Cycling the Urskog—Høland Line
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 km | 2 hours | Asphalt, Gravel road | Easy | Cycling |
Most of the railway line between Bjørkelangen and Skulerud has been reconstructed as a bike route. You will pass several cultural monuments, bathing places and a nature reserve. Several metres of the track has been restored at the terminus Skulerud.
Biker on the Urskog-Høland Line. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
Read more in the book
Bjørkelangen station
You start outside the former station building of Bjørkelangen. Just a stone's throw away you will find the old water tower where the steam trains stopped to replenish water. From here the trains continued towards Skulerud to the right. Turn left and cross the railway bridge if you want to follow the old siding to Eidsverket instead, an 1-kilometre detour.
Locomotive shed
The corridor may be a little bit overgrown the first hundred metres from the water tower, but when you have crossed Stasjonsveien, it will continue as an asphalted cycle and footpath. You will pass a brick building to the left, and this used to be the locomotive shed. The cycle path continues through an agricultural area until you cross the county road after six kilometres. From here you will cycle along the lake Botnersjøen where you will pass several lovely bathing spots.
Stone arch bridge
When the cycle path crosses the county road once again after a kilometre, you should stop and take a closer look at the old stone arch bridge you're passing over. After another 1.5 kilometre you will arrive Fosser. The railway station used to be to the left on the other side of the crossing Fosserveien.
Løken station
After three kilometres you will arrive Løken. You should take the short detour to the pharmacy at the shopping centre. On the wall you will find an old photo of a steam locomotive and the railway station. From Løken the railway corridor has been replaced by cultivated land, so you need to turn left and follow the cycle path along the county road instead. After two kilometres the cycle path will bend slightly to the left and follow the railway corridor again. Continue along Togveien when the cycle path ends.
Hellesjøvann nature reserve
The road continues as Hellesjøveien along the eastern side of a nature reserve. The railway corridor used to run on the other side of the lake. When you get to a crossroads, turn right and follow Østbyveien for about 400 metres. The Urskog-Høland Line will cross the road as a forest trail, so turn left and follow it southwards. You can clearly see marks on the ground where the sleepers used to be. After 1.5 kilometres you will pass a former railway bridge. The corridor continues as a solid gravel road after you have crossed Hemnesveien. This is where Hemnes station used to be.
Skulerud station
The corridor is named "Linna" from Hemnes. You will cycle close to the river Hølandselva and pass over a 28-metre railway bridge on your way. The gravel road will end at the county road after two kilometres. Here you will see a newly restored railway track to the right. Follow this along the county road until you arrive a large, open area. You will pass the old engine shed to the right. The ticket office is demolished, but the the old quay remains where the connecting steamer sailed from during the summer months. You will find it if you follow the track to the right.
► Show itinerary
How do I get there?
Bus 470 from Lillestrøm to Killingmo Crossroads. By car, take the National Road 22 from Lillestrøm to Fetsund and continue on the county road number 170 towards Bjørkelangen.