Kategori: Tour suggestions

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

 

Håøya – The Pearl of the Oslo Fjord

Håøya – The Pearl of the Oslo Fjord

Right next to the fortress island Oscarsborg lies Håøya, with boat connections from Oslo and Drøbak in the summer and on weekends in spring and autumn. This is one of the Oslo Fjord's coziest islands with idyllic swimming coves, great hiking trails, designated boat spots, the café Håøya Naturverksted with its goats, and nice camping spots. A varied and idyllic island gem to visit both for a day trip or an overnight stay. Håøya boasts a very rich biodiversity, with over 550 plant species.

The southern part of the island is classified as a nature reserve with valuable old-growth forest and nesting sea eagles. On Håøya, you'll also find one of the Oslo Fjord's coziest cafés serving famous cinnamon buns made with goat milk – and during the summer season, the goats are milked every day at 2:00 PM, and children are invited to watch.

Tour facts:

How to get there: B21 and B22 to Håøya.

Hike length: There are several coastal trails on Håøya.

Local tip: Visit Håøya Naturverksted and try their cinnamon buns!

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.

Coastal path Tofte to Rodtangen

This tour is referred to as the Oslo Fjord's finest and most pristine coastal stretch. Along the trail you will find a number of beautiful swimming and fishing spots as well as historic burial sites from the Stone Age. The trail runs mostly near the water's edge with formidable views.

The trip starts at Sagene boat harbor in Tofte. Take time to look at Roald Amundsen's polar ship M / S Maud, which he had built for his second expedition to the Arctic. She is now stored in the Sagene harbor. Then follow the path along the water until you reach Østnestangen. Here you can take a detour to the left to the lighthouse on Østnestangen. Or take the path to the right towards Sandbukta and Rødtangen.

Østnestangen and Sandbukta are parts of a nature reserve with varied geology, flora and wildlife. Rare red-listed species such as Mistletoe grow here and you can walk in deciduous forests.

The beaches are like pearls on a string with Sandbukta and Ertsvika as the finest, surrounded by clear-cut boulders. The path on to Knatvoldstranda is quite hilly and a bit challenging. When it's time for ice cream and refreshments, it can be bought from the kiosk at Knatvoldstranda camping and cabin rental during opening hours.

Solfjellåsene and Haraldsfjellet nature reserve have large deposits of yew and calcareous vegetation with rich and rare flora. Take a detour to Haraldstangen and enjoy the fantastic view before following the Coastal Path further.

Rødtangen – a favorite summer place

In 1857, a pharmacist and a lawyer rowed the long way from Drammen to Rødtangen to swim in clean seawater. This was the start of a stream of bathers to Hurum who from the 1870s arrived with the scheduled boats from Oslo and Drammen.

Rødtangen was an important unloading station for Drammensfjorden and the lighthouse has probably been there since the 18th century. Today you can see the fog bell on Nebba and hear «Olea tell about life on Rødtangen and the fog bell». Scan QR code on site.

Rødtangen is a favorite summer place, with a few permanent residents. Here is also a campsite and a shallow beach perfect for families with small children.

The area is rich in cultural monuments. Two dolmen tombs from the Stone Age and well-preserved burial mounds from the Bronze Age are among the most important finds. Both the dolmen graves and the burial mounds were built to be visible from the fjord. Signs along the path provide good information about the cultural monuments.

The trip is hilly and occasionally in quite steep terrain, but suitable for most people, but remember to pack a packed lunch and plenty of drinks. One way, the trip is 7 km and takes about 3 hours. Many people go one way and take the bus or taxi back. If you want a longer trip, you can continue to idyllic Holmsbu where you can round off the day with a great meal in the center and spend the night at Badehotellet.

Access:

Parking at Tofte. Parking at the bottom of Sagene valley or parks by the marina. For timetables and bus times, see Ruter.no

Hike Holmen to Sætre

From Holmen, via Slemmestad to Sætre and Sandspollen bay

The coastal path from Holmen is easily accessible by bus. Feel free to stop by Holmen Fjordhotell, which is beautifully located down by the water with a jetty, beach and restaurant. After just over a kilometre, Hvalstrand Bad is like a gem by the fjord. This bathing facility dates back to 1934 and both the diving tower and the restaurant building are in typical functionalist style. The hiking trail continues around Leangbukta past Thon Hotel Vettre and through Løkenesskogen Nature Reserve on paths and eventually on cozy small roads out to Konglungen. Strandsitterhuset is the oldest house on Konglungen. The building was moved here from Oust in Bærum and the family who lived here made their living from the sea. Today the house is a museum and here you can enter and see how the family lived. Over the headland, the hiking trail goes down to Spirebukta and further past Løkenes Gård. Kråka Pub is located on a farm and has an open Friday pub. Here is also the Wettre Brewery. Just after Blakstad Hospital, the outlet of the Asker River is crossed. There has been salt production here and the first time salt from Asker was documented is in the 1300s. Salt was important for preserving food before the time of refrigerators. Salt was also a means of payment and was used to pay taxes. The village of Vollen is idyllically located right down by the fjord. There are several nice eateries, a nice beach, kayak rental and the Oslofjord Museum is located here.

The trip continues to Elnestangen. Here it is possible to spend the night in the DNT cabin Driver's Residence. Elnestangen nature reserve is a great outdoor area with lots of paths and benches. The next stop is Sjøstrand; from the late 1800s to the mid-1920s, the Sjøstrand area was an important storage and export place for natural ice. Today it is a popular beach. The last stretch towards Slemmestad goes on a hilly path through the forest. One of the chimneys and the four largest silos remain as memories from the cement period – the others have been demolished to renew Slemmestad. Slemmestad is a central location for the Oslo field with rich deposits of fossils and a wide range of rocks from the earth's primeval and ancient times. At the library there is an organic café and Trilobox with fossils, rocks and minerals. If you want to explore fossils more, Fossildalen and the area around Slemmestad stadium can be recommended. There is a scheduled boat to Aker Brygge from the pier. At Odden is the porter's house (the residents here were the concierge and caretaker of the director's residence) and the cave (just for decoration – a water pipe was led here to create the illusion of a water source).

The path further is hilly, both up and down over Slemmestadåsen, and can be experienced as somewhat demanding. There is a nice view of Nærsnes and picnic benches along the way. The trail goes down to Grundvig. To avoid private land down towards Grundvikveien we must follow the upper road. Go back a little and up the "hut road" at Hiken. You will come up to an old ice dam rich of bird life from around 1860 at Morberg. Continue through the forest, or the path along Sundbyveien down onto Grundvikveien towards Graffstrandsa. Continue following the coastal path to Nærsnes. In several places there are signs that tell about ice ponds and how ice was exported at the end of the 1800s. Propsen is a nice little beach and at Nærsnes you can stroll on the cozy small roads. To avoid the main road, the coastal path goes through residential areas and up through the forest – take in the Flådda viewpoint along the way.

At Ramton camping there is accommodation, swimming area, golf and mini golf, jetty, rocks and kiosk in the summer. Høvikvollen is the next cozy recreational area and beach. The trail continues past Fagertun bathing area to Båtstø – this is a nice little place with a marina, swimming area and white houses. There are cozy small roads on gravel and asphalt, and at Tittutåsen there is a nice viewpoint with a bench. At Åros, the coastal path goes over the hill through Ivers vei to avoid the busy Hurumveien. Skogsborg recreation area has large grassy areas, beach and kayak rental. Here it was a holiday home for industrial workers in Slemmestad. The walk continues towards Beston bathing place. From there, it is not far to Sætre – here you will find a city beach, several restaurants and a bus terminal.

The round trip along Sandspollen starts on a pedestrian and cycle path out of Sætre and continues on a small road across Engene. This was the location of the Engene dynamite factory from 1876 to 1976. The production of nitroglycerin gave the workers headaches, which eventually passed. Throughout the holiday, it was not uncommon for them to put a bit of nitroglycerin in their hat brim to avoid getting used to it again after the holiday. The old factory is not accessible to the public. Continue on small roads past farmyards, Kongsdelene church and several small lakes. Where Verpenveien turns into a path, it becomes more hilly. The coastal path around Sandspollen passes many nice bathing spots, viewpoints and is at times very hilly – especially around Kinnartangen. It passes historic sites – such as Nesset Battery and Færgestad. The fjord has been essensial through times to unite the two sides and the brave ferry woman Jacobine was rowing the priest, the doctor and school children better than any man across the fjord in all weather – rain or storm. Here is information about the underwater wall that was built in 1879 to block boat traffic and ensure that boats on their way into the fjord had to pass in front of Oscarsborg Fortress's cannons. The wall is 1500 meters long, and is also called the Jeté.

The trip returns back to Sætre the same way or extend your stay at Wærpen holiday homes to enjoy the area more days.

To get her by bus: Bus to Holmen and Sætre. Check schedule at www.entur.no 

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

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

Mjøstråkk part of the route Hurdal-Minnesund

Cycling around Mjøsa lets you experience the beautiful cultural landscape up close, with rolling fields and green hills. Along the way, you’ll pass many well-known and hidden attractions that are worth a stop. Mjøstråkk is so much more than just a bike ride!

One of the segments on the western side of Mjøsa is the stage from Hurdal to Minnesund

This route can be summed up as straight up – and straight down! From Hurdalsjøen, the road climbs steadily for four kilometers up Minneåsvegen, through the forest to Tisjøen. After a short distance, you descend toward Mjøsa in a similarly long hill. Be aware that this hill has several sharp turns – so it’s important to control your speed. Good brakes are essential! Once you reach Byrudsvegen, it’s just two flat kilometers to Minnesund.

Since this stage is fairly short, some may want to take a detour from Tisjøen up to Mistberget, 663 meters above sea level. This is the second-highest peak in Eidsvoll municipality. Near the summit, there’s a firetower you can climb for a fantastic view over the Romerike region. The detour to Mistberget is 3.8 km one way – all uphill.

Once you've made it down all the hills, you’re just a few hundred meters from the Emerald Mines – a perfect place to stop for coffee and a snack – and maybe even hunt for one of the world’s rarest gemstones.

On the way down to Minnesund, near the bridges, you’ll also find Mjøssamlingene – where you can learn about the history of life and boats on Mjøsa.

To get down to Eidsvoll Station, you can take the shortest route, 11 km, on the west side of the Vorma river, via Trondheimsveien and Eidsvollsveien on National Cycle Route 7. If you prefer a longer and more hilly route (Fv177), 14 km, on the east side of Vorma, you’ll mostly avoid traffic noise from the E6 highway.

Historical detour to Eidsvoll Manor

On your way to Eidsvoll Manor, you can stop by Loftet Farm Shop – previously named one of the best in Norway. And if you still have some energy left, consider visiting Eidsvoll 1814, where you can learn more about the history that shaped Norwegian democracy. You can also stop by Eidsvoll Bygdetun, the local heritage museum, on your way to Eidsvoll 1814.

If you're still up for more activity, you can also visit Interpadel or the indoor climbing park Høyt Under Taket in Letohallen.

If you need a good night’s sleep before continuing your journey and want to explore more of what Eidsvoll has to offer, spend the night at Best Western Leto Arena, so you’re rested and ready for the next stage.

More information can be found on Mjøstråkk’s official website, which contains everything you need – including maps https://en.visitostnorge.no/mjostrakk  

This site contains all the information you need to plan an exciting cycling adventure along Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake.

We have divided Mjøstråkk into 7 legs, and have described the route in the anti-clockwise direction with Minnesund / Eidsvoll as starting point. It is of course up to you where you choose to start, which direction you opt for, and whether you cycle the entire route or just pick parts of this stunning Mjøsa experience.  

A detailed map can be purchased for NOK 150 at tourist offices around Mjøsa and at some hotels. The map includes route info, elevation profiles, tips on accommodation, dining, and attractions along the route.

GPS data for the entire route can be downloaded here:

– Download Mjøstråkk as a .GPX file

Transportation

If you’d like to combine your bike trip with a ride on Skibladner, the white swan of Mjøsa, you can bring your bike on board. Due to limited space, it's best to book in advance. Send an email to skibladner@skibladner.no.

If you're arriving in the Mjøsa region by train, you can also bring your bike on board. For example, you can start cycling from Eidsvoll Station and head north from there.

In our region, the Dovre Line runs from Oslo S to Eidsvoll, Hamar, Brumunddal, and Lillehammer. There are limited bike spaces on the trains, so remember to reserve in advance! Call VY at 815 00 888 or check their website.

Welcome – and have a great trip!

Information from Visit Greater Oslo

 

The Strawberry peak in Lommedalen – hiking tour

Experience the beautiful scenery around Oslo – we guide you to places where you have the feeling of being totally "alone".  Scenic trip to to the "Strawberry peak" north in Lommedalen where you´ll experience the most beautiful view of the Lommedalen and out through the Oslo Fjord. We make bonfires and enjoy light food and something hot to drink during the cold season.

Approximately 2 hours walk from the By bus stop in Lommedalen. 2 km hilly road, and about 2 km steady climb to the top of the trail. A total of about 6 hours of hiking.

Meetingplace at By in Lommedalen. Access by own car / transport (good parking facilities) or by bus from Oslo, which takes about 1 hour from the center of Oslo.

 

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Birdwatching and lavvo dinner in the fairy tale forest

Game-watching in the fairytale forest and dinner and bonfire at Hannes

Welcome by Hanne at Rønningen farm. We are met by Hanne who tells a little about the history of the place and the people. Each is given a baguette and a bottle of water that we take with us on the trip out into the woods. The walk lasts about 4 hours, and may be adapted to a better fit for the group. Discover untouched nature in historical surroundings, only 25 minutes from Oslo.

We move out into Hornimarka and the fairytale forest. The first stop is at Persbråten, an old farmhouse. We walk along Urdselva up Urdsdalen. The river originates from the lake Svartvann, which is located a few km further up in the valley. There are several exciting waterfalls to see along the way, these are extra beautiful after a lot of rainfall. There is a rich fauna in this area, moose and deer live here … Dwarf woodpeckers, wasps and peregrine falcons are rare birds that live in the area, and if we are lucky, we can spot these, … we recommend to have the camera at hand. Old forest, narrow valleys and steep mountain slopes are also something that meets us along the way.

Some distance up in the valley we come to several places with an exciting history. We take a detour up to Risfjellkastet, where there are tombs (piles) from the Bronze Age. From the cairns we go northeast to Risfjellet's steep descent, from here there is a magnificent view of Kolsås, Sandvika and the fjord. After a break here, we return down to the farm.

Back on the farm, the farm girl Hanne will guide you into the dining room where a wonderful meal awaits us. Bonfire talk, nice company and summary of the trip. Dinner is served n in the lavvo, in the barn or in Jaktslottet.

Practical info:

The trip is in rough terrain so shoes with a rough sole are important. Physically demanding trip. Bring a small backpack.

Other easier tour suggestions:

Tour 2. Skuibakken storytelling with hiking to the farm (approx. 2 hours) Easy trip

Tour 3. History story, burial mounds, ancient road m.m. bird safari, fairytale forest, and nature photography (approx. 3 hours)

Tour 4. Nature photo – Listening trip in the forest / bird watching (approx. 3 hours)

Access to / from Oslo in the same way as upon arrival; by minibus, taxi or regular bus to Skui and 2 km walk to the farm

 

Member of Visit Greater Oslo