Heiås: Båstad Church and Hiking Trails

Båstad Church: Timber Construction and Historic Details

Båstad Church stands in Heiås, a large cruciform church built from logs. The present church was built between 1858 and 1860 to plans by the architect Christian Henrik Grosch; it was constructed by master builder Møller from Moss. It is the largest church in Indre Østfold. For visitors interested in architecture and ecclesiastical art, the building offers several distinctive details to discover in its design and furnishings.

Inside is an altarpiece that is a copy of Adolph Tidemand’s altarpiece in Trefoldighetskirken in Oslo. The stone baptismal font also has its own history: it is the church’s oldest item of inventory and probably came from the church demolished in 1860 or from an even older church. The brass baptismal bowl bears the year 1668. The organ, in turn, offers a later date: it was built in 1876 by the Austrian company Rieger & Sohn.

A Calvary group in the church probably dates from the late 17th century. It may once have belonged to an altarpiece in one of the older churches. This attribution is uncertain; nevertheless, the group is another distinctive part of the furnishings, alongside the altarpiece, baptismal font and organ. Parts of the cemetery are laid out according to the old strip-field system used by the farms. They have been in continuous use for a very long time.

The spacious, open layout of the cruciform church is suitable for concerts that require room for equipment. Including the gallery seating, it can accommodate around 500 people. If you are interested in church architecture or historic furnishings, you can consider these features as a cultural discovery when planning a stay in Heiås.

Hiking Areas and Trails in the Municipality

Hiking is another possible focus for a stay. In Båstad/Heiås, there is access to hiking areas east of Båstad School and the kindergarten. Kirkebyåsen vest is listed there as a local hiking area. These place names give you specific points of reference for further orientation, without implying a particular trail length or walking time.

In the municipality of Indre Østfold, the Båstad skole/lysløypa/Kirkebyåsen area includes forest and a floodlit trail. The trails are frequently used for hiking in both summer and winter, and this is the most-used hiking area for the nearby residential areas. If you are choosing a holiday rental with a focus on spending time outdoors, you can use these area names to orient yourself and consider in advance which hiking options matter to you during your stay.

More trails can be found in the forest between Kirkebyåsen and Eikåsen; some run via Mellebyåsen and Eikåsen, among other places. The remains of the former Store Mellebybakken and Lille Mellebybakken ski jumps are also preserved in the Mellebyåsen area. In addition to the hiking trails, these traces of the area’s former use offer another opportunity for discovery.

There is a bathing spot at Stiklatjern in the municipality. An information board about the hiking area is located by the parking area, and toilets are available for visitors. If you include this area in your plans, you will find both access to swimming and practical information about the hiking area.

Getting to Know Heiås as a Location

National Road 22 from Lillestrøm to Fredrikstad runs through Heiås. Together with the specific destinations of Båstad Church and the named hiking areas, this provides a practical framework for considering Heiås as a place to stay. When choosing a holiday rental, consider whether you would rather focus your stay on the church and its furnishings or on hiking.

For further orientation, you can also consider Trøgstad as a destination in its own right.

Back to the main travel overview: Trøgstad.