Union route: Moss - Ørje

Tour description
The official route and signposting starts from Konventionsgaarden in Moss. The tour starts at Moss station. Remember to take in the waterfall at Verket before you leave the city.

Out of Moss, the route takes you along small roads and a nice cycle path before it becomes a few kilometres along Vålerveien with quite a lot of traffic. It might be nice to make a stop at the idyllic Rødsund, where several benches have been set up. At Kirkebygden it will be quiet and idyllic small roads for a longer period. At Tveter, it might be nice to take a break and visit the farm shop Den sorte Havre.

The golf course at Mørk is beautifully situated along the route. There are good tarmac roads and open pine groves, and there is a lot of cycling on quiet, peaceful back roads. Spydeberg Prestegård is worth a stop to look at the historic garden.

Spydeberg and Askim are close to each other and between them there is a cosy picnic area at Gamle Fossum bridge. There is also a roadside restaurant and a war memorial.

There’s a hotel at Brennemoen, which is about halfway along the route. Mysen is the first village on day 2 and Høytorp Fort is worth a stop here. At Bamsrudlåven there is a farm shop.

The route is mostly on good tarmac roads with little traffic. There are a few kilometres of permanent gravel roads that provide welcome variety. There are several picnic areas and swimming opportunities along the route, with Rødnessjøen being one of the favourites.

When you arrive in Ørje, you deserve a bite to eat at the idyllic Bakergaarden Cafe. You can also visit Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum here. Tourist boats run along the canal from Ørje. You can also spend the night just outside Ørje at Solstrand Bruk, which is a bicycle-friendly host and offers good facilities for cycling tourists.

There is also a marked northern route on parts of the route that can be followed as an alternative. If you want to cycle the Union Trail round trip, it may be an option to choose the northern route one way. This has not yet been checked according to the Cyclists’ Association’s standard.

The Union Trail continues into Sweden, where the route is signposted all the way to Karlstad.

You can also extend your cycle tour by following National Route 9, Villmarksruta southwards to Halden or northwards to Trysil.