Oslo Fornebu Running Route

Click here for route map
Length 10.2 km (6.3 miles), terrain: mostly flat, 64-meter gain

Oslo Running Routes:
Oslo Downtown route
Oslo Bygdøy island route
Oslo Tryvann wilderness route
Oslo Fornebu fjord route
Oslo Sognsvann lakeside route
For more running routes, see Route List.

NOTE: I first got to know Fornebu as Oslo's airport in the 1980s, and I remember sitting on the rocks on the fjord shore, waiting to check-in for my flight. It was fun to run that same shore now in such a different context.

Fornebu is a quickly developing suburb on Oslo's west side, right along the fjord. It used to be the site of the old airport, but is now being re-purposed as an IT-business-park and as an apartment neighborhood for young families.

The fjord shore in Snarøy

The area is still being built and is changing constantly, as the old runways are removed, to be built upon by offices, homes and parks. The area is home to the Telenor Arena (sports and concert events) as well as to the Expo, with a few big hotels to handle the guests. So you might just find yourself on the edge of town out in Fornebu on your next trip to Oslo.

At first, you might think you've been banished to the boondocks, while all the life is swirling around the city center. But, if you give it a chance, Fornebu has some hidden gems to keep you occupied for an evening or two.

The city of Oslo has made successful efforts to make the area livable, with lots of fjord-side bike/walking trails and a big park. Plus, the older nearby Snarøya neighorhood provides a glimpse of traditional Norwegian living, with wooden houses lining the rugged fjord coast. There are even some original airport buildings still left, clustered around the old traffic-control tower.

So, if you find yourself working in Fornebu, grab the chance to explore this interesting area for yourself.

The Arena

This route starts near the arena, takes you through the huge Telenor headquarters, then along the rocky fjord shore into the scenic Snarøya neighborhood, then back through new housing developments, sports fields, Nansenspark, and then returning via the airport tower to the arena.

So let's get started! Get yourself to the bike/walkway out front of the Quality Expo Hotel, with the ufo-like Telenor Arena looming across the street. Turn south on the walkway, with the main street, Snarøyveien to your right, and start running. The way goes down then up and enters the drop-off area for visitors to the Telenor Expo, the headquarters of the big Norwegian telco. Two crescent-shaped complexes line each side of a big plaza.

Telenor headquarters

Turn left (east) to run between the buildings, then down the steps at the back to come to the bike/walkway along the fjord.

Turn right to continue southwards. The sparkling waters of Oslo Fjord jostle to the left side. You can either stay on this perfectly paved sidewalk or run down to the water's edge and run along a very much rockier, uneven footpath over there.

Little house on a rock

After a few hundred meters, you'll come to the ferry landing and seaplane harbor, with its waterside inn. This little harbor has new apartments lining it on the other side, and a natural bit of coastline behind that.

Seaplane at the landing

So let's take a look: follow the water's edge past the apartments and then take the uphill footpath along the rocky shore to Rolfstangen peninsula. There are fishermen here, and a little beach further south. Follow the shore, and then follow the path uphill above the beach, with a beautiful view out over the fjord.

Rolfstangen point

You'll then be running through a waterside neighborhood along Rolfstangveien. When the street ends, at Pelvikveien (strange name!) turn left and run south. The street will end after a few blocks, but a foot path will continue heading straight downhill to the next street, Haldenveien.

Pelvikveien: keep running straight!

Now turn right and run southwest through this cool shore-neighborhood, where lots of houses have their own docks and boats. Haldenveien will eventually end by running into Snarøyveien (the street where we started the run).

Turn left and run downhill and into Snarøya, a scenic waterside town. This is the main road into town, and it will curve to the left after passing the MENY supermarket. When you come to the terminus for the 31 bus line, you're almost at one of the highlights of the run.

In one more block you'll see a scenic little bay open up to the right, Kongshavn (King's Harbor). There's a little footpath along the water, so turn right and follow the trail past nice waterside homes and boats.

Kongshavn, my kind of place

When you pass the little suspension bridge to the little island, the trail exits to a street, Fürstveien. Turn right here to run northwards.

The little bridge

At the second street to the left, (also called Fürstveien! In fact most of the streets around here all use the same few names!) turn left and run uphill along this short, dead-end street. Now continue along the footpath, with a beautiful little lake in the woods to your right.

The lake

At the top of the hill, you'll come back into a neighborhood, and run straight into Ropernveien, with lots of nice one-family houses. Turn right and follow the street down the hill until it dead-ends into Fürstveien again.

Now turn left, and this street will end back at Snarøyveien, the street we came down earlier. Now turn left and follow this road out past the MENY supermarket again.

Keep running until you see the zebra stripes, where you turn left and follow the next shore trail along a long cove called Hundesunden (Dog Sound). You'll see tennis courts up ahead, and new apartments beyond.

Stay along the water and run past the tennis courts. Now cross the street called Langoddveien and continue up Lillerutsvei towards the new apartments.

When you see the big walkway coming in from the left, turn left there and continue running past the gate, with the apartments to both sides.

Turn onto this little street with the gate!

This path will end on a bluff overlooking the next big cove, Koksa, where you turn right and follow the footpath through parkland, then crosses Forneburingen street.

Overlooking Koksa bay

You'll pass a school on the left side and enter another park Nansenspark.

Run towards the pond with long promenade in the middle of the park, then turn right onto the promenade to run northeast towards the old air-traffic tower in the distance.

Nansensparken pond, with air-traffic tower in distance: head there!

When you reach the tower and the old brick buildings around it, keep to the left to circle the main building counter-clockwise. You'll see the huge Arena sitting beyond it to the north. The old buildings have been offered to local artists, who use the spaces as studios and galleries. It's a cool, creative spot now! Take a look into a few windows.

The artists' studios in the former airport

When you get back to the tower, turn left to take the paved bike/walkway that goes eastwards, downhill under Snarøyveien, almost back at the start. Now just turn left on the other side and you'll be back out front of the Quality Expo Hotel.

Oslo Sognsvann Lakeside Running Route

Click here for route map
Length 4 km (2.5 miles), terrain: mostly flat, 32-meter gain

Oslo Running Routes:
Oslo Downtown route
Oslo Bygdøy island route
Oslo Tryvann wilderness route
Oslo Fornebu fjord route
Oslo Sognsvann lakeside route
For more running routes, see Route List.

NOTE: If this 4-kilometer route is too short for you, you can either lap the lake more times, or follow the connecting trail heading out from the north end of the lake.

Oslo is one of those wonderful places that is defined by the natural beauty surrounding it on all sides. It hugs the fjord with its countless islands and rocks on the one side, and stretches up into the surrounding hills on the other. And the hills are typically Norwegian in their pristine wilderness feel, with woods and lakes in every direction. This is an outdoorsman's heaven.

So if you'd like to get a taste of Norwegian nature while visiting this exceptional city, just take the T5 metro train out to its terminus at Sognsvann and head straight out onto the trails.

Runners along Sognsvann

Sognsvann is a small lake to the north of the city. There isn't a lot out there: a sports high school and training facilities for various snow- and summer sports, from skiing to beach volleyball. Sognsvann is the home of the Oslo Triathlon every August, and the lake is a favorite spot for athletes in training. You'll see athletes everywhere around the lake: swimming, running, hiking, biking. As a runner, you'll feel right at home here.

The lake lies at 200 meters above sea level, but the lakeside trail is fairly flat, with just a few small rises.

Leaving the Sognsvann T-Bane station: follow that runner!

So, let's get started! When you get out of the metro train, just walk straight across the zebra stripes past the sign for the little Olympiatoppen hotel.

Now just head downhill along the trail as it takes you to the south shore of the lake. You'll soon see the water there, with a small island just offshore. This is the main picnic- and hangout area for visitors.

Along the south shore of the lake

You can now turn either left or right and circle the lake. Most runners run counter-clockwise, but this route traces the other direction, turning left, towards the west.

You'll first cross a little dam and then the trail will curve to the right to follow the lakeside towards the north. The trail is well-kept (like everything in Norway), a dirt trail lined with streetlamps. You can tell that it is used in winter as a lit-up cross-country ski trail for people to use after work.

Along Sognsvann

Now just follow the trail, keeping along the water any time you might see another trail branch off towards the left. Sometimes the trail follows the waterside directly, sometimes it wanders off a bit inland, where you see only woods.

When you get to the north end of the lake, at the 2-kilometer mark, you'll see a trail continuing northwards towards the Store Åklungen lake, if you want to follow it for a while to add extra distance.

Crossing the stream that feeds the lake

But the lakeside run continues to the right, crossing a stream and now heading southwards along the east side of the lake.

Soon you'll be back at the picnic area at the south end of the lake. 

Back at the south end: a standup paddler in the distance

I hope you've enjoyed it! But watch out, if you want to hang around for a while, there are a lot of mosquitoes and almost-invisible gnats ready to siphon off your blood.

Bergen Center Running Route

Click here for route map
Length 6.6 km (4.1 miles), terrain: hilly

Pictures courtesy of the creative folks at Flickr Creative Commons. Thanks! 

For other running routes, see Route List. 

Bergen is a wonderfully Norwegian town: nestled along fjords and cliffs, facing the rough Atlantic seas and its back turned to the steep Norwegian mountains. It's an old harbor town with a lot of history, having been the capital of Norway back at the end of the Viking days, and it later became the biggest port in the Hanseatic fish trade.

The route as seen from above: run out the peninsula and then around the harbor on the right. Photo by Airflore.

If you like waterfront, vistas, surprising little neighborhoods, old forts and mountains, this is a great place to run. There are hills all over town, but this route sticks to the lower parts of the old town center, avoiding the biggest hills.

Let's start the route in the town park, the Byparken, at the paved Festplassen (Celebration Square) at the little lake.

Turn west and run past the little bandstand and keep going uphill along the tree-lined street towards the Nationale Scene theater straight ahead. On the way, you'll pass a tilted, rectangular stone in the street, "The Blue Stone", the spot where the route will loop back to itself later.

The Blue Stone on the way to the theater. Photo by Gaute Singstad

At the back end of the theater, turn right onto Teatergaten, and run for a block until you get to Markeveien. Here you turn left and run straight out the peninsula ahead, with a bay to each side.

On the right, you'll run past the first of three spots on this run with twisty San-Francisco-Lombard-Street-like zig-zags, winding down towards the water on the right.

But keep going straight along Klostergaten as it follows the crest of the peninsula. There are two spots where a narrow park lines the street to the right side, where you can follow the park path instead of the sidewalk along the street, but even the sidewalk is scenic: you get occasional views to the south over the main harbor past the nice old wooden houses of this pleasant neighborhood, called Nordnes.

The street name changes to Haugeveien as it approaches a little fort on the left. Run past the stone walls of the fort, until you see the building on the left with the strange artwork and clock, and run up the ramp-like trail on the left at the sign for the "Høgskolen" (college).

The paved trail takes you to an overlook over the bay to the south, with its modern harbor. Now turn right and enter the park ahead (Nordnesparken), following the path as it heads downhill to the tip of the peninsula at the water's edge.

Panorama view across the harbor. Photo by jechstra

When you reach the benches at the lookout spot at the tip of the peninsula, you have reached the 2-km mark. Now exit the park at the north end and you'll find yourself running eastwards along Strandgaten. The docks of the old harbor are just off to the left side.

When you reach a little parking lot on the left side, across from the second Lombard-Street-zig-zag on the right, turn left to run to the waterfront street, "C. Sunds gate", and turn right to run past the docks. This isn't the most scenic street in town: most buildings are charm-free boxes from the 1960s, but waterfront is always good.

Just keep running eastwards until you reach the eastern tip of Bergen Harbor, where you turn left to run through the big waterside market square. There are now fish restaurants in the old fish-market building, called Zachariasbryggen.

Bryggen housefronts. Photo by Ken Douglas

After the market, turn left to continue following the harbor, this time along the northern shore, heading west. In just a couple of blocks, you'll want to cross to the right side of the street and get a closer look at Bergen's most famous sight: the old Hanseatic merchant's buildings, the "Bryggen". It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old warehouse buildings stretch for a long way behind the street, and were once full of Norwegian fish and European grain. This is the oldest part of town.

Continue westwards, and you'll see stone walls ahead of Bergenhus fort, an ancient castle with the Norwegian kings' residence from the time when Bergen was the Norwegian capital. The stepped gables of the Gothic building inside is 800-year-old Haakon's Hall. The Norwegian Navy still uses the castle as a base.

Haakon's Hall at the Bergenhus fort. Photo by jechstra

You've now reached the 4-km mark.

Continue running westwards below the castle's stone walls until you get to the end of the harbor, at the ferry terminal. Turn right to continue running next to the castle, with the open water to the west.

Just past the end of the castle wall, when you get to the zebra stripes at the first wooden house, turn right to run up the little lane called Skuteviksveien. You're heading uphill between pleasant wooden houses along a cobblestone street.

When you get to the first real cross-street, Fylkesveg, turn right and follow it as it curves a few times, first past some boring apartment blocks, but then past more nice wooden homes.

After you pass the old stone St. Mary's Church with the twin towers, you'll start running by the back side of the Bryggen, with the park-like back-gardens behind the warehouses, and some stone foundation ruins. The street-name changes to Øvregaten here.

Past the Bryggen, the street becomes an old shopping street.

The street ends at a square with the little white building on the left for the "Fløibanen". This is a funicular railway that takes people up to Mount Fløyen, 320 meters above you to the left. Lombard-Street-Number-3 zig-zags its way up the hill behind the station.

The Norwegian countryside in the Fløyen hills. Photo by Mariusz Kluzniak

NOTE: This is the start of another great run: head straight up the hill and then run around through the wilderness at the top, with breathtaking views in many directions. There are several trails all leaving from the top of the zig-zag above the Fløibanen train station: the Fjellveien, Tippetue, and Fløysvingene trails all switchback their way gently to the top. I've run it and it was one of the most memorable runs I've ever done, but then I didn't have much time left to run in the wilderness at the top. So, if you want to save your energy and time for the amazing country up there, take the Fløibanen train up. The trains leave every 15 minutes, and get you up to the top in just about 7 minutes. Running to the top, I saw women doing Nordic walking and I understood for the first time what it's really about: They weren't just dragging their sticks uselessly behind them, but were hiking up a mountain face, using the sticks to exercise their arms and to take the load off their knees. For the first time, it all made sense.

But that's another run. Ahead of you now are the narrow lanes and wooden houses of Skansen, maybe the most charming Bergen neighborhood, because the little houses are all situated along the hillside, with narrow lanes between them and occasional views out over the town and fjord.

Skansen street. Photo by Robert

Just run straight into Skansen along Lille Øvregaten (Little High-Street) for two blocks until you come to Øvre Korskirkeallmenningen, a wider street that almost looks like a market square. The most charming houses and lanes are just up the hill from here, to the left, so make sure you take time to wander around up there later.

But this route will now turn right and head downhill, back into the downtown. Run past the leafy churchyard of the Korskirken until you come out into the square called Vågsallmenningen, with the statue of Ludvig Holberg in his three-pointed hat, a famous Norwegian writer.

You are now across the street from the fish-market. Run through the square to the main street across from the market, Torget, and turn left and run the four blocks back to the Blue Stone again, where you turn left and run the last 200 meters back to the town park.

Oslo Tryvann Running Route

Click here for route map
Length 11.3 km (7 miles), terrain hilly, total gain of 206 meters

Oslo running routes:
Oslo Downtown route
Oslo Bygdøy island route
Oslo Tryvann wilderness route
Oslo Fornebu fjord route
Oslo Sognsvann lakeside route
For more running routes, see Route List.

Pictures courtesy of the creative folks at Flickr Creative Commons. Thanks!

The great thing about Oslo is that it is so close to nature. At every turn, you get glimpses of fjord bays, uninhabited islands and imposing mountaintops. As soon as you get out of the center of town, you're already approaching wilderness.

And the biggest wilderness area, the Nordmarka, begins at the Tryvann mountaintop, past the Holmenkollen ski-jump area, northwest of town. You can quickly get there from downtown, with Metro (T-bane) Line 1. Get out at the last stop, Frognerseteren.

Nordmarka trail, photo by Ian B

Tryvann (Three Waters, I think, if I'm interpreting this old name correctly) marks the end of civilization around Oslo. From there on, stretching off far across the wooded mountains to the north, lies the Nordmarka wilderness. There are trails leading through the various valleys, making this a perfect place to head off on a long summer evening. This is the REAL Norway.

In the winter, Tryvann is a skiing area, with several ski lifts strung-up along the Vinterpark, on the north slope.

NOTE: If you're in Oslo in the winter, here's an alternative to running: one time, when working there in a January, I brought my cross-country skis on my flight, and then rode the metro to Holmenkollen in the evenings to ski along their lighted tracks, which begin right at the tram stop. Not a bad way to unwind after work!

This run covers just the southern part of the Nordmarka, as an out-and-back to the Nordmarkskapellet chapel, and then returns back the same way.

So, if you are a wilderness runner at heart, let's get going!

The Frognerseteren metro station, all out here!, photo by pixelbombe

Take the metro to Frognerseteren, then start running northwest from the tram stop along the gravel path, uphill through the woods. It merges into a paved street, Øvresterveien, in just 200 meters. The route is uphill all the way to the TV tower.

Another note: I've also run all the way to the top from the city center, but this is something for an evening-filling adventure.

You'll pass a pond on the right, and the road curves towards the right as it continues lightly uphill. You'll see the gigantic TV tower (Tryvannstårnet) off on the peak, straight ahead, with a metal radio tower along the way.

TV tower, photo by Wolfgang Stief

The ski lifts and Tryvann Vinterpark buildings are clustered at the base of the TV tower.

Once you pass the TV tower, the paths turn to gravel. and you'll start heading downhill into the wooded valley ahead of you, with the green, rolling Nordmarka hills lining the horizon ahead. In the summer, the area is a favorite destination for hikers, mountain-bikers and runners. I'm very impressed by the Norwegians' attitude: whenever the weather alllows it, they are out enjoying it with every sport possible: sailing, roller blades, you name it!

View towards Nordmarka from lift, photo by flickr.Marcus

Run downhill among the ski lifts and cleared slopes, following the main trail. The trail ends by running into another gravel road. Turn left to continue northwards, downhill.

NOTE: These trails are also used as lighted cross-country skiing trails in winter, hence the street lamps. Those lucky Osloers!

Just 100 meters later you come to the three little lakes, natural blue jewels with crystal-clear water. The path goes right along the east shore of the first lake, Store (Large) Tryvann. At the north side of the lake, you'll find the grass-roofed Tryvannstua, a private mountain hut where you can eat fresh-baked waffles (hard to resist, I know).

Lille Tryvann lake, photo by Sjekster

Continue running northwards, past Lille (Little) Tryvann lake on your left, and after another half-kilometer you come to another lake, Bjørndammen, on the right side. You can jump in and go for a swim if it's warm enough. I did!

Nordmarka reflections, photo by Eli Brager

Now just keep running straight north to the Nordmarkskapellet chapel.

After another kilometer, the trail starts heading slightly uphill. Keep going for the last half-kilometer until you reach the chapel, a collection of wooden buildings on the hillside.

This run turns around here and heads back, with the more difficult uphill section to come, rising about 160 meters back to the TV tower.

But, if you haven't had enough of this wonderful Norwegian countryside yet, you can naturally keep heading north, following the trail forever, if you prefer. For example, you can run to the next lake, the Blankvann, another kilometer north of the chapel. Have fun!

Oslo Bygdoy Island Running Route

Click here for route map
Length 16.9 km (10.5 miles), terrain flat, just 25m height gain
(Or Length 11 km if you take the ferry)

Oslo running routes:
Oslo Downtown route
Oslo Bygdøy island route
Oslo Tryvann wilderness route
Oslo Fornebu fjord route
Oslo Sognsvann lakeside route
For more running routes, see Route List.

Pictures courtesy of the creative folks at Flickr Creative Commons. Thanks!

NOTE: You can shorten the run by 6-km by taking the Bygdøy ferry directly from downtown. I've run the long way, and I've also taken the ferry. Because I love boat rides, I prefer the ferry: it leaves every 20 minutes from the main ferry landing at Radhusplassen, Pier 3, from April till early October. It costs about US$7 per trip, or US$12 for a day pass, valid for all transportation in the city. You'll save 6 km along a loud street, and you'll have a wonderful 15-minute ride on the fjord. Exit the ferry at the Dronningen landing. You can also take bus line 30 to the island, but that lacks the charm of the ferry ride.

For more info about Bygdøy, see The Visit Oslo Site.

Sailboat off Bygdøy, photo by Marcus Ramberg

Oslo is such a wonderful place to run: a fjord with endless bays and islands, mountains rising up to the north, and suburban neighborhoods full of cozy wooden houses. Here's a run that will take you along the fjord shore, and then loop around Oslo's biggest island, Bygdøy.

NOTE: see the Destinations Tips page for tips about spending your free time in this great town!
 
Bygdøy is easy to get to: a 3-km run along the shore west of the downtown, past Oslo's biggest marina.

The island itself (well, technically, it's really a peninsula, but it feels like a real island) is a rectangle, 2-km long and 1.5-km wide. The northern half is covered by farmland, the southern half is residential, and mixed with a collection of Norwegian historical museums. And the strip of rocky shoreline along the north and west is lined by woods and is dotted by secluded beaches, with great views of the fjord.

Sound like something you're interested in? Well, then, off we go!

Let's begin at Radhusplassen, the square between the town hall and the ferry landing. Facing the water, turn to your right and run to the last ferry pier, then turn left to continue running along the water, with the Aker Brygge shopping center to your right, set up in old harbor warehouses.

Aker Brygge, looking back towards the start at Radhusplassen, photo by hiytel

The waterfront is lined with restaurants and marinas. After the last marina, you'll cross a wooden bridge. Immediately turn right to run along this canal full of small boats.

At the next small bridge, keep to the left side of the pointy building in front of you, and keep running straight along the street, Filipstadveien.

In 150 meters, you'll come to a busy street, Riksveg, with a roundabout. Turn left here and follow the pedestrian path to the left side of the street, heading northwest. In just a block, the cross-town freeway, the E18, comes out of its tunnel and merges into Riksveg.

This is the worst part of the run. But after just a half-kilometer, the path comes back to the water, just past the new ocean-ferry terminal.

Oslo's biggest marina begins here, and for the next 1.5 km you still have the loud freeway (Frognerstranda) to your right, but a beautiful view to the left of Bygdøy. After a while, you'll pass a white neogothic villa across the bay, Oscarshall, built as a royal pleasure palace.

View across the bay to Oscarshall, photo by Mrs.Snowman

You are running along an ever-narrowing bay. When you reach the western tip of the bay, turn left to continue along the water, along a smaller marina.

Right at the middle of the marina, turn right to take the pedestrian path under the freeway exit and continue running northwest along Frognerstranda.

You'll pass a soccer field on the left. At the end of the field, turn left and take the narrow street that turns left, going behind the little garages, Hengenveien (don't take the main street going into Bygdøy, along the soccer field, Bygdøyveien).

So now you can take a deep breath: no more traffic noise, just wonderful Norwegian island sights from now on.

Follow Hengsenveien, going southwest, with a woods to the right and fields to the left. The north shore is just past the woods on the right side.

Bygdøy field, photo by micro-d

The fields belong to the Royal Manor Farm, which occupies the north half of the island. The manor has belonged to the Norwegian kings for 700 years. Nowadays, this official royal summer residence is an organic farm open to the public.

You'll pass a couple of houses on the left side, then run along another field on the left. When the path curves to the left to follow the west shore, take the first turn to the right, with the parking sign.

You'll run through a parking lot and then come to your first view of Norwegian island paradise. You are on a small bay facing another little island, with views out over the fjord, and rocky shores and mountain ridges, and boats gliding over the water.

There is a marina in front of you that stretches over to Killingen island across the little bay. You can actually run across their docks to Killingen and run around that car-free island with its little boatyard and fishing boats moored offshore. I heartily recommend a loop around that little island (Killingen is a half-kilometer long and just a few meters wide), but I didn't include it in this route.

Now turn south to continue running southwards along Bygdøy's west shore. You will immediately run across your first beach, Bygdøy sjøbad. If it's a warm day, you might want to kick off your shoes and jump into the water for a few minutes!

Bygdøy sjøbad, photo by Alex Coppo

At the middle of the beach, at the showers, the road connects up to the beach. Run to the road, called Holsts Vei, turn right and now follow it heading south.

The road will curve to the left, then to the right. At the little gravel parking lot on the right side, turn right and run through the parking lot and continue on the shore path through the woods.

This two-kilometer-long stretch of shoreline is full of little coves where people hang out on nice days. You can take any of the little paths going to the right to get to the water for a great view out over the fjord.

One great spot is Paradisbukta (Paradise Bay), with its sand beach, cliffs, rocks and great view.

Paradisbukta in evening light, photo by Odd Stiansen

After 2 km, the path curves to the left, then to the right and you exit the woods onto a spot with some large, paved parking lots and a bus stop for Huk, Bygdøy's most popular beach.

At the little white wooden kiosk, take the path on its right side, running down to the water. Straight ahead is the nudist beach. Norwegians have a relaxed view of nudity, and don't consider it immoral if kept fairly discreet: they have a very healthy relationship with their own bodies.

When you hit the water, turn left and follow it around the little inlet to the main gravel beach with lots of rocks out in the water and a great view over the fjord. It can get pretty crowded on a nice weekend.

Ocean-going ferry passes the Huk, photo by Alex Coppo

At the little grass sunbathing lawn, turn left and run uphill, with a couple of houses on your right side. You're now entering the next phase of your island experience, typical Norwegian small-town neighborhoods and their wooden houses. OK, maybe this isn't really so typical: the houses are a bit nicer here, with their fjord view.

When you run past the first house directly next to the path on your right, turn right onto Schiøtts Vei.

In 200 meters the street ends, where you turn left onto Dammanns Vei. This also ends after a few houses, where you turn right onto P. T. Mallings Vei.

A house on Bygdøy, photo by skandynawistykapl

After about 300 meters, turn right on Harald Rømckes Vei. This street ends by making a left turn and becomming Admiral Børresens Vei.

This street also ends, by running into Bygdøynesveien. Here, you turn right and follow it around the curve to the next highlight of the island: the three ship museums, Kon Tiki, Norwegian Maritime and Fram.

The Kon Tiki Museum includes Thor Heyerdahl's water-borne contraptions, the Kon Tiki raft and the Ra reed-boat from his great high-seas adventure trips. If you haven't read his books yet, put it very high on your to-do list!

Nice shot of Bygdøynes landing and the Fram Museum, photo by Fornax

The Fram was a polar exploration ship used by several great Norwegian explorers, including Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, and it was built by legendary shipwright Colin Archer (you sailors will recognize that name).

Run around the right (east) side of the Fram museum to the water and circle the museum. I like looking into the windows of the museums here: you can view the ships without stopping for long. There is a ferry landing (Bygdøynes) at the end of the lawn, past the other green-and-red schooner sitting up on land. You can view the whole way that you came to Bygdøy.

Circle back through the parking lot to Bygdøynesveien again and head back out the other direction (westwards).

At the first chance, turn right, onto Løchenveien. This will curve to the left above an inlet with some boat docks down below and a lot of picturesque waterside houses.

The street runs into Bygdøynesveien again, where you turn right and keep running west, around the inlet. The street curves to the right at the head of the inlet and becomes Langviksveien.

In just 150 meters, when you've gone back up the next little hill, turn right onto Fredrickborgsveien, following the ferry sign. This is another nice residential neighborhood, but more typical, with older houses.

Run down Fredrickborgsveien and then Christian Benneches Vei until it comes out onto Huk Aveny, where you turn right and run out to the other ferry landing, Dronningen.

NOTE: If you took the ferry from downtown, this is where your run will begin.

Now turn your back to the ferry landing and run westwards down Huk Aveny until the first turnoff on the right, Melbyedalen. Turn there, and it will curve to the left and end at Museumsveien.

Turn right onto Museumsveien, and run by the next museum: the Norwegian Folk Museum, on the left side of the street. This is an open-air museum village of old buildings gathered from all over Norway, including one of those amazing Viking-styled wooden churches.

The stave church, photo by K Jensen

There even other museums on the island, behind you: the Viking Ship Museum and a Holocaust Museum. Quite an interesting place.

When you reach the far end of the Norwegian Folk Museum parking lot on the right side, you'll see a paved foot-path curving off to the right. Take that path, as it goes by one of the manor-farm fields.

You will cross Oscarshallveien, which leads to a neo-gothic royal pleasure palace on the right, but I didn't include that short detour on this route.

Keep running north until the path ends at Dronning Blancas Vei, where you turn right. In just 200 meters, you'll get back to the little marina at Frognerstranda, where you turn right and follow the shore eastwards, the same way back to downtown as you came.

NOTE: If you took the ferry, turn left at the little marina and follow the description above from that point, returning to Dronningen ferry landing for the trip home.

Oslo Center, Norway Running Route

Click here for route map

Length: 8.5 km (5.3 miles), terrain flat

Oslo running routes:
Oslo Downtown route
Oslo Bygdøy island route
Oslo Tryvann wilderness route
Oslo Fornebu fjord route
Oslo Sognsvann lakeside route
For more running routes, see Route List.

Pictures courtesy of Google StreetView

NOTE: see the Destinations Tips page for tips about spending your free time in this great town!
 
If you like the outdoors, you'll love running in Oslo. Like all the other Scandinavian capital cities, the town has a close-to-nature, provincial character, with lots of natural scenery to run through. With its location at the end of Oslo Fjord, there are sweeping views of the water and its many islands, and mountains rise up right behind town. You can choose flat trails along the waterfront, or run straight up a mountain, if you please. You can run out onto peninsulas or even take ferries out to several islands and run there. And for you trail runners, you can even take the tram up to Frognerseteren at the TV tower and then just run north into absolute wilderness, full of wooded mountains and lakes.

The Central Oslo Route
This route is what I consider my basic Oslo route, looping through the old center of Oslo, taking in all the basic tourist sights: the royal palace and its park, the main, park-lined boulevard with its university, theaters and the parliament, then discovering the old admiralty buildings at the waterfront, the fort, the redeveloped harbor with its windjammers, ferries and restaurants, then returning by the famous city hall. All that in one normal jogging distance of about 8 km.

Karl Johans Gate

We'll start in the heart of the city at the intersection of Karl Johans Gate ("gate" means street, and not gate) and Rosenkranz Gate. The Grand Hotel is right there, and though you probably won't be staying there, this is definitely the spot to be. Karl Johans Gate is the town's main boulevard, stretching from the royal palace up on the hill to the west, to the main train station to the east. The Parliament (the Storting) is just diagonally across the street from our starting point, and the street is lined by a pleasant park on the other side.

We'll first run up to the palace, which you can already see throning upon the hill, and then come back down the other side of the street.

So off we go, heading west on Karl Johans Gate, with the park on our left side! It's just two blocks to the palace grounds, with the old university buildings on the right.

Keep going straight up the drive to the palace: it's open to the public, even in the evenings. You can jog a loop around the palace, through the park, and come back out in front again.

The palace grounds

Once back at the palace entrance again, head back east down Karl Johans Gate, through the park this time. The Norwegian National Theater is the first building on the right, then, at the Storting cut back onto Karl Johans Gate, which becomes a pedestrian street, the main area for nightlife in Oslo. After 4 blocks you'll see the old cathedral on the left.

Now it's time to head to the waterfront. So turn right on Kirkegata (Church Street), right at the front of the cathedral. You'll run through 4 blocks of unspectacular downtown buildings, but then you'll come to the leafy square in front of the Mint, on the right. After another block, there is another nice old square on the left side.

Bankplassen at the Mint

After another block straight on Kirkegata, you'll come to the gate of the old Norwegian naval headquarters. It all looks like a military museum from 200 years ago (part of it IS a museum), but most of it is still in use by the navy). Hopefully, the gate will be open and you can loop through it. It's not too big: just a few buildings. Otherwise, turn right and go right to the Akershus fort, just 150 meters away. Akershus is a fascinating fort/castle built up over the centuries.

If you're not too late, you can just jog inside, there's no entrance fee. If the gate's closed, you'll just have to loop around it from the outside. There is a collection of castle buildings, cannons and lookout vistas from the fort walls inside, and real sentries who watch over this still-used military base.

Entrance to Akershus

Exit at the same spot where you came in (or if you couldn't get in, you're still there!) and go south, towards the water on Kongens gate (King Street). The waterfront begins just past the end of the fort.

Turn right and run beneath the castle walls, where the cruise ships and visiting naval ships dock up. I always enjoy jogging out onto the docks to get a close look at the the windjammers that are always found there.

At the north end of the fort, the waterfront curves away to the left. Just keep following the water. Here, in the old harbor, there are lots more windjammers at the docks. The route curves around the northern tip of the harbor, and here is the ferry landing for trips to the various fjord islands (that's another route description!).

Aker Brygge

You're now entering the Aker Brygge harbor redevelopment, full of shops, restaurants, a marina and tour-boats. You can continue running out to the end of the harbor promenade, and then either turn around and run back to the ferry landings or loop behind the buildings and run back that way (I like being on the water).

Looking back from Aker Brygge: Akershus across the way, city hall on left side

Once back at the ferry landings, you'll be looking straight at the looming city hall building (Radhus), with its twin brick towers. Let's run over and take a look at this architecturally acclaimed building. The shape is typically Scandinavian modern. But the part about it that I like is the amazing detail-work put into it, whether the brickwork itself, the windows, the statuary, everywhere you look you'll see great craftsmanship.

You're looking at the back side now. So run straight ahead to look at the other side and the main entrance. Go up to the entrance and then wander down the arcade walkways to either side. They are lined with carved wooden scenes from Norwegian sagas from the Viking times.

We're just 2 blocks from where we started from now, so turn your back to the town hall and run straight the one block north to Karl Johans Gate and you'll see the starting point one block to your right.