Round-trip Fornebu – urbane nature

Fornebulandet – the area around Fornebu – is a natural gem, encircled by the fjord and home to a unique biological diversity. The Fornebu area is undergoing a transformation. After the airport was shut down in 1998, knowledge-based businesses moved in and homes are now being built at an impressive pace. Without detours, the round trip is roughly 6.5 km.

The route begins at the new head office of Aker in the traffic light junction. Admire the installation with ceramic vases and sculptures by Magne Furuholmen, before you continue towards Telenor Arena, take left and cycle under Snarøyveien. Straight ahead you will see Quality Hotel Expo and Aker Solution’s Technology and Experience Centre. Take a right toward Koksa. Cross the Telenor Centre. Here you can take a moment to reflect on the pillar art of Daniel Burén and Jenny Holzer’s “Writing on the Wall”.

Turn right along the fjord. You will pass Aker Hus, Statoil – a Fornebu landmark, IT Fornebu – which is set up in the old terminal building decorated with frescos painted by Kai Fjell, and Scandic Hotel Fornebu. To your left is Sjøflyhavna Kro, an inn with a great view and good food. Keep going straight on and take a right at the Hundsund Community Centre. Just a hundred metres further and you will reach a roundabout adorned with the statue “Kast” (“The Throw”) by Kåre Groven. Take a right here, and then head left, crossing Forneburingen. You will arrive at Nansen Park, along the pleasant walking and cycling paths. Back in its day, this was the main runway.

In the park you can take a break by the water, or view the Nansen statue by Per Ung. You may choose to stop at Storøya Community Centre to give the playground equipment a whirl or watch the skateboarders. To the west, Storøya has two nature reserves, both with their own bird hides, and Storøyodden beach. This is the biggest and beach in the municipality, and the only Blue Flag beach. A short distance north of Storøya is Lilleøya, where you will find Naturhuset (Nature House), a place for ornithologists, plant- and animal lovers to congregate. If you are not interested in either bird watching or bathing, you can continue from Forneburingen to Oksenøyveien. You will then pass Oxenøyen farm, the headquarters of Norske Skog.

The new addition is designed by Lund Hagem Architects. Look toward the east. At the other end of Nansen Park you can see the old air traffic control tower and Telenor Arena. The nicest return route is through Nansen Park. If you want to make the trip a little longer, take a left after Oxenøen and head right. After a while, you will reach National bicycle route no. 1, which stretches from Sandvika in the west to Oslo in the east.

Without detours, the round trip is roughly 6.5 km.

For recreational routes: the nearest gateway is Tourist Information at Sandvika Storsenter (shopping centre)

Phone: 67 52 23 00

E-mail: kundeservice@sandvikastorsenter.no