A natural start of the first stage of The Coastal Route is Halden, where there is a train connection. Tourists arriving by bicycle from Sweden will cross the border at Old Svinesund. Halden is a nice border town with the impressive Fredriksten Fortress, which is located on a hill. The Fortress Hotel is also located here. It is recommended to visit Rød Herregård before cycling on, which has a beautiful garden.
Fredriksten Fortress in Halden. Photo: Sven-Erik Knoff, Visit Norway
There are few signs at the beginning of the route, so a digital map is recommended. You cycle along Torpumveien, which is a low-traffic country road. At Berg church, you´ll have a nice view. The landscape is quite flat and you cycle on a side road from the main road. Still, some traffic must be expected and also some heavy traffic. At the Gjellestad Ship you can see the burial mound after excavation and read more about this historic site. It is generally agricultural landscape. You´ll pass Høysand beach where there is a kiosk and a nice place for a rest.
Just before Sarpsborg, it is nice to visit Hafslund Hovedgård with its wonderful park. You can either end the stage here and spend the night in Sarpsborg (30 km in total), or follow the Glommastien to Fredrikstad (47 km in total). The Glommastien runs along the river Glomma and is well designed for walkers and cyclists. There are many cozy places to stop along the way, there is a long gravel road and you can see and read a lot of industrial history. You also pass Roald Amundsen’s birthplace on the way. Today’s stage ends in the Old Town in Fredrikstad, which is very cozy. There are hotels and restaurants here. Alternatively, you can take a free ferry across the river to the city center where there is a larger selection of hotels and restaurants.
Train Stations: Halden, Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad
Norwegian Shrimps. Photo: Tove Lise Mossestad, Visit Norway