The Smaalen Line and the Hølen Viaduct
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 km | 2 hours | Gravel road | Medium | Hikes |
Between Kjenn and Sonsveien in Vestby Municipality you can follow an old route of the Østfold Line as a rail trail. You will pass an abandoned station and walk over an 131-metre viaduct.
Hølen Viaduct. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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Kjenn Halt
The trail starts from Kjenn, six kilometres south of Vestby. Follow the signposts for Kjenn from Osloveien and continue along Tømtveien until the road crosses the railway corridor at the bottom of the valley. Turn left and follow the gravel road along Kjennstjernet and the river. Look out for old masts and railway sleepers while you pass the steep mountainside to the left.
Hølen Viaduct
After a couple of kilometres the trail will pass through a residential area. You have now arrived Hølen, Norway's smallest town until 1943. Keep walking until you reach the railway bridge. It was constructed by the Swedish engineer Axel Jacob Petersson, known for developing the pendulum pillar principle, a technique designed to make bridges more robust.
Hølen
If you have feer of heights, you may take a small detour and walk around. Take the steps on the right side of the bridge, which lead down to Hølen Kafé. Then turn left, then right along Lille Strandgate towards the viaduct. Just before you pass under the bridge, turn left.
Såner Station
After a kilometre you will pass a large, yellow building to the left. You have know arrived Såner Station. For the final kilometre you stay close to the new double tracks until you reach Sonsveien Station.
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How do I get there?
Vy local train L21 (Stabekk–Oslo S–Moss) to Vestby and then bus 545 (Son) to Kjenn bus stop.