Oslo: Forest Trails, Fjord Islands and Culture

Oslomarka covers two-thirds of Oslo’s area, shaping the region’s natural character. The forest trails offer opportunities for walking and cycling; in winter, they are also used for cross-country skiing. Hikers will find trails to suit different abilities, from easy walks to more challenging climbs.

A combined walking and cycling path also connects central Oslo with Fiskevollbukta and Hvervenbukta. This offers different ways to experience the landscape side by side: forest trails for walking, cycling or cross-country skiing, and a route leading to two named destinations.

Fjord Islands and Beaches

The islands in the inner Oslofjord offer opportunities for hiking, picnicking, visiting cafés, swimming and beach activities. Some facilities are seasonal. Langøyene is a popular recreational and bathing area with several beaches, picnic areas and sports fields. At Huk, you’ll find a sandy beach, a beach volleyball court and a beach restaurant. The restaurant’s seasonal opening arrangements may change; check the latest information before your visit.

Oslo’s ferries depart from Rådhusbrygga near Aker Brygge and travel to several islands in the Oslofjord. Their routes and schedules are seasonal, so it’s a good idea to check the latest departure times before you travel.

Museums, History and Culture

The Kon-Tiki Museum displays the original balsa-wood raft from the Kon-Tiki expedition. The exhibitions about Kon-Tiki and Ra are specially designed for children. This gives families a specific thematic focus, while the exhibit also places the expedition at the centre.

On Bygdøy, the museums present Norwegian history from the Viking Age to the present day. An open-air museum shows how people in Norway lived from 1500 to the present. For other cultural experiences, visit the public sculpture and cultural park Ekebergparken and the ruins of the monastery founded on Hovedøya in 1147.

Holmenkollen also combines culture and landscape: the National Ski Arena explores different aspects of Norwegian ski culture and offers views from the ski jump tower. The Holmenkollen area is connected to Nordmarka; Tryvann and Frognerseteren serve as starting points for hikes and excursions in both summer and winter.

Getting to Bygdøy by Ferry or Bus

The Bygdøy ferry runs year-round from central Oslo across the fjord to Bygdøy and takes 15 to 20 minutes. Bus route 30 also runs to Bygdøy year-round. The journey from the city centre takes 15 minutes, and the bus stops at all the museums on the peninsula. The journey times are similar, but the routes differ: the ferry crosses the fjord, while the bus serves the museums. Before travelling, check the latest ferry times and the timetable for bus route 30 with Ruter.

When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on forest trails and seasonal activities, islands and beaches, or museums and cultural sites. Oslo offers a range of themes, from cross-country skiing and hiking to expedition history and Norwegian ski culture.

Discover more destinations: Oslo, Hordaland, More Og Romsdal, Troms, Finnmark, Oppland, Rogaland, Hedmark.

For the main travel overview: Norway.