Nature Archives

Daytrip from Oslo to Magnor Glassverk and The Plus

Day trip from Oslo to Finnskogen!

Finnskogen is a magical and green continuous forest area that stretches along both sides of the national border between Solør in Norway and Värmland in Sweden. The areas are named after the Finnish immigrants, so-called forest Finns, who traveled from Finland to Sweden in the 1570s and ebbed away in the 1630s. The core area for the Norwegian "Finn culture" is in the Solør villages. The immigration came predominantly from the Savolax area in Finland.

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Daytrip from Oslo to Magnor Glassverk and The Plus

Welcome to Magnor!

Magnor Glassverk
is one of Norway's most famous glassworks. The glass factory has existed for over 120 years, and you can still experience glass being blown by hand. Here you can find works by a variety of designers and artisans, experience concerts, visit the factory outlet and blow your own glass.

The Plus by BIG Bjarke Ingels Group
The Plus was designed by BIG Bjarke Ingels Group in Copenhagen for Vestre as. The Plus has taken its form as a natural transfer from logistics to architecture. The four production areas – Color Factory, Wood Factory, Assembly and Warehouse – are placed around a common center point which forms the very heart of the building. The geometry provides an open and efficient work flow, while all four factory wings are in direct contact with the forest. At the heart of the building is the visitor center which provides 360 degree insight into the entire production. It creates a democratic meeting place for employees and visitors that provides maximum transparency.

Daytrip from Oslo to Våler and three uniqe churches

The unique Vålerkirkene – a nice day trip from Oslo!

Våler municipality is only 2 hours and 15 minutes drive north-east of Oslo (173 km) and here you can experience 1000 years of Norwegian church history and three innovative and architecturally unique church buildings in one day. Take the E6 towards Trondheim and drive to Elverum. From Elverum, head south on RV2 towards Våler.
Read about summer open churches in Våler here

Risberget church hall
The church hall has a local builder and the building was consecrated in 1863.The only one of its kind in Norway that is still in use. The building resembles a regular two-storey house except for the roof rider and the bell house. The church hall itself is located on the 2nd floor and has 60 seats.
Read more about Risberget church hall at Kirken i Våler's webpage here

Gravberget church
The architect here is Magnus Poulsson and the church building was consecrated in 1955. The church is shaped like a spruce tree and is a kind of modern stave church.
The beautiful church is given as a gift from Borregaard to the people of Gravberget. In its time described by the American magazine LIFE as one of the world's 10 most distinctive church buildings in the world.
Read more about Gravberget Church at Kirken i Våler's website here

Våler church
The architect is Espen Surnevik and the building was consecrated in 2015.
The winning draft in Norway's second largest architectural competition. The old church burned to the ground after an arson attack in 2009. This unique building has won the following awards:
• Construction of the Year in 2015
• Innlandets Trepris in 2016
• International award for best religious building in 2016
• The Government's building practice award in 2016
Read more about Våler Church on the Church in Våler's website here

Maria Church Minnelund – 1000 years in 2022
Beautifully, down by the banks of the Glomma was the original church which was built as a stave church in 1022. By royal rescript in 1804, permission was given to demolish the old church and erect a new one in a new place. Today you can see Olavspila, a wooden sculpture that will illustrate the legend that tells that there was disagreement about where the church should be built and that Olav the Holy solve the matter by shooting out an arrow and declared that where it fell down the church should be built. The arrow fell into a "vaal", ie a stump field with twig mounds close to the bank of the Glomma. Hence the church got its name (in everyday speech Vaalakirkja) – and hence the name Våler.
Read more about Minnelunden at Kirken i Våler's website here

Maybe you want to stay a while and experience more in the Elverum region?
Then we can recommend two nice places to stay:
Thon Partner Hotel Central
Thon Partner Hotel Elgstua

And two nice museums to visit:
Anno Norsk skogmuseum
Anno Glomdalsmuseum

Daytrip from Oslo to Toten and west side of lake Mjøsa – Summer

A wonderful day trip from Oslo for those who enjoy a leisurely and calm heart rhythm

Only 125 kilometers north of Oslo, on the west side of Mjøsa lies the Totenbygdene like a beautiful patchwork along Norway's largest lake. Drive the E6 to Minnesund and turn off towards Gjøvik. The trip along Mjøsa through the cultural landscape of Totenvika is worth the trip in itself.
Feel free to stop at Evjua Strandpark in Totenvika for a good meal at the restaurant Viken II, which is located a little outside Mjøsa.

On Kapp in Østre Toten you can visit an artistic pearl of a place, namely the Peder Balke-centre
In the listed building from the 18th century, Peder Balke decorated the banquet hall with 12 wall paintings in 1834 and the hall is the very heart of the art centre. In addition to the murals, you can experience changing exhibitions of contemporary art in the summer months as well as an information center about Peder Balke. The Peder Balke Center has a pleasant café where you can eat a tasty lunch, drink good coffee and a delicious cake. The interior shop, the 4 seasons, is located next door and has a wide selection of local goods such as flowers and vegetables as well as beautiful interiors for your own home or as a gift.

In recent years, interest in Balke's work has steadily increased, first with the exhibition Peder Balke – Vision and Revolution at the Nordnorsk Art Museum in 2014. This exhibition was a collaboration with the National Gallery, which culminated in the exhibition Peder Balke in London (in the period November 2014–April 2015). In April 2017, the exhibition Peder Balke – Painter of Northern Light opened at The Metropolitan in New York.Read more about Peder Balke and the art center here

Sculptural stop: Allium
Remember to take a stroll over the tractor road to the sculpture Allium (or the onion as the locals call it) by Sverre Wyller. The beautiful sculpture is conceived as a classic still life in the rich cultural landscape at Toten. Seen from a distance, it also works like this, with Mjøsa in the background. Allium is placed as a portal over the original main axis into the garden. The sculpture is positioned diagonally across the road – to not only be a portal – but also an independent form in the landscape. This is just one of several beautiful art installations nearby.
Read more about the others here

Close by:
Mjøsa's Ark – Mjøsa's own museum
Only a couple of kilometers from the Peder Balke center is Mjøsa Ark, one of the Mjøs museums. Mjøsa's sheet tells about life in and around Norway's largest lake, Mjøsa. Here you will find 500 square meters of historical treasures from the Stone Age and the Viking age, and up to how we use Mjøsa today, and how we look after our drinking water source.

Fjorn
Fjorn is located right next to Mjøs Ark, which serves delicious dishes with a panoramic view of Mjøsa.

DS Skibladner
Skibladner docks right outside Mjøsas Ark on Wednesdays and Fridays. Read more about timetables and booking information at Skibladner here

Overnight?
We understand if you want to stay another night. Here we have some good tips for places to spend the night:
Grøna Skysstasjon på Totenåsen
Quality Hotel Strand, Gjøvik
Clarion Collection Hotel Grand, Gjøvik

Daytrip from Oslo to Elverum

Day trip from Oslo to the museum town Elverum

Only 143 kilometers and under 2 hours' drive from Oslo is Elverum. Here you can experience the charm of small-town life in the centre, swim in Glomma, play disc golf in historic surroundings and visit two fantastic museums as well as learn more about the historic days when the King said no to German surrender in 1940. Would you rather leave the car and take the train, and/or bus? Check times and book tickets at Vy or Nor•Way

Here are some ideas what you can experience in Elverum:
The Glomdal Museum (Anno Glomdalsmuseet)
The Glomdal Museum is Norway's 3rd largest folk museum after Maihaugen in Lillehammer and the Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo. The Glomdal Museum is a cultural history museum with 92 houses from Solør and Østerdalen that show you how people lived from the 17th century to 1940. The museum has several permanent exhibitions that are worth seeing, here are two of them:
The exhibition "The Old Doctor" which deals with medical history in the period from about 1850 to 1950 in a broad and contemporary presentation.
The exhibition "Latjo Drom" which shows the culture and history of the Romani people/Tatars in Norway.
A temporary exhibition is "The King's No", an exhibition about the historical events that took place over three days in April 1940 when Elverum and Hedmark became the scene of decisive events.In the beautiful outdoor area, you can meet farm animals in the summer season and enjoy an ice cream from the mini cafe in Lømostua. Inside, the museum has a large and nice museum shop and a pleasant café where you can get good food, freshly brewed coffee, and sweet temptations.
Read more about Anno Glomdalsmuseet here

The Norwegian Forest Museum
Located in scenic surroundings by Glomma and is one of the largest museums in Norway. The museum has a national responsibility for the outdoor industries of hunting, trapping, fishing, forestry, horticulture, and the forest industry and has an exciting offer for the whole family. At the museum you can experience many exciting exhibitions, both permanent and temporary. You can go on your own or get a tour from the museum's skilled mediators.The museum has a wonderful outdoor area with a play area that offers development and activity. On Prestøya you will find a large collection of historic cabins and forest huts. Here you can also visit Barna's fishing pond and look at old traps and fishing devices.

The Forest Museum has several great exhibitions. One of them is "The Wonderful Tree", a beautiful and innovative exhibition about photosynthesis and the life of the tree. The trees' magical ability to transform air into sugar is explained here in a new and exciting way. In the middle of the exhibition stands a 7.5-meter-high sculpture – the fantastic tree itself. The museum has several events during the year and one of them is the Nordic Hunting and Fishing Days, which has over 30,000 visitors. The museum has a great museum shop and a pleasant café that offers good food, freshly brewed coffee, and freshly baked cakes.
Read more about Anno Norwegian Forest Museum here

Christiansfjeld Fortress
A nature area close to the city center with historical significance and traces of old military activity. The beautiful hill has remains of the fortress walls and is today an open-air area with a great frisbee golf course.
Read more about Christiansfjeld Fortress here

There are several good eateries in Elverum, find your favourite here
Would you like to stay another day? We understand that very well. Here are suggestions for places to stay
Thon Partner Hotel Central
Thon Partner Hotel Elgstua

Daytrip from Oslo to Kongsvinger

Kongsvinger has for several centuries been a natural stop for Norwegian-Swedish kings between the capitals Oslo and Stockholm. Today, the train stops here several times during the day, and just over an hour from Oslo you find yourself in Kongsvinger.

When you visit Kongsvinger, the fortress and Øvrebyen are a place you just have to take with you! Do you love great views? Are you interested in military history? Or do you enjoy yourself most while strolling through the charming narrow streets, visiting small galleries or drinking coffee in a café with a distinctive character? Here you will find Norway's only Women's Museum and you can learn more about the city's history and the painter Erik Werenskiold's life in his hometown Kongsvinger.

Today you can combine a visit to the fortress with an overnight stay in adventurous surroundings at Festningen Hotel & Resort. There you can enjoy a spectacular view of Kongsvinger town and Glomma – surrounded by beautiful nature.

Welcome to one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved wooden buildings in Øvrebyen!

Destination Mjøsli

Perfect Location

Mjøsli Cabins and Nature Park offers a unique combination of natural beauty and modern comfort. Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Oslo Airport Gardermoen and about one hour from Oslo city center, it’s the ideal getaway for both domestic and international visitors.

A Family-Friendly Activity Paradise

Mjøsli is the perfect destination for families. The nature park features a wide range of activities for both kids and adults. Children can challenge themselves in the climbing jungle, explore forest trails, or play freely on large, grassy areas. The park is designed for safe, fun outdoor experiences all year round, with a football field, volleyball court, playgrounds, and a disc golf course.

Quality Cabins with Panoramic Views

The cabins at Mjøsli are built to a high standard with warm, Scandinavian design. Enjoy modern comfort and fully equipped kitchens. Many of the cabins also come with a private hot tub — perfect for relaxing under the stars. The views over the serene lake and surrounding Norwegian forest are truly breathtaking and create memories that last a lifetime.

Experience the beauty of nature without compromising on quality.

Welcome to Mjøsli!

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Hiking to Nipkollen in Nannestad

The tower on Hasleråsen is a destination many people know, and there are many routes up to the top that have a lookout tower and a gap hut.

One of the routes is around 5 km and then it starts from the car park at the old nursery on Dal, at the end of Haslervegen. Follow the dirt road for a short distance until you come to an intersection, if you like hilly terrain, take the shortest, but more difficult, road up to Svinåsen. The other road is a dirt road, and then with uphills.

When you reach the top of Svinåsen, you have a long way to go, 900 meters with slightly more demanding terrain. At the top you can sign in the book and go up to the top of the tower,

Hasleråsen is a hill on the border between Eidsvoll and Ullensaker. The highest point is 348 meters above sea level and is located in Eidsvoll municipality. Åsen's southern part is in Ullensaker municipality, and here is also the highest point in the municipality, 313 m above sea level.

Nilsstua Alpaca Garden

Welcome to Nilsstua farm in Hurdal.

Here you can take part in alpaca walking and buy unique products and yarns from our own alpacas.

At the farm you will meet Ola Bjerke and Maiken Tømta. A cohabiting couple who at the turn of the year 2018, together with 3 dogs, took over Ola's family farm where the production of roughage was the operation of the farm. At Nilsstua, production of hay is still taking place, but ever since Maiken and Ola took over in 2018, they have wanted to expand – and in 2019 the first alpacas moved in. They have become part of the family at Nilsstua. Alvin and the gang are calm and very special animals with a lot of personality that brings joy and positive energy into everyday life on the farm.

Much of the reason why the choice fell on alpacas was fiber production – a luxurious fiber that is spun into yarn, in addition to their calm nature. The farm focuses on breeding animals with good fiber quality and with full control of the entire process so that the animals have the best possible. Now, on the other hand, it is desired that more people get to experience how beautiful the alpacas are and get to know them better up close. Here you can take part in alpaca walking and buy unique products and yarns from our own alpacas. You will find us 1 hour north of Oslo.

Alvin and the gang on the farm are looking forward to meeting you – Welcome!

Horseback riding at Basnes trail rides

Inspired by cowgirls, cowboys, horses and western culture in the US. We started up with trail riding and western experiences in the southeast part of Norway. We live on a small farm on a peninsula surrounded by beautiful nature and the lake Mjermen. Our trail- rides goes along the lake and in the forest.

At Basnes Trail Rides you can have a great horseback adventure and be cowboy for a day. You can come alone, with friends or in bigger groups.

Welcome!