🚇⛷️ From the Oslo metro to cross-country skiing: urban cross-country skiing in Nordmarka
Picture this: you step on board the metro right in the heart of Oslo, and 30 minutes later, you're hurtling down the cross-country trails, the snow-covered forest all around you, and the peace and quiet is simply magical. Sounds absolutely fantastic, doesn't it? But it's an incredible fact that anyone who visits the Norwegian capital can experience for themselves! Nordmarka is an absolutely amazing nature park on the outskirts of Oslo, with hundreds of kilometres of perfect cross-country skiing trails just waiting to be explored! This guide will tell you how to get there quickly and easily, where to rent skis and which routes to choose for a perfect day in nature.
I'm absolutely thrilled to share this with you!
📍 How to get to Nordmarka by metro?
It's easy to get there: from Oslo S central station, take metro line 1 (T-bane) towards Frognerseteren. In half an hour, you'll arrive at Frognerseteren station, the starting point for the best ski trails.
🎯 Tip:
Metro tickets cost 39 NOK (one zone). Get a day pass (117 NOK) — it will pay for itself if you travel several times a day.
🎿 Where can I rent skis right by the metro?
Don't have your own skis? No problem! Here are two great rental shops near the Frognerseteren terminal:
● Skiservice Kikutstua — a 5-minute walk from the station, a set of cross-country skis (skis, poles, boots) costs 300 NOK per day.
● Oslo Winterpark Skiutleie — next to Voksenkollen station (one stop before Frognerseteren), rental price — around 350 NOK.
📌 Review from AllTrails.com:
"We rented skis at Skiservice, the staff were very friendly and helped even beginners choose the right equipment. Highly recommended!"
❄️ Top 3 cross-country skiing routes in Nordmarken
On AllTrails.com, local runners and hikers highlight three of the most popular routes, ideal for a quick day trip:
1️⃣ Frognerseteren–Ullevålseter–Sognsvann route
● Length: 11 km (easy level)
● Features: Great for beginners, beautiful views and convenient infrastructure.
● Café along the way: Cosy café Ullevålseter (coffee 40 NOK, waffles from 35 NOK).
📌 AllTrails review:
"An ideal route for families and beginners. Very picturesque and comfortable, lots of people relaxing, but never crowded."
2️⃣ Frognerseteren–Tryvannstua–Frognerseteren loop
● Length: 8 km (intermediate level)
● Features: Suitable for those who are already confident on skis. Excellent views of Lake Tryvann.
● Café along the way: Tryvannstua — traditional dishes (hot chocolate 45 NOK, buns 30 NOK).
📌 AllTrails review:
"Great weekend route! There are a couple of climbs, but the trails are always perfectly groomed."
3️⃣ Frognerseteren–Kikutstua–Frognerseteren route
● Length: 22 km (advanced level)
● Features: A long and very scenic trail, suitable for experienced skiers looking for maximum enjoyment.
● Café along the way: Kikutstua — a cosy place, ideal for a long break and lunch (hot soup from NOK 85).
📌 AllTrails review:
"Fantastic route, well marked and maintained. Be sure to bring snacks and water."
🍵 Cosy cafés on the trails: where to stop and warm up?
Nordmark has many cosy traditional Norwegian cafés where you can take a break and have a bite to eat:
● Frognerseteren Café: right next to the metro, famous for its fresh waffles and hot chocolate (average bill 80–120 NOK).
● Ullevålseter: a homely atmosphere, delicious sandwiches and soups, ideal for families (average bill 90–130 NOK).
● Kikutstua: the best lunches, we recommend the hot meat soup and homemade bread (average bill around 100–150 NOK).
📱 AllTrails
Convenient map and user-submitted route reviews from real skiers — discover trail difficulty, current conditions and photos at a glance.
🗺 UT.no
Official maps of ski trails across Nordmarka and all of Norway — detailed elevation profiles, DNT route markings and hut locations right at your fingertips.
☁️ Yr.no
The most accurate weather forecasts for the Oslo region — hourly temperature, wind, precipitation and snow reports to plan your next outing with confidence.
🎒 What should you definitely take with you for a day in Nordmarken?
Your ideal checklist:
● Thermos with hot tea/coffee
● Energy bars and snacks
● Cold and sun protection cream
● Powerbank and charged smartphone
● Spare gloves and socks
💡 Helpful tips from local skiers:
● Start skiing early (around 9:00–10:00 a.m.), the slopes will be almost empty.
● Wear layers so you can easily adjust your body temperature.
● Be sure to check the weather conditions on the Yr.no app to avoid any surprises.
🏅 Summary: An absolutely perfect day of skiing, right from the centre of Oslo!
Nordmarka is an absolute gem for active winter holidaymakers in Oslo! Get ready for the trip of a lifetime, because you're about to enter a winter wonderland without even leaving the city. All you have to do is hop on the metro and 30 minutes later, you'll be amazed to see the beauty of nature all around you.
Get ready for the day of a lifetime – use our tips to plan the perfect day that you'll remember for a long time to come!
Have you been skiing in Nordmarka? So, what are your favourite routes? And don't hold back - we want to hear all your tips and photos! If you have any interesting blogs or useful links to other resources about ski routes in Norway, we would love to hear about them – be sure to leave them below! We can't wait to share the best tips from our readers in our next article!
