Exploring Oslo - Norway - page 133

day, take a 10-minute walk through the forest a bit north of where the bus stops.
This leads to the more secluded beach at Paradisbukta.
These beaches are our favorites mainly because of their proximity to the cen-
ter, not because they are great sandy strips. But our secret reason to go there is
to people-watch. After a day at the beach, you'll soon agree with a common
assessment: The people of Norway are among the handsomest and healthiest-
looking in the world.
Our second favorite beach is at Hovedøya, on the southwestern shore of the
rocky island of Hovedøya. To get here, board boats 92 or 93 leaving from the
pier at Oslo called Vippetangen. From late May to mid-August, these boats
depart daily from around six in the morning until midnight.
This is the closest island to the mainland and it's wildly popular in summer,
as ideal for a picnic as it is for walks. The island is riddled with walking paths,
most of which lead to the ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery. Our
main reason for liking this beach is its fun-loving atmosphere. It's a wonderful
break from too much museum-hopping, and it'll give you a good chance to meet
with the English-speaking Oslovians (whose initially icy reserve can melt
quickly).
You can also reach a number of beaches on the east side of the fjord by tak-
ing bus no. 75 B from Jernbanetorget in East Oslo. Buses leave about every hour
on weekends. It's a 12-minute ride to Ulvøya, the closest beach to the fjord and
one of the best and safest for children. Nudists prefer a section here called
Standskogen.
FISHING Good fishing is to be found in the Oslofjord and in the lakes that
envelop Oslo. If you're interested, your best bet is to go to Oslomarkas Fiskead-
minitrasjan, at Kongevn 5 at Holmenkollen ( & 22-49-90-04 ), where you can
obtain a national fishing license for 180NOK ($26). An especially popular “fish-
ing hole” is the vast area of Marka (see “Skiing,” below). You can rent canoes
from Tomm Murstad at Tryvannsvn 2 at Holmenkollen ( & 22-13-95-00 ) to
use for fishing.
GYMS Male and female weight lifters call Harald's Gym, Hausmannsgate 6
( & 22-20-34-96 ), the most professional gym in Oslo. Many champion body-
builders have trained here, and its facilities are the most comprehensive in Nor-
way. Nonmembers pay 100NOK ($14) for a day pass. It's open Monday to
Friday from 10am to 9pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5pm.
JOGGING Marka, the forest that surrounds Oslo, has hundreds of trails. The
easiest and most accessible are at Frogner Park. A great adventure is to take the
Sognasvann train to the end of the line, where you can jog along the fast-flow-
ing Sognasvann stream for an hour or so. Norske Turistforening, Storgata 28
( & 22-82-28-00 ), sells maps outlining hiking trails around the capital, and the
staff can give you advice about routes. It costs 110NOK ($16).
SKATING Oslo is home to numerous skating rinks. One of the best is the
Narvisen Skating Rink, Skikersuppa, Karl Johan ( & 95-70-95-05 ), open daily
11am to 9pm, charging adults 45NOK ($6.40) for skate rentals (children
30NOK/$4.25). The rink is closed from April to November.
SKIING A 15-minute tram or bus ride from central Oslo to Holmenkollen
will take you to Oslo's winter wonderland, Marka, a 2,579km (1,612-mile) ski-
track network. Many ski schools and instructors are available in the winter. You
can even take a sleigh ride. Other activities include dogsled rides, snowshoe
trekking, and Marka forest safaris. There are 14 slalom slopes to choose from,