Torchlight Walk and Campfire in the Oslo Forest: Two Winter Tours Compared
4 min read
If you want the winter forest, take a torchlight walk with a campfire from Frognerseteren; the two tours below are close in idea and differ in meeting point, length and food. Both go up by metro to the hill station above the city, walk by torchlight, and stop at a campfire. Neither is a sightseeing trip in the usual sense, and neither suits everyone, so read the restrictions first.
The two tours side by side
| Tour | Length | Meets at | Food and drink | Group | Price | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter walk and campfire by torchlight | 3.5 hours with metro travel | When in Norway, Kongens gate 14 | Hot drinks, waffles, marshmallows | – | €59.25 | 287 |
| Evening torchlight walk and campfire waffle | 2.5 hours | Frognerseteren station | Campfire waffles, one hot non-alcoholic spiced drink | Up to 10 people | €49.98 | 0 |
What happens on each
The longer tour starts at the operator’s tour centre at Kongens gate 14 in the city centre and goes by metro to Frognerseteren, which the page puts 500 metres above the fjord. After the view over the city lights, it is a short walk to the lake Øvresetertjern for a campfire with hot drinks and roasted marshmallows. Then each guest gets a hand-held torch and walks for about 45 minutes through the forest to the metro. The page says that if the guide judges the weather or conditions unsafe, no torches are used; you still walk and light a campfire. It asks you to bring warm clothing and warm shoes and recommends gloves. If too few guests book, you are offered another date or a full refund.
The shorter tour has you take the metro to Frognerseteren yourself, about 35 minutes from the centre according to the page, and meet the guide there. The guide speaks English, lights wax torches with the group after a safety briefing, and leads the walk through the pines while telling stories about friluftsliv, the Norwegian outdoor life, and forest folklore. At the campfire there are insulated seating pads; the guide bakes waffles in a cast-iron waffle iron over the open fire, served with brown cheese, jam and sour cream, plus one hot non-alcoholic Nordic spiced drink. Tell the operator about allergies or special diets when you book. At the end the guide walks you back to the metro platform. It is listed as a new activity, so there are no reviews yet. Winter clothing, gloves and waterproof footwear appear at the end of its list of inclusions, where the items that are not provided usually stand, so come dressed for the cold.
The metro ticket: buy it yourself
Neither tour includes the metro ride. The longer tour’s notes say metro tickets are not in the price; you can buy them in the operator’s shop at Kongens gate 14 or from Ruter, the public transport company, and the Oslo Pass also covers the ride. The shorter tour’s page says a Ruter zone 1 ticket is required for the ride to Frognerseteren.
Snow is not guaranteed
Both pages describe snowy paths, and When in Norway lists its walk under winter. Snow in the forest depends on the weather, though, and a walk in November may be on bare ground. The torches and the campfire do not depend on it.
Who should skip it
- People with limited mobility and wheelchair users. The longer tour’s page lists both under “Not suitable for”.
- Anyone who dislikes cold or darkness. You walk through a forest in the evening.
- Anyone who wants a daytime view. For that, look at the Holmenkollen guide.
Our recommendation
Book the shorter campfire waffle tour if you want a compact evening and are happy to find your own way up the hill. Choose the longer torchlight walk if you want to be met in the city, go up with the guide and pick a tour with a long review record. Dates and starting times are on each booking page. More options are on the forest and winter page, and our evening cruise guide covers the dinner boat with heated saloons.
