marka

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In Norway, nature is never far away. In Oslo, you simply take the metro into the forest. Marka is the name of the forest and hilly areas surrounding Oslo. Norwegians love their nature and at weekends there are a lot of people in Marka for recreational purposes.

The forest is huge and stretches way beyond the municipality of Oslo. It is well signposted and is both easy and safe to explore, even for inexperienced hikers.

When exploring Marka, Frognerseteren is a good point to start. From here it is about 5 kilometers to the café Ullevålseter. “Seter” translates to “summer pasture”, and several of the cafes in Marka are former pastures.

Freedom to roam, also called right of public access to the wilderness, is practised in Marka. In Norwegian it is called Allemannsretten, literally meaning every man’s right, and it gives you the right to walk and camp (for a short period) in uncultivated land. Allemannsretten gives you a lot of freedom, but there are restrictions. You may for instance not make a fire in the period 15th of April until 15th of September.

how to get there

The easiest way to get to Marka is to take the Metro to either Frognerseteren or Sognsvann. From Frogneseteren you have a magnificent view of Oslo, and it is mainly downhill.

allemannsretten

  • You have the right to roam wherever you like in nature on foot or ski
  • You may cross fields in the wintertime
  • You may use boats, canoes, kayaks etc
  • You may camp in nature
  • You may use bikes or ride a horse along roads in nature
  • You may bathe in freshwater, sea, waterfalls
  • You are free to use a boat and go ashore, if it is not private property
  • You may pick berries, mushrooms and flowers
  • You may light a fire in the wintertime if you are not in a forest
  • You may gather wood for fires, but don’t cut down trees of course
  • You may fish in the sea
  • You may fish for free in fresh water if you are under 16
  • You may drive and park along a private road, unless it is strictly forbidden

trips and cabins

The woods are fairly well signposted, but bring a map if you want to be adventurous and explore on your own. Maps are bought at Narvesen Kiosks, gas stations or bookstores.

Den Norske Turistforening (DNT)
Storgaten 3
turistforeningen.no

Skiforeningen
Kongeveien 5
www.skiforeningen.no

Both DNT and Skiforeningen have information about where to go hiking and skiing in Marka. They also have a list of self-service huts, both in Marka, and all over Norway. Sleeping in these cabins is cheaper than paying for a hotel room downtown. Remember to book in advance.

canoe and kayak

You can paddle in the Oslo Fjord, Akers river and most lakes surrounding Oslo. To rent a vessel, contact:

Bull Ski og Kajakk
www.bull-ski-kajakk.no

Oslo Kajakkutleie
www.oslo-kajakk.no

Kikutstua
www.kikutstua.no
In Marka you can rent canoes through Kikutstua.Why not combine it with an overnight stay?

berries and mushrooms

First of all: never eat a mushroom which you have not identified 110%! We are serious, some of these cuties are poisonous!
Although you can find mushrooms from early spring until late winter, the mushroom season is considered to be from august to October. During the season you may get your finds verified for free by experts at various locations in Marka.You can find out where and when here.
As for berries; the blueberry generally ripens in July around Oslo, and the mountain cranberry ripens in august.

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