Kategori: Hiking

Blekkulf hike from Vollen to Slemmestad

Take a walk along the Blekkulfstien from Vollen to Elnestangen, to Sjøstrand or all the way to Slemmestad. A great walk along the coast that passes several nice beaches. Remember to bring drinks and some snacks.

The entire walk is approx. 3.8 kilometers. With breaks, the walk lasts a little over an hour and a half. Plan on two hours, and you will have plenty of time.

The Blekkulfstien was created by the Blekkulfklubben, with support from the Slemmestad local community committee and the Sparebankstiftelsen. Blekkulf explains which animals live in our fjord and how we can help keep the fjord clean.

Blekkulf wishes you a good trip!

Hike around Øvredammen lake

Øvredammen is a local favorite for those who live in Drøbak and Frogn, this is a great lake where you can both swim and fish and spend the night at.

There are several entrances, but a popular starting point is at the Follo museum. Then you go up to Seiersten redoubt built 1898–1900 and further into the forest where there is a sign for Øvredammen. You can follow the path around the pond or walk a longer round "Seierstenmarka round".

The trip called "Seierstenmarka round" is 5.5 kilometers and defined as an easy hike.

Large parts of the path are also adapted for wheelchair users. This tour goes past the dammed ponds Kvernerdammen and Øvredammen. These were formerly Drøbak's water sources. Now the Kverner dam serves as an irrigation system for the golf course and a water reservoir for the DFI ski group's snow production. Øvredammen offers trout fishing in both summer and winter, as well as skating activities in winter. If you are going fishing, you can buy a fishing license at Sporten, Drøbak City. You continue between Gylteåsen cottage field and Øvredammen. Before you get to Høiås and Heer, you see the Speiderhytta on Harafjellet. The mountain is Seierstenmarka's highest point with its 151 m. You continue east until you hit the light trail at Brakadalen. Follow the light trail southwards. After three hundred meters you are in the artificial snow route of the DFI ski group. The entire pipe system is buried, so that it does not interfere visually.

To end the tour, continue south until you see the Follo museum again.

Seierstenmarka is full of hikers, trimmers and cyclists.

The forest is Frogn's most important local hiking area.

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

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.

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.

Sand Gård, at the descent to Holmsbu, sells fresh bread and buns from the farm bakery all year round. To the delight of the children, you can also visit the animals in the summer.

Dagstur i Follo – kyststi og kulturvandring i Hvitsten

Welcome to a day trip in Follo from Ramme Fjordhotell.

Ramme farm by Hvitsten is a cultural destination that must be experienced! 40 minutes by car from Oslo is not only the magnificent garden in Havlystparken with sculptures, fountains, and walkways, but also the brand new Ramme Fjordhotell. Own organic farm products tempt in the café and restaurant – and invite to long lunches throughout the spring and summer.

The new cultural trail "In Munch's footsteps" attracts many curious, or how about seeing Edvard Munch's home that opens by the sea in 2021? The picture gallery has his works on the walls together with art by Christian Krohg, Frits Thaulow and Theodor Kittelsen.

From Ramme it is a short walk to picturesque Hvitsten.

After 1.5 km on the coastal path, you will discover 37 interesting galleon figures from the shipping company Fred Olsen Lines around the terrain. Maybe you find everyone, or just take a fun selfie?

Then you can continue on the coastal path to Son Spa. The 18 kilometers go in nice and varied terrain – with magnificent views of the Oslo Fjord. Stairs and sherpas make the steepest mountain slopes easily accessible.

Well ahead, it is wellness and wonderful spa treatments that apply.

The Pilgrim’s Route through Bærum

The pilgrim path from Oslo through Bærum to Hønefoss is the first stage of the western route to the historic Gudbrandsdalsleden, which was the main road to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim in the Middle Ages.

 

The trail starts in Oslo's Old Town at the ruins of St. Hallvard's Cathedral, where the first milestone stands.

 

The trip goes west through the Vigeland Park and residential areas to the Lysaker river near Lilleaker. Follow the Lysaker river on a path past waterfalls and lush landscape and through residential areas to Haslum medieval church, where the Tunsbergleden from Vestfold meets Gudbrandsdalsleden.

At Øverland, you walk into the forest in the direction of the tourist cabin Nygård. Along the way, you can spend the night at Sæteren farm, which is owned by DNT, and has the status of a pilgrim hostel. The road ahead goes on a path over Skrivarberget and down to Lommedalen. The trip goes over the golf course, crosses Lommedalsveien and you follow the forest road, the old King's Road over Krokskogen to Kleivstua Hotel. There are nice information signs along the way about life and keel burning at Kroksskogen and quite steep the first stretch with beautiful nature and forest terrain. Several nice picnic areas along the way and a small wooden lavvu.

After crossing Krokskogen, the route goes down to Sundvolden, through Hole and towards Bønsnes church and Norderhov church before arriving at Hønefoss and the Jevnaker area.

For more information and detailed map about Pilegrimsleden: https://www.pilegrimsleden.no/en/

Pilegrim accommodation at Sæteren Gard: 

E-mail: seterengard@dntoslo.no Phone: 67 58 18 50 / 94 82 77 99  Adr: Murenveien 151, 1356 Bekkestua.

Walking with Alpacas

Have you ever walked with an alpaca or cuddled and fed one? Now you have the opportunity!

In VisitGreaterOslo you have many opportunities to experience alpacas.

Whether you want to go hiking or join in the feeding, see and experience them up close.

With us you have many experiences that offer activities with these beautiful animals.

Romerike

Alpaca hiking in Sørum

Alpaca hike Killingmo Farm

Alpaca hiking in Hurdal at Nilsstua 

Rånås Gård – experience a "living farm" with alpacas and other animals.

 

Asker and Bærum

Bergvang Visitor Farm – experiences on a farm with alpacas and other animals.

Welcome to us!

Members of Visit Greater Oslo 

Drøbak Around for Kids – In Santa’s Footsteps

Drøbak is one of the country's most idyllic coastal towns, with small, charming wooden houses of great heritage value and plenty for children to experience.

Start the day in Badeparken, either with a swim or a visit to the architect-designed playground. Velhaven, located by the Bankløkka parking lot, also has a very nice playground in the town's little oasis.

Drøbak is also the town where the Norwegian Santa Claus has his official post address, so a visit to Tregaardens Christmas House is a highlight.

In Drøbak harbor, you'll find Drøbak Aquarium, which showcases the rich marine life of the Oslo Fjord up close. Here, you'll see everything from small baby sharks to Hugo the wolffish.

You can also ask to borrow crab fishing equipment from the Tourist Information if you want to try that. When you get hungry, there are many restaurants and cafes to choose from, and for dessert, the ice cream at Café Drøbak is very popular.

Tour facts:

How to get there: Bus or car to Drøbak center

Hike length: Optional

Local tip: Visit the only saltwater aquarium in Eastern Norway and explore the exciting underwater life of the Oslo Fjord. The Christmas House is also a popular stop for children!

Tenting in Asker and Bærum

5 nice tent sites in Asker and Bærum

Accommodation in nature is a great opportunity to get out and create new great memories. Feel the magic of nature's silence, the birds' song, the stream's stream and the morning light that tickles your eyes. We have selected 5 beautiful tent sites in the open that are suitable whether you are alone, with friends, with children and family.

Remember warm clothes, good footwear, headlamps, follow the fire rules and bring all waste back.

Tour suggestions:

1. Østernvann or Lathus, Fossum

2. Burudvann, Lommedalen

3. Rabben and Elnestangen, Vollen, Asker

4. Sandbukta, Tofte, Asker

5. Kjekstadmarka, Asker

The right of public access gives us fantastic opportunities to use the nature around us, as long as we take into account landowners, each other, plants and animals. Feel free to familiarize yourself with this before you go on a trip.

Infields are areas such as courtyards, house plots, cultivated land and similar areas where public traffic will be a nuisance for the owner of the land.

Outfield can be explained as anything that is not infield; forests, mountains, bogs and coastal areas, which make up most of the region.

1. Østernvann and Kråka, Fossum, Bærum

Østernvann is a popular hiking destination in Bærumsmarka, just a short bike ride or walk from Fossum. There are several good tent and hammock places around the entire lake, but there are most visitors where the hiking trails come up in the south and east. On the upper side, there is a nice, large open space along the gravel road that is well suited for a tent trip with the little ones. Nice hiking trails along the entire water. Østernvann does not have toilets, waste disposal and established campfire sites that many other places have.

Less known is the tent site near Lathus, known as Kråka on the west side of Bogstadvannet. Here there is an elongated lawn, a small sandy beach, nice campfire and barbecue and two nice outdoor toilets. Nice starting point for canoe trips on Bogstadvann and up Sørkedalselven. Good sun conditions all day with a view to Bogstad Golf Course and Holmenkollen. On the way to the square, follow the Lysaker River towards Bogstad, past Hammarbrua and Osdammen. The water from the dam in Hammarfossen was used to drive a large hammer to hammer out nails, plates and other objects in iron. The tent site is located at the end of Fossumveien past the site with timber storage. Keep on the walking path to the right along the water when the road splits.

Both lakes are scenic and easily accessible by both car and public transport such as bus to Fossum and Metro 2 to Ekraveien.

2. Burudvann, Lommedalen

Burudvann is a gem in the countryside, with a spacious fine sandy beach, good sun conditions and several nice headlands to set up tents and hammocks. The spaces by the dam are most popular. There is a network of hiking trails full of blueberry heather as an alternative to the forest road. On the east side, the Lions have set up a lavvo a few km inland, then take the first hiking trail to the right. Cage water has a lot of fish. Among other things, trout are released here, but bream is also a frequent occurrence on the hook. Respect the fishing rules and buy a fishing license in advance.

Burudvann has a floating jetty with diving board, toilet, dining table, fixed grill, bathing jetty, nice fire place and rubbish bins. Suitable for bringing a canoe. Easy access from free parking at Burudveien. About 1 km walk along the forest road. For those who want a longer trip, continue the road towards the north end of the water where it is also nice to camp and smaller people.

3. Rabben and Elnestangen, Vollen in Asker

With proximity to Vollen, this is a great place to combine a tent trip with the small town experience, a trip to the Oslo Fjord Museum and a good brunch the next day at one of the pleasant cafes in the city center. Bring Frisbee and play frisbee golf on the green areas in Svelvikbukta towards Arnestad school a stone's throw away from Elnestangen.

Nice tent sites on the headlands along the coast, which were once a storage site for ice blocks when the area supplied the major cities in Europe with ice. Access to toilets. Beautiful sandy beaches both in Vollen and the other way towards Sjøstrand.

Easily accessible by public transport; the bus to Slemmestad or fast boat from Aker Brygge to Vollen. By car, take off from Slemmestadveien by Vollen sports park and follow the road to the car park near the music kindergarten.

Take a detour from Vollen to the sports field at Slemmestad Ungdsomsskole; see the 400 million old fossils of squid and snails in the rock wall along the long side of the course and learn about the unique geology in the Oslo belt and visit Trilobox in Slemmestad center with an exhibition from the geology in the area.

4. Sandbukta, Tofte in Asker

Sandbukta is a popular hiking destination for swimming and outdoor life at the far end of the Hurum Peninsula. Locals believe it is the Oslo Fjord's finest part of the coastal path. Sandbukta is protected as a nature reserve, with a tent site in the beach zone northeast of the bay, regulated as an area for open space and swimming area.

The surrounding areas have burial mounds from the Bronze Age, rich animal and plant life and you may be visited by seals from the colonies on the small islands outside. Remember fishing rod, good opportunities to secure today's dinner. Access to toilet and renovation.

Follow the coastal strait from Sagene west of Tofte, over Preiserstranda and over Østnestangen (in some places it is so steep that ropes have been laid).

Otherwise, the area has several pleasant campsites on Rødtangen, Knatvoldstranda and Solbærstøa and has throughout history been a favorite destination during the summer season for the people of Oslo and artists. Popular sights nearby are Rødtangen, the small town of Holmsbu and Filtvedt and the polar boat Maud which is located in the quay at Tofte.

5. Skapertjern, Kjekstadmarka in Asker

Skapertjern is a fine forest lake and a popular hiking destination in the south of Kjekstadmarka. The water is surprisingly large. The tent sites on the headland in the southeast and by the dam in the southwest are most popular. Large and beautiful tent site in the far north by Tjernsløkka, with boulders and beautiful grassland. There is a wide and nice forest path along the entire east side of the water, which makes more nice tent sites well accessible. Fishing and swimming are popular activities for young and old. Remember fishing rod, fishing license and respect the fishing rules.

Parking space at Myrvoll at the end of Skapertjernveien in Lier. 10 minutes walk, 0.8 km into the water. Nice gravel forest path all the way in. If you want a longer trip, follow the blue-marked path from Gjellebekk P (5 km) and Damtjern P (6 km).

Our tips for more fun;

Bring a nail knife, make bark boats (or bring plank scraps from home) and have a boat race with a nice prize for the winner

Make nature farm with cone animals

Bring twine and a paring knife, then you have everything you need to make a bow and arrow. Free to be a Native American chief 🙂

Walk on the shore along the coastal path, collecting mussels. Did you get enough to cook soup for supper? Add a box of tomatoes, chili, garlic, shallots and white wine or apple juice. Salt and pepper. Bon apetite.

**Good hiking**

The Pilgrim’s Route to and from Oslo

The Pilgrim Paths in Akershus is one part of the St Olav Way which takes you to Trondheim. In mediaeval time this was the main goal for pilgrimages in the Nordic area with the cathedral Nidarosdomen and St. Olav’s relics.

The Pilgrim Paths in Oslo and Akershus can be reached when arriving in Oslo with boat from either Kiel in Germany or from Denmark, or by air to one of the airports; Oslo Airport, Gardermoen or Rygge Airport in Østfold. You can go straight from the ferry or the plane and start your walk.

When in Oslo you have the choice of an eastern or western path. Are you arriving from the south you will meet the path from the south through Follo at the boarder of county Østfold. It takes you to Gamlebyen in Oslo.

Heading east from Oslo you will soon leave the suburbs and meet the rolling cultivated landscape in Romerike. At the river Nitelva was once the site of the battle between Olav Haraldsson and the local tribe in the petty kingdom of Romerike. The path later takes you past Raknehaugen. This burial mound is the largest barrow in Northern Europe. On your way you will pass many beautiful old churches. In Eidsvoll you have the option of taking the paddle steamer Skibladner to cross Norway’s largest lake, Mjøsa. Accommodation options along the way are in hotels, hostels and in farms.

If you chose the western route from Oslo you will pass the only remaining mediaeval church in Oslo, Gamle Aker church. Here you’ll also find the Oslo Pilgrim Center where you can get advice for your pilgrimage.

The path takes you through the Vigeland Park with all its sculptures. Leaving the urban Oslo you walk through an older residential area on your way to Bærum and the mediaeval Haslum Church. From here you can follow paths through the forest. In Bærum you can stay in cottages at Sæteren gård and later continue across Krokskogen to Bønsnes, where Olav Haraldsson spent his childhood years according to the legend.

Information from Visit Greater Oslo and Pilegrimsleden.no