Sognsvann is an easy to reach way to get out into nature in Oslo. The lake is at the end of one of the metro lines. Here’s what to expect when you get there.
It's been a pretty dismal week weather-wise, with only a couple of evenings worthy of the tag “summer”. But I awoke this morning to shards of glorious sunshine filling my apartment with light.
Since moving to Oslo I've found this call of the Scandinavian outdoors hard to resist, and this morning was no exception. Something I enjoy doing is taking the T-Bane or trams all the way to the end of the line, to see what I can find.
My favourite trip to date is the T-Bane trip to Frognerseteren, for a stunning view over Oslo, a warming cocoa at the Frognerseteren Restaurant, walking past the cross-country ski trails and the Holmenkollen ski centre.
But today I fancied a change, so I chose line 3 to Sognsvann, a well-known lake just inside Oslo's green-belt which surrounds the city.
I felt somewhat inadequate on the T-Bane, as everyone else had at least one of the following: backpacks, camping equipment, picnics, barbecues, bikes, skateboards or hiking gear.
I had a plastic bag containing a book, a camera and an apple. Still, as the whole of Oslo seemed to be heading to the hills for the weekend, I was content with my stroll around the 3.3km circumference of the lake. It was beautiful.
Off the main path there are many trails leading up into the hills, great for cycling and hiking. I meandered around the lake and about 90 minutes later I was back at the station ready to make my journey back.
There was not a soul but me on the T-Bane. Clearly when a Norwegian goes to the hills, they make a weekend of it. No wonder you don't see many fat Norwegians in Oslo!
Have you been to Sognsvann in Oslo? Or do you prefer a different spot in the capital? Let me know in the comments below.
