Brårud: Trails, the Vorma and Svanfoss Lock

Brårud offers several ways to plan your trip: walking areas along the Vorma, the hike to Vardehøgda, the Låveggsåsen rundt loop trail, and a bathing spot at Ask dammen. Svanfoss sluse adds a waterway that connects several bodies of water to the picture. The trails and waterside landscape offer different ways to enjoy a stay.

The Vorma and Svanfoss sluse

Brårud lies on the west side of the Vorma, where there are pleasant walking areas. Svanfoss sluse is on the Glomma–Vormsund–Mjøsa waterway. The lock connects Mjøsa, the lower course of the Vorma, and the Glomma between Rånåsfoss and Funnefoss. It is an important amenity for recreational boats and other users of the waterway. Svanfoss can therefore be considered both as part of the waterways and as a landmark in its own right.

A municipal notice updated on 3 July 2026 reported a temporary closure of the lock facility due to technical faults in its upper and lower sections. Check the current status before travelling; the notice concerns operations and is time-specific.

Hiking to Vardehøgda and on Låveggsåsen

The hike from Brårud to Vardehøgda starts with about 3.5 kilometres along the road towards Eidsvoll, passing Sandaker gård. Shortly afterwards, it turns left onto Brattstupvegen. From there, a well-marked trail leads to Portmyrbakken, followed by a path onwards to Vardehøgda. The approximately 3.5 kilometres refers to the initial road section, not the entire hike. Road and access conditions may vary; check them before setting out.

The Låveggsåsen rundt loop trail starts at the car park by the sports ground in Brårud. Along the route, a boardwalk more than 300 metres long crosses Veslemåsan. At Låveggsdammen, there is an open shelter and benches for breaks. The difference between the routes is clear: on the hike to Vardehøgda, you follow a sequence of named sections to your destination; Låveggsåsen rundt is a loop trail with a boardwalk and a place to rest.

Walking areas and bathing spot

The walking areas on the west side of the Vorma complement the two routes described above. There is also a bathing spot at Ask dammen in Brårud. This means the options mentioned in Brårud include both walking trails and a place to swim. Conditions on trails and at outdoor facilities can change; it is advisable to check for updates before your visit.

Svanfoss sluse and the history of Fenstad

For travellers who would like to explore regional history as well as the landscape, Svanfoss sluse offers a relevant point of interest: about 100 years ago, the lock in Fenstad was an economic hub for industry, trade, and transport. This approximate timeframe is distinct from its role as a connection for recreational boats and other users of the waterway.

The landscape of the wider destination of Nes

The rivers Glomma and Vorma meet in the wider destination of Nes. The landscape of Nes also includes ravine landscapes below the marine limit, shaped by clay deposits and cut through by the two rivers. In addition, there are significant areas of intact fens and raised bogs. These regional landscape features complement the view of the walking areas along the Vorma and the trails in Brårud.

Discover more destinations: Vormsund, Nes, Årnes, Fenstad

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Nes.