Oslo is one of Europe's most cycle-friendly capitals — and what makes it truly special for road cyclists is how quickly the city disappears. Within thirty minutes of leaving the centre, you are deep in the Follo countryside with not a car in sight, rolling through farmland and forest on quiet asphalt roads that seem to go on forever.
This accessibility is what sets the Oslo & Oslofjord region apart. You do not need a car, a transfer or a hotel in the mountains. You ride out of the city, into the countryside, and back again — all in a day. And the variety is remarkable: flat coastal roads along the Oslofjord, rolling Follo farmland, punchy climbs through Svartskog and Nordmarka, and epic loops that take you all the way to Son, Drøbak or around the entire Nesodden peninsula.
When to go
The season typically starts in March or April depending on the weather, and runs through to October. Spring can be cold — dress in layers for the first weeks of the season. The summer months offer long days and warm temperatures, though the most committed riders are out year-round. Autumn cycling in the Oslo region is particularly beautiful, with forest colours along the Oslofjord roads.
Getting out of the city
Oslo has reasonable cycling infrastructure for getting in and out of the city centre. Dedicated cycle paths cover most of the key exit routes where road cycling alongside traffic is impractical. If you prefer to skip the urban section entirely, there is parking in all directions on the outskirts — drive the first stretch and start your ride where the countryside begins. Avoid peak rush hours (7–9am and 3–5pm) if you are cycling through the city itself.
Follo — the heart of Oslo cycling
South of Oslo lies Follo — a region of quiet country roads, small villages and rolling farmland that is the beating heart of cycling in the Oslo area. The roads here are virtually traffic-free, well-maintained and seemingly endless. Kråkstad, Garder, Kroer, Vestby, Son — these small towns and villages are connected by lanes that reward exploration. Many of Oslo's best club rides head straight into Follo and simply keep going.
Practical tips
Most routes start from central Oslo locations — check each individual route page for the specific start point. Stock up on food before leaving the city on longer routes — while there are shops along the way, distances between stops can be significant on the bigger loops. The Nesodden ferry from Aker Brygge is a useful escape hatch if the legs give out on the Nesodden loop.
All Routes in Oslo & Oslofjord
Oslo Cycling — Mørkrunden Follo Loop
One of the finest road cycling routes in Follo — starting and finishing at the Oslo Opera House. Mørkrunden takes you south through Ytre Enebakk and into Østfold, passing Spydeberg at 57 km before turning onto the quiet, flat roads of Mørkveien. Low traffic, beautiful forest scenery and a high tempo section through Garder and Kroer make this a classic Oslo club ride. 142 kilometres with 1,662 metres of climbing — a serious day in the saddle that rewards with some of the best road surfaces and quietest roads in the region. Two excellent café stops along the way make this a route you can really savour.
Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop
A classic Oslo loop taking you south along the old Mosseveien to Hvervenbukta, past Tusenfryd and Vinterbro, before turning onto the Nesodden peninsula. The climb up Rundvollbakken is the first real test — steep and sustained — before the road opens up and carries you all the way to the tip of Nesodden at 46 km. At the end of the peninsula you will find a kiosk serving food and drinks — and the option to take the ferry across to Aker Brygge if you prefer a shorter day. The return follows the other side of the peninsula through Fjellstrand and Fagerstrand, with one more significant climb back up off Nesodden before the flat run back to Oslo. 101 kilometres with 1,335 metres of climbing — a proper day out from the capital with two café stops and an optional ferry escape.
Oslo Cycling — Svartskog Loop
A classic shorter loop from the Oslo Opera House — perfect for a morning ride or when the legs need a gentler day. The route climbs Kongsveien with panoramic views over Oslo and past the old Sjømannskolen, before rolling south through Nordstrand and along the beautiful Hvervenbukta bay. Turning inland on the old Mosseveien, the roads become quiet and rural as you enter Svartskog. Rolling countryside with virtually no traffic leads to the main challenge of the day — Svartskogbakken, a sharp Cat 4 climb of 1.7 km at 6.3%. At Svartskog you can detour down to the shore to see the house where polar explorer Roald Amundsen once lived — a worthwhile stop with a tough climb back up as a bonus. Svartskog Kolonial is the perfect café stop for food and drinks before the return along the old Mosseveien back to the Opera House.
Oslo Cycling — Vestby Loop
A classic 78-kilometre loop from the Oslo Opera House through the rolling countryside of Follo and Vestby. The route follows the old Mosseveien south past Tusenfryd before climbing onto Kongeveien — a quiet local road on rolling terrain with virtually no traffic. Through Ås and on to Vestby, the route turns west onto Drøbakveien — another beautifully quiet road with stunning surroundings. Klommesteinveien carries you past open farmland before the familiar landmarks of Kiosken på Nesset (soft ice cream stop), Vinterbro and Tusenfryd signal the final run back to Oslo. 78 kilometres with 743 metres of climbing — a perfect mid-distance loop for a weekend morning ride from the city.
Oslo Cycling — Son Loop
The favourite route of many Follo cyclists — and for good reason. From the Oslo Opera House, this 118-kilometre loop takes you through the very best of Follo's quiet countryside roads, passing the charming villages of Kråkstad, Garder and Kroer on virtually traffic-free lanes before arriving at the idyllic coastal town of Son. Son is the highlight of the route and deserves a proper stop. Hagestua serves excellent food and drinks right by the waterfront, while Håndverksbakeriet is the place for outstanding baked goods — grab something and find a spot along the harbour. With 1,307 metres of climbing on rolling Follo terrain, this is a proper hard day out that rewards with some of the finest cycling roads in the Oslo region.
Oslo Cycling — Drøbak
A classic 76-kilometre out-and-back from the Oslo Opera House to one of the Oslofjord's most beloved towns — Drøbak. Following Gamle Mossevei south past Hvervenbukta, Tusenfryd and Vinterbro, the route winds along quiet roads to the idyllic seaside town of Drøbak. Drøbak is a true gem of the Oslofjord — a historic summer town with wooden houses, a beautiful harbour and excellent cafés. Just outside the town, Oscarsborg Fortress is visible from the harbour — the site where Norwegian forces sank the German warship Blücher on 9 April 1940. With 642 metres of climbing on mostly quiet roads, this is an accessible and rewarding ride — perfect for a summer day out from the capital.
Oslo Cycling — Nordmarka Royal Loop
The ultimate Oslo epic — a 152-kilometre loop around the entire Nordmarka forest, starting and finishing at the Oslo Opera House. Anti-clockwise, this route takes you over Gjelleråsen, north along quiet country roads through Rotnes, Harestua and Grua, west to the shores of Steinsfjorden, and up the legendary Kleiva climb before returning through the gravel roads of Krokskogen. This is one of the finest endurance rides in the Oslo region. The roads through inner Akershus are virtually traffic-free with rolling terrain and beautiful rural scenery. After 85 kilometres, Hadeland Glassverk is a highly recommended stop — fresh-baked goods and pizza in a stunning setting. The day's defining challenge arrives at Sundvollen — Kleiva 1, a Category 3 climb of 4.3 km at 6.9% with spectacular views over Tyrifjorden and, on a clear day, Gaustatoppen in the far distance. At the summit, Kleivstua Hotel offers water before the gravel section through Krokskogen — hardpacked and perfectly rideable on 25mm tyres. A fitting end to one of Oslo's great cycling adventures.
Oslo Cycling — Sørkedalen Loop
One of the most popular cycling routes on Oslo's west side — and for good reason. Starting from Røa, you are in the countryside within minutes, riding through the beautiful Sørkedalen valley on quiet, virtually traffic-free roads. The route passes Bogstad Gård, a historic estate dating back to the 1700s, and Oslo Golf Club — one of the finest in Norway — before continuing into the valley. At Sørkedalen Landhandel og Kafe, a charming country store and café awaits with excellent food and drinks. Check opening hours before you go. At just 21 kilometres, this is an ideal route for a quick spin, a first ride of the season, or a relaxed coffee-stop loop. The scenery is so beautiful that many riders do multiple laps — and the valley never gets old.
Oslo Cycling — Maridalen Loop
The most popular training loop in Oslo — Maridalen is where the city's cyclists, runners and roller skiers come to train. A 20-kilometre loop through the beautiful Maridalen valley north of the city, on smooth asphalt with virtually no traffic. Maridalen is a natural oasis just minutes from the city centre — a protected agricultural valley surrounded by forest, with the Akerselva river running through it. The roads are well-maintained and the scenery is stunning in every season. At 20 kilometres with 270 metres of climbing, this is the perfect route for a quick training spin, a recovery ride, or simply enjoying one of Oslo's finest natural areas. Many riders do multiple laps to build distance — the valley never gets old.
Gjøvik — Oslo Gravel
One of the great gravel classics of Eastern Norway — 149 kilometres from the shores of Lake Mjøsa to the Oslo waterfront, through deep forests, quiet farm tracks and some of the finest gravel roads on the continent. With 80% of the route on unpaved roads, this is a ride for gravel and mountain bikes, not road bikes. The classic way to ride this route is to take the Gjøvikbanen train from Oslo to Gjøvik — about two hours — and spend the day riding home. The train leaves early, the forest roads are quiet in the morning, and arriving at Sørenga by the Oslo fjord after a long day in the woods is one of those cycling experiences you do not forget. From Gjøvik station the route climbs immediately into Totenåsen — the first big test, rewarded with panoramic views over Mjøsa and the wide farming valleys of Toten. Then south through Hadeland's open cultural landscape, past Brandbu, and into the deep quiet of Romeriksåsen where gravel roads thread between forest lakes and dense spruce forest. The final act is Nordmarka from north to south — past Gjerdingen, Sandungen and Kikut, the heart of Oslo's outdoor playground — before the long descent to Maridalsvannet and the city below.