Paddle: The Halden canal from the north to the south

With a large number of small and large lakes, forest stars and elongated lakes, the Halden Canal and the surrounding areas are an eldorado for those who like to paddle. About an hour from Oslo, you will find the Haldenkanalen. Here there is plenty of space to feel the feeling of being alone - with others. The 8-minute long waterway from Skulerud in the north to Tistedal in the south winds like a blue thread through the border areas, and large lakes, narrow canals, open meadows and beautiful forests await you.

The Halden Canal is a unique cultural monument, and in recent years the canal has been put in good condition so that you can now travel from north to south, and pass through impressive lock systems - in a beautiful landscape with many interesting experiences. The combination of beautiful nature and impressive locks makes a paddle trip through the canal itself a unique experience. Are you wondering how it feels to sit in a small canoe and at the same time be sluiced up and down many meters of altitude? In the Haldenkanalen you can experience 3 lock sites and 8 lock chambers with Brekke Locks as the highest with a height of 27 metres. The locks are operated seasonally - from the last weekend in May to the last weekend in August. You pay the lock fee with Vipps. Read more about lock times and prices here.

The Halden Canal from north to south is a great trip in a canoe or kayak. Our proposal starts at Skulerud, but the trip can just as well be paddled the other way. There are many housing options along the Haldenkanalen. You can, for example, rent one of the coastal cabins along the canal, take in a campsite, rent a cabin or treat yourself to some luxury at a hotel. You get the closest to nature if you choose to live outside in nature. Sleeping outside in a hammock is a wonderful experience. If you would rather have a roof over your head, a total of 15 shelters are at your disposal. They are free and free to use - first come, first served!

Skulerud - Tjuvholmen approx. 18 km
Start in Skulerud. Here is Smia, a cabin you can spend the first night in. Booked at www.oslofjorden.org for more comfort we can recommend the Rømskog Spa & Resort. From Skulerud you paddle / cycle down to Tjuvholmen in Marker. Great outdoor area with nice beach. Here you can spend the night in a shelter.

Kroksundbrua - Sæterøya - 1 km
On the section Skulerud - Tjuvholmen you pass Sæterøya. (If you want a short trip with accommodation, Kroksundbrua - Sæterøya with accommodation in shelter can be an alternative.)

Tjuvholmen - Ørje - approx. 16 km
Continue to Slusebyen Ørje - a cozy village with lots of charm. Here you can have a tasty meal at the boatcafé which is idyllic and practically in the Halden Canal. By the Boat cafe you'll also find the Touristinformation if you should have any questions, or in need of a map.The Haldenvassdraget canal museum is located south of the locks, a center for adventure, activity and knowledge of the canal and nature.  In Ørje you can spend the night in one of the two shelters found in the Ørje River.

Ørje - Strømsfoss approx. 24 km
The next day, the journey continues south towards Strømsfoss, where you will find Strømsfoss mill and a nice old-fashioned country store, Møllerens hus, which can offer light meals and clothes, decorative items, gifts and more. Here you can spend the night in Fjøset in the center of Strømsfoss. Booked at www.oslofjorden.org. Two shelters are found nearby. Further south you can spend the night at Skjæra - shelter or at Kirkeng Camping they have cabins for rent.

Strømsfoss - Halden approx. 37 km
The next day you can experience the Brekke locks which have Northern Europe's highest lift height of approx. 27 meters. At Brekke locks you will find shelter and Fløterhytta (Cabin - booked at www.oslofjorden.org), or you can take the trip to Halden where there are many accommodation options. If you come by canoe, you have to take the country road, or possibly book a taxi, the last stretch from Tistedalen, as the canal ends here. Halden Tistedal approx. 3 km.

Have a nice trip - take your time!

Here you can rent canoes:
Joval Gård
Haldenvassdragets kanal museum
Kirkeng Camping i Aremark
Bøensætre Husmannsplass
Stora Lee camping
Brekke sluser

Returtransport av kanoer:
Joval Gård både leier ut og transporterer kanoer i Haldenkanalen, og er behjelpelig med transport av kanoer til utgangspunkt eller hente etter endt tur. Read more