Kalnes is a small sport climbing crag just three minutes from Sykehuset Østfold. The wall is steep with most routes sitting in the 7-8 range. The rock dries slowly after rain, so it's worth checking conditions before heading out. Several bolts have been found loose over the years, so bringing a 16mm wrench is a good idea. Despite its modest size, the crag has produced a number of hard lines and remains a worthwhile stop for climbers in the area.
Kalnes was developed in 2020 by Gudmund Grønhaug. The result is and steep wall with about a dozen routes up to grade 8a+. The crag emerged not far from the well-known Missingmyr, offering a useful addition to the climbing scene in Østfold.
The approach to the crag passes the outlet of the Eidet timber tunnel, a piece of local industrial history. The tunnel, carrying a wooden timber chute, runs from Isnesfjorden in Vestvannet to Visterflo in Sarpsborg, and is one of Norway's best-preserved timber-floating tunnels. Construction began in 1906 and the tunnel was completed in 1908, designed by engineer Wilhelm Blakstad, who later became director of the Fredrikstad Timber Authority, mayor of Fredrikstad, and a member of parliament for Østfold. The tunnel remained in use until timber floating on the Glomma river ceased in 1985, after which the municipality acquired the site to preserve public access; it has since been restored with help from local heritage authorities and now carries drinking water to Fredrikstad.
