A three-hour guided hike through the forests just outside Oslo, built around Viking history and Norse folklore — developed with a Viking expert who helped shape every story along the route.
Secure booking via FareHarbor · Pick your date and time in the next step
Questions or private tour (flexible days and times)? info@osloway.no
Walking beneath the trees, you’ll hear the myths that defined a civilisation: the creation of the world, Thor’s legendary fishing trip, the tragic death of Baldur, and many more tales. The forest has its own inhabitants too — trolls, the enchanting Huldra, and the Nøkken, creatures that have lured people into the woods for as long as the people of Scandinavia have told their stories. We stop at Trollvann lake for Norwegian trail snacks and a hot drink, and your guide will tell you the story behind the food too. The myths don’t stay in the past: by the end of the hike, you’ll understand how Norse cosmology laid the foundations for a distinctly Norwegian relationship with nature — one that persists in friluftsliv, allemansretten, and the quiet romanticism Norwegians still bring to their forests today.
Meet your guide at 09:30 by the Tiger statue outside Oslo Central Station. Please arrive with a valid public transport ticket ready — the guide leaves Oslo S at 09:40 sharp, and we ride together to the edge of the forest.
Grefsenbakkene is part of Oslo Skisenter Grefsenkollen, a local ski area on the edge of the forest above the city. On this tour, guests pass close to the slopes while learning about Norway’s deep connection to skiing, winter culture, and outdoor life. The area helps show how easily Oslo residents move between city life and nature.
Trollvann is a peaceful forest lake in Oslo’s Grefsen area, surrounded by trees, trails, and hills. We stop here for a light Norwegian trail snack and a hot drink — Viking-style food, with the story behind it — and, when weather conditions allow, the option of a refreshing swim.
Grefsenkollen is one of Oslo’s best-known viewpoints, offering sweeping views over the city, the Oslofjord, Holmenkollen, and the surrounding forest. It’s a popular local hiking area, and a beautiful reward after the uphill section of the walk. This activity ends back at the meeting point.
This is a real forest hike, not a city stroll: about 4 hours on forest trails with an uphill section before the Grefsenkollen viewpoint. It suits anyone with a moderate fitness level who can walk uneven ground for a few hours. You never need climbing or technique, just legs and a bit of puff.
Dress for the forest, not the city: solid shoes with grip (hiking boots or sturdy trainers), layers for the weather, and water. In autumn and winter bring a proper warm jacket, hat and gloves; in summer a light rain shell earns its place too. The trail can be muddy or snowy depending on the season.
You are welcome to bring your own walking sticks, and if you need them, let us know in advance (email info@osloway.no or reply to your confirmation) and we will sort it before your hike.
We meet at the Tiger statue outside Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) at 09:30, and the tour loops back to the same spot afterwards. Bring a valid ticket for public transport; the forest is a short ride from the city.
Call or text us at +47 984 10 156. If you know in advance, email info@osloway.no and we will help you catch up or rebook you on another day.
The guided hike with an English-speaking guide, Norwegian trail snacks (what Vikings ate then, and what they eat now), a hot drink by lake Trollvann, and the stories developed with a Viking expert. No booking fee and nothing extra at checkout. Between 1 October and 31 March tours get 20% off at checkout.
Yes, free of charge up to 24 hours before the hike, by email or by replying to your confirmation. Later than that, or for no-shows, we cannot refund. This hike needs good weather: if we have to cancel for unsafe conditions, you get a different date or a full refund.
Ages 12 to 100 with a moderate fitness level. The uphill section and uneven terrain make it unsuitable for most wheelchairs and prams, but service animals are welcome. If anyone in your group has a heart condition or other serious medical concerns, please email us before booking.
Not at all: forest groups bond fast around shared myths and a shared campfire. We run with a minimum of two paying guests; if a date cannot go ahead, you get a free rebooking or a full refund.
Maximum 12 hikers per group, so every story carries even in the woods. Groups of 13 or more can book the hike privately with flexible dates and pickup.
A tip is never required, but it is genuinely welcomed. Guides are always happy when they get one, and a tip or a kind review at the end of a great hike means a lot to them.
Yes. OsloWay also runs the original Grunerlokka food and culture walk, an Oslo beer and culture walk, a Christmas traditions tour, and private versions of everything for groups and companies. Book one of our tours and your next tour of your choice is 20% off when you book directly with us. Contact us at info@osloway.no to claim it.
This tour can also be booked as a private experience, even for larger groups. Same guides, same tastings, just your own party. Tell us your dates and group size and we will put it together.
Ask about a private tour