Løken: Historic Church Sites and the Damtjern Trail

For a stay in Løken, historic church and memorial sites, as well as the Damtjern Trail, are highlights. At the old cemetery are the preserved sacristy building, the 1728 telthus, and the monument to Colonel Kruse. The history of the church site goes back even further. If you would like to spend some time outdoors in addition to visiting the historic sites, you can make the Damtjern Trail a focus of your trip.

The Sacristy and Church Site

The preserved sacristy building in the old cemetery was built in 1655 on the north side of the church. A kneeling rail with turned, blue-marbled balusters dating from 1706 has been preserved in the sacristy building. The building and its interior fittings can therefore be dated separately: the sacristy dates from the 17th century, while the kneeling rail is from the early 18th century. The turned balusters and blue marbling give this furnishing a distinctive design.

A long-nave wooden church once stood at this church site. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary on February 8, 1348. The old church was at the center of three acts of warfare in Høland. The dedication, the preserved sacristy building, and the dated kneeling rail thus point to different chapters in the history of the church site.

The Telthus, Cemetery, and Memorial

You can see the 1728 telthus in the old cemetery. It is a historic monument; only a few telthus buildings have survived in Norway. The building can therefore be understood both by its specific construction date and by the rarity of this type of structure. The wooden enclosure gate of the old cemetery was reconstructed at the north and south entrances.

There is a cultural heritage sign for the old cemetery and the monument to Colonel Kruse. Check before your visit whether the sign is in place. Wreath-laying ceremonies and speeches are held at the monument every May 17. This annual event links the monument to a commemorative tradition observed on a set date.

Hiking and the Damtjern Swimming Area

The Damtjern Trail starts at the car park by the Momoen community hall at Momoenveien 3 in Løken. It is about 4.5 kilometers long and takes approximately one hour. The hike passes through varied terrain and is described as easy; the final section is steep. When planning, keep both the approximate duration and this steep final stretch in mind. Check the route information locally before setting out, as details may change. The trail leads toward Damtjern.

The Damtjern swimming area, located near Momoen, is on Highway 169 between Løken and Gansdalen and has a swimming jetty. Check the facilities locally before your visit. This keeps the hiking trail and swimming area clear as separate points of reference, even though both share the name Damtjern.

Aurskog-Høland in a Broader Context

Aurskog-Høland has more than 300 small and large bodies of water. There are fishing opportunities at more than 300 lakes, bodies of water, and watercourses in the municipality. Aurskog-Høland also has marked hiking trails and several hiking destinations with cabins and overnight accommodation. These regional opportunities offer a broader perspective on nature and activities in the wider destination of Aurskog-Høland.

Discover more destinations: Aurskog, Hemnes, Fosser, Setskog

Return to the main travel overview: Aurskog-Høland.