Viking Biking & Hiking · City Hall waterfront, Oslo
Viking Biking & Hiking takes groups from City Hall Pier 4 on Oslo's electric public ferries to walk two islands of the inner fjord, ferry ticket included. Book it if you would rather stand among monastery ruins and cabin gardens than look at them from a deck.
Oslo's sightseeing cruises sail past the islands. This tour lands on them. A guide meets you at platform E on Rådhusbrygge 4, and you ride Ruter's island boats, the all-electric ferries locals use to reach their beaches and cabins, to two contrasting islands. The listing describes one with coastal and forest paths and over 1,000 years of human history, and one with colourful wooden summer cabins and gardens. That matches Hovedøya, where Cistercian monks founded an abbey in 1147 (Wikipedia), and Lindøya, with its roughly 300 cabins built from 1923 (SNL), though the listing does not name the islands.
Expect about 7 km and 10,000 steps over 3 hours 15 minutes, on gravel, dirt and stony paths. It is not hard walking, but it is real walking: trail shoes, water and food are on you. The guide brings rain gear and, from October to March, warm drinks. Visit Oslo says the tour runs every month and suggests a swimsuit and towel in summer.
Who should skip it? The listing rules out wheelchair users and children under 9 (Visit Oslo says 8). It is also not a sightseeing cruise. You see the harbour from a ferry deck, but there is no loop past the Opera House and the commentary is about nature and history, not the skyline. Want to do this alone? The same B1 ferry runs on an ordinary Ruter ticket, without the guide.
Find the guide in a yellow Viking Biking & Hiking vest by platform E on Rådhusbrygge 4, next to Fisketorget.
Ride the electric island boat with commuters, cabin owners and swimmers.
Coastal paths, woodland and the traces of more than 1,000 years of people on the island.
A short ride on the same public line to the second island.
Narrow paths between the painted summer cabins, with views back to the city.
The ferry returns to Pier 4 with Aker Brygge and the fortress ahead.
★★★★★Fabulous way to immerse yourself in the beauty of this magical place!
★★★★★A great way to learn more about Oslo, its history and life there.
★★★★★Thanks to John, we learned a lot about the nature and the residences of the islands.
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The listing does not name them. It describes one island with forest paths and over 1,000 years of history, and one with colourful summer cabins and gardens, which fits Hovedøya and Lindøya on Ruter's B1 line. The guide may adapt the route.
3 hours 15 minutes and about 7 km, roughly 10,000 steps, on gravel, dirt and stony paths. Average fitness is enough, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users or children under 9.
Yes. The public ferry ticket for the tour is included. Ruter's island boats also run on an ordinary Ruter ticket if you want to go back on your own another day.
Yes. Visit Oslo lists it every month, Ruter's B1 island boat runs all year, and warm drinks are included from October to March. Dress for wind and wet paths.
Ready to book
Two islands on foot with a guide, travelling by Oslo's electric public ferries, ferry ticket included.
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