How long is the Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop cycling route?

The Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop is 101 kilometres as a loop with 1335 metres of elevation gain.

How difficult is Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop?

Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop is rated hard. Expect significant climbing and long distances. A good fitness base is required.

When is the best time to ride Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop?

The best time to ride Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop is March–October.

What surface is the Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop route?

Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop is entirely on paved roads.

Cycling the Nesodden peninsula road south of Oslo

Norway

Oslo & Oslofjord, Norway

Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop

hard

101 km

Distance

1,335 m

Elevation

Asphalt

Surface

Oslo Opera House

Start

March–October

Best Season

hard

Difficulty

About this Route

← Oslo & Oslofjord Cycling Guide

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.

I've ridden the Nesodden loop more times than I can count — it's one of those routes that always delivers, no matter the season. My advice: start early. Traffic builds up quickly on the roads around Nesodden, and the experience is in a completely different league when you have the tarmac to yourself in the morning light.

The climb up Rundvollbakken is a proper wake-up call — not brutally long, but steep enough to get the legs burning from the start. What follows on the western side of the peninsula is relentlessly rolling — Nesodden doesn't give you anything for free. Every descent leads straight into the next climb, and Svestadbakken in particular demands respect.

My favourite stop is the pier at Nesoddtangen. Grab something to drink and a snack from the kiosk, sit down and take in the view back towards Oslo — it's one of those moments that reminds you why you ride. The eastern return along Bunnefjorden is generally faster and more flowing, which makes for a satisfying finish after all the climbing on the western side.

Kilometre by Kilometre

0–20 km: Flat exit along the fjord

Leave the Opera House and follow the old Mosseveien south along the Oslofjord. Past Ekeberg and down to Hvervenbukta — a popular swimming spot in summer. Mostly flat with some short punchy climbs as you leave the city.

20–35 km: Onto Nesodden — Rundvollbakken

Past Vinterbro the road turns onto the Nesodden peninsula. Rundvollbakken is the first real test — steep and sustained, it takes you up onto the plateau. The climb earns the view.

35–50 km: Western side — Svestadbakken and the rolling hills

The western side of Nesodden is relentlessly rolling. Every descent leads into the next climb. Svestadbakken in particular demands respect. Beautiful but demanding riding with views across the Oslofjord.

50–60 km: Southern rounding — Havsjødalen

The route rounds the southern tip of the peninsula through Havsjødalen. Quieter roads and a sense of being far from the city despite being only 30 km away. The kiosk at Nesoddtangen pier is the natural stop.

60–85 km: Eastern return along Bunnefjorden

The return follows the eastern side of Nesodden along Bunnefjorden. Don't be fooled — this side still climbs over 300 metres with a steady rolling rhythm through Fjellstrand and Fagerstrand. Less savage than the western side, but far from flat. Views across the calm water of Bunnefjorden throughout.

85–101 km: Climb off Nesodden and back to Oslo

One final long climb takes you back up off the peninsula — the last major effort of the day. From the top it is a mostly flat run back north to the Oslo Opera House.

Gallery

Cycling the Nesodden peninsula — quiet roads south of Oslo along the Oslofjord

Coastal road on the Nesodden loop — 101 km from Oslo Opera House

Oslo Cycling — Nesodden Loop — Map & Elevation

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Key Climbs

Rundvollbakken

Cat 4

1.74 km

Distance

7.9%

Avg Grade

138 m

Elev. Gain

View on Strava

Tips & Local Knowledge

Start early to avoid traffic — the roads on Nesodden get busy by mid-morning. The kiosk at Nesoddtangen pier is the perfect mid-ride stop with views back towards Oslo.
Start from the Oslo Opera House — iconic departure point in the heart of the city.
Follow the old Mosseveien south — more scenic than the motorway route and carries less traffic.
Stop at Kiosken på Nesset for soft ice cream — a local institution and well-deserved treat mid-ride.
Rundvollbakken is the first major climb — steep and sustained. Take it steady and save something for the return climb off Nesodden.
At the tip of Nesodden (46 km) there is a kiosk with food and drinks. The ferry to Aker Brygge is also here — a great escape option if the legs are tired.
The return climb back up off Nesodden is long — pace yourself through Fjellstrand and Fagerstrand before it hits.
Best ridden April–October. The coastal roads can be exposed and cold in spring — dress in layers.