Viking Tales, Trails & Tastes｜Norway

Escape the city on a three-hour guided hike through Oslo's forest trails, just outside the city centre. Developed with a Viking history expert, this tour combines fresh air, beautiful scenery, and storytelling drawn deep from Norse mythology and the folklore that still shapes Norwegian life today.

Your tour begins at the forest trailhead in the Grefsen area, where your guide leads you into the woods. As you walk beneath the trees, the Norse world comes to life — the creation of the world from fire and ice, Thor's legendary fishing trip to the edge of the ocean, the tragic death of the beloved Baldur, and many more tales that defined a civilisation. The forest has its own inhabitants too - keep an eye out for hidden trolls among the rocks and trees, and hear the stories of the enchanting Huldra and the Nøkken, creatures that have lured people into the woods and waters for as long as the people of Scandinavia have told their stories.

The route continues past a popular local ski hill, where your guide explores Norway's deep connection to outdoor life, before following peaceful forest paths to Trollvann lake. Here we stop for a light tasting of Norwegian trail snacks and a hot drink — each chosen to reflect Norway's outdoor traditions and food history, with a few surprises saved for the day itself. In good weather, guests may also enjoy an optional swim.

After the lake, the path climbs to a viewpoint overlooking Oslo, the surrounding forest, and the Oslofjord — a fitting place to reflect on how these ancient myths laid the foundations for a distinctly Norwegian relationship with nature, one that still lives in friluftsliv, allemansretten, and the quiet romanticism Norwegians bring to their forests today. The hike then returns through the forest to the starting point.