Grefsenkollen: Hiking One of the Most Popular Hikes in Oslo!

The Grefsenkollen hike provides great views of Oslo city and fjord, Holmenkollen, and the surrounding forest. At the top, you can stop to enjoy the views and have some lunch at the historic Grefsenkollen Restaurant!

This hike takes you along an out-and-back trail that is 3.1 km each way and should take between 1 and 1.5 hours to hike. It is a great option for a short but scenic day hike in Oslo.

Getting to the trailhead (via public transportation)

The trailhead for Grefsenkollen can be found in the Grefsen neighborhood in the northern part of Oslo.

To get from Oslo city center to the trailhead for Grefsenkollen via public transportation, take bus 31 (Grorud T) from Jernbanetorget and get off at the Årvoll senter stop. From there, switch to bus 25 (Majorstuen) and get off at the Grefsenkollveien stop. You should be able to see where the trail starts from the bus stop.

The Grefsenkollen hike

The hike to the top of Grefsenkollen is an out-and-back trail that is 3.1 km each way. It should take between 1 and 1.5 hours to hike the entire way.

Once you reach the trailhead, just follow the trail signs for Grefsenkollen. The path is wide and well-maintained and even has overhead lighting for the darker months of the year.

Although this hike is on a slight incline, it is not too difficult and is suitable for hikers of all ages. It can get a little muddy, so be sure to wear proper footwear – either sneakers or hiking shoes.

If you would prefer a shorter hike, you can do this hike on Saturday or Sunday. There is a bus stop near Grefeskollen Restaurant where you can catch bus 58B so that you only have to hike one way instead of out and back. This bus only runs on the weekends, but it is a nice option, for example, to do a Sunday hike up to the restaurant and catch the bus back down!

Grefsenkollen Restaurant

At the top of Grefsenkollen, you’ll find Grefsenkollen Restaurant in a historic building from 1926 overlooking the city of Oslo. This is a great place to take a break and grab something to eat or drink!

Grefsenkollen Restaurant is open for lunch every day of the week. During the summer – or weekends in winter – there is an outdoor kiosk where you can buy coffee and snacks, including traditional Norwegian buns, waffles, or hot dogs, to eat on the restaurant’s terrace overlooking Oslo. The view from the terrace is amazing, so I highly recommend planning to spend some time here!

If you’re visiting in the summer, note that Grefsenkollen Restaurant is closed for the month of July.

Things to keep in mind

Remember the Leave No Trace principles while on this hike. Stay on established trails and try to walk on hard surfaces like rocks wherever you can. Also, always remember to pack out your trash or anything else that you bring with you!

If you’re interested in learning about more day hikes that can be easily accessed from Oslo city, check out this post listing 8 of the Best Hikes Near Oslo, Norway!