R04 Mysen to Rena
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Arno van Lochem - Senior RX
Last edit: 27-02-2021
Route Summary The routes are easy for everyone to ride and are on well-paved roads. There may be a single hairpin bend to be taken, but these are fine.
If there is a piece of gravel in the route, a warning will be given and a detour will be indicated.
The route starts in Mysen and takes you through beautiful changing and vast landscapes further north. Almost at the end you will pass the coordinate where the participants of the Arctic Challenge 2020 had to drive first: The Viking ship in Hamar. The route ends at the Østerdalen hotell in Rena, a somewhat remote hotel. The camper has also been thought of, there are a number of campsites indicated where you can rent a hiker's cabin or camp.
The route takes you on excellent roads through beautiful forests and along beautiful lakes. The height differences are also getting bigger and there is plenty to see along the way. For these reasons, I rate this route with 4 stars.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
9h 6m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
312.18 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Of all western European countries, the Scandinavian countries probably have the most more or less untouched nature. In addition, they are countries that are easily accessible from the Netherlands. Norway is characterized by, among other things, the fjords and the Trollstigen, known to many motorcyclists. And where Sweden is known for being wide and peaceful, everyone knows Finland as the land of 1000 lakes. All in all, legitimate reasons to traverse this beautiful nature in the north of Europe by means of a number of routes.
The route starts just outside Mysen at hotel Scandic Brennemoen and (again) goes north. In Skjønhaug it is possible to buy some food and drink for the road, as well as to fill up the tank if that is not already done. The route runs on beautiful, slightly smaller winding roads. You will not encounter many village centers in this route, you usually go around it. A lot of water that you pass, but that is simply not easy to avoid in this area (as if you wanted to!). A viewpoint is indicated in some places. Stopping at those places is of course not mandatory, but it does allow you to enjoy this beautiful nature that you drive through.
The first coffee stop is at a somewhat remote hotel in a beautiful location. The road to it consists of well-run gravel. Drive carefully, then little can happen to you.
After coffee you continue on a beautiful winding road through forests, meadows and along water, lots of water. All this beauty lasts until the next coffee stop in Skotterud.
After coffee, continue north towards Kongsvinger, where you can visit the Kongsvinger festning, or Kongsvinger fort. As you approach Kongsvinger you can already see it from some places, can't miss it on top of the hill. In the past, such structures were usually built in strategic places so that they could keep a close eye on the environment. And where better to do that than on top of a hill?
After Kongsvinger you will again pass a large lake, a great place to stop and take a photo. This is possible just before you sit down for lunch in Sand.
You don't have much time to exhaust yourself, because there are still a few kilometers to go in this route. Just before Stange you pass the Norsk motor historisk museum. There are about 200 vehicles and machines on display - mainly tractors and stationary engines, but also some vintage cars, motorcycles and construction equipment. Nice to stop and have a look. Check the website if they are open at the useful links.
The next waypoint on the route is Hamar, more specifically the Viking ship in Hamar. This ice rink was built in 1994 for the Lillehammer winter games. Since its opening, this has been Norway's main ice stadium.
You are here on the first coordinates that the participants of the Arctic Challenge (on which the tour of which this route is part is based) have been given to drive from Twente Airport in one stage.
Actually, just as soon as you entered Hamer, you are out again. Shortly after your 'visit' to the Viking ship, you will arrive at the last coffee stop of this route in Løten at a charming restaurant near the station. Delicious on the terrace for a good coffee.
After Levrum, you wind for a while along the Glomma, with a length of 621 kilometers the longest river in Norway. The catchment area of this river covers 13% of Norway, all in the southern part of the country.
At Rena you will find the last gas station of this route. It might be wise to refill the tank here, so that you can use it again tomorrow.
About 5 kilometers further you will reach the end of this route, the Østerdalen hotell. An outside hotel, but with all conveniences such as a restaurant, a sauna and a bar. Wonderful to discuss today's route with your traveling companions, whether or not in a steamy sauna or with a nice pot of beer.
Three campsites are signposted for campers in the vicinity of the end point: Rena Camping, Holmbo camping and Skramstadseter Fjellstue.
Have fun driving this route!
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Ostfold
About this region
Østfold [ˈœ̂stfɔɫ] (listen) is a traditional region, a former county and a current electoral district in southeastern Norway. It borders Akershus and southwestern Sweden (Västra Götaland County and Värmland), while Buskerud and Vestfold are on the other side of Oslofjord. The county's administrative seat was Sarpsborg. The county controversially became part of the newly established Viken County on 1 January 2020.
Many manufacturing facilities are situated here, such as the world's most advanced biorefinery, Borregaard in Sarpsborg. Fredrikstad has shipyards. There are granite mines in Østfold and stone from these were used by Gustav Vigeland.
The county slogan is "The heartland of Scandinavia". The local dialect is characterized by its geographical proximity to Sweden.
Read more on Wikipedia
Many manufacturing facilities are situated here, such as the world's most advanced biorefinery, Borregaard in Sarpsborg. Fredrikstad has shipyards. There are granite mines in Østfold and stone from these were used by Gustav Vigeland.
The county slogan is "The heartland of Scandinavia". The local dialect is characterized by its geographical proximity to Sweden.
View region
Statistics 
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11995Amount of visitors (Ostfold)
299Amount of downloads (Ostfold)
Route Collections in this region Top Car and Motorcycle tour through Sweden and Norway
Sweden and Norway are beautiful countries. You will find nice cities, but also impressive nature reserves. This versatility makes Sweden & Norway the perfect countries for an impressive motorcycle holiday.
In this collection 14 beautiful routes through Sweden & Norway.
Good preparation is half the battle, so read the tips below carefully.
1. Check the weather forecast. It can be very hot in Sweden & Norway, but it can also get very cold. Always check the weather forecast before you go, so that you can pack the right clothes.
2. Decide in advance which route or routes you want to follow. This way you don't drive around like a headless chicken and you can make the most of your days off in these beautiful countries.
3. Familiarize yourself with the traffic rules. In Sweden & Norway, in some situations, slightly different rules apply than in the Netherlands. By immersing yourself in the traffic rules, you prevent (unknowingly) committing a traffic violation and/or putting yourself in a dangerous situation.
It is also wise to book the accommodations in advance. It might be more fun to drive through these countries on spec, but you don't want to drive around endlessly to find a place to sleep. If you go to Sweden or Norway during the high season, the chance that you will have to look for a place to sleep is greatest. It is also possible to camp during your motorcycle trip, but find out in advance where this is and is not allowed. You are not allowed to pitch your tent everywhere.
As the largest country in Scandinavia, you can enjoy extensive tours in a unique environment. Forests, lakes, nature parks and agricultural areas largely determine the landscape, which also consists of flat areas and rolling hills. Around the Swedish-Norwegian border is the Scandinavian Highlands, where the mountains rise locally to 2100 meters.
Norway is known for its amazing natural beauty. Fjords that go into the country tens of kilometers deep, snow-covered plateaus, sharp mountain peaks and vast forests. In this sparsely populated country, most people live in the cities, of which the capital Oslo is the largest.
Tolls have to be paid on a large number of roads in Norway. If you approach a toll road, you can continue without stopping. With cameras above the road, the license plate of the vehicle is scanned, not the registration number of the trailer or caravan. It takes quite some time to process the photos.
The bill is then sent home within four to six months by Euro Parking Collection (EPC) in London.
Mandatory on the motorcycle: Safety vest - A motorcyclist must bring at least one safety vest. In the event of a breakdown or accident, the driver is obliged to wear a safety vest. The ANWB advises motorcyclists to also bring a safety vest for a possible passenger.
Advice: First aid kit, motorcyclists are advised to bring a first aid kit.
In this collection 14 beautiful routes through Sweden & Norway.
Good preparation is half the battle, so read the tips below carefully.
1. Check the weather forecast. It can be very hot in Sweden & Norway, but it can also get very cold. Always check the weather forecast before you go, so that you can pack the right clothes.
2. Decide in advance which route or routes you want to follow. This way you don't drive around like a headless chicken and you can make the most of your days off in these beautiful countries.
3. Familiarize yourself with the traffic rules. In Sweden & Norway, in some situations, slightly different rules apply than in the Netherlands. By immersing yourself in the traffic rules, you prevent (unknowingly) committing a traffic violation and/or putting yourself in a dangerous situation.
It is also wise to book the accommodations in advance. It might be more fun to drive through these countries on spec, but you don't want to drive around endlessly to find a place to sleep. If you go to Sweden or Norway during the high season, the chance that you will have to look for a place to sleep is greatest. It is also possible to camp during your motorcycle trip, but find out in advance where this is and is not allowed. You are not allowed to pitch your tent everywhere.
As the largest country in Scandinavia, you can enjoy extensive tours in a unique environment. Forests, lakes, nature parks and agricultural areas largely determine the landscape, which also consists of flat areas and rolling hills. Around the Swedish-Norwegian border is the Scandinavian Highlands, where the mountains rise locally to 2100 meters.
Norway is known for its amazing natural beauty. Fjords that go into the country tens of kilometers deep, snow-covered plateaus, sharp mountain peaks and vast forests. In this sparsely populated country, most people live in the cities, of which the capital Oslo is the largest.
Tolls have to be paid on a large number of roads in Norway. If you approach a toll road, you can continue without stopping. With cameras above the road, the license plate of the vehicle is scanned, not the registration number of the trailer or caravan. It takes quite some time to process the photos.
The bill is then sent home within four to six months by Euro Parking Collection (EPC) in London.
Mandatory on the motorcycle: Safety vest - A motorcyclist must bring at least one safety vest. In the event of a breakdown or accident, the driver is obliged to wear a safety vest. The ANWB advises motorcyclists to also bring a safety vest for a possible passenger.
Advice: First aid kit, motorcyclists are advised to bring a first aid kit.
View Route Collection
6500 kilometers through Scandinavia with the highlights of the Lofoten and the North Cape
The Arctic Challenge Tour, on which this 26-part tour is partly based, is not a speed race. It's a tour. It comes down to agility, good navigation and anticipation. The participants are obliged to adhere to the speed limit of the country concerned. The participants must find the ideal route with the shortest possible distance by complying 100% with the locally applicable traffic rules. Of course, also take maximum speeds into account. The organization checks for violations of the speed limit. In case of gross or repeated exceeding of the maximum speed, disqualification for the relevant stage and for the final classification will follow. Control of the route and speeds is done by means of a track and trace system. This equipment is installed in every vehicle. You can then follow each team accurately in the Back Office. Those staying at home, interested parties and participants can also see the performances of the teams, because you can be followed live via the Internet. The Back Office takes action when a team gets into trouble. (source: website The Arctic Challenge)
That's quite a luxury, having a back office behind you that keeps an eye on you. Most of us will not have that and are on our own or the fellow traveler(s). The only agreement you have with the participants is that you also have to abide by the rules. Fortunately, you don't have to complete this tour in 9 days, like the participants, but you can take it a little longer.
The highlight of the Arctic Challenge in 2020 was the Lofoten, an island group northwest of Norway. The Lofoten archipelago is located in the middle of the wild Norwegian Sea, well above the Arctic Circle. This special region offers a beautiful landscape with imposing mountains, deep fjords and long, wild sandy beaches where the sound of the seabird colonies can always be heard.
The archipelago is best known for its rich fishing tradition. The Lofoten makes a prosperous impression despite their isolated location. The entire economy revolves above all around fishing. The image of the Lofoten is mainly dominated by wooden racks with cod, which hangs to dry. Lofoten fishing has been a household name for centuries. In the middle of winter, the ships set out to catch the fish in just a few months. The rich fishing grounds are due to the North Atlantic Warm Gulf Stream around the islands, in which the fish have their spawning grounds. Oil drilling is not permitted around Lofoten and the cod spawning grounds there.
The next destination for the participants was Sirkka, also known as Levi, a winter sports resort in Finnish Lapland. They stayed there for a few days to go ice-karting and to enjoy the snow by going on a snowmobile or skiing trip. This tour also takes you to Sirkka, but instead of staying there for a few days, you have the option to continue to the North Cape, the second highlight of this trip.
Imagine a place in the far north, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. This place is the North Cape in Western Finnmark in Northern Norway. From here, only the archipelago of Spitsbergen lies between you and the North Pole and the sun shines for 2.5 months at a time; from mid-May to the end of July. Many visitors admire the midnight sun or the sunset over the Barents Sea from the North Cape plateau.
With each route you will find a review with a description of the route, where you pass and what to see along the way. It is also briefly described how the participants in the Arctic Challenge in 2020 had to drive it anyway, from which point to which point. Along the way, markings (route points) have been included that indicate the end points of the stages that the participants had to complete. As mentioned, they covered the distance in 9 days, stages of more than 1000 kilometers were no exception.
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Puttgarden to Angelholm, 280km
R02 - Angelholm to Alingsas, 281km
R03 - Alingsas to Mysen, 261km
R04 - Mysen to Rena, 312km
R05 - Rena to Orkanger, 306km
R06 - Orkanger to Grong, 292km
R07 - Grong to Mo i Rana, 290km
R08 - Mo i Rana to Bodo, 231km
R09 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 1, 314km
R10 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 2, 250km
R11 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 3, 291km
R12 - Bodo to Arjeplog, 295km
R13 - Arjeplog to Jokkmokk, 244km
R14 - Jokkmokk to Pajala, 239km
R15 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 1, 257km
R16 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 2, 300km
R17 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 3, 244km
R18 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 4, 275km
R19 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 5, 332km
R20 - Sirkka to Kemi, 299km
R21 - Kemi to Ylivieska, 251km
R22 - Ylivieska to Jalasjarvi, 236km
R23 - Jalasjarvi to Turku, 279km
R24 - Stockholm to Askersund, 271km
R25 - Askersund to Varnamo, 224
R26 - Varnamo to Trelleborg, 259km
Have fun driving these routes!
That's quite a luxury, having a back office behind you that keeps an eye on you. Most of us will not have that and are on our own or the fellow traveler(s). The only agreement you have with the participants is that you also have to abide by the rules. Fortunately, you don't have to complete this tour in 9 days, like the participants, but you can take it a little longer.
The highlight of the Arctic Challenge in 2020 was the Lofoten, an island group northwest of Norway. The Lofoten archipelago is located in the middle of the wild Norwegian Sea, well above the Arctic Circle. This special region offers a beautiful landscape with imposing mountains, deep fjords and long, wild sandy beaches where the sound of the seabird colonies can always be heard.
The archipelago is best known for its rich fishing tradition. The Lofoten makes a prosperous impression despite their isolated location. The entire economy revolves above all around fishing. The image of the Lofoten is mainly dominated by wooden racks with cod, which hangs to dry. Lofoten fishing has been a household name for centuries. In the middle of winter, the ships set out to catch the fish in just a few months. The rich fishing grounds are due to the North Atlantic Warm Gulf Stream around the islands, in which the fish have their spawning grounds. Oil drilling is not permitted around Lofoten and the cod spawning grounds there.
The next destination for the participants was Sirkka, also known as Levi, a winter sports resort in Finnish Lapland. They stayed there for a few days to go ice-karting and to enjoy the snow by going on a snowmobile or skiing trip. This tour also takes you to Sirkka, but instead of staying there for a few days, you have the option to continue to the North Cape, the second highlight of this trip.
Imagine a place in the far north, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. This place is the North Cape in Western Finnmark in Northern Norway. From here, only the archipelago of Spitsbergen lies between you and the North Pole and the sun shines for 2.5 months at a time; from mid-May to the end of July. Many visitors admire the midnight sun or the sunset over the Barents Sea from the North Cape plateau.
With each route you will find a review with a description of the route, where you pass and what to see along the way. It is also briefly described how the participants in the Arctic Challenge in 2020 had to drive it anyway, from which point to which point. Along the way, markings (route points) have been included that indicate the end points of the stages that the participants had to complete. As mentioned, they covered the distance in 9 days, stages of more than 1000 kilometers were no exception.
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Puttgarden to Angelholm, 280km
R02 - Angelholm to Alingsas, 281km
R03 - Alingsas to Mysen, 261km
R04 - Mysen to Rena, 312km
R05 - Rena to Orkanger, 306km
R06 - Orkanger to Grong, 292km
R07 - Grong to Mo i Rana, 290km
R08 - Mo i Rana to Bodo, 231km
R09 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 1, 314km
R10 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 2, 250km
R11 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 3, 291km
R12 - Bodo to Arjeplog, 295km
R13 - Arjeplog to Jokkmokk, 244km
R14 - Jokkmokk to Pajala, 239km
R15 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 1, 257km
R16 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 2, 300km
R17 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 3, 244km
R18 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 4, 275km
R19 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 5, 332km
R20 - Sirkka to Kemi, 299km
R21 - Kemi to Ylivieska, 251km
R22 - Ylivieska to Jalasjarvi, 236km
R23 - Jalasjarvi to Turku, 279km
R24 - Stockholm to Askersund, 271km
R25 - Askersund to Varnamo, 224
R26 - Varnamo to Trelleborg, 259km
Have fun driving these routes!
View Route Collection