Oslo Cycling — Nordmarka Royal Loop
About this Route
← Oslo & Oslofjord Cycling GuideThe 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 climb to Kleivstua 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 — the climb to Kleivstua, 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 top, Kleivstua has a kiosk, the last resupply before Kongeveien over Krokskogen — eleven kilometres of hardpacked gravel, perfectly rideable on 25mm tyres. A fitting end to one of Oslo's great cycling adventures.
This is one of Oslo's great cycling days — a full loop around Nordmarka that takes you through four very different landscapes before delivering you back to the Opera House. I rode it last in July 2025 and it's a route that rewards you in stages.
The first 20 kilometres are a necessary transport section out through the suburbs and over Gjelleråsen. It's fine cycling, but the route doesn't really start until you turn off Trondheimsveien onto Kragerudveien at 20.5 kilometres. Suddenly the traffic disappears and you're on quiet, deserted roads with farmland all around. The terrain here is rolling and surprisingly demanding — small punchy climbs that keep the legs honest from early on.
Kiwi at Grua at km 62 is the last supermarket before the western section. From here the road climbs to the high point of the day at 502 m before dropping towards Jevnaker — the opposite direction to the Nordmarka Rundt race, which gives it a different feel entirely. Hadeland Glassverk in Jevnaker is highly recommended: Mester Pizzeria inside the grounds, and Bakeriet right next door. On a route this long, you won't regret stopping.
The roads after Jevnaker carry a bit more traffic, and there are some climbs where it's perfectly reasonable to use the cycle path alongside. Eventually the route finds the shores of Steinsfjorden — calm water, quiet roads and some of the finest scenery of the day. Enjoy it, because Kleiva is coming.
The climb to Kleivstua from Sundvollen is the day's defining climb — 4.3 kilometres at 6.9%, starting after 112 kilometres. It's not a brutal gradient, but the length and how late it comes make it serious. Halfway up, the views open across Tyrifjorden and the surrounding landscape. At the top, Kleivstua has a kiosk — and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Gaustatoppen.
From Kleivstua the route enters Krokskogen on gravel. I've ridden this section multiple times on both 25mm and 28mm tyres without incident — the surface is hardpacked and never a problem in dry conditions. From Lommedalen the road follows clear signage all the way back into Oslo through Bærum. A long day, but one of the best.
Kilometre by Kilometre
From the Opera House north through the suburbs and over Gjelleråsen. A necessary transport section. The route doesn't really start until you turn off Trondheimsveien onto Kragerudveien at 20.5 km.
From Kragerudveien the traffic disappears. Quiet country roads through Nittedal, past Rotnes and Harestua, over rolling terrain that is more demanding than it looks. Kiwi at Grua sits at km 62 and is the last supermarket before the western section.
From Grua the road climbs to the high point of the day at 502 m before dropping towards Jevnaker. This is the opposite direction to the Nordmarka Rundt race. Hadeland Glassverk is at km 85.
After Jevnaker there is a little more traffic, and the cycle path alongside is a reasonable option on the steeper sections. From km 100 the route follows Åsaveien along Steinsfjorden — calm water and some of the finest scenery of the day. Enjoy it, because Kleivstua is coming.
The climb to Kleivstua starts at Sundvollen at km 112 — 4.3 kilometres at 6.9%, Category 3. Halfway up the views open across Tyrifjorden. Kleivstua at the top at km 117 has a kiosk. From there the route joins Kongeveien over Krokskogen, eleven kilometres of gravel.
The gravel ends at Lommedalen at km 130. From there it's signposted road through Bærum back into Oslo, with a long descent and flat final miles to the Opera House.
Gallery
Route map & elevation profile
Key Climbs
Highlights
- •The route goes around Nordmarka, not through it. This is the big road loop from the city centre — Nittedal, Hadeland, Ringerike and back over Krokskogen.
- •Kongeveien over Krokskogen is eleven kilometres of hardpacked gravel, from Kleivstua down to Lommedalen. Perfectly rideable on 25mm tyres.
- •The climb to Kleivstua from Sundvollen — 4.3 kilometres at 6.9%, Category 3. Halfway up the views open across Tyrifjorden, and on a clear day you can see Gaustatoppen.
- •Hadeland Glassverk at km 85 is the natural food stop. Mester Pizzeria inside the grounds, and Bakeriet right next door.
- •From km 100 the route follows Åsaveien along Steinsfjorden. Calm water and some of the finest scenery of the day, just before Kleivstua.
Must know
- ⚠There are 30 kilometres with nowhere to stop between Hagan at km 17 and Harestua at km 46. Fill the bottles before you leave the city.
- ⚠Kiwi at Grua at km 62 is the last supermarket before the western section, and it is closed on Sundays. The next resupply is Hadeland Glassverk at km 85 — 23 kilometres.
- ⚠The gravel over Krokskogen is hardpacked. 25–28mm tyres are enough in dry conditions, and you don't need a gravel bike.
- ⚠The season is April to October. Krokskogen is groomed ski terrain in winter, and the gravel section is not a cycling road then.
- ⚠The only real climb of the day comes after 112 kilometres. 4.3 kilometres at 6.9% is hard enough on its own, and with 112 in the legs you feel it twice over. Plan the day around that.
- ⚠Bring tools, a tube and a pump. The stretch from Grua to Jevnaker and the gravel over Krokskogen are remote.
Café & Water
- km 62KIWI GruaMon–Sat 07–23, closed Sunday
Supermarket right by the road, last resupply before the western section.
- km 84Mester PizzeriaWed–Sun 12–19, closed Mon/Tue
Inside the Hadeland Glassverk grounds. Bakeriet is right next door if pizza doesn't appeal.
- km 117Kleivstua
Hotel at the top of the climb, with a kiosk. Last stop before the gravel over Krokskogen.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this the same as the Nordmarka Rundt race?
- No. The race is 148 kilometres with 1,625 metres of climbing, starts at Årvoll school and runs clockwise — west over Sollihøgda on tarmac. This route is 152 kilometres with 2,396 metres, starts at the Opera House and runs anti-clockwise, crossing Krokskogen on gravel instead of Sollihøgda. The 771 extra metres come almost entirely from that crossing.
- Does the route go through Nordmarka?
- No, around it. It follows public roads along the north and west sides of the forest — Nittedal, Hadeland, Ringerike and Hole — and crosses back over Krokskogen. If you want to ride inside Nordmarka, that's a different route.
- Do I need a gravel bike?
- No. The eleven kilometres over Krokskogen are hardpacked gravel, perfectly rideable on 25–28mm road tyres in dry conditions.
- Where can I resupply?
- Kiwi at Grua at km 62 and Hadeland Glassverk at km 85 are the two reliable stops. Kleivstua at the top at km 117 has a kiosk. Between Hagan at km 17 and Harestua at km 46 there is nothing, and from Grua to Jevnaker it's 23 kilometres.
- When can it be ridden?
- April to October. Krokskogen is groomed ski terrain in winter, so the gravel section is out until the snow has gone.
- How hard is the climb to Kleivstua?
- 4.3 kilometres at 6.9% average, Category 3. It's hard enough on its own, and it starts after 112 kilometres — that's where you really feel it.
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Route Details
- Country
- Norway
- Region
- Oslo & Oslofjord
Elite level. Extreme elevation, altitude and distance. Serious preparation required.