Skasenden: Burial Mounds and Forest Trails

Skasenden combines a distinctive cultural and historical theme with various ways to explore the surrounding area on foot, by bicycle, or on cross-country skis. The hunting-ground burial site comprises five burial mounds; Finnevegen is a marked hiking trail, and Skasenrunden is a forest route around Lake Skasen. This gives you a clear question to consider when planning your holiday: should your stay focus primarily on cultural history, hiking, cycling, or cross-country skiing?

Five Burial Mounds and Their History

The hunting-ground burial site near Skasenden consists of five burial mounds. Each mound has a depression at the top—a feature shared by all five. Their dating is uncertain: the burial mounds probably date either from the Late Roman Iron Age (AD 200–400) or the Migration Period (AD 400–600). When exploring the site, you can therefore distinguish the visible shape of the mounds from their uncertain dating.

The term “hunting-ground graves” refers to their location in the outlying countryside, far from farming settlements. It describes the way these graves are classified based on where they are situated and is a distinctive part of their historical context. The burial mounds are automatically protected by law. Together, the name, location, and group of mounds give the site a specific cultural and historical profile, distinct from the trails and sporting activities as a separate travel interest.

Hiking on Finnevegen

Finnevegen is a well-used, marked hiking trail between Skasenden and Svullrya. From Skasenden, it is signposted from County Road 201; the trailhead is about 500 metres from Kirkenær in Skasenden. This gives you clear reference points for planning the route and finding your way. The trail is a good option for a stay focused on hiking; its described route between Skasenden and Svullrya also distinguishes it from a circuit that goes around Lake Skasen.

A Forest Route with Challenging Climbs

Skasenrunden is a forest cycling route around Lake Skasen. It starts at the northern end of the lake, by Finnskogen Turist og Villmarksenter. Along the route, two distinctly challenging climbs lead to Morttjernsberget and Skasberget. It is therefore best suited to experienced cyclists. If you are planning a cycling trip as part of your holiday, this is an important distinction from hiking on the marked Finnevegen: the two demanding climbs are an integral part of the character of Skasenrunden.

Cross-country skiing is also available as a separate activity. An extensive network of cross-country ski trails runs north and east to Skasenden and Finnskogen Turist og Villmarksenter, as well as connecting to Namnå IL’s trail network. If you are weighing up different ways to get active, you can choose between a hiking trail linking Skasenden and Svullrya, a cycling circuit with two distinctly challenging climbs, and an extensive network of ski trails.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

If you would like to compare other local pages: Kirkenær, Grue Finnskog.

For the broader travel overview: Grue.