Årnes – Løken

Starting point is Årnes, accessible by train. Here, Norway’s longest river, Glomma, flows by. Årnes is a small town with a shop and an excellent bakery; it’s recommended to bring some food along as there are limited opportunities to buy anything until reaching Bjørkelangen, 36 km away. The cycling begins with nearly 3 km along a quiet road through a residential area before turning toward Dragsjøhytta. The path is mostly gravel and minimal traffic. Veslesjøen offers a beautiful outdoor recreation area. Dragsjøhytta occasionally offers refreshments.

You’ll cycle through forests, past lakes and ponds, accompanied by birdsong. A recommended stop is the idyllic Flolangen Skogscamp. Flolangen Lake is the uppermost source of the Halden Canal, a waterway we’ll be following for 150 km all the way to Halden. Gradually, the landscape opens up with more cottages and farms. You cycle on shared country roads, and cycle paths to Bjørkelangen. Here you’ll find shops, cafes, and potential accommodation in a charming historic building, if you want to end the day here.

From Bjørkelangen, the route continues with easy cycling along the old Aurskog-Høland railway line, now converted into a lovely pedestrian and cycling path. The terrain is flat, mostly paved, with some gravel sections. You’ll see cows and horses in the fields and can pick raspberries along the roadside. After about 7 km, there’s a great resting spot by Lake Bjørkelangen. The area consists mainly of farmland, woods, and occasional residential areas. At Løken, there’s a store, and food can also be purchased at the local gas station. After cycling roughly 50 km, accommodation and breakfast are available at Høland Gaardsmotel.