Bicycles: on- and off-road

Exploring the Oslo region and city is especially great by bicycle. There are lots of cycle tracks in and around the city and throughout the region. Norway has been enthusiastic in encouraging people to cycle to work or free time activities. Tourists to our region can hire cycles at Viking Biking or to join one of their organised bike tours. Click on the link for many exciting suggestions and prices.

For those who have their own bike, the forests surrounding the city offer amazing off-road tracks and of course the forests are for everyone to enjoy, whether by bicycle or on foot.

Looking down on Oslo city

Biking in the Oslo forests in December

As you can see from the picture, it is possible to rent off-road bikes at Oslo sommer park at Tryvann. Oslo Sommerpark is at the top of the Holmenkollen hill. In winter this is where you find many slalom/snowboard tracks while in summer it is a great starting place for cycling in the forests above Oslo. This is also where you find the beautifully situated Climbing Park with one of Scandinavia’s biggest and best rope courses

Local swimming pools

There are three modern swimming pools within easy reach by car or bus from Vollen. These are Risenga swimming-pool at Asker town, Holmen swimming-pool on the route to Oslo, and Røyken swimming-pool which is a 20 minute drive and situated close to Kjekstad Golf Club.
It should be mentioned that the Holmen Swimming Pool building received first prize for architecture in 2018. As it is hoped that many people will visit the pool by bicycle or public transport, there is limited parking for private vehicles. However free parking is offered at Holmen Shopping Centre nearby. There are good parking facilities at both Risenga and Røyken pools.
Maps to each of the three swimming pools are below.

Children’s playgrounds and training apparatus for all ages

Every school and kindergarten in Norway has an outdoor playground. During school hours these are for the use of the children attending that place. However after 17:00 on weekdays, at weekends and during national or school holidays, most of these may be used by all children. There are several in and around Vollen. By walking down to the village and across towards Arnestad school, you will find five fun outdoor playgrounds and also outdoor training apparatus for older children and adults.
New in 2019, is a kilometer long track around the school grounds for roller skiing. Children can also practise cycling skills there. The track is, of course, also used for cross country ski practice in the snowy months of the year.

The pictures below are from May 2018 and as well as showing some of the playgrounds at Arnestad school, they also show one of the tee-offs and a hole at the new Frisbeegolf. The whole course is found throughout the forest and down to the seaside at Vollen. This frisbeegolf course attracts keen adult experts who are amazing to watch in action, and also complete beginners and all those whose skill lies in-between! I have some frisbees for SheepsInn guests who would like to try so just ask me if you’d like to borrow them.

Below are a couple of photos from April, as the snow was finally melting in Vollen. Maybe not as pretty as in spring and summer, but still a great place for children to enjoy.

Fishing in salt water / Fishing in freshwater

Both pictures are taken at Vollen harbour in Selvikbukta – one in early March and the other in late May. You only need a rod – fishing in the fjord is free and you might catch a nice cod or sea trout for dinner…

The Directorate of Fisheries in Norway gives the following information for salt water fishing (the sea or the fjords) :

Welcome to your fishing holiday in Norway! The coastal fish stocks in Norway are under pressure and we need to increase our efforts to ensure that future generations will also be able to enjoy fishing as a sport or recreation in Norway. The fish in the sea are free for all, but we have a goal to safeguard fish stocks for the future. You are therefore very welcome to fish for free in Norwegian sea waters, provided that you follow a set of simple rules:

Foreign tourists may only use handheld tackle when fishing in the sea. Tourists are not permitted to make use of nets, pots, traps, lines etc.
Tourists are permitted to take up to 15 kg of fish and one (whole) trophy fish out of the country. Freshwater fish such as salmon, trout and char are exempt from the 15 kg limit.
You must keep a distance of more than 100 metres from the closest fish farm when fishing. All boat traffic shall keep a distance of at least 20 metres from fish farms and moorings for fish farms.
Foreign tourists are not permitted to sell the fish they catch.
Comply with the regulations for minimum size of fish.

Freshwater fishing in Norway

There’s an abundance of freshwater fishing spots in the forests, mountains and national parks – in fact, pretty much all over the country. Compared to many other countries in Europe, Norway is exceptionally clean with fresh air, clear water, and lots of happy fish. And if it’s peace and quiet you’re after and love spending time outdoors, you will not have a hard time finding a place all to yourself. Just remember that you will need a fishing licence (see more below).

Those who are hooked on fly fishing will be pleased to hear that Norway’s cold water lakes are chock-a-block with brown trout, pike and perch. Other common species are grayling, common whitefish and Arctic char. Salmon fishing is a chapter in itself. Thanks to the cold climate, Norway has also established itself as a premier destination for ice fishing in Europe.

In most places, the high season for freshwater fishing starts in May and lasts until the end of the summer. The months of September and even October, before the mountain lakes freeze over, are especially good for grayling fishing. In the winter, you can try ice fishing.

Rules that apply:

You need a fishing licence (“fiskekort” in Norwegian) to go freshwater fishing in lakes, rivers and streams in Norway. This is important as regular checks are carried out and you can get fined without one.
Fishing licences are issued by local land owners and fishing organisations. You can buy your licence online at inatur.no. You can also get one in selected sports shops, convenience stores and at many campsites. Some fishing guides can also help you to get a licence.
Fishing licences are valid in specific areas – this can be a lake, a group of lakes, or just a part of a lake (or river, stream etc), so be sure that you know where you’re going before you buy a licence.
Fishing licences are valid for a specific time period.
The price for a fishing licence varies, but it is generally inexpensive (from around NOK 100 per day).

There may be local restrictions on the amount of fish you are allowed to catch, and you may need to report your catch to the landowner in order for statistics to be produced. There is a total ban on eel fishing in Norway.
If you want to fish for salmon, sea trout or Arctic char, you must pay a small fishing fee in addition to having a fishing licence. This does not apply to children under 16 years.
You do not need a fishing licence for fjord and sea fishing in saltwater.
You can read more about rules for freshwater fishing in Norway at miljodirektoratet.no.
Another good resource with information in English is fishspot.no.

Kayaking on the Oslo fjord

At Bærum Maritime Senter, 15 minutes drive from Vollen, you can rent kayaks between March and November. Opening hours are Monday – Friday from 10:00 – 18:00 and Saturdays & Sunday 10:00 – 16:00. Kayaks can be rented for two hours or 24 hours at a time. Kayaks must be picked up within opening hours, but can be returned at a time that suits you. Season passes are also available.

Rental price: 2 hours: NOK 350,- 24 hours 500,- and weekend 1000,-
Booking by telephone 907 39 009 or e-mail <br.thorsvik@gmail.com>

Bærum Maritime Centre is located at Solvik Marina at Høvik west of Oslo, and the surrounding area is ideal for kayaking. It is possible to spend the night on many of the nearby islands.

Hiking in Asker (with maps and well marked routes)

Asker Turlag (Asker Municipality’s hiking group) has made a website where a number of hiking trips of varying types are described in detail, with duration, length, elevation profile and map. You can use the automatic translation service on the site and giggle at some of the colourful translation suggestions.