More than 80 kilometres of marked summer trails are part of Rakkestadfjella, Rakkestad’s largest continuous hiking area. The trails, ski tracks and fishing opportunities give the landscape its own appeal; archaeological sites, museums and historic buildings offer even more to discover.
Trails through the seasons
In winter, Rakkestadfjella has around 70 kilometres of ski tracks. Summer trails and ski tracks offer different seasonal activities. As conditions on the trails can change with the seasons, it is worth checking them before setting out.
One specific hiking destination is Linnekleppen. The marked trail starts at the car park on National Road 124 and is 3.5 kilometres long; it climbs at a steady gradient. The wooded ridge is 325 metres high and has a fire lookout tower. On a clear day, the view reaches as far as Gaustatoppen. Before travelling, check the tower’s status and find out about trail conditions.
Fishing is another option in Rakkestadfjella: you can fish in many of the lakes, and fishing permits are available for purchase at most access roads. Find out about the fishing regulations in force before you go. The Ingaleden is another named hiking route that passes through the Suteren area.
Archaeological traces and historic buildings
At Høgnipen are the trapping sites Rørmyr I and II and Mellommyr, which are among the oldest trapping sites in Norway. A marked route leads from Ilgutusaga via Erthevannsveien to the sites. If you plan to take this route, check the markings and local access before setting out.
At Rakkestad Bygdetun, buildings and collection pieces complement one another: the open-air museum comprises eleven buildings arranged like a typical farmstead for Østfold farms in the 17th and 18th centuries. The collection includes around 3,000 museum objects, among them Frederick II’s Bible from 1588. The historic farmstead layout and individual objects offer different ways to explore the past.
The Hjemmefrontmuseet in Rakkestad displays around 4,000 exhibits from the Second World War, including uniforms and various weapons. The collection display may change over time. Rakkestad kirke offers a different perspective on building history: it is a Romanesque medieval church with a rectangular nave and a narrower, elongated chancel; it was probably built around 1200.
Mills also tell of different forms of work. Sandbekk Mølle in Degernes was built in 1904 and has been restored. Its distinctive overshot waterwheel has an outside diameter of 430 centimetres; this type of wheel is fed with water from above. Kaaen Sag og Mølle is a preserved, partially restored industrial heritage site on the Dørja River, located at an old mill site.
Visits and practical information
To visit Fargeriet på Fossnes, you can arrange an appointment after contacting the owner, Iver Rustad. Fargeriet was designated a cultural heritage site in Rakkestad in 1997, the Year of Cultural Heritage. For Høitomt husmannsplass, a description updated in 2019 lists an event organised by the Friends’ Association: “A Summer Day at the Smallholding” is said to take place on the last weekend in July every second year, in odd-numbered years. The event offers a glimpse of life on a historic smallholding. Check the current dates before planning your visit.
The go-kart track at Rudskogen Motorsenter is also available for commercial hire during normal opening hours. As opening arrangements may change, check the operator’s current calendar before making plans.
National Roads 111, 22 and 124 meet in Rakkestad. There are also bus services to the towns and a few train services each day. Check the latest timetables before travelling if you plan to use the bus or train.
Discover more destinations: Degernes, Råde, Sarpsborg, Våler, Eidsberg, Rygge, Skiptvet, Trøgstad.
For the regional travel overview: Østfold.
