Oslo/North

North Oslo comprises the part of Oslo north of the third ring road and the eastbound railway. This district is home to a couple of fine museums and most importantly the wide forested hills, Nordmarka, with countless lakes, fine paths (summer), ski trails, ski slopes (winter) and excellent panoramas. The big ski jumps, birth place of modern competitive skiing, are impressive constructions and offers fine panoramas. This part of Oslo offers unique recreational areas for both the city of Oslo's own population and for the many visitors. Hiking and cross-country skiing in the forests so close to the busy city has made this capital so rare.

The residential areas within northern Oslo are different and vary from the single-family detached homes in the hills up to Holmenkollen in the west to modern apartment blocks and terraced houses in the suburban areas of the Groruddalen valley further east.

Get in

• Coming in to Oslo from the north (for instance along the E6) by car, you will first end up here. As opposed to central parts of the city, it may be a good idea to get around by car. Nevertheless, a network buses and subways means you can get in to most places of interest with public transportation too.
• To get to northwestern Oslo, take subway 1 or 2. The former brings you to Holmenkollen.
• To get due north, take subway 5 to Songsvann, tram 11 or 12 to Kjelsås (or local trains even further in that direction).
• Northeastern suburbs, all the way to Vestli district at the city border, are served by subway lines 4 and 5. A little further south goes a local train line, and still further south, subway 2 serves suburbs like Furuset.

See

The ski jump in Holmenkollen

• 🌍 Holmenkollen (T-bane 1 towards Frognerseteren.). The ski jump located on the west side of Oslo, which was rebuilt for the World Ski Championships in 2011. It first opened in 1892 and has been re-built many times since then. It had more than 1 million visitors every year, and was one of the biggest tourist attractions in Norway. There is also the oldest ski museum in the world, opened in 1923. Walking and mountain bike riding are popular activities here during the summer.  
• 🌍 Holmenkollen Chapel (Next to the Holmenkollen ski jump). built with inspiration from the stave churches and benefits from dragestil wood carvings. The chapel used by the Royal Family at Christmas time and Holmenkollen ski festival.  
• 🌍 Emanuel Vigeland Museum (T-bane line 1 to Slemdal). Only open a few hours every Sunday afternoon. Among Oslos best hidden secrets. Gustav Vigeland's not so well-known younger brother erected the building as a museum for his art in 1926, but later decided it should serve as a mausoleum, with his urn placed above the door. The main attraction in this museum with no windows is the 800 square meters fresco "Vita", (Italian for "life"), showing the human life from conception till death, but other examples of his art are also on display. Included in the Oslo Pass. 50kr/adult. 
• 🌍 Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology & The Norwegian Telecommunications Museum, Kjelsåsveien 143 (Tram 11 or 12 to Kjelsås, bus 22, 25 or 54 or infrequent local train to Kjelsås stasjon). A fun and very interactive place for both children and adults. Contrary to information in the common tourist brochures this building. 90kr/adult.  
• 🌍 Nordmarka (Oslo forest) (Marka), North of Oslo + eastern, northern and western suburbs (Metro, tram, car, bicycle, walking). 24 hours. Oslo is surrounded by wide and partly dense forests, generally known as Marka, of which Nordmarka is the largest and most accessible section (in addition to Nordmarka there similar areas east, south and west of the city). There are lots of roads and trails criss-crossing these wide forests, but no cars, only skiers, hikers and bicycles. So it is essentially the largest park in town. There are countless lakes, many rivers and small waterfalls too. Small summits that rise above the city offers excellent panoramas. Entry points everywhere, usually 10-15 min from the centre. Access by bus, metro, tram, car or bicycle. There is a fine network of high quality foot paths (roads) suitable even for wheelchairs and baby strollers, as well as many "nature trails" for hikers and skiers only. Roads closest to the city have street lights. In winter used for cross-country skiing, also a small ski resort (alpine skiing). The Moose (elg), mainland Norway's largest animal, roam the forest and occasionally strolls into town. Note: the Oslo forest is drinking water supply for 1 million people. Restrictions on camping, barbecue and swimming. Free.  
• 🌍 Sognsvann (Metro line (T-bane) 5 Sognsvann). 24 hours. Sognsvann lake is one of the most popular places in Marka (Oslo forest), nice meadows and easy path around lake, paths continue through the forest - metro line 5 to Sognsvann station. Surprisingly this lake is the geographical mid point of Oslo. free. (updated Sep 2016)

Do

• 🌍 Swimming (outdoor, freshwater), Oslo forest. 24/7. For fresh water swimming, Akerselva is considered clean north of Nydalen. The best spot may be at Frysja (bus 22-25-54 to Stillatorget). Don't forget that many of the lakes in "Oslomarka" are for swimming and recreation (Sognsvann lake for instance). Note that some major lakes (Maridalsvannet in particular) are drinking water for the city, restrictions on swimming and camping. Buy a map and bring your swimming gear! Free. 
• 🌍 Holmenkollen (see above). The area around Holmenkollen (T-bane 1) is well suited for cross-country skiing, but also a nice area for hiking during summertime. While you are there, you can also visit the ski-museum which is located close to the ski-jump. For additional fun, buy a cheap sledge or "akebrett", or rent a proper one from Frognerseteren, and sleigh down from Frognerseteren to Midtstuen station. This was actually the venue of the sleighing competitions in the 1952 Winter Olympics, and the hill is referred to as "Korketrekkeren" (the corkscrew). If you buy a day-card for the subway, you can race all day long, but make sure you are well dressed, as you are going to get wet. 
• 🌍 Oslo Climbingpark (Climbing in outdoor trees, zips and on a climbing wall.), Trondheimsveien 644 (Metro line 4 and 5 to Vestli, bus 380 and 390 to Bånkallstubben), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. See prices and opening hours April to October. Perfect for adults and teenagers who want to challenge themselves with expert guidance. 
• 🌍 Oslo vinterpark, Tryvannsveien 64 (at Tryvann, T-bane 1 to Voksenkollen Station, change to seasonal local bus to the resort.), ☎ [phone]. The capital's greatest ski resort for alpine skiing. Ski school and ski equipment rental. Dinig. After ski fridays. Oslo Vinterpark offers multiple lifts and slopes stretching from the Tryvann Tower, at the top and all the way down to Sørkedalen, where the 1300m Wyllerløypa ends. See weather forecast.  
• 🌍 Oslo Summerpark (climbing park), Tryvannsveien 64 (at Tryvann, T-bane 1 to Voksenkollen Station), e-mail: [e-mail]. mid May to October. To adults and children: challenge yourself, swing through the trees, fun zip lines, balancing along a section of posts. The Climbing Park is designed and constructed so that trees can grow to their natural shape and size. Routes and paths are placed naturally useing the latest technology and an independent arborist that puts safety first. Knowledgeable training. 

Buy

Shopping malls

• 🌍 Stovner Senter, Stovner Senter 3 (Subway (T-bane) line 4 or 5, bus 65 to Stovner), ☎ [phone]. One of the largest shopping centers in City of Oslo, located in the northeastern tip. 
• 🌍 Grorud Senter, Bergensveien 2-4 (Subway (T-bane) line 4 og 5 to Grorud). Shopping center, located centrally in the Grorud district. 
• 🌍 Vindern torvet, Slemdalsveien 72 (Subway (T-bane) line 1 to Slemdal). Shopping center along the Holmenkollen line. 

Eat

Budget

• 🌍 IKEA Furuset, Strømsveien 303 (Free shuttle bus to here near the corner of Fred Olsens gate and Prinsens gate.). Shop for furniture and eat cheaply! Hotdogs for 5kr and pizza slices for 15kr.. 

Mid-range

• 🌍 Egon Ullevål (Chain restaurant), Sognsveien 77c (T-bane to Ullevål Stadion, right east of the Ullevål Stadium), ☎ [phone]. Serves nice food for a fair price/quality ratio. All kinds of dishes available, you do need to go to the bar to order 

Splurge

• 🌍 Frognerseteren Restaurant, Holmenkollveien 200 (Metro line 1 to Frognerseteren terminus station), ☎ [phone]. -is a dragestil complex consisting of patisserie Seterstua and restaurant Finstua as well as banqueting facilities. Wonderful views over the entire city. The food is based on Norwegian cuisine traditions, but is expensive.  

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• 🌍 Bogstad Camping, Ankerveien 117 (9 km out of town at the entrance of picturesque Sørkedalen, T-bane 2 to Røa, then bus 32, direction Voksen Skog, to Bogstad Camping. Or take bus 32 from the central station (bus stop P)), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Bogstad has cabins and tent space. Close v tothe campsite there is a mini-mart Kiwi (used by the locals), a petrol station Statoil with heat-up fast food options, and a fast food restaurant Jafs! which does pizzas, kebabs and burgers ("Hamburger meny" take-away, 100g burger & French fries & salad & drink, kr 95). 2-person tent: kr 185, 4-person tent with car: kr 270, Cabin: kr 500-1290. 
• 🌍 Haraldsheim Youth Hostel (Haraldsheim Vandrerhjem), Haraldsheimveien 4 (tram 17 or bus 23-24-31-33, 4 km from downtown Oslo), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. The biggest HI hostel in Oslo. Not too far from the action (but it is hard to find), walking distance to the lively neighbourhoods of Torshov and Grünerløkka. Located in a very quiet area of Oslo, this is a place you'd go to sleep, not to party. The breakfast is outstanding for a hostel and is vegan-friendly, although with reduced choice. It is advisable to reconfirm your booking before you come and inform at what time you are going to arrive although the reception is open 24 hours. Dorm: kr 255-280, Double: kr 610-690, Bed linen: kr 50, Breakfast included, 10% discount with HI membership. 
• 🌍 Oslo Hostel Rønningen (Oslo Vandrerhjem Rønningen), Myrerskogveien 54 (Metro 5 or tram 11, 12 and 13 go to Storo, and from there bus 56 until Rønningen. Bus 56 only runs twice an hour, but every 20 minutes during rush hour), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 15-18. Open June 1 - August 19. 7.5 km from the center. Dorm: from kr 230, 10% discount with HI membership. 

Mid-range

• 🌍 Olympiatoppen Sportshotell, Sognsveien 228 (By lake Sognsvann, 15 minutes by subway line 5 to Sognsvann from central Oslo), ☎ [phone]. Peacefully located on the edge of the forest Nordmarka. Standard rooms (2 beds): 895kr. 
• 🌍 Quality Hotel™ 33, Østre Aker vei 33 (Metro lines 4 and 5 to Økern), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A conference hotel with 242 hotel rooms and 17 conference rooms. Panoramic views from the upper floors. 
• 🌍 Radisson Blu Hotel Oslo Alna (Hotel & Conferance Center), Tevlingveien 21 (Metro: line 2 to Trosterud, by car: junction 41 on the E6 highway), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Comfortable hotel and conference facilities. Well-equipped fitness room. 
• 🌍 Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel, Kongeveien 26 (Holmenkollen, 20 minutes by T-bane (subway) to the city center), ☎ [phone]. Close to the skiing facilities at Holmenkollen, this is a hotel built in the classical Norwegian dragon style.  
• 🌍 Soria Moria Hotell (Hotel and conference center), Voksenkollveien 60 (Metro line 1 to Voksenkollen), ☎ [phone]. The name is taken from a castle in Asbjørnsen and Moe's folk tales. Spectacular views from above the city and close to forest and ski facilities. 
• 🌍 Thon Hotel Linne, Statsråd Mathiesensvei 12 (T-bane (metro) line 4 or 5 to Vollebekk), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Located in a suburb, not very far from the offices and commercial business districts of Helsfyr and Økern. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Lysebu, Lysebuveien 12 (Metro (T-bane) line 1 to Voksenkollen), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Historic hotel in the forest, located over the city and close to the Holmenkollen ski facilities and hiking areas. Used for conferences, celebrations, honeymoons and weddings. Traditional Norwegian building style in timber. 

Connect

As for the whole of Oslo

Go next

• Within central Oslo: see the Oslo/West, Oslo/Sentrum, Oslo/Inner North or the Oslo/Inner East article
• Suburbs within southern Oslo: see the Oslo/South article