Tangen: Swimming Area, Hiking Trail and Traces of the Soot Canal

At the northeastern end of Lake Setten lies Tangen, where a family-friendly swimming area, a marked hiking trail and distinctive traces of history reveal different sides of the place. The gently sloping sandy beach makes the swimming area a particular draw for families. At the same time, a wooden chute from the 19th century and other notable structures tell the story of Tangen. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether water, outdoor activities or historical details are especially important to your trip.

Beach and Lake Setten

Tangen badeplass is a family-friendly swimming area with a gently sloping sandy beach. This description captures the character of the beach: the sand slopes gradually down towards the water. For families who enjoy spending time together by the water, it is an obvious starting point for considering Tangen as a destination. The beach should be distinguished from the larger lake: nearby Lake Setten is a large lake that is often used for swimming, paddling and boating. The area therefore combines a specific swimming spot with a lake where several water activities are popular. If you are considering a holiday apartment in Tangen, you can weigh this focus on water as one possible emphasis for your stay.

Traces of the Soot Canal

The history of the Soot Canal system is also connected to specific places in Tangen. A wooden chute built in the 19th century and associated with this system empties into Lake Setten at Tangen. The structure thus draws attention from the lake to a historic installation, without the need for an abstract account of history: the chute itself and its connection to the Soot Canal system are what make it distinctive. Tangen is also home to one of the very few grain-drying houses that remain, known in Norwegian as Kjoner. The Kjoner is a reminder of a type of building that is now rare. Those interested in regional architecture and cultural history will find further distinct themes for their stay, alongside the beach and lake.

Hiking trail and local tradition

A marked hiking trail runs between Tangen on the shore of Lake Setten and Tangen in Eidskog, where the Soot Canal begins. The two place names help distinguish the endpoints: these are not two names for the same Tangen, but a route between Tangen by the lake and Tangen in Eidskog. If you enjoy walking, you can consider this marked trail as a focus in its own right alongside water activities. Another link to local tradition is the Sootmarsjen. It covered about 15 km here and was held here for many years. The Sootmarsjen is a collaboration between Eidskog historielag and Setskog historielag.

A distinctive place and its architecture

Another special feature is the house at Tangen 158/1, with its elaborately designed veranda in the Swiss woodcarving style. The ornate veranda provides a different focus from the beach and hiking trail: here, attention turns to a single architectural detail. These different themes can help you decide what kind of trip you want: a stay focused on the water, time on a marked hiking trail, or an interest in architectural styles and regional history.

Directions and other destinations

Tangen badeplass is located at Tangenkrysset on Riksvei 21, towards Skotterud. This reference point places the swimming area along the road and complements the directions via the lake and the two places named Tangen. For more ideas for places to visit, you can also discover Hurdal.

For the broader travel overview: Akershus.