Geological tour Archives

Fossils and Geology Centre in Slemmestad

Welcom to the Geology Centre in Slemmestad.

The fossils can be seen all over Slemmestad. It's just a matter of knowing what to look for! Learn more at our signposted geology locations. The Geology Center has made guide booklets with maps that supplement the information signs you find along the way. This can be downloaded from the Geology Center or viewed digitally at www.geologisenteret.no

It is first and foremost the exciting geology that exists, but we also recommend taking a trip into the Geology Center's Trilobox to look at exhibitions of the area's fossils, rocks and minerals.

Fossils in Slemmestad

Octopuses, trilobites and 900 million years of history

Slemmestad is located in the middle of the Oslo field and is a treasure trove for anyone interested in rock and fossils. In the middle of Slemmestad you can see the history of geology from bedrock to volcanic rocks. The "team package" we see here is in the correct order with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. This is especially because elsewhere the layers are folded or worn away.

The giant Oslo field stretches from Langesund in the south to Lake Mjøsa in the north and tells the earth's history through 900 million years. Here you see countless types of rocks, minerals and remains of prehistoric animals. The reason for this is that the entire Oslo field sank several hundred meters into a grave, while the surrounding areas were worn down to the bedrock by ice age, erosion and the ravages of time.

Fossil hunting

It is first and foremost the exciting geology that exists, but we also recommend taking a trip into the Geology Center's Trilobox to look at exhibitions of the area's fossils, rocks and minerals.

The fossils are from the time periods Cambrian, Ordovician and Silurian, from 540 to 420 million years ago. At that time, Slemmestad's seabed was in a relatively shallow sea. Animals and plants abounded here. Some are similar to those we know today, while others look completely foreign. You will find both graptolites, trilobites and spectacular octopuses.

Slemmestad is facing major changes in the future and will be developed from an industrial site to a vibrant coastal town. This is probably the largest site development project in the inner Oslofjord. Make your visit to Odden. A recreation area where you can swim, fish and eat your packed lunch while enjoying the fantastic view all the way to Oslo.

The coastal path to Vollen

After an exciting fossil hunt in Slemmestad, we recommend that you follow the marked coastal path north towards the idyllic town of Vollen. The coastal path takes you past several blue flag beaches, fossil points and through pleasant buildings and is accessible to all.

Vollen is characterized as the best-preserved beach resort in the inner Oslofjord. Here you will find several nice shops, galleries, restaurants, the Oslofjord Museum, Vollen Marina with activities such as diving and jet skis. Nice beach with frisbee golf and reuse library. There is a fast boat between Aker Brygge / Drøbak and Vollen and Slemmestad.

Access:

The summer boat B22 / B21 from Aker Brygge / Son during the school holidays and weekends during the summer. For timetables check www.ruter.no

Bus to Slemmestad. Disembarkation at Toern. www.ruter.no

Free parking at Slemmestad Commuter parking on Vaterlandsveien.

Chill out in nostalgic Holmsbu

«Chill out in nostalgic Holmsbu»

Holmsbu and Hurum have attracted bathing summer guests and famous painters since the 1870s and are today a favorite holiday resort with whitewashed houses.

Holmsbu village

From the early 18th century, Holmsbu has been a center for shipping and trade. Towards the end of the 19th century, steamships arrived daily with bathers, and in the 20th century, Holmsbu housed Norway's largest and most stable artist colony. Today, lively Holmsbu offers a variety of experiences and is the starting point for trips of many kinds. A perfect starting point for weekend trips and day trips where you can experience delicious food with views of the harbor, concerts, art, exploring the coastal path and walking in the primeval forest.

Find peace in the sunset breeze. At the floating sauna you can enjoy the revitalizing combination of steaming sauna and refreshing sea bath all year round! And Badehotellet provides a good bed and tasty meals.

The artist colony

The unique light and landscape at the southern tip of Hurum has been immortalized by many artists. It all started with Oluf Wold-Thorne renting a room in Holmsbustøa. His friend Henrik Sørensen came to visit in 1913, enjoyed himself so much and then lived in Holmsbu almost every summer for the rest of his life with several renowned painters, referred to as "the Holmsbu Painters". They painted beautiful decorations in Holmsbu church in the 1950s and 1960s.

Holmsbu Picture Gallery with Henrik Sørensen's collections is nicely located in nature in Støa. The building itself was built by people from Holmsbu in large stones of Hurum granite that have been found in ura on the site. The building's location and shape harmonize with the surrounding landscape and the art that was created there. It is open from June to September and Hurum art group also holds summer exhibitions in the small houses at the bottom of the road. Parking for car.

Medevial grave and early settlement

The country's oldest Medieval Grave can be found by continuing the road towards Rødtangen – at the top of the hill after the «spa hotel» you can see the sign for the Bronze Age tombs. A dolmen tomb is a tomb from the Neolithic (4500 – 1800 BC). The tomb is made up of large, standing stones that have formed the walls of a burial chamber. Above these has been a large stone that has served as a roof. Next to it are also burial mounds from the Bronze Age. In the older Bronze Age, the dead were placed in the coffin fully clothed and with various objects.

«Norway's most beautiful rainforest» in Holtnesdalen.

Holtnesdalen nature reserve is especially beautiful in the spring carpeted with whiteweed. Here is unique primeval forest, deciduous forest and carpets of wildflowers. Nature is magical with a deep and lush ravine, high sharp rock walls, narrow paths, and wild and beautiful rainforest. The stream divides the valley into two parts and creates deep, dark valley depressions – with ferns and deciduous forest in the valley bottoms, and more coniferous forest at the height between them. You can start the trip from the Picture Gallery which is the shortest and easiest, or the more demanding route by following the road further towards Rødtangen, take Holtnesveien. Follow to Holtnes and turn right and follow along the fields inwards to the large wide oak. Follow the signs to Holtnesdalen nature reserve. This stretch leads to steep and rugged sections that can be avoided by starting at the image gallery.

Local taste experiences

Hurum is home to farms known for their good products. Many sell goods straight from the farm in season. In Holmsbu you can get the farmer's vegetables from Bergsmyrene Gård, the steak from Biffgården or Grønnsletta and edible flowers and cut flowers at FioriBlomster.

Semsvannet GeoPark

Coastal path – hike Vettre-Vollen-Slemmestad

Distance: about 11 km Duration: 2.5 hours one way.

Best season: March-November but works well all year round and parts of the trip can be nicely completed by bike.

From Slemmestadveien there is public transport: Bus route 251/252 Oslo-Slemmestad-Hurum

The tour starts at Vettre (bus stop) – make your way down to Kråka Pub and the coast. Continue to the right towards Blakstad and below the main building follow the blue-marked coastal path along the water and stay on it until you make it to Asker Seilforening, feel free to take a detour around Børsholmen.

Then follow Blakstad Bryggerivei up to Slemmestadveien and turn left, follow it to Sjøvollbukta and enter the residentail area, follow the path along the bay at the bottom of the houses until it comes up again on the other side of the bay. Feel free to take the detour down the penninsula behind where there are nice outdoor areas, a bench for relaxation and great views of Nesodden and Oslo.

Continue along the main road to the center of Vollen. Vito´s is a popular seaside restaurant for refreshments, and the small galleries and shops have a wide selection of jewelry, art, interior and fashion. Did you know that Roald Amundsen's polar ship Maud was built in the Maud Bay where the Oslofjord Museum is now located – get to know the maritime history around the Oslo Fjord. Close by is Tjuvholmen, which was Asker's trial.

Continue behind the Oslo Fjord Museum past the Svelvik villa (which also has the country's oldest outdoor bowling alley in the garden) and resume the blue-marked path. If you have a Frisbee you can play Frisbee golf on the headland and towards Arnestad school.

The path follows the upper side of Arnestad Bay and meets Sjøstrandveien. Walk through the settlement before it opens to Sjøstrand bathing place (Blue Flag 2019). Continue the marked trail – you pass several swimming areas, and many places where it is nice to take a break and look out over the fjord. Also look for the geological signs that tell a little about the nature and geology of the area that is a distinctive part of the Oslo belt.

Be aware of some construction work past Veas – follow signs and be careful. In the rock wall below, just before the pier on the left side of Bjerkåsholmen, it is possible to see fossil imprints of squid and snails, but even better is to make the trip on the far side of the sports court at Slemmestad Ungdomskole (about 2 km further).

At the junction of Bjerkåsholmen / Anna Bøes Vei, keep left – follow the path between the sea and the houses (over a private plot – agreement to cross has been made) continue towards Kutangen, follow the small roads and paths to the right up through the forest to the back of the Slemmestad factories / Norcem plot. In the small raod behind Circle K Slemmestad (Crossing Slemmestadveien / Rustadveien) – about 200 meters up the hill there are geological signs and fossils of squid and snails in the mountains. Continue down the main road, turn left and left again – follow Vaterlandsveien down to Slemmestad pier.

Slemmstad MEK is cultural center on the right hand side hosting many concerts, lectures and cultural events. The Cement Museum tells the story of cement extraction and life in Slemmestad. Trilobox is a geology center with exhibitions and is a dissemination arena for the teaching of Slemmestad's amazing geology and life in the sea 400 million years ago. Here you will find trilobites and other exciting fossils. In addition, you will find the nice bakery Plenum Café and the Kalk gallery and art workshop.

Possiblity to return by boat to Aker Brygge at the afternoon on weekdays (except from the holiday periods) – boat schedule.

Hike to Skaugum

Make an excursion to the "Crown Prince's Backyard". Well at the top you can see their yard at Skaugum. From Skaugumåsen you have one of Asker's most beautiful views. This has been a favorite destination for locals for more than 100 years.

There is a steep hike up to the peak. Some people think the trail is a bit scary with smaller children, but the kids show great joy in getting to the top – so give it a try. It's worth it.

From the parking lot at Sem follow the path around the Holtet manor house belonging to Skaugum, before passing the large pressure pool for Asker's water supply and arraiving by the information board for the Skaugumsåsen nature reserve.

The ridge is the northernmost growing site for mistletoe that are protected in Norway. It is evergreen and feeds on other trees.

Now the ascent begins, and then the path follows som up-and-downs to the top. Enjoy the view from the Drøbaksundet to Oslo.

Finish the tour with a visit "Smia" where NaKuHel has home-made food, grows vegetables, has a gallery with art exhibitions and somethimes arrange themed events.

We wish you a nice trip.

Practical information:

The tour goes southeast in the West Marka. Starting point Sem "utfartsparking", between Semsveien 180 and 191 at Sem Gjestegård / Nakuhel or a little further down at Jansløkka school.

Public transport: Bus 706 from Asker or Sandvika / Holmen, Grana stop.

Hiking distance: 2.2 km round trip from Sem to the hiking destination on the hill (348 m asl). Terrain: Heavy climb from Sem to the top of the hill.

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Hike to Sem lake and Sem saw mill

«Semsvannet tour. The locals' favorite and a fantastic hiking area all year round »

Semsvannet is the local favorite tour for the citiziens of Asker for Sunday excursions, a great area with a cultural-historical environment that is suitable for everyone.

Upper Sem and NaKuHel

The tour starts at the exit car park at Sem, right behind the Crown Prince Couple's residence. Here at Øvre Sem there are traces from the former agricultural school and now we find Øvre Sem Gård, Holtsmark restaurant and NaKuHel here. In summer, the area is bustling with activity and the bees make honey in their cubes. In "Smia", hikers meet over a cup of coffee and something to bite into with self-produced honey.

Make the trip around Semsvannet towards Tveiter Gård. In the bend at Svartdalen is the hatchery where fish fry can grow robust before the fish are released into the wild. Up below the hill and by Tømmervika are large boulders from prehistoric times, great for climbing and hiding. On the other side of the water, the bridge is past Tveiterfossen, where it is possible to enter behind the waterfall if the water flow is not too great. The trip goes past grazing cows and horses.

Bryggerhuset is a nice stop on the way. Voulunteers serves freshly brewed coffee and fresh baked goods on occations.

Continue the walk along the road around the end of the water. At the crossroads, we take a detour down to Sem Sagbruk. Follow the forest road to the right; Holtmarksvei and Nedre Bergvei to Sagdammen.

Operations at Sem Saw

Beautifully located by the Askerelven on Sem, the Asker museum has a unique collection of industrial cultural monuments. The buildings are located by Sagdammen and by Høveldammen, places where the waterfalls for hundreds of years have given power to businesses based on wood.

The operation of Sem saw and planing started in 1612, and today it is a living industrial cultural monument belonging to the Asker museum. In the 16th century, the upswing saw was introduced in Norway. This was an important technical innovation as the log had previously been split using an ax and wedges. The sawmills came to Asker around 1600, and Sem saw came into operation in 1612. It was a battle for wood, because the farmers also had a duty to procure coal for Bærum ironworks; in addition, a lot of timber went to salt cooking and lime burning. The work on the saw was seasonal and dependent on the water flow in the river in spring and autumn. The timber was cut in the autumn and sawn into planks, before it was stacked for drying and driven up for splitting and planing at Høvleriet in the winter. The work was heavy and demanding, and accidents could happen; nevertheless, the saw was a safe and permanent workplace.

Jon ran the sawmill with his brother and here you can hear an interview with Jon Barlund about Sem Sawmill.

The trip goes back along Semsveien back to Sem Gjestegård. Note; no sidewalks so be careful

Asker Turlag and Asker museum have marked a new path to connect Saga and Høvelen, and return to the exit car park without walking on the road.

Alternative starting point; the car park below Grendehuset by Saga. It takes you over the burial mounds and down to Høvelen. Enjoy a cup of coffee boiled on the fire to the sound of the waterfall noise, or continue the path along the fence to the beautiful Holstmark property until you reach the garden at Nedre Sem. Then you see Semsvannet! And you can continue "Semsvannet round" or choose paths in all directions….

Saw-day. Open visit to Sem Sag

You can get a live storytelling on a Sunday every year in the early summer (stay tuned at www.askermuseum.no). On Sagdagen, the Asker museum opens the waterfall and starts the water-powered circular saw from 1890 at Sem sag. Then you can see how to cut timber in ancient times. You can also see the strangest, technical devices that Albert Seheim, Asker's answer to Reodor Felgen, used in his workshop to make skis and wheels.

The timber that was to be split and planed was driven up to the planer, some turning upwards along Semsveien.

This is a wonderful outdoor area all year round. Here you can have great bike rides, waffle rides and wheelbarrow rides around the water or a summit trip to Skaugumåsen, ski trips in Vestmarka and ice skating on the water. You choose.

Bergvang Besøksgård is among the children's favorites and is a short drive away. Open visitor farm on weekends. Watch the animals being fed. Tour riding, visit the alpaccas, pony riding, husky sledding and children's birthdays are arranged.

If you come from out of town, there are great accommodation options in central Asker and Vettre and many nice restaurants in Asker Sentrum.

Access:

Car to the exit car park at Øvre Sem or the car park below Grendehuset by Saga. Bus to stop Grana. Bus 760 from Asker or Sandvika.

Spro Cave at Nesodden

The mine is a popular hiking destination among the local population on the west side of Nesodden, just north of Nordre Spro brygge. It is about 1 km to walk from the pier to the mine. The mine was in operation from the 1880s until after World War I.

The mine is a narrow hallway that goes about 30 meters into the mountain and ends in a mighty hall. Here the roof has collapsed, so today it is bright in the middle of the main cave. Crow's silver, or Muscovite as geologists call it, sparkles and glows in the walls.

Coastal path Holmsbu and Holtnes forest

"The shortest way to idyllic southern Norwegian villages goes to Holmsbu" it was written on the steamship Juno in the 1950s and all over Hurum the piers were full of expectant children when the "daddys boat" docked for the weekend.

Holmsbu and Hurum have since the 1870s attracted summer guests and artists to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Holmsbu center

Holmsbu is a place to be, you must not go anywhere – just enjoy being here. Thanks he tourist office by the harbor is happy to share tour nsuggestions and they rent bikes in the summer. Holmsbu is known for Holmsbu Art Museum and the beautiful decorations in Holmsbu Church

The coastal path and Støa.

A round trip hike to Holmsbu Museum in Støa and return through Holtnesdalen Valley. Follow Støaveien and the coastal path south past Badehotellet to the car park by Støa.

The "Holmsbum painters"/artist colony lived in jStøa in the 20th century. Støa is a great recreational area down by the water, with small red houses that hold art exhibitions and have sales of applied art in the summer. Here it is also great to bring the picnic basket to a lunch by the water's edge on a nice sunny day.

To get to Holmsbu Museum, you have to walk the path thru the forest to the left of the parking. The museum was built in memory of the Holmsbu painters Oluf Wold Torne, Thorvald Erichsen and Henrik Sørensen. The building itself was built by people from Holmsbu with large stones of Hurum granite that have been found on the site. The building's location and shape harmonize with the surrounding landscape and the art that was created there.

Holtnes Valley

Holtnesdalen is especially beautiful in April / May carpeted with whiteweed and lots of birdsong. Nature is magical with a deep and lush ravine, high sharp rock walls, narrow paths, and wild and beautiful rainforest.

Follow the blue-marked path from Tillaløkka by Billedgalleriet into the lower part of Holtnesdalen. The shortest alternative is to go in and out of here and turn around whenever you want. Then stay on the west side of the valley. You get a longer and heavier hike by walking the whole round and getting out at the other end. The tour is marked with small signs in the trees, and in some places you have to pay close attention so as not to overlook the sign. This is especially true on the east side of the valley, where at some point you have to climb down a few meters on a slope, instead of continuing straight ahead.

The whole valley is approx. 250 acres have a unique deciduous forest. It is a primeval forest with both deciduous forest and mixed forest, and the occurrence of plants with strange names such as middle wormwood, tooth root, and forest cataract. The colors alternate between bright green and blue and the deciduous trees provide acoustics like in a concert hall. The birdsong comes from monks, millers, woodpeckers, red-winged thrushes and target thrushes. The stream in the valley is divided into two parts and creates deep, dark valley depressions – with ferns and deciduous forest in the valley bottoms, and more coniferous forest at the height between them.

Return the same way. Or by following the fields towards Holtnesveien and turn right onto Rødtangveien. Alternative route through horse gardens and farmland the opposite direction via Jahrenbakkene past Ravnsborg Gartneri, past architect Sverre Fehn's "Villa Holme" and Holmsbu Church.

The trip can be cycled as a round trip with detours on foot in Holtnesdalen.

Access:

Parking in Holmsbu. Free at Kjøia (below the church). Paid parking in the center. Parking on Støa.

Rock carvings and wildlife tour to Dælivann

The cultural landscape below Kolsåstoppen is an exciting area with traces of early settlements, rich wildlife and connections to famous painters such as Christian Skredsvig and his work "The Boy with the flute" that is displayed in the National Gallery and here we also find rare petroglyphs from the early Iron Age that are important for depicting and understanding our ship history.

At Dalbo, there are the first traces of one of the most important technological innovations in shipping in the years around the birth of Christ. The rock carvings of ships on the rock surfaces at Dalbo show the transition from ships that are paddled to ships that are rowed. This development took place sometime between 500 BC and the first centuries after Christ. The development of the rowing ship opened up to be able to build larger boats and cross over longer stretches of sea. The new technology that developed changed the cultural conditions in Norway and the Nordic countries, in the form of increased interaction, cultural influence, trade and warfare.

Dælivann is located in an area that "has the most": ancient cultural landscape, silence, burial mounds and traces of early settlements, old manor sites, carvings from the Bronze and Iron Age as well as lush farms. The area is rich in bird life, insects, flowers and trees. Here you can explore trails and a mosaic of habitats from swamps, streams and freshwater areas through rich cultural sites to varied forest environments, with exciting topography and geology including flat cultural sites, steep slopes and cliffs, where you can experience the two great peaks of Kolsås with extrodinary view over the Oslo area and the Oslo Fjord. Explore trails, nature trail with signs and popular climbing routes depending on available time and skills.

A cultural and nature trail has been created. The path is approx. 3 km that goes into the mixed forest which is part of the Skotta and Dalbo nature reserve.

And in winter time you can fish for roach, perch and pike, and there is an opportunity to go ice skating on Dælivannet.

The tour starts at the Godthaab bus stop. Arrival by own car or 30 min by bus 150 from Oslo / Lysaker. Approximately 1km to enter the cultural landscape from the bus stop, stroll around Dæhlivann (approx. 5km).

Alt 1 – Explore the nature reserve by the lake and the rock carvings. A stroll on dirt roads and trails.

Alt 2 – A hike in the nature reserve with a tour to the Kolsås Summit. A steep climb up to the top of the Kolsås. A 4 hour tour. You have to bring your lunch box and thermos.

Member of Visit Greater Oslo