Exploring Østmarka

Sunday was a slow morning. We originally planned to spend the day walking but it took us a while to get up, organised and out of the door. After a quick look at the map, we decided to head to Østmarka, a forest located to the East of Oslo and only thirty minutes away from the centre by train so we headed there. I think this place may have nudged Nordmarka off the top spot (but only just).

We stepped off the train at Bøler station and into the community park a stones throw away. The path lead us around a sports ground that became a tree lined forest trail. It didn’t take long to see our first lake. By this time, the snow was getting heavier and the sky was the same colour was the ground.

Ulsrudvannet lake

Our plan was to walk around the lakes but we ended up walking over Nøklevannet Lake instead. It was frozen solid and the ice sheet felt more like concrete. People were skiing over the lake in the distance and seeing them float past reminded me of Winter scenes printed on old Scandinavian postcards.

We lucked out with our lunch spot. Scott spotted a wooden bench perched on rocky bank overlooking the lake and used pine branches to brush off the snow. It was the perfect place to gobble up knekkebrød while watching the snow fall. Although we could see people skiing, the lake was completely silent. I could have sat here all day if we’d had a fire going — you can see a black mark in the snow where someone else has done just that.

Side note: knekkebrød are Norwegian crisp breads made from rye flour (my recipe). I’m totally addicted and make them at home most weeks. It seems fitting to eat lots of them here while I don’t have to make them 🙂

The snow doesn’t look very deep in these photos but Scott wandered too far off the trail and ended up knee deep. Watching him unexpectedly plunge into the snow was hilarious but it wasn’t long before karma dished up the same fate for me.

Great day! Definitely add Østmarka to your list if you are planning a trip to Oslo.

Transport notes

• Trainline: T-Bane line 3 from Oslo Sentralstasjon (central station) to Bøler
• Tickets: Ruter app, paper ticket or Oslo pass
• We bought a 24 hour ticket (more info here)