Rakkestad

Rakkestad is a municipality in the county of Østfold, Norway. It is the county's second largest municipality by area and one of Norway's largest agricultural areas. Farming and forestry have always been important for settling and employment in Rakkestad. As a consequence the principal industries are grain growing, cattle - and dairy farming. Rakkestad has also developed a diversified economy based on agriculture and forestry such as poultry slaughterhouse and egg packing station, grain silo and mill, woodworking factories and agricultural machinery retailers. Traditional mechanical industry has developed into advanced technical industry directed towards the process -, maritime - and offshore industry.Rakkestad's large areas of rolling, wooded hills offer excellent year round recreational and leisure opportunities. There are marked forest paths for hiking and cross-country skiing. There are a number of quiet lakes for fishing and canoeing. Rakkestad municipality offers small game hunting as well as roe deer hunting in the municipal forests, which cover about 1800 ha.There are possibilities for farm lodging as well as cabin lodging.

A visit to the fire tower on Linnekleppen is recommended. Located at the one of the highest peaks in the county (325m) it overlooks the whole county, parts of neighbouring counties and parts of Sweden. Linnekleppen is the only fire tower still in use in Norway.