Borgleden stage 1: Elgåfoss - Sarpsborg

Arrival at Halden station by train. For routes: entur.no or vy.no/en

From Halden station, it is approx. 35 km to Elgåfoss, which is the starting point for the trail. To get to the starting point, you need to pre-book the Flex bus, a mix of taxi and bus. For more information and to order Flex, see Østfoldkollektivtrafikk. 

In the center of Halden and a few kilometers before Berg pilgrim hostel and in Skjeberg you will find grocery stores.

From Elgåfossen picnic area, follow the trail to Elgåfossen. The waterfall follows the border between Norway and Sweden. Before crossing county road 220, take a short detour to Søndre Enningdalen church. Furthermore, along this stage you will experience great nature with a salmon river, nature reserve, traces from the Stone and Iron Ages, and the history of a manor. Berby Manor, had its heyday in the 1700s and 1800s, before arriving the manor there is a monument to mark the battles between Norway and Sweden in 1808. The trail continues through Folkå Nature Reserve, a protected deciduous area where the thimbleweed spreads out over the forest floor in the spring. Eventually, Borgleden follows Karl XII's road, this road used by the king on his march towards the fortress in Halden, 1718. This stage ends at Bakke camping.

Most of this stage takes place on paths and gravel roads and only a few meters on asphalt roads. Along the way, there are several picnic areas, and many of them offer great views of the Iddefjord.

Accommodation:

• Bråtorp camping
• Bakke camping

At the beginning of this stage, you will see traces of stonemasons. The stone that the stonemasons extracted here in the area was used, among other things, to make the sculpture The Monolith in the Vigeland Park, Oslo. The trail continues in slightly more hilly terrain to Idd church, a medieval church from the 1100s. From there, the trail continues over open fields and through farmyards. A find of a scallop symbol made in lead, from earlier times, tell us that pilgrims have trodden here on their way from southern Europe towards Trondheim. The stage continues towards Fredriksten Fortress, take your time at the fortress and experience the exciting history at the fortress museum. The fortress also offers a fantastic view of the city of Halden.

The trail continues past The church of Immanuel, over the river Tista and on to Rød Manor with a café, museum and a fantastic park. From the manor, the trail follows built-up areas and agricultural landscapes until you arrive Berg church, a medieval church from the mid-1100s. 

Accommodation:

• Fredriksten camping, Halden
• Fredrikstens hotell, Halden
• Halden hytta, Halden
• Berg pilgrimshostel, Berg
• Østgaard

It is a great cultural landscape and forest terrain that brings you to Skjeberg, this leg's destination. The trail takes you from Berg church on to Aasekjær farm where you will experience a historic and beautiful farm environment. Feel free to take a break at the rest area that the owners have set up in relaxing surroundings. From now on, the historical traces from the Iron Age and the Bronze Age with burial sites and hollow roads will be close together. 

You will eventually arrive at Ingedal church, a medieval church from the 1250s. From the church, the stage continues to Skjeberg on a partly busy road. Arriving in Skjeberg, it is possible to spend the night by the sea at Skjeberg Camping. If you choose to continue the trail further up to Guslundåsen, you will pass hollow roads and burial mounds. Here it is possible to spend the night in a outdoor-shelter just before you cross the county road and continue on to Skjeberg church, a medieval church from the 1100s.

Accommodation:

• Skjeberg camping – located a bit from the trail by the sea. The campsite is located before Skjeberg church
• Outdoor-shelter with barbecue area, Skjeberg/Guslundåsen - Heia

This stage offers a lot of history and starts with Skjeberg church. The trail continues through some smaller areas of forest terrain before continuing a few kilometers through built-up areas. Eventually, you will see Hafslund church where you have the opportunity for a rest. The church is located close to Hafslund Manor, a beautiful manor with a large park. Below the park, a short trip from the trail, there is a petroglyph field from the Bronze Age. The day ends by walking over Sarpefossen towards Borgarsyssel museum, St. Nikolas church ruin and Olavsbyen Sarpsborg. The path that takes you over the waterfall on to the museum is called the Millennium Path and information signs along the path will tell you the exciting history of Sarpsborg. 

Sarpsborg has train connection with Oslo.

Accommodation:

• Scandic Hotel, Sarpsborg
• Tune Hotel, Sarpsborg
• Quality hotel, Sarpsborg
• Tune Equestrian Centre, Sarpsborg
• Utne camping, Greåker

Do you want to continue walking and maybe try another stage? See our other suggestions for the trail:

• Borgleden stage 1
• Borgleden stage 2
• Borgleden - the whole trail