Østmarka, Nature reserve and forest in Oslo Municipality and Lørenskog, Norway
Østmarka is a large forest spanning multiple municipalities around Oslo and filled with hills, lakes, and various coniferous trees across the terrain. The area offers many marked trails at different difficulty levels.
A plank road was built in the 18th and 19th centuries to transport timber efficiently through the forest and support Norway's major wood export industry. This road shaped how the forest was used for a long time.
The forest is where people from Oslo spend time outdoors year-round, hiking, cycling, or skiing in winter depending on the season. You will see locals regularly using it as their main recreation space.
There are several entrances with access to marked trails of different difficulty levels, reachable by public transportation from Oslo city center. Most paths are well-marked and easy to follow.
The ground beneath the forest contains rock over 1 billion years old, showing geological folds that create a clear north-south pattern of hills and valleys. These ancient rocks are visible in many places and shape the land's form.
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