This section offers you a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of famous war heroes, Norwegian resistance fighters, and people on the run from Nazi occupied Norway as you traverse the courier routes employed by these brave men and women.
Section 2 starts off at Håvilsrud. The first two kilometers is an easy hike on gravel roads that then transition to a path running through flat forest terrain to Vangen on the Norwegian side of the Norway-Sweden border. A look around Vangen, a “seter” or simple farmstead used as summertime grazing grounds for farm animals in traditional Norwegian farming, is a worthwhile stop. During the Second World War, several resistance courier routes passed through these tracts. Among those who relied on the Vangen routes was Norway’s most decorated resistance fighter Gunnar Sønsteby. A British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent and member of the legendary commando group Norwegian Independent Company 1, also known as Company Linge, Sønsteby was the head of the Oslo-gang saboteur group responsible for planning and carrying out some of the most daring raids against Nazi authorities in Norway.
After Vangen, Section 2 continues through relatively flat terrain, past open pine forests and over marshland to Skålsjön where the trail crosses the river at a traditional log driving dam. There is a lean-to on the bank of the lake where hikers can set up camp. Immediately behind the lean-to, the trail ascends to and past Källerashöjden. Once you reach the hilltop, be sure to stop and take in the panoramic view of lake Varaldsjøen to the north and enjoy the bird’s eye perspective on an area where Forest Finn farmsteads once dotted the landscape.
Section 2 terminates at Mitandersfors in the Swedish border municipality of Arvika, a town that grew around the ironworks established here in 1841. The local works and foundries produced a range of products for export mainly to the Norwegian market, from nails to the iron bars often amusingly referred to as pigs and piglets. However, in 1874 after only about three decades in operation, the ironworks shut down and the forest industry took over as the region’s main employer. For a closer look at a beautiful forest estate built in what was an early industrial hub in Sweden, visit Mitandersfors Mansion. The Mansion is no longer a private home and has been converted into a conference center that is well worth a curiosity visit.
Facilities
- Make sure to fill your water bottle before heading out on Section 2 as finding potable water on route can be difficult, particularly on the first part of the hike.
Accommodations
- There is a lean-to located on the banks of Lake Skålsjøen where you can stay overnight if you would like an alternative to pitching a tent. Additional facilities at this site include an outhouse and a fire pit.
- Alternatively, there are two locations along the road south of Mitandersfors where you can rent lodgings. The first is located some 500 meters off trail, the second about a two-kilometer hike from Section 2. Both locations are booked via the same phone number: +46 (0)570 775 059.
- If you’re scouting out accommodations (and activities) for a group, contact Bruket, motor racing champion Petter Solberg’s Adventure Center at: +46 (0) 76 761 01 10. Additional details are available from the Adventure Center’s website: https://www.psadventure.se/
