Oslo's most used forest-edge walk: about 60,000 people a month circle this Nordmarka lake, which was the city's drinking water from 1876 to 1967. The path round the lake is 3.3 km; add about 350 m each way from Kringsjå while Sognsvann station is closed (from 1 October 2026, up to four weeks). Swim from the jetties in summer, skate on the ice when Bymiljøetaten prepares it in winter.
Best time: Any season: the path is ploughed and gritted in winter and lit all night
The route, stop by stop
- 1Kringsjå T-bane station (line 5)
While Sognsvann station is closed, ride line 5 to Kringsjå and walk about 350 m up to the lake.
- 2Sognsvann station and south beach
The terminus of line 5 (reopening after platform repairs). At the south end are the beach with sand, rocks and grass, three bathing jetties, toilets, a kiosk and approved fire places.
- 3Sognsvann lake path
Walk the 3.3 km gravel loop; cycling on it is discouraged. Lights stay on all night (dimmed after 23:00). Iron mines worked on both sides of the lake from the 1500s to 1906/07. 50 min.
- 4Svartkulp
Small forest pond just east of the lake with a naturist beach. A short detour on the east side.
More walks in Oslo
- Grazing walk: Vulkan, Grünerløkka and the river
- Harbour promenade: Opera to Tjuvholmen
- Akerselva river: Nydalen down to Vaterland
- Old Christiania: Cathedral, Kvadraturen and the fortress
- Forest walk: Frognerseteren down to Holmenkollen
- East side: Grønland, Tøyen, Kampen and Vålerenga
- Royal Oslo: Karl Johan, Palace Park and Vigeland
- Old Christiania's hill: Vår Frelsers gravlund, Damstredet, Gamle Aker and St. Hanshaugen
- Ekeberg and Gamlebyen: Munch's Scream view, the sculpture park and medieval Oslo
- Hovedøya: ferry to a 1147 monastery and the swimming rocks
- Upper Akerselva: from Kjelsås down through the old mill valley to Nydalen