Skreia between railway history and Totenåsen

Skreia combines a remarkable railway history with the Lenaelva in the centre of town and a cycling route up to Torsætra. When planning your trip, you can focus on different things: historic railway facilities, culture at the local cultural centre, or views of Lake Mjøsa and Østre Toten. When choosing your holiday rental, consider which of these sides of the town you would like to shape your stay.

Skreia station and the history of the Skreia Railway

The Skreia Railway connected Skreia with Reinsvoll along a 22-kilometre route. It was ceremonially opened at Skreia station on 26 November 1902, with Prince Carl of Sweden-Norway in attendance. The railway operated from 1902 to 1987. These dates place the railway’s history in context: the station was connected to a line whose operation was part of the town for many decades.

The surviving buildings also make the station a distinctive part of Skreia. The station building was designed by architect Paul Armin Due between 1897 and 1901 and is considered one of the best-preserved station buildings of its time in Norway. It is built in the Dragon Style. The preserved complex also includes an express-goods building, a goods or packing house, an engine shed and a carriage shed. The railway’s history therefore encompasses more than just the station building: several different structures have been preserved.

Today, the preserved railway grounds form a recreational area with traces of the past. For travellers interested in transport history, the station, buildings and railway grounds offer different aspects of the same subject. The brick chimney of Fossen Meieri is another historic feature and is considered a landmark of Skreia.

Cultural centre and river in the town centre

The cultural centre brings together a range of spaces, including a cinema, concert hall, theatre hall, community hall, bar and café. The Østre Toten Kulturhus association runs concerts, a cinema and a café there, among other activities. The centre’s cultural offerings therefore range from film and music to theatre and shared community spaces. If culture is part of your trip, the cultural centre is a focus in its own right, alongside the railway’s historic traces.

Another side of the town can be seen along the Lenaelva. The river winds through the centre of Skreia and features rapids, pools and dams. These specific features distinguish its course from a mere body of water and give it a varied character. If you like to include culture and landscape in your trip when choosing a holiday destination, Skreia offers both the cultural centre and a river that runs through the town centre.

Cycling route to Torsætra and historic roads

The Skreia–Torsætra cycling route leads from Skreia to Torsætra on Totenåsen. Torsætra is a hub and a popular hiking destination. Along the way, there are views of Skreia, Lake Mjøsa and large parts of Østre Toten. The route thus connects a specific destination with expansive landscape views. If you would like to include a cycling trip in your travels, you can consider this direction when choosing the focus of your holiday; no details on the route’s length or difficulty are provided here.

Another historic link to Totenåsen is the Vestre Trondhjemske Kongevei, also called Den vestre Trondehjemske Kongevei. From 1795 onwards, it crossed Totenåsen and passed Skreia. The Kongevei is therefore part of the town’s historic geography, while the cycling route is described today as a route from Skreia to Torsætra.

More places in the area: Kapp, Sletta, Lena.

Go to the main travel guide: Østre Toten.