Eidskog: Border History, Trails and Glassmaking

At the southern end of the Kongsvinger region, Eidskog combines a distinctive border history with trails through the municipality and insights into traditional crafts. The Soot Canal represents engineering history, while the Peace Monument in Morokulien symbolises the relationship between Norway and Sweden. There are also hiking trails and Magnor Glassworks. Which of these interests you most can help shape your choice of holiday rental and the focus of your stay in Eidskog.

Waterway and border history

The Soot Canal is Norway’s oldest lock canal and is considered a technical cultural heritage site of great national value. As a historic waterway, it runs between Lake Skjervangen in Eidskog and Lake Setten in Aurskog-Høland. Those interested in engineering history will find a different subject here from the municipality’s hiking trails: the focus is on locks and a waterway connecting two lakes.

The Peace Monument stands in Morokulien, right in the middle of the border road between Eidskog in Norway and Eda in Sweden. It was erected in 1914 to mark 100 years of peace between Norway and Sweden. The Norwegian Border Guides Museum offers another perspective on border history: in the old school at Skjølåbråten near Vestmarka, it documents the lives and work of border guides and couriers during the German occupation from 1940 to 1945. The museum is also the endpoint of the Refugee Route, a historic hiking trail from Skullerudstua in Oslo.

Another form of cultural history can be found in the artwork A Poet’s Home right next to Eidskog Town Hall. Its interior is decorated, and visitors can hear Hans Børli reading his poems in archive recordings. The municipality thus highlights both border history and literature and cultural memory.

Trails between places and across the border

Vekterveien is 35 km long and passes through Åbogen, Matrand, Skotterud, Magnor, Tobøl and Vestmarka. The area is suitable for cycling and hiking. Its length and the places along the route give you specific points of reference when considering this trail. For a different kind of border experience, the long-distance Grensesømmen trail runs along the Swedish border, alternating between Norway and Sweden.

Glåmdalsleden also has a particular connection to the history of hiking trails in Eidskog: the first section through the municipality opened on 18 May 2024. The route is marked with posts. In addition, three old church paths in Eidskog have been marked and cleared. Kjerkevegen, from Fjeldskogen to Eidskog Church, can be traced back to before 1650. These paths appeal to different interests—from a long-distance trail to a marked route and a historic church path.

A hiking trail between Børli and Sjøenden passes through the Nygårdsmyrene Nature Reserve. For views in every direction, head to Hornkjøltårnet on Hornkjølberget, the highest point in Eidskog. From there, a marked trail leads to Varden, a place that recalls the old signal fires. Those looking to focus on nature and views will find different points of interest here than on a tour along the historic waterways and border trails.

Glassmaking in Magnor

Magnor Glassworks is a working glassworks, and also has a design shop and a café. Visitors can blow their own glass. On guided tours, you can follow the glass cooling and grinding processes. This offers a close-up look at different stages of glassmaking—from trying it yourself to watching the finishing process. If you would like to include this craft in your trip, you can also visit the destination page Magnor.

For comparison with other destination pages, you can also explore Ringsaker, Hamar, Grue, Alvdal, Åmot, Kongsvinger and Tynset.

For the broader travel overview: Hedmark.