The Vekter Road and the Vestmarka Line
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 km | 2 hours | Gravel road | Easy | Hikes |
Parts of the trail "Vekterveien" follows the abandoned Vestmarka Line in Eidskog Municipality. The rail trail is suitable for hikers and bikers, and you will pass an 131-metre long railway tunnel on your way.
Vekter Road. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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Stangnes halt
The rail trail starts where Vekterveien crosses the county road, approximately 500 metres south of the exit to Vangen. It continues along the county road a couple of kilometres and passes the old station area of Stangnes. Here you will find an information board with a photo of the station building.
The Paradis Tunnel
Cross the road when you reach the picnic area. The rail trail continues into the forest as a gravel road on the other side. After 500 metres you will arrive at one of the highlights, namely the 131-metre Paradis Tunnel. At the tunnel entrance you will find an information board about the Vestmarka line.
Several stops
After a long bend, Vekterveien continues straight ahead and through a deserted area. Soon you will see the lake Harstadsjøen in front of you. The rail trail will bends sharply to the right and follows the water's edge closely. You will now arrive Brustadvika where Buåa halt used to be. To the right you will see the remains of a railway bridge which crossed the Buåa river.
Lit trail
When the gravel road ends at Skillingmarkvegen, continue on the footpath a couple of hundred metres. Vekterveien will continue to the right as a lit rail trail at the crossroads.
Vestmarka halt
Continue a little bit further along Skillingmarkvegen when the cultural trail ends. After 200 metres you will pass a white house on your right. This used to be the station building at Vestmarka, but is today privately owned. If you continue 1.5 kilometres further, you will actually end up in Sweden.
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How do I get there?
Take bus 120 from Kongsvinger to Skotterud and change to bus 735 to Stangnes. By car, follow the National Road 22 from Lillestrøm and continue on the county road 170 to Tangen after you have passed Bjørkelangen. Take a left and follow the national road number 21 towards Skotterud until you arrive Vestmarka.