Outdoor activities in the Woodlands surrounding Oslo

To mainpage

The Woodlands - a short summary of the contents of our website

Our hometown Oslo is the capital of Norway. The town is surrounded by
forest areas.
Our website describes outdoor activities in Nordmarka and Krokskogen,
the woodlands north and west of Oslo.

The town gets its water supplies
from the many lakes in the
forest areas.
As early as in the 19th century
barrages were built in order to gain
reliable water supplies for a fast
growing population, but also for log
running purposes.
Barrage built of graniteblocks by the lake Småvanna

Barrage built of graniteblocks by the lake Småvanna

At first dams were made of great
timber cases filled with stones.
From about 1860 till 1930 new
barrages were built of granite blocks.
Those built in latter years are few,
made of concrete.

The Nordmarka and Krokskogen area gives a fine opportunity for canoeing.
Our canoe is not built for trips on fast flowing-rivers, and quiet streams
deep enough for canoeing are few, but canoeing on the many lakes gives
great pleasure and recreation.
The canoeing season begins with ice-out in May and it last until ice-in
in November but we usually paddle in the summertime!
The hiking season usually last from the end of may when the snow has
disappeared till November - January When the snow is back.

There is a network of foot paths
all over the woodlands and several
roads for restricted use,
perfect for biking.
We often like to leave the paths
or roads to take our bearings
using a map and a compass.
The highest ridge reaches only 717 m
above sea level, and there are
lots of signs that tell which way
to go so it is almost impossible to
get lost!

During the winter season ski
trails are prepared.
Signs showing the direction of paths and ski tracks

Signs showing the direction of paths and ski tracks

Hares, foxes and elks live in the
woodlands and can be seen quite often!

The northern part of Nordmarka borders to Hadeland, a rural district
with densely built up areas.
One of these places is Grua, a well known area for those who are interested
in geology.

Some of our ancestors came from Hadeland and they settled down at a place
called Østbråtan in Nordmarka about 1850.

Read more about the Grua Mining District

Text in Norwegian:

with pictures showing the woodlands during winter time.

with pictures showing the woodlands during summer time.

with pictures showing lakes and rivers in the woodlands.