Cycling the Treungen Line
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 km | 3 hours | Asphalt, Gravel road | Easy | Cycling |
In 2019 a new cycle path opened on the Treungen Line between Åmli and Treungen. The path follows parts of the railway line and the old main road. You will pass several station buildings, stone arch bridges and other cultural monuments on your way.
Bridge crossing Treungen Line. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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The stretch between Åmli and Treungen opened as a rail trail in the autumn of 2019. The old station building in Åmli is today a library, and the goods depot is preserved as well, which you can see on the other side of the crossroads.
Old Main Road
From Åmli Station follow the road Fossevegen and further along the cycle and footpath. The route will soon follow the old main road, which was in use until a new national road was built over the railway track. After two kilometres you continue through a dense pine forest in a deserted area.
Seljås Station
The old road joins the national road, which you need to follow a short distance. After 400 metres you will pass a white house with a red roof on your left. This is the old station building of Seljås.
Sandå Station
The cycle route follows the national road for the next 1.5 kilometres, but you may cycle along the old corridor until the next crossroads if you want. After 400 metres continue on the old road to the right. You will cross a bridge over the river Sandåna before you passes Sandå Station to the left after a kilometre. It is almost similar to Seljås Station.
Karlsåna
After you have past another bridge, turn left and continue on the gravel road to the right until it joins the national road after 100 metres. From here you can finally follow the old railway corridor, which follows the national road before branching off to the right. The Treungen Line will pass through an area of dense pine forest with high rock cuts. After three kilometres you will cross Karlsåna over a stone bridge.
Øy Station
After 500 metres you will pass Øy Station, which is also similar to the ones at Seljås and Sandå. The platform has been preserved as well as the freight ramp further ahead. The cycle route crosses the national road and follows it on the other side. You will pass through a birch forest and cycle closely along the Nidelva river to the left.
Water tower at Gaukås
On the eastern side of the national road you follow the corridor through a birch forest. After one kilometre you will see one of the highlights of the trip — the water tower at Gaukås. The old station was located south of the water tower, but it burned down in 2008 and just the platform remains today.
Høgefoss Bridge
After a kilometre you will pass another highlight — the 58-metre Espebu Tunnel. The trail continues through a hilly area with high rock cuts until you reach the impressive Høgefoss Bridge.
Unsafe route
The cycle route continues on a new trail along the national road towards Tjønnefoss station. The Treungen Line originally went on the opposite side, and you can see clear signs of this. It bends left and continues into the woods. Do not follow it, as the bridge is removed where the route crosses Rauåna.
Tjønnefoss Station
The station building is now a tavern called Tjørullkroa, and inside you will find several old photos of the line. The Treungen Line continues as a woodland road along Breidungen lake, which was dammed up when Tjønnefoss Power Plant was built in the 1960s.
Treungen Station
The trail crosses Fiskåna over a bridge before it joins the national road. After 300 metres it crosses the national road and passes an old stone bridge. On the right you will see a tourist information board about Heimdalsvelgen Halt. After 500 metres, follow the gravel road to the left. You are now following the railway corridor through a forest the last kilometre to Treungen station. Most of the station buildings are preserved, and the most interesting ones are the engine shed and the water tower, which are located on the other side of the road Fjonevegen.
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How do I get there?
If you are driving from Oslo, exit E18 towards Gjerstad and follow the county road number 418. Then take the National Road 41 towards Åmli and continue 15 kilometres until you arrive Åmli. You can park at the library (Åmli station) free of charge.