Oslo is an ideal city for cycling, with short distances between vibrant city life and beautiful nature. Here are three routes that take you past many of the capital’s highlights.
Biking in Oslo
Norway is known for its many scenic bicycle routes, but you don’t have to travel outside the big city to go on a bike adventure.
“It’s great to cycle in Oslo, and tourists can experience a lot on two wheels,” says Øyvind Wold.
Over the past 25 years, he has seen almost everything the city has to offer from the seat of his bicycle, and he’s even written a book about it, På sykkel i Oslo (“Oslo by Bike”).
What makes Oslo such a bike-friendly city?
“Oslo is not particularly large compared to other big cities, so it's nice to cycle here. In addition, the climate is bike-friendly. The temperature rarely exceeds 25 degrees Celsius,” says Wold.
Such things don’t go unnoticed. The interest for cycling in Norway has skyrocketed in the last few years, and both locals and tourists on two wheels are a common sight in the cityscape. In other words, it’s very easy to be a more responsible traveller in Norway’s capital. Hotels and local businesses often have rental bikes.
“Many of the city’s streets have separate bicycle lanes. Oslo as a cycling city gets better and better every year,” says Wold.
Cycling routes in Oslo
Here are Wold's top three bike routes you should try in the capital:
1. Oslo’s harbour promenade
Start/end: Kongshavn at the mouth of the Alnaelva river/Frognerkilen
Distance: 9 kilometres
Level: Easy, this route is flat and paved
Oslo harbour promenade (Havnepromenaden) runs along the city’s waterfront from east to west.
The route includes some of Norway’s most iconic buildings and is ideal for sightseeing at a leisurely pace.
Experience everything from famous museums and historic buildings to modern landmarks like The Oslo Opera House, The Astrup Fearnley Museum, and Bjørvika Barcode, an area consisting of several narrow high-rise buildings of differing heights and widths (that together form a striking barcode).
And be prepared – you are going to get hungry on this trip. You may notice the scent of fresh, local food from some of Oslo’s most exciting restaurants along the promenade. Here, you can be sure to find culinary experiences that fit your tastebuds (and budget).
OsloAker Brygge wharf
Popular area along the inner harbour with restaurants, shopping, apartments and office buildings. After a thorough renovation, the area has a fresh look and lots of new restaurants and shops. At street level Aker Brygge a vibrant commercial district, and the large open-air areas and indoor shopping street are often used for photo exhibitions, concerts and pop-up events for fashion, art and culture. For more than a century Aker Brygge was the site of a shipyard, Akers Mekaniske Verksted. The architecture at Aker Brygge is distinctive, with its combination of old, venerable shipyard buildings and modern architecture. When the sun is shining Aker Brygge is teeming with people day and night. The pedestrian area along the waterfront is lined with restaurants with great views of the marina and the Oslo Fjord. In total, Aker Brygge's restaurants have 2,500 chairs outdoors. Are you coming to Oslo by private boat? Aker Brygge Marina's guest harbour has 50 spaces.
OsloSørenga
Formerly an old container dock, Sørenga in Oslo has been transformed into a brand new neigbourhood by the Oslo fjord. The area consists of residential complexes with exciting architectural details and welcomes both residents and visitors to enjoy life at the water’s edge. A green park with several channels stretches through the whole neighbourhood. At the southernmost tip you’ll find Sørenga Seawater Pool, a popular recreational spot for Oslovians in summertime. Several waterfront restaurants offer great food in maritime surroundings, with a view to Oslo landmarks such as Barcode, the Oslo Opera House and Akershus Fortress. Sørenga is also a popular place for paddling. To get to Sørenga, just follow the new harbour promenade past the Opera House.
2. Around the Bygdøy peninsula
Start/end: Skøyen station
Distance: 7.5 kilometres
Level: Easy
Idyllic Bygdøy is a peninsula on the west side of the city centre. Although it is essentially a residential area, it is also known for its many popular museums, cafés, beaches, and forest trails for both walking and cycling.
Explore some of Norway’s key historical treasures at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and enjoy a dip at one of the best beaches the city has to offer.
This is a gentle ride through a beautiful cultural landscape. Along the way, you can see grazing livestock and impressive buildings such as the Oscarshall Castle, which is the royal family’s summer palace.
The surrounding forest of Bygdøyskogen also has many different cycling trails to explore.
3. Around Maridalsvannet lake
Start/end: The Brekkekrysset junction close to Maridalsvannet or Kjelsås station
Distance: 13 kilometres
Level: Moderate
Do you want to experience the countryside while staying inside the big city? Rent a bike, bring your camera, and breathe in the fresh air on this trip around the Maridalsvannet lake.
Follow the trail through a large and open cultural landscape on both sides of the water. Along the way, you will see several Instagrammable spots, such as the ruins of the Margareta Church and the many viewpoints around the lake.
If you want a slightly less hilly route, you can take the road instead of the cycle trail.
Experience Maridalen's Alps
This hike takes you through the lush forest of Nordmarka, past Øyungen lake, and up to the viewpoint on top of Mellomkollen, which offers great views of Oslo and the surrounding forest. Difficulty level: Medium Distance, one way: 12.3 kilometres (7.7 miles) Elevation change: 500 metres (1,640 feet) Time consumption: 2,5–3,5 hours Transportation: From Jernbanetorget, take bus 54 (Kjelsås) to Godals vei. Switch there to bus 51 (Maridalen) and exit at Skar. Read more information about this adventure on Outtt. Download the Outtt app from Google Play or App Store for more outdoor activity suggestions in Oslo.
Akerselva river
Through the centre of Oslo, from Maridalsvannet to the Oslo Fjord, runs the Akerselva river – a popular recreation area with a vibrant history. The river is eight kilometres long and passes waterfalls, swimming spots, fishing grounds, forested areas and wildlife. Akerselva's most spectacular waterfall is located by the Beier Bridge. Other famous attractions linked to the river are Bjølsen Rolling Mill, Lilleborg Factories, Aamot Bridge, Hønse-Lovisa's House and Nedre Foss.
OsloChurch ruins in Maridalen
Ruins after the Margareta Church in the Maridalen valley, one of few remains in Oslo from the Middle Ages. About the Margareta Church The church, built around the year 1250, was a small, single-nave church with choir, dedicated to St. Margareta. The medieval church was partly excavated and restored in 1934, and is beautifully situated at Kirkeby in the north end of the lake Maridalsvannet. The historical play "Maridalsspillet" is performed in the ruins every summer.
Hike along Maridalsvannet
The eastern side of Maridalsvannet, Oslo’s largest lake, is a beautiful area with great views overlooking the thick forest and the water, and a vast amount of trails to explore. Taking the tram from downtown will provide easy access to the trail and to the rest of the Nordmarka forest. Difficulty level: Easy Distance, one way: 8.1 kilometres (5 miles) Elevation gain: 250 metres (820 feet) Time consumption: 2–2.5 hours Transportation: From Jernbanetorget, take tram 12 to Kjelsås. Read more information about this adventure on Outtt. Download the Outtt app from Google Play or App Store for more outdoor activity suggestions in Oslo.
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