Oslomarka
The city of Oslo is uniquely surrounded by forest (marka), hills and the fjord. Oslo boasts an exceptional nature experience within 30 minutes of the city centre by subway. In the winter there are more than 2600 km well prepared and marked cross-country ski trails runs deep in to the forest. 124 km of these trails are floodlit until 11 p.m. every day. Winter cabins serve hot chocolate and homemade pastries, adding to a truly Norwegian cross-country activity. In the summer season there are about 200 km tracks for hiking and biking. Fishing in many of the small lakes or go by canoe are also popular activities. The routes are mostly well marked, but it is recommended to use a map for longer routes. It is possible to go for serveral days and sleep in many of the charmy huts.
Maps, information about huts and routes are available at DNT Oslo & Omegn. See below for routes for cross-country skiing, hiking and cyckling.
Starting points
From these stations is it possible to start directly for a tour in marka:
Sognsvann. Take subway nr. 3 to Sognsvann.
Frognerseteren. Take subway nr. 1 to Frognerseteren.
Voksenkollen. Take subway nr. 1 to Voksenkollen.
Stryken. Train from central station, takes about 45 min. Skullerud. Take subway nr. 3 to Skullerud.
Cabins
There are several staffed cabins in marka. It is possible for an overnight stay inclusive dinner and breakfast. During the day they serve fresh backeries and drinks. PS: The huts are normally closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The cabins:
Kikutstua, Kobberhaugshytta, Løvlia, Vangen
There are also many unstaffed cabins. Enjoy a stay in a small, cosy timber hut middle in the forest. These are accessible for members of the Norwegian Touring Mountain Ass. (DNT). The accommodation has to be booked in advance online or by contacting the association: www.dntoslo.no
Map
Nordmarka Turkart Sommer/Vinter (1:50'000)
Østmarka Turkart Sommer/Vinter (1:50'000)
Online: www.inatur.no
=> Maps are also available in the sports- and book stores.
Tips for summer- activities and routes
Canoe
Oslomarka is an adventure with canoe with small lakes and rivers. It is possible to rent canoe if you stay in these huts: Kikutstua, Vangen and Katnosdammen (DNT).
Cycling
There are hundreds of tracks for cycling in Oslomarka. See routes below. At Voksenkollen subway staion is it possible to rent mountain bikes: www.skiservice.no
Camping
It is possible to set up tent any where in Oslomarka (except around Sognsvann, in natural reservates and by lakes for drinkwater). And it has to be min. 150 from a house.
PS! Between 15.04 to 15.09 is it not allowed to make fire.
Route 1: Sognsvann – Ullevålseter – Sognsvann
Transport: Subway (Nr. 3) from the city centre to Sognsvann st.
Distance: 11 km. For biking and hiking
Nice roundtrip (with good swimming possibilities in Sognsvann).
There are tracks on both sides of the lake, Sognsvannet. You could f. ex. walk at one side at the way to Ullevålseter and return at the other side. Outside the main tracks there are smaller blue marked paths in the forest. Possibility for a meal at Ullevålseter (closed Monday).
Route 2: Sognsvann–Ullevålseter-Skjærsjøen–Hammeren
Transport: Subway (Nr. 3) to Sognsvann.
Return: Bus nr. 51 from Hammeren in Maridalen to Brekke Krysset st, change to bus nr. 54 back to downtown.
Distance : 9 km.
For biking and hiking
Hilly terrain where the rout finish next to the idyllic lake, Maridalsvannet (drinking water).
Follow the main track or the blue-marked path to Ullevålseter. From there it is about ½ km to the dam, Skjærsjødammen (drinking water). Continue along the river, Skjærsjøelva, down to Kirkeby - Hammeren. Spectacular view over Maridalsvannet. Possible to walk to the end of the lake and take the bus from there.
Route 3: Frognerseteren–Skjennungstua–Frognerseteren
Transport: Subway (nr. 1) to Frognerseteren station.
Distance : 9 km. For biking and hiking
Nice roundtrip where you can enjoy a break in the cosy restaurant, Skjennungstua. It is known for delicious homemade cakes and sandwiches.
From Frognerseteren, the track starts next to the subway station to the tower of Tryvann. Continue down to the lake, Tryvannet. Follow the signs to Skjennungstua (closed Mond/Thuesd). The cabin is situated on a hill with a spectacular view over the forest.
Route 4: Frognerseteren – Ullevålseter – Sognsvann
Distance : ~15 km. For biking and hiking
Route in hilly landscape with spectacular view. The same starting point as route 3, but right before you arrive to Skjennungstua continue at the track to Ullevålseter. Possibility for a meal (closed Monday). At the end of the route you pass the lake, Sognsvannet, (nice swimming possibilities). The Sognsvannet subwaystation is situated close to the lake.
Route 5: Sørkedalen – Kikutstua – Sørkedalen
Transport: Subway, Østerås (nr. 2) to Røa station. Change to bus nr. 41 direction ”Voksen skog” to Stubberud station.
Distance : ~20 km. For biking and hiking
Nice route which can be combined with a cano tour at Bjørnsjøen (Kikut has canoes for hiring).
From the busstation, follow the street stright forward – first road right. The track direction Kikut starts at the first crossing. The first part is going uphills to Finnerud (staffed during weekends). The route continues in soft landscape to Kikutstua. This is a nice place for accomodation (closed Monday/Thuesday).
Take the same route back to Sørkedalen.
Route 6: Stryken – Sandungen – Kikut – Ullevålseter – Sognsvann
Transport: Train from central station to Stryken station. (There are separate bike wagons in the train on Sundays, only in the summer season. Buy tickets in advance.)
Distance : ~35 km. Duration: Daytrip. For biking
This biketour leads through ”the heart” of Marka from lake to lake. The route starts at the other side of the bridge close to Stryken station. At the first crossing take to the left direction Sandungen. Then follow the signs to Kikut. Possibility for a meal/accomodation and to rent canoe (closed Monday/Thuesday). Continue to Ullevålseter (staffed, closed Monday) and carry on to Sognsvann. Return with subway from Sognsvann station or bike to the city centre.
Tips for cross-country routes
It is possible to rent cross-country skis at Voksenkollen subway station, www.skiservice.no. Trails starts right behind.
Route 1: Sognsvann - Ullevålseter - Sognsvann
Trasnport: Subway (Nr. 3) from downtown to Sognsvann station.
Distance: ~ 11 km Floodlit ski trail: Yes
Nice roundtrip with possibility for a break at Ullevålseter restaurant.
There are tracks on both sides of the lake, Sognsvannet. You could f. ex. go on one side at the way up to Ullevålseter and return at the other side (the whole route back is not with floodlit).
Route 2: Frognerseteren–Skjennungstua–Frognerseteren
Transport: Subway (1) from Majorstua to Frognerseteren station
Distance : ~12 km Floodlit ski trail : Only to Tryvann
Nice roundtrip where you can enjoy a break in the cosy restaurant, Skjennungstua. It is known for delicious homemade cakes and sandwiches.
The trail starts from the other side of the subway station. Follow the signs to Tryvann and further to Skjennungstua. The restaurant is situated on a hill with nice view over the forest. Closed at Mon/Tue. The same way back.
Route 3: Frognerseteren – Ullevålseter – Sognsvann
Transport: Subway (1) from Majorstua to Frognerseteren station.
Return: Subway (3) from Sognsvann to the city centre.
Distance: ~15 km Floodlit ski trail : To Tryvann and from Ullevålseter to Sognsvann.
This is a tour with diversity with good views along the way. The same starting point as route 2, but from Skjennungstua continue to Ullevålseter. Ullevålseter serves basic meals. Closed Mondays. The last part goes down to Sognsvann station.
Route 4: Voksenkollen – Kobberhaugshytta - Sognsvann
Transport: Subway (1) from Majorstua to Voksenkollen station.
Return: Subway from Sognsvann back to the city centre
Distance: ~ 17 km Floodlit ski trail : Between Ullevålseter and Sognsvann
The trail starts right behind the skirental hut. Follow signs to Tryvann and Kobberhaugshytta. The hut serves simple meals and offers accommodation (booking in advance). Open during winter from Wed-Sun.
For return follow direction Lørenseter and Ullevålseter. From Ullevålseter continue to the east down, to the lake Skjærsjøoen and follow the river downwards about 2 km. Take the trail to the right to Sognsvann station.
Route 5: Frognerseteren – Kikutstua – Bjørnholt – Sognsvann
Transport: Subway (1) to Frognerseteren. Return: Subway (3) from Sognsvann.
Distance : ~ 26 km Floodlit ski trail : From Ullevålseter to Sognsvann.
Nice route with some of the pearls in Marka .
The trail starts right beside the station. Follow the signs to Tryvann and further to Kobberhaugen and Kikut (ca. 11 km). Possibility for a break at Kobberhaugshytta, open Wed-Sun.
Kikut is nicely located at the end of the lake, Bjørnsjøen. They offer acommodation and have a restaurant, open during winter Wed-Sun. Return: Cross Bjørnsjøen south to the end of the lake. After some hundred meters you will come to the idyllic farm, Bjørnholt. Follow south-east to Rottungen . Go south to Skjersjøen and continue to Ullevålseter and Sognsvann.
Route 6: Stryken – Hakkloa – Kikut – Ullevålseter -Sognsvann
Transport: Train from central station to Stryken station (about 50 min.) Return: Subway (3) from Sognsvann to city centre.
Distance : ~ 25 km Floodlit ski trail : Ullevålseter- Sognsvann. This route will show you many nice parts from Marka.
From the station go over the bridge and follow the trail in the southbound direction Fiskeløysåsen /Bjørneputten /Stålmyra . Quite steep upwards in the beginning. After 4 km there is a cross, take to the south direction Måsjøen . Continue along the lake, Hakkloa . Possibilty for a break at Kikutstua, open Wed-Sun. From Kikut go south along the lake direction Ullevålseter. From here is it 5 km to Sognsvann station.
