Kategori: Tour suggestions

Hiking to Vardasen

The path from Gullhella is signed with blue path marks. It enters the western part of the hill, named Haugeråsen after the farm below.

At the top of Vardåsen there is some forest and a DNT hut Wentzelhytta as well as a wooden "lavvo" for sleep over or a break. From the top, follow a clear path northeast (currently unmarked) to Jutemyr. From there, follow the red-marked ski trail to the starting point. Other possibilities are walking through the residential areas to a bus stop or to Bondivann st.

Tip: You can explore Vardåsen more by following the paths paths at Vardetjern and Pilgrim Trail on the hillside in the west.

Practical information.
Access by train or car to Gullhella station

By car / bike: Parking space at the end of Gullhellaveien and at Trettesty 36
Easy walk of about 4.9 km. It takes about 1h 15 min each way to walk.
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING IN THE VARDÅSEN:
The ridge has large rocky mountains to the west where mountain climbers romp. It is nice to soak up the spring sun with warm granite in the back and wide views.

The wall consists of three large slopes with a height of between 100-150 meters. The climb takes place on traditional moldings and scratches with good friction. The stone quality is very compact and is very suitable for wedge climbing. The Vardåsen climbing field is widely used for course activity, as the cliff is idyllically located in the afternoon sun and the difficulty of the routes has the main weight in the 4-5's.

Hiking to Kolsåstoppen

Kolsåstoppen is a well-known profile of residents in Asker and Bærum. Between the peaks lies an idyllic small lake "Seterstjern". Once you have arrived at the top you are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view over Oslo, Bærum and Oslo Fjord. Parts of Kolsåstoppen located within Kolsåstoppen nature reserve is part of the Dælivannet conservation area. Dælivannet was a popular spot for painters and some paintings from this area are hanging in the National Museum. Near to the lake there is an area with old rock carvings of boats

There are two different routes to the south peak of Kolsås where the view is spectacular. Enjoy!

Tour 1 – from Stein Gård

From Stein Gård there is a blue-marked path and the sign for Setertjern. The path goes a little south of Knabberud farm and follows a steep slope to the south, before some ascent up to Setertjern. From there it is signposted further south to Søndre Kolsås. Here the view must be enjoyed a bit, before you follow the blue markings further down from the top. The upper part here is steep, but is partly arranged with stairs and railings. The path takes you down to a gravel road where you walk north past the KIFhytta, here you have the opportunity to make use of benches and seating and just enjoy the beautiful view. Continue on the east side of the summit back to Stein Gård.

Tour tip: From Setertjern, we recommend taking the trip to Gråmagan, an approx. 300 m detour. Here you can see remains of an old village castle from the migration period.

The trail is approximately 6.8 km long, moderately difficult to complete with some steep sections. About 2 hours of walking each way.

Practical info: You can take public transport: Bus 150 to Stein Gård. By car: Parking at Stein Gård, on the north side of rv168 or at Kolsåsbakken.

Tour 2 – from Hauger subway station (line 3 Kolsås)

The route is shorter and family friendly. From Hauger station, you follow the road up the hill before you come to a wide footpath that turns into a path further in. The walk is well marked, follow the signs. Some scrambling for a short stretch and some steep sections towards the end – it's well worth it. Railings and steps are set up in certain sections.

The trip takes about 25-30 minutes at a fast pace or 45 minutes at a family-friendly pace each way.

Up for a longer hike (1,5 hours) this is great tour to combine going over Kolsåstoppen via Nordre Topp and down to Stein Gård or down to Bærums Verk for a refreshment/meal at one of the local restaurants and cafés. 

Remember to pack sufficient water and a snack.

 

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

The Pilgrim’s Route 7 Arteig Vestre – Risebru

Arteid vestre – Risebru 30 km

From Arteid you enter Ullensaker municipality, towards Kløfta, through Miklagard golf and up to Ullensaker church. The church site dates back to the Middle Ages, when the church was dedicated to, among others. and Saint Olav. Today's church is designed by Arnstein Arneberg and carries elements of the churches that have stood here before.

Turn right right after the church. The trail now runs in a varied cultural landscape, along the road and through forests to Jessheim center. The trail goes through Storgata. Here there are shops and cafes.

After the city center, the trail goes down Gropaveien, where pilgrims and other travelers have left their mark, the road has been eroded three meters into the terrain of traffic for many hundreds of years.

Raknehaugen is Northern Europe's largest monument from the Iron Age, built up of earth, sand and 75,000 logs, monumental and beautifully situated by Ljøgottjern. This is a nice place for a break. From here, the trail goes around Nordbytjernet.

At Eldstad is a great part through the cultural landscape, before going in the direction of Risebru

The Pilgrim’s Route 2 Son-Ås

Son – Ås 23 km

Vestby Church (1886), a red-brick church in neo-Gothic style, is an excellent place to break your trip and take a rest. After Vestby the Pilgrim Way meanders through rolling fields on its way to Ås. Here the Way cuts through the grounds of the University of Life Sciences, past the Agriculture Museum and up to the church.

 

Accommodation:

Ås Guest House (c. 2.5 km from the Way, beside the University grounds), Sagaveien 38, 1430 Ås, tel.: +47 951 79 798

Holmsbu – Rodtangen hike

Coastal culture, charming bays, an artist paradise and Norway's oldest grave can be found here in beautiful Holmsbu.

Asker has a coastline that stretches from Lier around the Hurum Peninsula up to Holmen. The coastal culture here is linked to both international timber trade, fishing and hunting, leisure and recreation, ice export and more. The beautiful light reflected in the red Drammen granite at the far end of Hurumlandet attracted artists such as Henrik Sørensen to come and live here.

The area by Holmsbu-Rødtangen contains traces of coastal culture all the way back to the Stone Age. Some of Buskerud's oldest grave monuments are located on Rødtangen. Here we find the only preserved Stone Age dolmen (Stone Age tomb) in Norway.

The old farm Holtnes is located on the hill above Rødtangen and is an important part of this cultural environment. Rødtangen also has a number of old buildings that tell about the place's history as a customs place and later a holiday resort. In Holmsbu, the old settlement structure is preserved with many old buildings and small white houses and facilities that tell about the town's history as a charging station for the timber trade, fishing industry and later tourism.

There are good parking opportunities at Rødtangveien in a short distance to Dyssegrava. This is a good starting point for a walk along the coastal path.
 

Hammock camping trip in Frogn

In the forest, with a view over the water or on one of the Oslofjord's coziest islands – there are many nice places to spend the night in a hammock in Frogn and near Drøbak. 

Right next to the Oscarsborg fortress island is Håøya, with boat connections from Oslo and Drøbak on weekends from April, and daily in the summer. This is an excellent place to camp, with many nice tent pitches and places to hang the hammock.

Frognmarka also offers nice places to spend the night in nature, here the areas around Øvredammen and Oppegårdtjernet are particularly nice. There are also several places along the coast where you can hang your hammock, a favorite is Kjeppestad bay between Skiphelle and Hvitsten. There are many trees near the water here!

Find two tree trunks along one of the coastal paths in Frogn and spend the night with a first-class view where the Oslofjord is at its narrowest.

 

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Hike Son to Drøbak

 

Welcome to a newly developed audio guide – experience the history of some of Drøbak's sights and events along the coastal path from Drøbak to Son. This audio guide is a supplement to the other hike descriptions along the coastal path.

Listen to the audio guide in your language of choice, Norwegian, English or Spanish:

We would like to point out that the audio guide is a newly developed service from the start-up company Camina City, and that this is the first test version. We thank you for your interest in the service and hope you enjoy your tour.

 

To geth here. Check entur.no or ruter.no :

Bus: Bus to Drøbak.  Train: Train from Sonsveien and local bus to Kleiva (Son).

Boat: Route boat B21/B22 from March – October from Aker Brygge – Son. stops in Son and Drøbak.

CLICK ON OUR INTERACTIVE MAP BELOW TO SEE THE WHOLE ROUTE AND POINTS OF INTEREST:

Coastal Art Galleries

Join us for an adventure on 2 or 4 wheels. The car tourist's favorite along the Oslo Fjord allows you to discover local coastal pearls.

Ship building and export

The paper industry and the export of wood and ice were important industries that secured jobs locally and from here came a lot of "refrigeration" in big cities such as Paris and London until the 60s. Traces from this time are experienced at the ice ponds at Ramton, the lighthouse at Filtvet and the cellulose factory at Tofte.

In Vollen was the shipyard where Amundsen's polar ship MS Maud was built, and the Oslo Fjord Museum in Vollen conveys the coastal history of the Oslo Fjord. In Tofte, MS Maud is stored in the harbor and can be viewed all year round. After 80 years in the ice in the Arctic, the boat was raised and released over two summers and then towed back to Norway. The Jan Wangaard and Tandberg family develops the area and on some days you can view a small exhibition with things that were saved from the boat and the plane "Kristine" in the hangar. Amundsen was also a pioneer in aviation.

The gallery tour and local art!

Artists have lived in our community for a long time. At Hvalstad you will find the «artist valley», established by Tilda and Arne Garborg in connection with Asker Museum where there are historic buildings, baroque garden and café. In Holmsbu, the "Holmsbum painters" have left their mark led by Henrik Sørensen.

Holmsbu together with Filtvet Lighthouse are the peninsula's most famous landmarks. Generations before us have defined Holmsbu as their favorite summer place. Today, the city is a vibrant gem with white charming small houses, restaurants with history, charm and good entertainment and several galleries and museums that preserve the history of the Holmsbum painters. Guided tours are held in the church by appointment or on set days in summer.

From here you have great hiking opportunities towards Verket or beyond towards Rødtangen and on to Tofte through distinctive nature, nature reserves with rich wildlife and plant life. Did you know that this is one of the few places where Mistletoe (protected) grows freely in Norway. Maybe you see a seal or sea eagle along your journey.

There is also today an extensive artist community locally and many nationally renowned artists have their work in the municipality. Several galleries are open to the public all year round, such as Trafo in Asker, Det gule huset on Holmen and Galleri Kalk in Slemmestad. 

In addition, local galleries around the entire peninsula are open during the summer. Exhibitions vary from classical expression to modern contemporary art. You will find the greatest density of artists in Vollen, Slemmestad and Holmsbu, but do not miss the galleries along the way as well.

From farm to fork

From the farms and producers in the area, food is delivered to Michelin restaurants in Norway and abroad. These products are also available to you, whether you visit the local delicatessen in Vollen, Tofte or Holmsbu, or choose to stop by one of the local farm outlets. We show the way with the link to the Taste Map. Here you will find beautiful apple juice (with tailor-made labels for special occasions), organic vegetables at Bergsmyrene and edible flowers at Fiori, homemade chops, sausage and roast at Hurum Hjort and locally produced beer at Wettre Brewery to name a few of the most famous local flavors. Maybe a gift idea for the hobby chef at home?

Relaxed holidays and weekends

Leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life and feel the calm that spreads like a warm blanket when the view and light are taken inwards. Combine the trip with a sauna visit by the forest lake to Grønsand Gård and grilling of sausages over the fire pan by the pub. It is rented out by appointment. If you are looking for more life, the saunas in Vollen and Holmsbu are nice "urban" alternatives with good friends, and the road is short to a bite to eat at the local restaurants afterwards. Yes, the appetite is aroused by the sauna and sea bath.

A home away from home can be found at both Villa Utsikten, Wærpen Gård and Holmsbu Badehotell where the hosts ensure good well-being and service. Welcome to a relaxing hotel stay with the beautiful coastal path and the sea right outside the door.

At the southern tip of Asker you have several campsites; Knatvoldstranda and Solbergstøa while Rampton Camping is located by Nærsnes. In Asker north you stay well at Holmen Fjordhotell and Spa, Quality Hotel Leangkollen, Thon Hotell Vettre or stay centrally at Scandic Asker in Asker Sentrum, with a short way to bars and restaurant life.

Hike to Eriksvannet

​​​​​​STARTING PLACE/ PARKING: By bus number 550, to the Brokkenhus bus stop. From here it is a 2.2 km walk to Sandbakken sports club. By car, park at the Sandbakken parking lot. From here it is about a 500 meter walk to Sandbakken Sports club.

TRIP DESCRIPTION: The tour starts at Sandbakken sports club. This is open for serving various homemade treats a few days a week. More information about the menu and opening hours can be found on their website.

Follow the road east from the yard. After about 400 meters, there is a blue-marked path sharply to the left.

The path goes past Griseputt, to the sign for Eriksvann. When you reach the water, follow the path that goes on the right side of the water. And then continue on the blue-marked path. The tour has some marshy areas, but there are boulders that you can step on.

At Nordre Svanefoss, you cross a bridge to the left. Here you can see the dam work carried out by beavers. The trail continues north and you will find markings towards Sandbakken. The last part of the hike goes over an open ridge down towards Fjøsmosen and Sandbakken.

The hike is in Østmarka National Park. It is important that you drive carefully in a way that takes into account the vegetation, wildlife and cultural monuments.

Have a nice hike!