Oslo Cycling — Svartskog Loop
About this Route
← Oslo & Oslofjord Cycling GuideA 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 Sjømannsskolen, before rolling south through Nordstrand and down to Ljabru, then along the fjord past Hvervenbukta.
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.
The Svartskog loop is my go-to when I want a quality ride without committing to a full day in the saddle. At 37 km it is short enough to fit into a morning, but the climbing keeps it honest — and if you want more, just add another lap.
From Oslo the route heads south along the fjord before turning inland. The opening climb up Kongsveien gets the legs moving early — steeper than it looks on paper, with good views back over the city as a reward. Once you drop down to Ljabru and onto the old Mosseveien, the character changes completely. The roads become quiet and rural, and you quickly forget you are minutes from one of Europe's capitals.
Svartskog itself is the highlight. The bakken hits hard — short and sharp — but the real reward comes after: Svartskog Kolonial, a small local store and café that sells excellent baked goods. It is worth the detour every single time. If you have the legs, the side trip down to Roald Amundsen's house at the water's edge is a piece of Norwegian history you should not miss — just be prepared for the climb back up.
The return via old Mosseveien is easy and pleasant riding. One of my favourite short routes out of Oslo.
Kilometre by Kilometre
Leave the Opera House and climb Kongsveien — a steady ascent with sweeping views over Oslo and the Oslofjord. Pass the old Sjømannsskolen and roll through Nordstrand.
Descend to Ljabru and turn onto the old Mosseveien, passing the Hvervenbukta bathing spot at km 12. The road becomes quiet and rural as you leave the suburbs behind.
Rolling countryside roads with minimal traffic through Svartskog. At 18 km, Svartskogbakken arrives — 1.7 km at 6.3%, sharp and sustained. The KOM is held by Carl Fredrik Hagen at 3:48.
Optional detour down to the Oslofjord shore to see the house where polar explorer Roald Amundsen lived. A fascinating piece of history — and a tough climb back up as a bonus.
From Svartskog the route descends and follows the old Mosseveien north back to Oslo. Quiet, pleasant riding with the Oslofjord visible through the trees. Finishes at the Opera House.
Gallery
Route map & elevation profile
Key Climbs
Svartskogbakken TCK
Cat 4Highlights
- •Two Cat 4 climbs inside 37 km — Kongsveien out of the city, Svartskogbakken at halfway
- •The Ekeberg view: Oslo and the fjord spread out behind you, three kilometres from the Opera House, past the old Sjømannsskolen
- •Svartskogbakken — 1.7 km at 6.3%, sharp and sustained. KOM 3:48, Carl Fredrik Hagen
- •Roald Amundsen's house down by the sea, a short detour from Svartskog — and a hard climb back
- •Svartskog Kolonial at the top: a village shop and café with a proper selection of baked goods, open Thursday to Sunday
Must know
- ⚠Two Cat 4 climbs in a short loop: Kongsveien from km 0, Svartskogbakken at km 17. Pace the first — the second is steeper
- ⚠Svartskog Kolonial at km 19 is open Thursday to Sunday only. Ride early in the week and Anne på landet at Hvervenbukta is your stop instead
- ⚠The Amundsen detour drops about a kilometre to the sea, and you climb the same back up. Budget for it
- ⚠Best March to October. The fjordside roads stay damp and cold outside that window
- ⚠Hvervenbukta at km 12 is a swimming spot with a café, and you pass it again at km 27 on the way home — worth a stop on a warm day
- ⚠At 37 km it fits a morning, but 459 m makes it a quality ride, not a recovery spin
Café & Water
- km 19Svartskog KolonialThu–Sun 11:00–16:00, closed Mon–Wed
A village shop and café with a proper selection of baked goods, the reward at the top of Svartskogbakken. Open Thursday to Sunday.
- km 12Anne på landet - HvervenbuktaDaily 11:00–17:00
A restaurant by the bathing spot, open daily. You pass it twice: coffee on the way out, or a swim and something to eat on the way home.
Frequently asked questions
- How hard is it?
- 459 m of climbing over 37 km. It isn't the distance — it's the two Cat 4 climbs that bite.
- Where does it start?
- The Oslo Opera House, in the city centre. Kongsveien starts climbing within the first kilometre.
- What are the two climbs?
- Kongsveien, 1.93 km at 4.9%, straight out of the city. Svartskogbakken, 1.7 km at 6.3%, at km 17 — the harder of the two. KOM 3:48 by Carl Fredrik Hagen.
- Is the Amundsen detour worth it?
- Yes, if you have the legs. The house where the polar explorer lived sits down by the sea, about a kilometre below Svartskog — and you climb every metre back.
- Where can I stop?
- Svartskog Kolonial at km 19, just off the route at the top of the climb, open Thursday to Sunday. And Anne på landet at Hvervenbukta, km 12 on the way out and km 27 coming back, open daily.
- How does this compare to the Drøbak route?
- Same fjord side, half the distance. Drøbak is 76 km out-and-back with barely any climbing; this is 37 km with two Cat 4 climbs. Take this one when you want quality over volume.
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Route Details
- Country
- Norway
- Region
- Oslo & Oslofjord
For cyclists with some experience. Noticeable climbs requiring fitness.