Løken: Church History and the Damtjern Trail

Løken offers unusual insights into local history: at the old cemetery, you can see the Telthus, traces of the former church and the memorial to Colonel Kruse. If you want to spend time outdoors, you can include the Damtjern Trail in your travel plans. The Damtjern bathing spot is also located near Momoen. The historic sites, the hike and time by the water offer different ways to plan your days in Løken.

A Church and Cemetery with a Long History

The surviving sacristy building in Løken’s old cemetery was built on the north side of the church in 1655. The building preserves a kneeling bench dating from 1706, with turned balusters decorated with blue marbling. This individual furnishing offers several specific details to discover: its purpose, its hand-turned forms and its blue-marbled finish. It adds an object from the early 18th century to the architectural evidence at the historic cemetery.

A long-nave wooden church once stood here; it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary on 8 February 1348. The old church in Løken was at the centre of three acts of warfare in Høland. These events belong to different periods in local history and also make the cemetery interesting to visitors curious about the area’s past. There is a cultural heritage sign for the old cemetery and Colonel Kruse’s memorial stone.

Visitors can see the Telthus, dating from 1728, in the cemetery. It is a historic monument; only a few Telthus survive in Norway. The cemetery enclosure also features notable historic details: the wooden gate has been reconstructed at the north and south entrances. Wreaths are laid and speeches are given at Colonel Kruse’s memorial stone every 17 May. The cemetery thus brings together architectural history, a rare monument, remembrance and a recurring celebration in one place.

Hiking and Time by the Water

The Damtjern Trail starts at the car park by the Momoen community hall at Momoenveien 3 in Løken. The hike is about 4.5 kilometres long and takes approximately one hour. It passes through varied terrain and is considered easy, although the final section is steep. If you are considering the trail for a group outing, you can take this steep final section into account when planning your day. The starting point, approximate distance and estimated duration offer practical guidance when choosing a day for the hike.

For time by the water, consider the Damtjern bathing spot near Momoen. It has a swimming jetty and is located on National Road 169 between Løken and Gansdalen. You can therefore add a bathing spot to your plans, while the Damtjern Trail remains a separate hiking option.

Discover More Places

Discover Fosser, Setskog, Hemnes and Aurskog too.

For the wider travel overview: Aurskog-Høland.