Through resedential areas, past local harbours and local villages this tour is suitable for both local cycling enthusiasts and visitors who want to experience the beautiful landscape west of Oslo and Eastern Norway.
The tour is well suited for cyclists with some experience, or for fit beginners who want a full-day tour. It is a total of about 64 km mainly on asphalt. You follow the Harbour Promenade from the Opera, past Akershus Fortress and Aker Brygge, and west through Bærum and Asker.
The route goes close to the fjord, past harbor areas, beaches and residential areas on suitable hiking trails. Here you can experience life around Oslo. At Sjølyst there is a short detour to the museums and the nice hiking areas on Bygdøy.
At Lysaker the detour is a short one to Polhøgda if you want, the home of the polar explorer and scientist Fritjof Nansen (1861-1930) and down to the Flytårnet at the old airport where there are restaurants, a cultural street, galleries and an open car museum on weekends. At Storøyodden is one of the Oslofjord's most beautiful beaches.
The tour continues from Lysaker on country roads through Høvik. At the green areas near Henie Onstad Art Center, there is a fantastic flowering of Japanese cherry trees in May and a short distance to the recreation area DNV, which was formerly Høvik Glassverk, where beer bottles, glass and lamps have been produced. Henie Onstad Art Center is a leading arena for national and international visual arts, with changing exhibitions and various activities throughout the year. There is also a pleasant café, a beautiful sculpture park and a beach.
In Sandvika, Kadettangen is a natural place for a break, with a beach, kiosk and views of the fjord. If you take the trip up the river, you will find pleasant cafes, restaurants and sculptures along the riverbank until you reach Løkkehaven and Løkke Bro. It was painted by Claude Monet when he visited his friends in Bærum.
From Sandvika, the route continues on well-developed cycle paths towards Asker, past pleasant farms with grazing horses and through Kunstnerdalen, where the Asker Museum is located. The museum has a lovely sculpture garden and beautiful artist homes and is a great place for a stop. Daily tours at 1 pm (Sunday 2 pm) in the artist homes of Arne Garborg and Tilla and Otto Hvalstad. The road continues uphill and below Skaugum, the home of the Crown Prize couple. Down in Asker, cafes, shops and services are easily accessible. Asker has a cozy center with several independent shops. After Asker, the trip takes in hilly terrain before you reach the famous Lier hills. Before the descent there is a cozy lake with a nice picnic area by the cycle path. Then you are rewarded with a long descent and a wide view towards Drammen. Drammen has many cozy restaurants and a good atmosphere along the riverbank with accommodations and everything you need after a day on the bike.
Have a good trip 🙂
Norsk