Borgleden

Borgleden starts at Elgåfoss and continues through Østfold and Akershus to Oslo. The name of the trail Borgleden is from the historical name Borgarsysla (a fief) and Borgartinget (Borgarthing). Along the trail you will pass through Halden and Moss, as well as Sarpsborg, which was founded by St. Olav in 1016. Idyllic small towns, farms, medieval churches, manor houses and several museums as well as numerous cultural monuments from the Iron Age and Bronze Age also characterize the trail. Along the way you will find signs that provide good descriptions of the cultural monuments. Several of the stages are easily accessible via public transport, read more at Østfold public transport, Entur and Ruter. Below you will find tour suggestions, several of which you can easily divide according to your own wishes.

The trail starts at Elgåfossen picnic area (Enningdalsveien). At Elgåfoss, which is located on the border with Sweden, you can continue south into Sweden along Kuststigen or Bohusleden. On your way, going north, you will pass Elgåfoss, which is Østfold's highest unregulated waterfall with a drop height of 46 meters. The trail takes you further to Svingen/Bråtorp Camping and Søndre Enningdalen Church. The altar table, which once belonged to the former medieval church, is located by the churchyard wall. 

At Svingen the trail crosses RV 22 and Enningdalselva continues the west side of the river before it crosses the river again and runs on the east side for the last kilometres to Berby. Berby is an old manor with a long history, a big battle took place here between Swedes and Norwegians in 1808. The trail follows the river, which is a great salmon river, towards Iddefjord. Along the idyllic eastern shore of the Iddefjord, you will eventually walk through the Folkå Nature Reserve on to Bakke Camping.

At Elgåfoss there are parking facilities. If you want to book transport to Elgåfoss, you can order Flex wich is a mix of taxi and bus, read more at Flex, Østfold public transport.

Accomodation:

• Bråtorp Camping
• Bakke Camping

The first part of the trail joins the Coastal Path, and the area is characterized by granit quarries. The trail passes Idd Medieval Church before continuing, for a short distance, along RV 22 and eventually entering the old church road. In 2014, a pilgrim mark from the Middle Ages was found here at the farm Aas. This is a good indicator that pilgrims have been walking here for hundreds of years. When you cross the road again, the trail follows the old main road, Kongeveien, towards Fredriksten fortress.  Fredriksten Fortress is located on a hill where you have a fantastic view of the city Halden, and you can learn more about the history at the fortress museum, Halden museum - Fredriksten. If you choose to extend the trip approx. 6 km, you can spend the night at Berg Pilgrim Hostel, an old granary/storehouse on stilts that volunteers have restored into a nice accommodation. The hostel is next to Berg Medieval Church. 

Accomodation:

• Berg Pilgrim Hostel
• Østgaard

Starting point for the day is Immanuel's Church, which is a defined building of the cityscape in Halden. The trail crosses the river Tista and eventually goes through an area with old wooden houses to Rød Manor, the manor has a beautiful park with a great view of the sea. This section of the trail goes through built-up areas, agricultural landscapes and forest terrain. Along the way, you will pass three medieval churches, one of the first is Berg Medieval Church with the Berg Pilgrim Hostel right next to it. Passing Berg you continue to Aaseskjær farm where the owners have created a beautiful resting area just before their farm. 

After the farm, the historical places are many and you will eventually pass thing sites, burial mounds and stone rings. The trail brings you on to Ingedal Medieval Church and then you will walk in forest areas combined with short stages on road118. In one of the forest areas, before you cross the national road, you will again experience historical traces such as old hollow roads, crofts and graves from the Bronze Age. The trail continues to Skjeberg Medieval Church, further on to Hafslund Church and Hafslund Manor with its large park. This day ends by walking over the Glomma river and Sarpefossen waterfall towards Borgarsyssel museum, St. Nikola's Church ruins and Olav's town Sarpsborg.

Accomodation:

• Berg Pilgrim Hostel
• Østgaard
• Gapahuk Tobru - an outdoor shelter
• Skjeberg camping
• Shelter Skjeberg - an outdoor shelter
• Scandic Sarpsborg - hotel
• Quality hotell Sarpsborg
• Tune Hotel
• Tune Equestrian centre
• Utne Camping

This stage starts at Borgarsyssel museum and continues through Sarpsborg's pedestrian street St. Marie gate. The trail passes Sarpsborg Church, Tune Church and Tunevannet, a lake situated close to Sarpsborg. Before you start following, Gamle Kongevei, do visit the Opstad field, one of Østfold's largest burial grounds from the Bronze Age, approx. 100 m from the trail. Continue Gamle Kongevei and after a couple of kilometres you will pass an Olav's spring. Eventually you will arrive at Solli Church, here you can take a break in the historic Queen Desideria's grove. Follow the trail to Soli Brug Gallery, an artgallery in historical buildings with a restaurant in the old forge. At Soli Brug the trail descends to the river Aagaardselva, and continues north to Råde. Through Råde, this stage offers a beautiful cultural landscape along the ridge. The many cultural monuments in the area testify to the fact that the area has provided good living and growth conditions for thousands of years. Among these are the beautiful stone rings at Lundeby and Råde Medieval Church. If you stop your walk before Råde Medieval Church, you will find accommodation at Kihl farm. Contact Kihl farm for transportation to the accomodation.

Accomodation:

• Berg Pilgrim Hostel
• Østgaard
• Skjeberg camping
• Shelter Skjeberg - an outdoor shelter
• Scandic Sarpsborg - hotel
• Quality hotell Sarpsborg
• Tune Hotel
• Tune Equestrian centre
• Utne Camping
• Kihl Farm

From Råde station, you follow Stasjonsveien and straight ahead on the road Tesalaveien, wich follows a beautiful cultural landscape with cultivated land and farms. The trail eventually takes you along the railway line and you pass the burial mounds and war memorials in Sognslunden. From Rygge train station, you can see Rygge Medieval Church,  which is located up on a hill. From the church, you continue along the main road before the trail goes through varied terrain with forests, settlements, burial rings and other cultural monuments. 

One of these is Telemarkslunden, a protected nature reserve a  beech forest with burial grounds. Beautiful deciduous forest continues to characterize the terrain – before you approach the centre of Moss and meet the great view of the Oslo Fjord. The stage ends at Moss Church.

Accomodation:

• Kallum Søndre Farm- only tent
• Moss Hotel
• Pilgrim accomodation in Moss

This stage starts from Moss Church, continuing through the city center of Moss and further on to Møllebyen, an area where history meets the future. The trail continues past Mossefossen, a waterfall, further into the lush Mosseskogen and eventually to the village of Son. A detour from the trail makes it possible to visit Son Cultural Church before the trail continues down to the town center. Son is known for its wooden houses from the Dutch era and is beautifully located down by the fjord where you will find the Son coastal culture center, restaurants and shops. If you want to enjoy a quiet and calm moment, Solåsen Pilgrim Hostel, with a beautiful view of the fjord, the hostel is the right place.

Accomodation:

• Solåsen Pilgrim Hostel
• Son spa

This stage starts from the center of Son, through beautiful forest terrain and following gravel roads before you get the possibilites to make a short detour to visit Urtegården Nordre Mørk. Urtegården offers a break in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. A little further along the trail, it is again possible to make another detour, this time to a pothole, formerly an Olav's spring. The trail then continues to Vestby and Vestby Church, which is a neo-Gothic church from 1886. You continue tofollow the trail in a cultural landscape with large fields in the direction of Ås. Arriving in Ås you walk through the university park to NMBU (Norwegian University of Life Sciences), take your time to enjoy the beautiful park. The trail continues past the agricultural museum and further on to Ås Church.

Accomodation:

As of now there is no accomodation in Ås.

From Ås church, the walk goes down along Lake Årungen and eventually you pass Norway's national facility for rowing. After a few kilometres, you walk along a beautiful stone fence that has been restored to its original condition. Shortly after, you can make a small detour to Nordby church, the church is from 1826. Then the trail crosses a bridge, a bridge that is constructed according to Leonardo da Vinci constructions drawings. The trail then enters Nøstvedtmarka, a popular hiking area with forests and old cultural landscapes. Eventually, you will again walk across a bridge, the bridge has been rebuilt according to older construction methods from 1812. Through Oppegård you follow the Old King's Road all the way to Oppegård station where this stage ends.

Accomodation:

From Oppegård's station, you walk follow the King's Road, which eventually turns into the Ancient Road and leads you over Grønliåsen. Here you will meet burial grounds from the Iron Age and the royal table. About the royal table, we can read that according to the royal sagas, the place was visited by King Sverre in the 1200s and he took a break here. Finds of horseshoes and written sources tell us that the King's Road was in use during the Middle Ages. The walk continues through urban living environments on Nordstrand on to Nordstrand church. In Ekebergparken you get both great views over Oslo city and an experience with interesting and beautiful artwork and sculptures. 

From Ekebergparken, the trip begins down towards the Memorial Park and St. Hallvard's Cathedral, where you eventually reach the finish line of the last stage and the entire walk along the Borgleden.

In the Memorial Park in Oslo, the Borgleden connects to Gudbrandsdalsleden and there is a milestone with the inscription 643 km. that is the distance to Nidaros

Accommodation:

In the center of Oslo, there are several accommodation options