Being in the city doesn’t mean you can’t explore the outdoors and get closer to nature. There are a lot of possibilities for hiking in Oslo. Here, I share with you the best Oslo hiking trails with panoramic views, easy access, and the landscape you wouldn’t expect to find in this part of Norway.
Everyone knows that hiking in Norway is amazing. But how is it with hiking near Oslo? Well, there are a lot of Oslo hiking options to choose from. However, they are not always easily findable, especially for non-Norwegian-speaking foreigners.
After living and exploring Oslo for several years, I combined this list of the best trails for hiking around Oslo (and in Oslo), that are worth venturing out. The list is still growing, and I am adding more and more trails for hiking in Oslo as it goes.
After you find your best Oslo hotel and get friendly with the city, hit the trails and explore some of the best views in and around Oslo! If you are looking for cool day trips from Oslo or weekend trips, head to the linked post.TOP OSLO HIKING TRAILS
All the hiking trails in Norway are managed by the Norway Trekking Association (DNT). Through them, you can also rent many of the DNT cabins, which are dotted around the Norwegian landscape and make for a perfect hiking base or a stop. Also, while hiking in Oslo, you can visit several of these cabins. If you don’t want to stay overnight, you can just take a short stop and have some coffee and a waffle.
A great local site, for planning trips, is UT.no. You can find there many hiking trails, descriptions, and maps. Unfortunately, it’s only in Norwegian and can sometimes be hard to navigate.
Therefore, below, I chose for you some of the best Oslo hiking trails, that you can use. Most of them are easily accessible by public transport, which is the best part of Norway’s capital – Norwegian nature is within everyone’s reach.
Oslo hiking in winter is less popular than in the summer. In Oslo in winter, many people ski instead of going for a walk in the hills. This doesn’t mean that you can try hiking in winter. I did it many times and I love it. Just make sure you have proper Norway clothing for winter.
And if you are looking for a bit higher mountains within a 2-3 hour drive reach from Oslo, check out Rjukan with ice climbing and Gaustatoppen, where you can see 1/6 of Norway!
*Map of the best places around Oslo* After living in Oslo for 6+ years I’ve created a map with almost 300 marked places on Google Maps, organized in categories, with details and photos, and unique spots around Oslo. From the best hikes to the most cozy cafes through camping places, museums, attractions, viewpoints, and more. Save yourself long hours of research and start exploring! Get your map here!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More details here.
QUICK PLANNING TIPS FOR TRAVEL IN OSLO AND NORWAY
- Save time and money with the Oslo Pass
- Find the best flights to Norway with Skyscanner.net
- Book your accommodation with Booking.com, and find the cheapest and best Oslo hotels here
- Find the best car rental deals on Rentalcars
- Check the best-rated activities in Norway on Get Your Guide and Viator
- Read Norway on a budget travel guide
HIKING IN OSLO – TRAILS WITHIN THE CITY
There is a lot of nature around Oslo and many places perfect for hiking. When you want to try some Oslo outdoor activities, you can go hiking in Nordmarka, which is a large forest area covering Oslo and the north. Other areas include Bærumsmarka, Lillomarka, and Østmarka. I listed some of the nicest Oslo hikes in random order below. You can get to most of the places by public transport. If you have the Oslo Pass, public transport is included.
#1 Vettakollen hike
This is probably one of the most popular short hikes in Oslo amongst locals and foreigners living in Norway. The panoramic view from the top of the hike spreads to the Oslo fjord and the islands below. You can also see the Holmenkollen ski jump quite close.
The Vettakollen is usually busy with Norwegians making fires, cooking sausages, hanging out on the hammocks, or resting after the run to the top. Normally, I try to avoid crowded places in nature, but Vettakollen has a very nice, friendly vibe, and I like coming back there.
The trail to the Vettakollen viewpoint is very short, only 2,5km return and the whole trip shouldn’t take longer than one hour.
The beginning of the trail starts in the neighborhood near the tram station Vettakollen. You can get there by metro, taking T-bane number 1 from the National Theatre or Majorstuen going in the direction of Frognerseteren. Get off at the Vettakollen stop. From there, the path leads on the rocky and sometimes muddy ground through the forest, until it reaches the pile of rocks on the top. You can continue the hike further into the forest.
If you want to join a guided hiking tour from Frogneseteren to Vettakollen, this tour is a good one to take.
Read more: How to travel in Norway on a budget
#2 Fuglemyrhytta
From Vettakollen, you can follow the trail to the new DNT cabin (Norwegian hytte) in the Oslo region – Fuglemyrhytta. You can book it through the dnt.no website. The hytta has a big panoramic window with a view of Oslo fjord. If you want to stay there, you need to be a DNT member and book well in advance – it’s very popular.
But even if you don’t stay in the cabin, you can walk there and have lunch with a view. You can also get there from Frogneseteren.
#3 Grefsenkollen Oslo hike
Another popular viewpoint, especially for the sunset in Oslo, is Grefsenkollen. Apart from walking, you can get there by bus on Sundays or by car. However, the best way to get to the viewpoint is to do a short hike through the forest.
On the top, you will find one of the best Oslo restaurants, and a bar, serving coffee and cakes. Just make sure you check the opening times of the restaurant, as sometimes they close early, especially in winter. During the summer, there’s plenty of outdoor seating and many people bring their own food and drinks to enjoy the sunset.
The hike to Grefsenkollen is not long and usually takes around one hour both ways. The length of the walk can vary depending on the place where you start the hike. It can be between 3 km – 5 km or longer. I walked there from Storo station and I needed to pass through a few neighborhoods before getting to the beginning of the forest trail. If you follow Akebakkeskogen Street to the end, it then turns into the gravel trail that will lead you to the top.
If you want to make your hike to Grefsenkollen even more fun, this Grefsenkollen Self-Guided Mystery Tour with a scavenger hunt is a good one to try.From Grefsenkollen you can continue walking into the forest and also visit a nearby lake and Trollvannstua cafe.
Read more: Where to stay in Oslo – best Oslo hotels on every budget + Oslo districts explained
#4 Oslo hiking around Sognsvann Lake
Probably the most famous lake in Oslo city, and also the easiest and closest one to get to from the city center, is Sognsvann Lake. The lake offers nice and gentle walking trails around, or longer hikes, that lead deeper into the forest.
To get to Sognsvann, you need to take a T-bane 5 from the National Theatre or Majorstuen going to Sognsvann and get off at the last stop. From there, you just continue straight until you see the lake. Be prepared for it to be crowded with people, both summer and winter (skiers).
#5 Oslo hikes in Bygdøy
Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo offers tons of nice walks around nature. Many people just go to Bygdøy museums or take the bus straight to the beach.
Instead, you can start your walk in Skøyen and follow the paths around the peninsula. My favorite route goes through the forest, offering beautiful views towards Fornebu and finishing on the Bygdøy beaches.
#6 Hikes around Tryvann
If you fancy a bit of a workout, you can try a very steep hike on the ski slope in Oslo. The hike starts from the bottom of the ski slope and follows the path to the top. The length of the trail is only around 5 km return, but due to the very steep ascent, it is around 45 minutes up the hill.
You can get there by T-bane number 1 or bus 48.
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#7 City hike along the Akerselva River
If you don’t want to leave the city and you are looking for some flat walks in nature, you can try the hike along the Akerselva River. You can start at any point along the length of the river and go in any direction.
For a longer hike, begin walking near the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology (Norsk Teknisk Museum), next to the train stop called Kjelsås. From there you can walk towards the Maridalsvannet Lake, and then turn around and walk towards the city. Direct access to the lake is blocked since it’s a drinking water supply for the city, but you can still have a view of it from above.
In the summer, the area along the river is very popular with swimmers and people having picnics on the grass. There is a lot of greenery around and you can feel like you are outside of the city, still being close to public transport, in case you get tired and want to come back.
Another nice hike next to the river in Oslo is the Lysaker River Walk.
#8 Hikes around Kobberhaughytta and Finnerud Sportstua
For a nice winter walk, you can visit Kobberhaughytta – a lodge and a cafe located north of Oslo in the heart of the Nordmarka forest. It makes a very nice walk in the nice weather, and is one of the reasons why I love Oslo in winter!
You can start the hike from the metro station Frognerseteren. To get there take T-bane number 1 from Oslo center. Once you are in the forest, you will see many trails in the area and you can choose the length that suits you best. If you do this hike in winter, remember to follow the blue trails only. Red ones are meant for cross-country skiers.
Oslo Nordmarka
#9 Hikes on the Islands in the Oslo Fjord
Oslo Islands offer nice walking opportunities, especially in the summer season. Most of them are quite small, so the walks are short, but they provide a nice connection with nature and the views.
Islands worth checking out are Langøyene, where it’s possible to camp for free, Hovedøya with the ruins of the old church, and Gressholmen (the smallest of the three).
To get to the islands you can take a ferry boat from Aker Brygge. The ticket price is the same as for any other public transport in Oslo Zone 1, so if you have a day ticket, you can take a ride on a boat included in the price. Alternatively, you can take this Oslo island hopping tour, which has great ratings and free cancellation.
#10 Barlindåsen
Barlindåsen on the east-north of Oslo makes for an interesting hike. You can pass through it along several different routes. The one that I tried was the hike from Snippen through Barlindåsen to Kjelsås. This hike is around 10 km, and it leads through the forest, with several openings offering great views. Just make sure that the weather is clear, as we were hiking in a total fog and the view was like below.
It was a great hike, regardless of the weather. In the end, you come into the open view of the Maridalsvannet lake. At this time of the year, people were skating on the smooth ice surface, which was nice to watch from the top.
If you want to do a similar hike to what I’ve done, you need to take a train from Oslo S to Snippen station, where you can start the hike. You can return to Oslo city center by train or bus from Kjelsås.
#11 Hikes around Nøklevannet
Nøklevannet is a small lake in the east of Oslo. In the summer it’s a perfect place for swimming and having picnics. In winter, when the lake is frozen, it’s a popular area for making fires and ice skating in Oslo (it’s fun, but can be scary!). Remember – never step on the ice unless you are 100 % sure that it’s safe and you took all the precautions. There are several nice walks around the lake, that vary in length. On the southern part of the lake, you will find a lodge Rustadsaga, serving coffee and pastries. On the east side of the cafe, there is a nice and easy to get to, viewpoint located at St. Hansasen. You can easily find the hill on Google Maps. There are several paths going on the top. From there, you have a panoramic view of Oslo city, and on a clear day, you can even see peaks like Gaustatoppen in Rjukan. To get to the Nøklevannet Lake a T-Bane 3 to Bogerud and from there you can start walking towards the lake.
Ice skating on Nøklevannet#12 Glassberget (and Årvollåsen)
Glassberget is a nice lookout area, on the west side of the peak of Årvollåsen. This vantage point, where steep boulders create a natural opening in the forest, provides wide views of Oslo and Oslo fjord. It’s a popular place with locals and several places to make a campfire or set up a hammock.
There are several ways of getting to Glassberget. I recommend combining it with a hike to Årvollåsen for another viewpoint on the way. You can start it from Tonsenhagen school and follow the marked trail. After the top of Årvollåsen, you need to go a bit down following the blue trail, and after 15 meters turn left into the unmarked path. Follow the path steeply down, then turn right and follow the edge of the forest to get to Glassberget (you can find it on any topographic map, as a place without trees).
View from Glassberget
Glassberget, Oslo
Tower on top of Årvollåsen, Oslo#13 Linderudkollen Hoppbakke
Linderudkollen Hoppbakke is an old ski jump. There are pretty nice views from the top of the hill in Linderudkollen, already, but for an even better panorama, you can climb a ski jump and enjoy the vast views over Maridalsvannet and parts of Oslo.
View from the top of the Linderudkollen HoppbakeIt’s easy to combine a hike to Glassberget and Årvollåsen (above) and extend it even further to Grefsenkollen as you can see below on the map (marked with yellow).
#14 Bjørnsjøhelvete
A famous suspension bridge Bjørnsjøhelvete is a great hike in Oslo! The bridge is 22 meters long and has 13 13-meter drops to the river Bjørnsjøelv below.
The hike can be started from several places. You can start from the Ullevålseter side or the Skjærsjødammen side. When you are closer to the bridge, you will see blue signs down to Bjørnsjøhelvete. The path down is quite steep and rough so be careful there. There is a nice bench just before the bridge where you can take a break. The suspension bridge over Bjørnsjøhelvete became famous in 2020. The owner of the bridge wanted to demolish it since it was no longer in use after being built in 1953. Nobody wanted to take it over, but a popular Facebook action brought media attention and the owner changed his mind. They had the bridge checked and fixed for safety improvements and reopened in the autumn of 2020. In 2022 there was a new blue trail created there, that makes for a great hike in Oslo.THE BEST TRAILS FOR HIKING NEAR OSLO, NORWAY
There are also a lot of options for hiking around Oslo. And you don’t need to go far. Within an hour’s drive, there are very nice Oslo trekking trails, perfect for organizing hiking day trips from Oslo. Below, I list the top ones, but for more ideas check out this post: Day Trips from Oslo.
All the below hikes and many more, you can find on my map of the best places around Oslo here. After living in Oslo for 6+ years I’ve created a map with almost 300 marked places on Google Maps, organized in categories, with details and photos, and unique spots around Oslo. From the best hikes to the most cozy cafes through camping places, museums, attractions, viewpoints, and more. Save yourself long hours of research and start exploring! Get your map here!#1 Kolsåstoppen
The hike to Kolsåstoppen offers panoramic views towards the Oslo fjord and the nearby settlements of Baerum. The hike is a bit longer than the other viewpoint ones, that I mentioned above, but it’s worth the effort.
To do the whole loop, you need around 2-2,5 hours and you will be walking for around 7 kilometers in the varied terrain with a few steeper parts.
There are two main routes that allow you to get to the top of Kolsåstoppen, so you can choose the one that suits your needs best. For the more open views choose the southern route. The popular starting point, if you are using public transport, is either from Kolsås stop on the T-bane line 3 or from the Stein Gard farm, accessible by bus 150.
Typically, it’s recommended to do this hike in summer rather than winter, as it gets quite icy and snowy on the steeper parts. However, I’ve gone up to Kolsåstoppen both in winter and in the summer. If you have good winter gear and experience in hiking on the snow and ice, it is also doable (and pretty, as you can admire Oslo in winter).
View of the Oslo Fjord from Kolsåstoppen in winter.#2 King’s View (Kongens Utsikt)
This is a very picturesque hike located around an hour’s drive from Oslo.
The Kongens Utsikt means the King’s View. The name originates from the fact that the Norwegian King Karl Johan visited this place in 1832. And the view is worth it, even for a king!
The top is 484 meters above sea level. From there, you can admire the panorama of Steinsfjorden, Tyrifjorden, and the area around Ringerike. The hike is well-marked and relatively easy. The length of the trail is around 3km, which can take around one hour both ways.
The best way to get to the start of the trail is by car. You can park it in the Kleivstua car park. If you want to go by public transport, there are occasional buses going from Oslo/Sandvika (use the Ruter app or Google Maps for planning), but they are not very frequent.
#3 Mørkgonga
This is one of my favorite hikes in the Oslo area, which can be connected with the one mentioned above (King’s View). Mørkgonga is a crack in a lava plate, that now creates a deep gorge.
The trail to the top is not long, around 2,5km each way, but it gets very steep towards the end. To get to the summit, you need to climb a steep hill with loose stones (or try to find a path around it, which we couldn’t locate). After that, there is still a little bit of scrambling to do, but you have a chain to help you get through the steepest part of the gorge.
From the top, you can see wonderful views down to the Honefoss and the little islands. Don’t forget to take a photo on top of the “crack”!
For a longer hike, you can continue to Gyrihaugen Mountain.
The best option to get on the trail is to drive, as public transport doesn’t go to the parking lot. Mørkgonga is located around an hour’s drive from Oslo.
Oslo hiking essentials
As usual, when you go hiking, make sure you’re prepared with the correct hiking gear or proper Norway winter clothes, enough water, and food. Always know where you’re going, have a map and a GPS/compass, and tell someone where you are heading, especially if you are alone and you’re going out of the city.
To get around, I recommend taking public transport. One ticket is valid for all types of transport, including metro, train, bus, tram, and ferry.
Where to stay in Oslo
For all the details about where to stay in Oslo, as well as a description of Oslo districts, check the Oslo hotel guide. If you want to travel to Norway on a budget, try Couchsurfing, hostels, or DNT cabins. Here are some hotels in Oslo for different budgets: $ Saga Poshtel Oslo Central – one of the cheaper hotels. $$ Oslo Guldsmeden – eco-friendly hotel with Balinese decor and organic breakfast. Check prices and availability. $$$ Thief Hotel – top quality hotel. Check prices and availability.What to take for Oslo hiking
- Thermal underwear like merino wool top, yes it works great both summer and winter
- Mid-layer – fleece
- Top layer – Goretex jacket
- a hat, a lighter one in the summer
- A scarf
- thin thermal glove liners, and in winter add bigger woolen mittens
- Wool socks, they work great even in the summer
- Water bottle
- Good backpack
- Good hiking shoes
When to come to Oslo for hiking
You can visit Oslo year-round. I especially love Oslo in winter. However, during winter hiking in Oslo is harder, as the trails are not cleared, and are mainly used for skiers. Summer, spring, and autumn are great for outdoor activities and you can find many Norwegians on the trails in and around the city.
Published: January 2020, Updated: April 2024
Read more about Norway:
Where to stay in Oslo – best Oslo hotels on every budget + Oslo districts explained
27 Most Interesting Day Trips From Oslo
The best things to do in Oslo in winter
Rjukan ice climbing and other things to do from a day trip from Oslo
What are your favorite hiking trails in Oslo and around?
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