Offisiell reiseguide for området rundt Oslo
Hvamodden, Nesøya – Great sandy beach. BLUE FLAG
Hvamodden is a great little sandy beach at the very edge of Nesøya in Asker. It has large grassy area with play equipment and sandpit for the children, benches and tables. Rugged beakers with the possibility of fishing at the extreme.
Access: Drive to Nesøya, Follow Vestre vei to number 100. 24 hour paid parking every day by the beach.
Good information sign, all drafts are marked with necessary information/maps. Players are challenged by different terrain and obstacles, and it is a popular leisure activity for people of all ages where it is completely free to use the many courses
Frisbeegolf is a fun outdoor activity that combines the elements of golf and throwing a frisbee. BUA Asker has a large selection of frisbees that can be borrowed!
Have fun with friends and family!
Route Description
This stage is characterized primarily by dense forest and a few small hamlets. From Magnor, the first 5 km follow a separate and safe bike path along County Road 202. The final kilometers toward Lake Harstadsjøen are on a car-free gravel road. There are several nice picnic spots along the western side of the lake. From Gåsvika to Rømsjøen, traffic is light. Grocery stores are available in Magnor, Skotterud, Setskog, and Tørnby, just north of Rømsjøen. There's also a 3 km detour from Rømsjøen to Rømskog Hotel Spa & Resort.
Challenges
On the western side of Lake Stangnessjøen, Route 9 follows a gravel road ("Vektervegen") that in places narrows to a wide trail. The last few kilometers before reaching Harstadsjøen are on loose gravel. From Harstadsjøen to Gulltjenn, there is a climb of nearly 100 meters over three kilometers. A similar ascent awaits from Rømsjøen up Vortungsveien toward Lake Vortungen and the unique Rømskog Hotel & Spa Resort. Traffic between Harstadsjøen and Lake Setten is noticeable, including some heavy vehicles like timber trucks. This road section is also somewhat winding and has limited visibility. This stage is suitable only for experienced adult cyclists.
Rømskog
Here you'll find a Joker grocery store and a gas station. Rømskog is a small, peaceful village with about 700 inhabitants. It used to be the center of its own municipality and is now part of Aurskog-Høland in Akershus. Nestled deep within the forest and surrounded by over 100 lakes, the area features varied terrain with forested hills, including Slavasshøgda (formerly the highest peak in Østfold). For those seeking spectacular views, there’s a unique wooden fire lookout tower on Haukenesfjellet—within walking distance from Rømskog Unike Hotel—offering expansive views across forest and water, even reaching Gaustatoppen on clear days.
Rømskog Hotel Spa & Resort
The unique Rømskog Hotel Spa & Resort is built on stilts in Lake Vortungen, offering panoramic water views directly from the guest rooms. Facilities include a saltwater pool, cold plunge pool, steam and traditional saunas, and an outdoor hot tub right at the water’s edge—perfect for tired cycling muscles.
Distance: 64 km
Difficulty: Medium
Region/Area: Eidskog, Innlandet, Aurskog-Høland
Time: Approx. 4 hours
Surface: Mostly asphalt
Recommended bike: Hybrid
Traffic: Generally low
Start & Finish: Magnor / Vortungen, Rømskog
Signage: Yes, as part of National Cycle Route 9
Information from Visit Greater Oslo
Fritznerstranda is a great bathing area with a sandy beach, rocky cliffs, jetty and swimming raft. Located right next to the Oslofjord Museum, where you can buy ice cream, and the pier where the fast ferry arrives to Vollen. Large green areas adjacent to the beach where you can play bocce, Frisbee golf and borrow a paddle boat and canoe from Selvikvillaen during opening hours. Consists of fine sandy beach, toilets, re-use library, a pier and a grassy area.
FlyTribe – An Experience of Height, Speed, and Community
Welcome to FlyTribe, Norway’s ultimate indoor adventure center – and home to the country’s largest wind tunnel. Just a stone’s throw from Oslo Airport and a short trip from the capital, you’ll find a place where the dream of flying becomes reality. Here, you can experience the sensation of free fall – without jumping from an airplane – in a modern center that combines action, technology, and social connection.
Experience True Flight – Without Leaving the Ground
Our wind tunnel is 4.3 meters in diameter, with five-meter-high glass walls and wind speeds reaching up to 300 km/h. It provides a stable and safe flying experience for both beginners and seasoned flyers. From children as young as five to adult adrenaline seekers – everyone can experience the incredible sensation of floating freely in the air.
With full visibility into the flight chamber, spectators are treated to a spectacular show that is as visually impressive as it is thrilling.
Climb, Fly, and Play – An Active World to Explore
FlyTribe isn’t just about flying – it’s about mastery and movement. In addition to the wind tunnel, we offer an interactive climbing wall that combines physical challenge with play and technology. Here, both kids and adults can compete against themselves or each other in a safe and fun environment, regardless of experience level.
Come, fly and create memories that lift you.
Member of Visit Greater Oslo
The hotels around Gardermoen are a good starting point for bicycling in Nannestad. The destination for today's trip is Lake Bjertnessjøen, which is located in Romeriksåsen. This is a large hiking area that is used in the summer- and wintertimes and is excellent for bicycling. The area south of the airport is a ravine valley and not suitable for bicycling. For that reason, there will be a bicycle distance on Nannestadveien with some traffic, but it quickly turns to dirt roads along Engervegen. Further on, you will pass Nannestad church before the gravel road continues through Låkedalen. It is nice to see river Leira flowing by. Farms, fields and meadows dominate the landscape.
From the cross at Rustadsaga you will notice a rise into the forest. Sheep and cows are a common sight in the roadway – this is their home range. Although there is a bit of a climb here, it increases gradually and the gravel road is great to bicycle on.
When you arrive at Bjertnessjøen it is quiet, calm and idyllic. Several benches make it easy to find a pleasant place to take a break. Remember to pack a lunch – it is not possible to buy any food along the way. Note that Bjertnessjøen is a source of potable water and therefore is it prohibited to swim here.
The hiking trail continues around the water and there is a nice view of the Romeriks landscape. The trip is moderately demanding with its altitude, and it is good to have some bicycling experience on gravel and in traffic as it is 2-3 km on a busy road.
Fact box
Start/end point: Hotels around Oslo Airport Gardermoen
Distance: 43 km
Time: approx. 4 hours round trip
Total number of altitude meters: approx. 500
Surface: 60% gravel, 40% asphalt
Rating: Medium
Bicycle type: Hybrid bicycle suitable for gravel and electric bicycle
Safety: Mostly minor roads with little traffic, but a few km with more traffic must be expected
Season: April – October (may vary depending on snow conditions)
Reservation
This route was last tested in August 2022. Changes and deviations may occur in service offers, road standards, traffic volumes and traffic patterns.
Link to digital map and navigation:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40678117
Easy bicycle tour on the country road around Kløfta – past the golf course, church, warehouse, fields and meadow.
Tour description
The hotel Lily Country Club is surrounded by the Miklagard golf course just outside the center of Kløfta. From this point there are good opportunities for bicycling trips in the local area.
You will cross highway E16 by the underpass and after a short time you come to Ullensaker church, which is beautifully situated on a hill with a view of the surrounding area. The bicycle route follows Wergelandsveien on low-traffic asphalt roads.
Those who want another alternative can bicycle “Den Wingerske Kongeveg” on the north side of the church. It eventually turns into a narrow path – which is bicycle able but watch out for walkers. The path is rough, but after a couple of kilometres it enters the asphalt road again.
The area is characterized by agriculture with farms and fields on all sides. The route runs in open countryside and is slightly hilly. There are no major challenges along the road but be careful where the route meets Trondheimsveien to the south. You cross an occasionally busy road. The pedestrian- and bicycle path takes you further in the direction to Kløfta, with shopping center and pleasant cafes.
You cross the train line with its own underpass, and it goes through residential area back to the hotel.
Fact box
Start/end point: Lily Country Club Hotel, Kløfta
Distance: 16 km
Time: approx. 1 hour round trip
Total number of altitude meters: approx. 160
Surface: 95% asphalt, 5% gravel
Rating: Easy
Bicycle type: All bicycles
Safety: Mostly low-traffic minor roads and pedestrian- and bicycle paths
Season: April – October
Reservation
This route was last testet in July 2022. Changes and deviations may occur in service offerings, road standards, traffic volumes and traffic patterns
Link to digital map and navigation: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40276397
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.
Recommended stages
Below you will find daily stage proposals with descriptions.
• National cycle route no.9 day 1: Elverum-Gravberget Gård
• National cycle route no.9 day 2: Gravberget Gård – Finnskogtoppen
• National cycle route no.9 day 3: Finnskogtoppen – Magnor
• National cycle route no.9 day 4: Magnor – Rømskog
• National cycle route no.9 day 5: Rømskog-Ørje
• National cycle route no.9 day 6: Ørje-Halden
• 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
Professional arenas with good ice condition:
Check the opening hours as some times are reserved for organized matches as well as preperation of the field. The fields have good light until about 10 pm. Skating rings open to the public (supplier own info in Norwegian);
Bærum Idrettspark, Hauger Skolevei 36, Rud in Bærum. Audience time before Christmas: Monday-Friday: 14-16 and Sunday: 11.30-14
Risenga Kunstisbane, Brages vei 6, Asker. Open to the public every day but closed for prepping every day at 8-10, plus weekdays at 16-17
Føyka, Kirkeveien 221, Asker Sentrum. The course is new in 2021 and is operated by Asker Ski Club. Open ice rink from 10-22 and prepping if needed.
Natural skating rings
Ice is laid here when there is enough frost and you will arenas at the local schools. Check the updates from the municipalities
Skating rinks in Bærum – there are up to 33 nature rinks in Bærum, and a new track on Kadettangen with a winter toilet.
Ice rinks in Asker – there are a number of nature rinks on the sports fields at local schools in the municipality
Asker also has several beautiful lakes where it is nice to go ice skating where Dikemark and several of the old ice ponds are popular places.
You would need to bring your own skates and we recommend to bring warm socks, something warm to sit on and to drink.