first 25 km of the stage are on gravel roads of varying quality, but from Austmarka onwards the surface is good tarmac.

Magnor
A pleasant little town with an excellent bakery and the Magnor Glassworks, well worth a visit. Nearby you will also find The Plus, the world’s most environmentally friendly furniture factory built in wood – a remarkable attraction in its own right.

For more information on accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc., see Visit East Norway.

Route description - Stage 4 

Magnor - Rømskog

Length: 64 km
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Region / Area: Eidskog (Innlandet), Aurskog-Høland
Time: Approx. 4 hours - Surface: Mostly tarmac - Recommended equipment: Hybrid bike - Traffic: Generally light - Start & finish: Magnor/Vortungen, Rømskog - Signposting: Yes, as National Cycle Route 9

Route description
This stage is characterised by extensive forest landscapes and a few small hamlets. From Magnor, the first 5 km run on a separate and safe cycle path along County Road 202. The final kilometres down to Lake Harstadsjøen follow a traffic-free gravel road, with pleasant picnic areas along the western shore of the lake. From Gåsvika to Lake Rømsjøen, traffic is very light. Grocery shops are available in Magnor, Skotterud, Setskog and Tørnby, just north of Rømsjøen. From Rømsjøen, there is a 3 km detour to Rømskog Hotel Spa & Resort.

Challenge
On the western side of Lake Stangnessjøen, Route 9 follows a gravel track (Vektervegen), which in places is little more than a wide trail. The final kilometres before reaching Lake Harstadsjøen are also on somewhat loose gravel. The climb from Lake Harstadsjøen to Lake Gulltjenn gains nearly 100 metres over 3 km. A similar climb is encountered from Lake Rømsjøen up Vortungsveien towards Lake Vortungen and the unique Rømskog Hotel & Spa Resort. Traffic from Harstadsjøen to Lake Setten is more noticeable, including some heavy vehicles such as timber trucks. The road here is partly winding and has limited visibility. This stage is recommended only for experienced adult cyclists.

Rømskog
Here you will find a Joker grocery shop and a petrol station. Rømskog is a small, peaceful village with around 700 inhabitants. Formerly the centre of its own municipality, it is now part of Aurskog-Høland in Akershus. The village lies deep in forest country with more than 100 lakes, surrounded by varied terrain and wooded hills such as Slavasshøgda (formerly the highest peak in Østfold). For those seeking spectacular views, there is a unique wooden fire lookout tower on Haukenesfjellet, within walking distance of Rømskog Hotel Spa & Resort. From here you can enjoy sweeping vistas over forest and lakes – and even see Mount Gausta on clear days.

For more information on accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc., see Visit East Norway and Visit Greater Oslo.

Route description - Stage 5

Rømskog - Ørje

Length: 46.6 km
Level of difficulty: Moderate to somewhat demanding
Region/area: Aurskog-Høland, Marker
Time: Approx. 2.5 hours - Surface: Tarmac - Traffic: Varies, generally light, somewhat more in the southern part of the stage - Start & finish: Vortungen/Ørje - Signposting: Yes, as National Cycle Route 9

Route description
Bring along the food and drink you need for the ride. There is a Joker grocery shop a little north of the turn-off to Rømskog Spa, which you can stop by if necessary. This is a slightly hilly but attractive stage. You will cycle through forest and open cultural landscape. Most of the stage runs along roads with little traffic. The ride offers fine views of Lake Rødenessjøen, in the northern part of the Halden Canal. Cycle tourists will also appreciate around 6 km of downhill riding from Kislebergmosen down to Lake Rødenessjøen.

There is a farm shop, Joval Farm , on County Road 125, just off County Road 21 at the junction. Joval Farm also offers accommodation and canoe rental. Otherwise, there are no shops or eateries along the route. From here you cycle along the Halden Canal down to the lock town of Ørje. The Wilderness Route follows the eastern side of the canal, but if you choose the western side, there is somewhat less traffic.

Challenge
No major challenges, but the route is fairly hilly along Lake Rømsjøen and further south towards Kislebergmosen, a stretch of about 20 km. In total, there are 700 metres of climbing on this stage.

Ørje
Here you will find many charming niche shops, cafés and eateries, a petrol station, hairdressers, fitness centre, sports shop, bank, pharmacy, library and more. Several events are organised in the town centre every year. Ørje is an idyllic spot that is becoming increasingly popular. Be sure to visit the Haldenvassdragets kanalmuseum, where you can learn about the history of timber floating and the construction of the canal. Another section of the museum is dedicated to the wildlife of the watercourse. Ørje also has Norway’s largest community of steamships – and if you are lucky, you may see them passing through the locks. The town has several restaurants and grocery shops, and it is also home to the tourist information office of Visit Indre Østfold.

For more information on accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc., see Visit Greater Oslo and Visit Indre Østfold.

Route description - Stage 6

Ørje - Halden

Length: 64 km
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Region/area: Eidskog (Innlandet), Aurskog-Høland
Time: Approx. 5 hours - Surface: Tarmac - Traffic: Varies, generally light, somewhat heavier in the southern part of the stage - Start & finish: Vortungen/Ørje - Signposting: Yes, as National Cycle Route No. 9

Route description
This stage passes through both forest and cultural landscape and is one of the easiest along the Wilderness Route. It is possible to stop for a swim at several places along the way.

Aremark
The small village of Strømsfoss (a 1 km detour from the Wilderness Route), 23 km south of Ørje, is well worth a visit. Here you will find locks and lock history, the Strømsfoss Mill Gallery, a traditional country store, and Møllerens Hus with clothing, ornaments, jewellery and a small café serving light refreshments. At Fossby (after 40 km) there are benches, a grocery shop and a café.

Challenge
There are no major challenges on this stage, but from Lake Trollnestjern to Tistedal you cycle in mixed traffic with a speed limit of 80 km/h. At times, traffic here can exceed 2,000 cars per day. This stage is best suited for experienced adult cyclists.

Strømsfoss
Strømsfoss – a little treasure, just a short detour from County Road 21. Here lies the middle lock of the Halden Canal, surrounded by beautiful nature and living cultural heritage. At the locks you will find the nostalgic Country Store, which takes you back in time, and Møllerens Hus, filled with everything from clothes and jewellery to kitchenware – and even its own Christmas room. Nearby is Strømsfoss Gallery, housed in the old mill, featuring changing art exhibitions in historic surroundings. A charming stop for both the curious and the nostalgic.

Halden
At Lake Krusetertjern there is a 2.5 km detour to the Brekke locks, which, with a lifting height of 27 metres, form the highest lock system in Northern Europe. From Tistedal to the town centre you leave County Road 21 and follow residential streets for about 2.5 km before reaching footpaths that lead over and through Fredriksten Fortress. Around the fortress there are several trails and sights, along with magnificent views over Halden town. In Halden you will find a cycle shop, as well as a variety of accommodation and dining options. For those who prefer a slightly longer stage, there is the option from Fossby to cycle on the eastern side, around Lake Aspern.

For more information on accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping etc., read the guide to Halden here.