Hiking in Oslo – 7 hiking trails and long-distance trails from Nordmarka to the Oslofjord

Oslo is both a municipality and a county, but the real hiking resource is Oslomarka: Nordmarka, Østmarka, Lillomarka and Sørkedalen. There are over 2,500 kilometers of blue-marked trails and more than 50 DNT cabins and cottages. Many starting points can be reached by subway, bus or local train.

This makes Oslo unusually accessible for multi-day hiking. You can go hut-to-hut without a car, but you have to plan according to booking location, opening hours, weather and transport back to the city. Marka is forest and lowland, not high mountains. Roots, bogs, mud, mosquitoes and humidity often affect more than altitude and cold.

Always check the current trail status and stage description on UT.no , at DNT Oslo og Omegn and in the Ski Association's Markaguide .

1. Nordmarka på langs – Oslo's most important long walk

Nordmarka på langs is the main topic of the article: about 40 kilometers, usually planned over about five days. A possible plan goes via Movatn, the forests around Bjørnsjøen and Kikutstua, ending at Sognsvann or Frognerseteren. The exact division of stages varies, so follow the current description on UT.no.

• Nature and surface: spruce forest, pine forest, lakes, bog and blue marked trails. Parts are on forest roads, others on narrower trails with roots and wet sections.
• Stages: plan your days around Movatn, the area at Bjørnsjøen, Kikutstua and the end point Sognsvann or Frognerseteren. Allow for wet trails and many elevation changes.
• Elevation and level: no official mountain profile, but the hike is hilly and the total climb is noticeable with a backpack. Moderate difficulty for experienced hikers.
• Accommodation: Kikutstua is a central hub, and Kobberhaughytta is a serviced cabin with catering, while other options may be unserviced and require advance booking.
• Transport: Movatn is reached by local train. Sognsvann and Frognerseteren have public transport. Check the timetable and last connection before you lock the stages.
• Check: booking, opening hours, water sources, current trail diversions and weather. Don't count on a free spot without confirmation.

This is a good first long-distance hike in Norway as you are rarely far from settlements or transport. At the same time, fatigue is still a safety issue. A map, compass, GPS and offline map are needed even on marked trails.

2. Kjerkeberget – Oslo's highest point as a forest tour

Kjerkeberget, also written Kirkeberget, is located on the border between Oslo and Lunner municipality and is stated to be about 631 meters above sea level. More precise measurements state about 630.8 meters. It is the highest point in Oslo, but not a mountain peak in the usual sense.

• Trail: take the peak as a detour along Nordmarka or plan a trip from the northern parts of Nordmarka towards Kikut.
• Nature and surface: dense forest, path, exposed mountains and wet areas. Visibility is not constantly clear.
• Elevation and level: Moderate to intermediate forest hike depending on starting point. The biggest challenge is the distance and navigation, not the technical climbing.
• Season: Late spring to fall is easiest. Snow and ice make the trail slower in winter.
• Transport: plan as a scheduled trip with connections via Movatn, Kikut or Sognsvann. Check current bus and train times.

See the altitude as a goal in a longer forest hike, not as a guarantee of mountain views.

3. Østmarka – three days between DNT cabins

DNT Oslo og Omegn's suggested tour for Østmarka includes cabin-to-cabin options over about three days. A practical plan could start from Skullerud or Bysetermåsan and head towards Øvresaga and Bøvelstad.

• Nature: lakes, pine forests, bogs and older cultural environments at former homesteads.
• Stages: start from Skullerud or Bysetermåsan, continue towards Øvresaga and then Bøvelstad. DNT also indicates longer variants from Skullerud.
• Terrain and elevation gain: blue marked trail, forest road and hilly terrain. Expect moderate daily climbs rather than long flat sections.
• Level: medium difficulty. Suitable for hikers who can handle several hours of packing but are not necessarily experienced in the mountains.
• Accommodation: Øvresaga and Bøvelstad are unserviced DNT cabins. They require advance booking and a DNT key.
• Transport: Skullerud can be reached by subway. Bysetermåsan requires separate transportation planning. Check connections and walking distance from the stop.

Dogs, bathers and weekend hikers make the area lively. Keep your dog under control and leave room for others at the cabins.

4. Lillomarka – Movatn, Lilloseter and Steinbruvannet

Lillomarka shows how quickly you can leave urban areas behind. A linear tour can go from Movatn via Lilloseter and Steinbruvannet to Grorud.

• Trail and stages: start at Movatn, follow the path and forest road towards Lilloseter, continue south towards Steinbruvannet and finish towards Grorud.
• Nature: gently rolling forest, marsh, bathing lakes and historic roads.
• Surface and level: mainly easy to medium-difficult forest roads and trails. The total distance is often around 15–20 kilometers depending on the route chosen and the loop at Steinbruvannet.
• Experience level: suitable for beginners who want to try longer distances with a light pack.
• Transport: Movatn has local train connections and Grorud subway. Check current traffic.
• Check: Lilloseter's serving and opening hours, water sources and if you choose the full tour around Steinbruvannet.

Roots and rain make the trail slower than the map distance suggests. Bring water and a packed lunch even if you hope to buy something along the way.

5. Sognsvann–Tryvann and Vettakollen – day trip with a view

For a shorter trip using public transport all the way, Sognsvann, Tryvann and Vettakollen are hard to beat.

• Trail: choose a tour from Sognsvann towards Ullevålseter and beyond, or start at Frognerseteren/Tryvann. Vettakollen offers views of Oslo and the Oslofjord.
• Nature and surface: forest path, gravel road, roots and shorter steep sections.
• Elevation and level: easy to medium, but the climb to the viewpoints is felt in the legs.
• Season: spring to fall. Ice and snow require spikes or other adaptations.
• Transport: Sognsvann and Frognerseteren can be reached by subway. Check the line and departures before starting.
• Check: weekend crowds, weather and whether you choose a round trip or linear stage.

This is a good choice when you want to test shoes, backpack or navigation before a multi-day trip.

6. Maridalen and the road towards Kikut from Hammeren

From Hammeren in Maridalen you get a concrete example of how forest roads and paths are combined in Marka. The road towards Bjørnholt and Kikut can be used as a day trip or as a connection to a longer cabin plan.

• Nature: Maridalen's cultural landscape transitions into forest, lake and more secluded paths.
• Route: follow the forest road and blue marked path towards Bjørnholt and further towards Kikutstua. Adjust the turning point according to time and transport.
• Surface and level: gravel road at the beginning, then path and hilly forest. Medium difficulty for the longer version.
• Season: spring to autumn; marsh and rain can make some sections slippery.
• Transport: bus to Hammeren and onward from selected end point. Check last connection.
• Check: water, current road status, hunting or forestry work and if you are going all the way to Kikut.

Mark the route offline. Coverage may vary despite proximity to Oslo.

7. Oslo Islands and Bygdøy – coastal outdoor life without wilderness

Hovedøya, Gressholmen, Nakholmen and Langøyene can be reached by ferry from Rådhuskaia. Bygdøy offers forest and cultural landscapes with coastal paths.

• Trail: choose a marked trail on an island or combine forest and coastal trails on Bygdøy.
• Nature and surface: rocks, grass, beach, forest and park environment. It is coastal outdoor life, not wilderness.
• Elevation and level: easy to moderate hiking, but slippery rocks and uneven ground require good shoes.
• Season and transportation: spring to autumn is easiest. Check ferry timetable, season and last departure.
• Rules: The islands and Bygdøy may have their own rules for camping, fires, dogs and nature reserves. Follow signs and information from the municipality.

Bring a packed lunch and water. Don't expect service to be there when you need it.

Allemannsretten in Oslo – accessible but not limitless

Norwegian public right of way distinguishes between outland and inland . Forests, marshes, beaches and other nature are normally outland. Farmyards, gardens, cultivated land, parks and organized facilities, on the other hand, are considered inland.

In the open countryside, you are generally allowed to camp or sleep in a hammock for a maximum of two days in the same place and at least 150 meters from inhabited houses and cabins. Longer stays normally require permission from the landowner. Camping in the countryside, near buildings or in special tent areas may require a permit or follow local regulations.

Fire bans apply in or near forests and other open areas between April 15 and September 15. Local fire bans may be stricter. An enclosed fire pit is safer, but even that must be used with discretion.

Dogs must be kept on a leash during the national period 1 April–20 August. Oslo and other municipalities may have extended or area-specific leash laws. Motorized traffic in open areas is not included in the right of public access. The right of public access means that you must show consideration, not disturb, not damage nature and take all waste with you.

Compared to Denmark, the Norwegian right to stay in the wilderness is more generous. It is similar to the Swedish and Finnish right of access in the principle of free movement, but the rules and local restrictions differ. In Marka, there are also many private cabins and forest roads. Keep your distance from cabins, do not walk in the way of work and avoid the most popular places when it is crowded. The Marka border, the border that protects Marka from development, is an important part of why the area still feels cohesive.

Equipment for Oslomarka

You don't need to pack like you would for a high mountain, but moisture and cold ground are noticeable. A sleeping pad that is too thin will quickly lead to poor recovery. The sleeping system must withstand cold, damp nights even when the days are mild.

See HikingStore's tents , backpacks , sleeping pads and sleeping bags . For packing, use our summer hiking packing list . When choosing down and temperature margin, also read Bird down in sleeping bags . CUIN says something about the loft of the down, but the fill weight and the entire sleeping bag construction determine the warmth.

Also bring an offline map, compass, GPS or phone with a spare battery, a headlamp, first aid kit, mosquito repellent, tick control, rain gear and enough water. The best equipment is the one that works when the trail is wet, the cabin is full and the weather is changing.

The next county in the series is Vestfold .