Kategori: Hiking

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 

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.

Haukenestårnet i Rømskog

Start at Rømskog Spa & Resort, mark the path out from the hotel and they also have maps. The 12 meter high wooden building was built as a fire tower and used as such until 1975. The landowner took over the tower and maintained it for many years, until the municipality and then DNT Indre Østfold took over it.

Haukenestårnet is Norway's one of the few fire towers in wood and towers in the spruce forest. 

It is actually possible to spend the night, enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest, and the view all the way to Gaustatoppen on a clear autumn day. If there is fog, the atmosphere is magical and adventurous. (Another fire tower in the region is Hornkjøltårnet – which is located in Eidskog.) Haukenestårnet is an excellent weekend destination for families with children, or as a romantic place for couples.

There are few marked trails in the area, yet there are plenty of hiking opportunities to e.g. Ertevann, Eikestad and Kattebuheia. More trips can be found at www.dnt.no .

Have a nice trip!  

 

Information from Visit Greater Oslo 

The Pilgrim’s Route 1 – Moss – Son

Moss – Son 16 km

A visit to the Maria Chapel in the basement of the Arena Church and Culture Centre (give advance notice) will set you up for the day – and it starts with a hike through the beautiful Moss Woods. This is a relatively short day’s hike. One option is to spend the day in Son, a charming coastal village with many old wooden houses. Here there is also a Coastal Culture Centre, restaurants and shops. Alternatively you could enjoy some quiet hours at Solåsen Pilgrim’s Farm, with its lovely view of the Oslo Fjord.

 

Accommodation
Solåsen Pilgrim’s Farm, Falkeveien 19, 1555 Son, tel.: +47 474 83 032

 

Walks around Drøbak: «Hills, Commons and Quays»

TOUR NO. 3: «Hills, Commons and Quays»

Time: Approx. 1 hour

From the Tourist Information Office (1) we turn left and walk along the harbour and up the hill at Skipperstuen (19) to the market. We continue eastwards along Torggaten (6) . At the end of this street is a well-maintained building, which for many years has been a shop for the sale of clothing and haberdashery (39). Previously this was the site of the «Samlag» an early version of the Vinmonopolet. The left hand side of the building was used for the sale of spirits and, to the right, was a room where one could buy, and drink, a dram for 10 øre. On the opposite side of the street there is a red, well-restored building (40), «Tregaarden» where the merchant or tradesman Skancke had his provisions shop, he also resided in the building. It is said that the artist Olaf Gulbransson, who also illustrated «Trangviksposten», used Consul Skancke as a source of inspiration in the creation of his figure Major von Knarren. Today, the building is an exhibition gallery displaying the cartoons of Fredrik Stabel and other newspaper caricaturists.

Adjacent to the Skancke Building is a large brick building – Mission House, which replaced Drøbak’s first printing and newspaper office that burnt down in 1901.

At the foot of Buggebakken is a small road, Fjellveien, leading off to the left by Buggebakken No. 4. On this tour be ready for a hilly trip. We follow the many twists and turns of Fjellveien and continue on up. We are in the part of Drøbak poetically referred to as «The hills in the East.» Where Fjellveien joins Seimbakken we turn right and continue to the junction at the top of the hill. The large white house to the left is the vicarage (41). We continue along Seierstenveien, the road to the left leads to the secondary and primary schools and on to the sports complex, the Follo Museum, Veisvingbatteriet (gun emplacements) and extensive walks in the surrounding woods and forests.

Seierstenveien leads into Osloveien where we turn right along the cycle and pedestrian walk-way. After a short distance we arrive at a red barn on the right hand side (42). This is the last of the out-houses belonging to the «Løkke – property, Bochlum Farm, or manor. Farmers from the surrounding countryside could leave their horses here whilst they continued with their errands down in the town.

With great caution and attention to the traffic cross the road and continue until we get to Tranga – the narrow lane, so appropriately named. The whole area is called, «Råkeløkka.» (Cow-path Common). Tranga No.3 with its tall hosepipe tower was the town’s fire station (37).

Further down the hill, to the south, is a long building (Damveien 6) (38), which, on the ground floor, was the town’s overflow prison famous for its lack of security. At that time life was really quite pleasant, the town’s entire police force comprised only one man, and he, apparently, was very short in stature.

Tranga continues on down, but now it is not so narrow. Eventually we arrive in the town’s main street, Storgata at No. 24, here we turn left. We pass Hotel Reenskaug (36), and some restaurants, and arrive at No 43, which used to be the Customs Office (23). Drøbak Customs Office was an important institution, particularly during the time of prohibition of alcohol (1916 – 1926). However, all customs activities have long since ceased and the building is owned by the Oslo University and houses the University’s Biological station.

In this part of town we find some of the most historic buildings. At the very end of Storgata is Lehmans Quay (43), named after an influential businessman from Drøbak. At the Steamship Quay is the bus terminus and the point where the ferry used to load passengers and vehicles. At one time there were as many as 20 sailings and departures a day of both goods and passengers destined for Frogn, Vestby and Ås passing through. The quayside afforded one of the town’s main diversions during the day and the place attracted quite a number of interested spectators. Years ago, the last boat from Oslo arrived at 22.00 hrs. and during the summer months people walked up to Badeparken where there was often a dance arranged to the music of a wind-up gramophone.

We turn back from the quay and continue along Storgata to the Customs Office. Here, we bear left into Badehusgata and visit the cluster of small houses, which are literally built wall-to-wall (22). This is Filisterkroken and there are many historians who disagree as to the origin of the name.

To the left is Hamborg Jetty or Quay (21), earlier both a cargo and passenger terminal in the days of steam vessels. We walk along Hamborgveien and cross over Raskebekken (Quick or fast stream). This stream carried a lot of refuse into the fjord in days gone by. Continuing along Storgata we pass many of the town’s offices, shops and places of business.
At the first junction we turn to the left, at the corner where Butcher Abrahamsen had his shop (44). Watch out for the bull! We walk down Carlsebakken and we are back at the aquarium and the Tourist Information Office (1).

Emma historic trail

Do you want to learn about Norway's great pioneer Emma Hjorth (1858-1921) and the history of the area that bears the same name? Visit www.emmaloypa.no and be taken back in time.

Zoom in on the map and click on the records, either at home from the sofa or actively at Emma Hjorth in Bærum. The content can be read or heard and you get access to, among other things, pictures, films and articles.
Emmaløypa is a free map solution developed by the Regional Activity Center.

The Pilgrim’s Route 6 Olavsgaard-Arteig Vestre

Olavsgård – Arteid vestre ca 17 km

At Olavsgård and Hellerudsletta we are in the area where Olav Haraldsson, who later became Olav the Holy, defeated Raumen in the battle of Nitjar in 1021.

You walk past Skedsmo medieval church, where there is a copy of the original statue of Olav that stood in the church in the Middle Ages. Furthermore, follow the historic road trip Farseggen to Leirsund and into Sørum municipality.

After a couple of kilometers long national road 259, when we have crossed the railway, we keep to the left and follow the field edge up to Frogner church. The beautiful old church is from the Middle Ages and has contained one of Akershus' two famous runic inscriptions. Continue further down to Frogner where there are shops and nice Kafe Mat og Glede. Continue north and follow east into Lindebergveien, then turn right into Revestien and through the forest. At Vilbergfjellet is Olavsgangen, a natural formation that will be a trace of the keel of St. Olav's boat, this could sail both on land and on water. Out of the forest we follow the edge of the land up to Arteid Farm.

Accommodation

Arteid Vestre –  close to the Pilegrimpath

E-post:  dag@arteid.no

Tlf:+47 922 30 044

Adr: Arteidvegen 214, 2040 Kløfta

Open: May to September  

 

Semsvannet lake – walk

Since 1992, the Semsvannet lake and surrounding landscape has had the status of a protected landscape area. This is due to the animal and plant life, history and geology of the area. Prior to the year 2000, Semsvannet was also voted place of the millennium by the citizens of Asker. The walk around the lake is approx.  5.5 km. Here, you can walk, run or cycle. Semsvannet is also good for fishing, and there are also several great bathing spots.

Around the water you can see several well-preserved smallholdings, with pastures for farm animals and restaurants. Asker’s highest waterfall can also be seen on the walk around the lake.

NaKuHel is a gateway for recreational routes.

Sourse: Asker Turlag