🌲 Marka — Oslo’s green lung

Sognsvann — the easy start

Metro line 5 ends at Sognsvann, 15 minutes from the centre. The loop around the lake is 3.3 km, flat and lit — perfect for a pram, a run or an evening walk. In summer people swim from the rocks; in winter the ski tracks start right at the car park and lead in towards Ullevålseter (about 4 km), the forest cabin with the city’s most famous buns.

Frognerseteren and Holmenkollen

Line 1 climbs from the centre to Frognerseteren in half an hour — the ride itself is an attraction, with views over the fjord. From the terminus, trails and ski tracks lead into Nordmarka, towards Tryvann and on to Kikut, and Frognerseteren restaurant (1891) serves apple cake in dragon style. In winter, the Korketrekkeren toboggan run from Frognerseteren down to Midtstuen is 2 km of pure joy — rent a sledge at the top and take the metro back up.

Get off at Holmenkollen on the way down: the ski jump, the Ski Museum (the world’s oldest), the top of the tower with a view over all of Oslo — and in March, the Holmenkollen Ski Festival with World Cup racing and the “Kollen roar”.

Further in

If you have a whole day: Vettakollen (viewpoint, 1 hour from Vettakollen station), Maridalsvannet and Hammeren, or Østmarka from Skullerud with Nøklevann and Rustadsaga. The forest cabins — Ullevålseter, Kobberhaughytta, Kikutstua, Sinober — serve waffles and are the natural goal of any ski trip. DNT Oslo rents out cabins in Marka at reasonable prices.