[Oslo] Best lakes near Oslo for walking & picnics (not just swimming): where do you go for an easy nature break?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

I want this to become a practical local guide to lakes near Oslo where you can walk, sit, and relax—without making it a “sporty hike.”

Please share:

• Which lake you recommend and your favorite walking loop (time + surface)
• Best picnic areas (benches, flat grass, wind shelter)
• Whether there are fire pits / grill places and any “rules reality”
• When it’s nicest (weekday evenings vs weekends, best months)
• Public transport tips if you don’t drive

What’s your go-to lake for a low-effort picnic day—and what do you always bring?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

For easy lakes near Oslo that don’t require hiking boots or moral support, Sognsvann is still my go-to, especially for a low-effort walk-and-picnic combo. The gravel loop is flat, civilized, and takes about an hour at a relaxed pace, with plenty of spots to sit and pretend you’re deeper in nature than you actually are. From what I’ve seen it’s best on weekday evenings when it’s calm instead of feeling like a stroller-and-jogger convention, and getting there by metro is almost offensively easy. Does anyone have a quieter lake that still ticks the “walkable and picnic-friendly” box, or is Sognsvann just the price we pay for convenience?

 

[Alex Turner]

My easy go-to near Oslo is Sognsvann, mostly because it doesn’t try too hard. The loop around the lake is flat, wide, and takes about an hour at a lazy pace, all gravel so you can do it in normal shoes without thinking about it. There are plenty of benches and grassy spots, and the picnic areas on the north side tend to be a bit calmer and less windy. Fires are only allowed in designated spots and when conditions are right, so it’s worth checking the signs. It’s nicest on weekday evenings or early on weekends, and the metro drops you basically right at the lake. Did you consider heading slightly east toward Østensjøvannet instead, or are you keeping things north of the city this time?