Nature trails Archives

Knivsfjellet

WildOslo – rent a kayak or canoe

WildOslo rents equipment for a weekend or a day in nature. The lake Langen is located in the part of Oslomarka called Sørmarka.

Kayak rental Booking: https://wildoslo.com/nb/leie-kajakk-oslo/

Canoe rental WildOslo has two canoes at Langen Booking: https://wildoslo.com/nb/leie-kano-oslo/

Paddling on Langen is a bit like paddling on a wide and sleepy river. The length is approximately 9 kilometers long, so you are unlikely to paddle the whole way. You paddle past small islands, some farms, duck families and beaver huts most of the time you are paddling in wilderness.

You start in the north, at Bru near Siggerud. Langen is popular with fishermen, and you can find everything from perch to trout, bream and protected eel. There are many nice places to go ashore, as well as rough camping sites here and there. The stretch is approximately 9 kilometers long, with many opportunities to go ashore to swim or eat. Paddle oar, vest and a map of Langen are included.

Guided tours: We live here and know the best places. We offer guided tours. Being guided by us is like being shown around by a friend. Welcome to an exciting activity just outside Oslo!

By car; You drive in 21 minutes from Oslo S and we have free (private) parking. Or take the bus to Bru – it takes 31 minutes from Bjørvika. (Bus 550, change to bus 515 at Klemetsrud)

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Wilderness route – National biking route # 9

About National Cycle route no.9 from Elverum to Halden (355 km)
National Cycle Route No. 9 is known as the Wilderness Route and stretches from Trondheim to Halden (or the other way around). The cycle route passes through the easternmost parts of Innlandet, Akershus, and Østfold, often close to the Swedish border. The full route is around 800 km long. The route is not signposted north of Trysil.

Under we only present the southern section of Route no.9: Elverum–Halden.

The Wilderness Route offers a great nature experience suitable for experienced adult cyclists, possibly accompanied by cycling-savvy teenagers from 13–14 years old. True to its name, the route mainly passes through areas dominated by forests and lakes. If you want to experience silence and long stretches practically free of car traffic, then The Wilderness Route is for you!

Note! When it comes to the northern part of the route, there are no larger towns along the way, and the distances between grocery stores, dining options, and services can be quite long. Further south, the trail takes you through Ørje, and it’s only a short detour to shops and dining in Aremark. However, you should be well prepared for this route, with sufficient equipment and food/drinks. Also remember to bring an extra tube, a pump, and some tools for the journey.

Click here to read a presentation of the Wilderness Route

Practical details and info
Map
See the digital map and elevation profile in the RideWithGPS-app
See the digital map and elevation profile in the Komoot-app
See digital map and elevation profile on Google Maps (including accomodation)

Challenge level
Moderately demanding because of the longer daily stretches, but with many easy cycling sections along the way.

Place names along the route
• Start: Elverum train station | Target: Halden city centre
• Route: Elverum – Hernes – Sørskogbygda – Gravberget – Velta – Fallsjøen – Røgden – Svullrya – Varalden – Skjærvangen – Rømsjøen – Ørje – Strømsfoss – Aspern – Halden

Distances and elevation
• Distance: 355 km
• Total ascent: Approximately 4,000 meters of elevation gain, with 300 – 700 meters of elevation per day's stage. (There are few really steep slopes.)

Terrain
• About two-thirds asphalt
• One third dirt/gravel road. Somewhat varying substrate quality.

Car traffic
Varying, but generally little car traffic. Some traffic up to Ørje, less further on to Skotterud, further north there is less, long stretches are almost completely traffic-free.

Signage
• The route is signposted as a national cycle route and has burgundy-coloured signs with a cycle logo and the number 9.
• There are some deficiencies in the signage. Remember to dowload the GPX-file to your mobile or GPS-device and bring a map.

Recommended bike type
• Mountain bike with low studded tires, gravel bike, or hybrid bike with slightly wide tires, 40 – 45 mm.
• Shock absorbers are not required.

Charging and electric bikes
• Charging points are relatively far apart, and the Wilderness Route is less suitable for e-bikes, especially in the northern section.
• Simple measures to extend the range of an e-bike can be to ride with reduced battery assistance or to bring an extra battery.
• The bikes can be charged at the accommodations.
• In addition, there are charging point here:
– The Pluss, attraction in Magnor
– The tourist office in Ørje

Public transportThere is a train connection between Elverum and Hamar with connection to Oslo/ Gardermoen (check departures in advance), and trains from Halden.

Bike rental
The nearest bike rental is available in Hamar (the Tourist Office in Hamar) or Lillehammer (Hafjell). There is a train connection from Elverum to both Hamar and Lillehammer. There is also bicycle rental in Ørje if you choose to only cycle parts of the route.

Luggage transport
There is no luggage transport service along the Wilderness Route.

Tour description
If you cycle the Wilderness Route, you cycle close to nature the whole way. When you start in Trysil, the first half of the route leads through the Finnskogen forests. Here you cycle on wide dirt roads and you pass various lakes and ponds, waterways, large pine forests and a number of hills of 4-600 meters in height.

It is a vast and relatively untouched outdoor paradise, characterized by an absence of settlements. Here you can cycle long stretches without meeting anyone and the silence in these forests is striking. In this part of Finnskogen, there are a number of campfires, simple rest areas and gaping huts at several of the ponds along the route. On the hiking maps of Finnskogen, you will see that these places are marked.

The southern half of the Wilderness Route runs more through cultural landscapes and through a several hamlets and small towns. Here, the service facilities are also more frequent. In Ørje, for example, there are several eateries and frocery stores, as well as the only sports shop before reaching Halden.

From Ørje and further south, the route follows the Halden Canal, where you can see a number of cultural heritage sites and information boards from the time when the canal and boats were an important transport artery for both people and goods. Feel free to visit the locks at Ørje, Strømfoss (a very short detour), and Brekke (a 2 km detour). Today, the canal is mainly used for tourist traffic with several boats in operation.

• See the entire National cycle route no.9 from Elverum to Halden

For more information about sightseeing places, or other types of accomodation:

Day 1 – 3 Read more about Øst Norge
Day 4 – 5 Read more about Akershus
Day 5 – 6 Read more about Indre Østfold and the small towns Ørje and Strømsfoss that you pass
Day 7 Read more about Halden

Information from Visit Greater Oslo

Vanakleiva

Vanakleiva Parking at Hvalstjern swimming area.

The length of the trip is approx. 6.5 km. The trip starts at the parking lot. Follow the road further after the barrier and past the bathing area. Right after the guard cabin of Norwegian People's Aid Fetsund, there is a path on the right. Follow this path until you come to a crossroads. Then keep to the right (sign Hvalsetra) and follow the forest road a short distance. When the road and style divide, keep to the right on the path and follow it straight ahead at the next junction (here you are not going towards Hvalsetra which then goes to the right).
When the path ends in a new forest road, turn left about 150-200 m and you will see a path to the right. There is a small and slightly indistinct sign with Vanakleiva on it. Follow this path keep to the right. At the next junction, keep left and continue on this path to the next junction where you also turn left. Furthermore, you will come across a small cliff and eventually you will follow the path to the right, marked with a sign for Vanakleiva. Follow this path until you reach a blue mailbox at a vantage point, this is the destination. There are benches here, so that the packed lunch can be enjoyed with a nice view.
The return trip goes a bit on the same path as you came. At a small crossroads, follow the path to the right in the direction of Abbortjern. You walk along Abbortjern until you reach the end of the dam, continue the road straight ahead and at the first junction turn left. Just follow the marked path until you come to a tractor road. Turn left there and follow this road straight ahead to Hvalstjern badeblass.
This is a tour description from Ti på Topp Romerike.

More information about Ti på Topp can be found at https://www.tipatopp.no/

Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/jNoiLcmFpLRibrTz5

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.

Hjellåstårnet

The Hjellås Tower rewards you with a fantastic view, especially to the west and south. It is located on 238 m high Hjellsåsen, where one of two map measuring towers in Gaupesteinmarka could be climbed until the 1980s. Tårnlauget in Kråkstad Idrettslag has built a 12 meter high lookout tower that was officially opened on June 10, 2017. From Hjellsåstårnet there is a great view, and in good weather you see, among other things. Norefjell, Tryvannstårnet and large parts of Follo.

The starting point is the car park at Granerud Shooting Range in Kråkstad. Follow road signs to Plots from the roundabout at Ski shopping center, past Ski small airport over the large agricultural plains in Kråkstad. After 6.5 km from the Ski center, follow the side road Vientjernveien for just over 800 meters, also signposted Granerud Skytebane, to a large car park and with a barrier on.

Good hike!

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Oldtidsveien i Asker

Hektnerhøgåsen

Hektnerhøgåsen is a great hiking destination in Romerike. The tour starts at the football field at Espira kindergarten in Nautåsvegen.

Follow the toll road up about 300m. Here the blue trail starts on the left. Follow the path signposted Tristylen and Hektner høgåsen 2.3 km. The trip goes on blue-marked paths into Huldreheim. At the junctions, follow paths marked Hektnerhøgåsen. Check-in is downstairs at the Huldreheim cabin.

From the top, follow the blue path marked Huldreheim down to DNT's cabin Huldreheim by Ramstadsjøen. Here it is nice to have a rest and a bath.

At Huldreheim there used to be a "hunting castle", see the ruins and notice board with Huldreheim's history. Many famous cultural personalities from Kristiania fiffen have visited the place that Consul William Duborgh bought in 1893. During the war it was a holiday colony for children at Huldreheim.

From Huldreheim the path continues along Ramstadsjøen, here you follow the blue-marked path to Huldrekolonien (scout cabin) and then to Smedstad. Wide path from Huldrekolonien, follow signs to Svarttjern/Smedstad. After 2.3 km turn left on the path past Svarttjern and you will soon be down on the toll road again. Turn right down the toll road.

The trip is mostly on paths in varied forest terrain, some marshy and wet in between. There are several possibilities for alternative routes/tours.

Enjoy!

Seiersten Skanse and Veisvingbatteriet – Historical Natural Gem

High above the fjord northeast of Drøbak lies Seiersten Skanse and Veisvingbatteriet, part of the defense works established at the end of the 19th century. The fortification is surrounded by deciduous forest and is elevated above the terrain. A short walk through the forest from the fortification lies Veisvingbatteriet, boasting one of Drøbak's best views, both towards Oscarsborg and Håøya.

From the fortification, you can also choose to walk further into the trail network in Seierstenmarka and to the popular hiking destination Øvredammen.

The trail from the fortification to Øvredammen is accessible, so you can also go with a stroller!

Bring swimwear, Øvredammen is also a popular swimming spot.

Hiking facts:

How to get there: By car/bike to Follo Museum or by bus to Seiersten or Dyrløkke.

Hike length: 1.5 km

Local tip: Enjoy the view from the bench at Veisvingbatteriet, one of the Oslo Fjord's best viewpoints!

Hike Nesset to Hvervenbukta

There is a bus to Nesset, at the bottom of the Bunnefjord, and from there you follow the road and signs in the direction of Breivoll. Nesset was a lively and important hub in Follo from the end of the last century when the steamboats transported travellers from all over Follo to the capital. Breivoll Gård is a beautiful green area with a farm café, kayak rental, DNT accommodation and a popular hiking area with potholes and a sandy beach and a number of activities are arranged on weekends. The forest here alternates between rich deciduous forests, low-herb forests with lots of hazel and shrunken pine forests on the hills, and there are many important vegetation types as well as a rich wildlife.

Continue past the beach north to the right on the gravel road that takes you into the forest, past green pastures with horses and onto Strandveien past white-painted picket fences and cozy summer cottages. Old boathouses, boats and piers are close along the coastal path and there are nice places to take a break along the way and observe the rich bird life. Pass the marina along Kjæresveien before we slope steeply up to the right through the residential area and eventually come out onto Nebbaveien which is followed further.

Scheduled boat traffic on the fjord started in earnest in the 1860s, when steamships became more common and it took 1h15 minutes by boat from Oslo to Nesset at the bottom of the Bunnefjord. Nebba is one of the old steamship piers with nice benches. Follow the signs that now lead to the Sherpa stairs, which consist of 278 steps. This was done by hand with simple tools such as pickaxes, skewers, sledgehammers, hammers and chisels over the course of 18 working days and 300 tons of stone were used. The trip goes in steep terrain and is rewarded with a view of charming Sjødalstrand at the top.

The monks on Hovedøya ran salt extraction on Sjødalstrand and had a herb garden here. Wild herbaceous plants still grow wild here. Today, the place is characterized by the beautiful plum garden with local production of jams, chutneys and plum pies by hand according to traditional recipes.

The trip continues into the black forest towards Svartskog and eventually over into a paved road with dense spruce forest. Before embarking on the slopes down Roald Amundsen's road, you can continue straight ahead for about 100 meters and see if Svartskog kolonial is open on weekends. Homemade pastries and good coffee are served here.

The sculpture of Roald Amundsen with his dog stands majestically on the rocks with his gaze southwards, and to the right behind him is the entrance to Uranienborg. He is best known for leading the first expedition to arrive at the South Pole in the race with Scott. Here Roald Amundsen planned his expeditions and on the pier the polar ship FRAM was prepared before departure for the South Pole. His home is now a museum where guided tours are arranged in the summer and on weekends. The house was built in 1908 and stands exactly as he left it when he died in a plane crash in the Barents Sea while searching for his friend's expedition in 1928.

The trip continues through Amundsen's garden on a path and eventually onto Ingierstrandveien past beaches and older cabins. After Prosted, we turn off from the road and follow the marked path to the upper right – it can be a bit demanding and then follow the Line Path through the forest along the power line north to Ingierstrand.

Ingierstrand Bath is an icon in modern architectural history and was one of the two most important sea baths along the Oslo Fjord since its opening in 1934 and could have up to 120,000 visitors a season. Guests were transported by steamboat from the capital. Today it is a popular recreational area with diving towers, beach, rocks, grassy areas and beautiful pine trees in the hilly terrain.

You can continue the trip along the road to explore the popular beaches Sandbukta and Bestemorstranda – but we put the trip back up into the forest on the marked path to avoid the road. The path comes out on Ingierstrandveien again and we follow it to the junction and go down towards the sea over the river to Ljansbruket.

After rounding the promontory along the road to Hvervenbukta, follow Mastemyrveien under the E18 towards Kolbotn for return by bus or a stop at Quality Hotel Entry for a good meal or pleasant stay.

To get here:

Bus towards Drøbak. Stop: Nesset. Check entur.no or ruter.no