Aremark: Lakes, Paddling and Cultural History

When looking for a hotel in Aremark, lakes, waterways and historic sites offer different starting points for planning your trip. Ara, also known as Aremarksjøen, is a 7.4 km² lake in the Halden watercourse. You can plan your stay around an activity such as cycling, paddling, fishing or exploring cultural history.

Ara and the Lake Landscape

Wooded shores, numerous small and large islands, and narrow straits shape Ara. The lake lies 105 m above sea level and drains through Tordivelen, a strait just over three kilometres long, into Aspern. The Aremarksjøen rundt cycling route passes through a landscape with numerous bays and headlands. These offer two different perspectives for finding your way around: Tordivelen describes the waterway to Aspern, while the cycling route takes in the landscape’s bays and headlands. Route 21 runs along the northern part of the eastern shore of Aremarksjøen.

Paddling and Fishing

The published itinerary for an organised paddling tour in 2026 follows Aremarksjøen and then heads southwest through Aspern to the Brekke locks. The itinerary described therefore connects several lakes with a destination at the locks. At the southern end of Aremarksjøen, there is a well-equipped boat launch at Skotsberg small boat harbour.

The fishing licence for the Halden watercourse covers Ara, among other places, as well as six other lakes: Femsjøen, Aspern, Øymarksjøen, Rødenessjøen, Skulerudsjøen and Hemnessjøen. These lakes are described as rich in fish, with large populations of popular species. As fishing regulations and permit details may change, check the current information before fishing.

Waterways and Cycling Route in Aremark

In Aremark, Strømsfoss lies between Øymarksjøen and Aremarksjøen and is accessible by car or boat. The Strømsfoss lock connects the two lakes. It consists of two lock gates and a lock chamber in which boats are raised by 2 m. This makes the lock a distinct structure within the water connection between the lakes and the shores around Ara.

The Villmarksruta also offers a particular cycling connection to Strømsfoss: it is signposted as National Cycle Route No. 9, and the section near Aremark has a 1 km detour to Strømsfoss. Aremark also has large areas of untouched nature and nature reserves that invite visitors to hike in both summer and winter.

Historic Sites in Aremark

Strømsfoss Mill operated from 1897 to 1966 and was established as a national mill museum in 1995. The ground floor houses a mill museum with intact equipment for grinding grain. The old Arestad rectory dates from the early 18th century and has one of the county’s best-preserved Baroque or Renaissance gardens. Groups can arrange a guided tour in summer.

Arebekken bygdetun dates back to a crofter’s holding beneath the rectory in 1723. The former smallholding includes a watermill and a restored smithy. Visits can be arranged with the head of Aremark Historical Society. The arrangements differ: visits to Arebekken are by appointment, while the Arestad tour is described as a summer offering for groups.

For the broader travel overview: Aremark.