Sognsvann, Frognerseteren and Holmenkollen by metro
Marka is the collective name for the forests around Oslo — Nordmarka, Østmarka, Lillomarka and more — protected by the Marka Act and criss-crossed by thousands of kilometres of trails and ski tracks. What makes it unique is the access: the metro runs right to the forest edge, and Oslo’s residents use it as their garden all year round.
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.
🚇
30 min
Metro centre–Frognerseteren
🌲
2/3
Of Oslo municipality is forest
🎿
2,600 km
Groomed ski tracks in Oslomarka
🛷
2 km
Korketrekkeren toboggan run
🧭
Find the trails
The Skiforeningen app (“Markadatabasen” / iMarka) shows groomed tracks and conditions in real time; ut.no and Skiforeningen’s maps cover the summer trails. Trails are marked with blue (summer) and red (winter) signs.
Tips
- 🎿Ski rental is available at Frognerseteren and Holmenkollen — no need to bring equipment.
- ☕The forest cabins take cards/Vipps, but check opening hours — many are weekend-only outside the ski season.
- 🏊Summer swims: Sognsvann, Nøklevann and the Sørkedalselva — but Maridalsvannet is drinking water and off limits.
- 🦌Moose, roe deer and foxes are common in Marka — keep dogs on a lead 1 April–20 August.
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