Ullensaker: Nature, Hiking Trails and Cultural History

Ullensaker combines marked hiking trails with historic sites, from a memorial to the Second World War to cultural sites dating from the Late Iron Age. At Nordbytjernet, a kettle hole and diverse plant and bird life are part of the landscape.

Nature and Trails in Ullensaker

Nordbytjernet is a kettle hole with abundant plant and bird life. Species found there include great crested grebes, common moorhens and coots. The lake offers plenty of hiking opportunities year-round; the trail around the water is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

At the municipal level, the marked hiking trail network covers about 110 kilometres. It is maintained through a collaboration between Ullensaker Turlag and the municipality. The protected areas around Gardermoen also let visitors experience Ullensaker’s glacial landscape. Hovinfjellet offers a different perspective on the forest landscape: its summit is 271 metres above sea level and is characterised by coniferous forest in gently rolling terrain.

Røverskansen is a hillfort on the boundary between Ullensaker and Nes municipality. It can be reached from several hiking trailheads in both Ullensaker and Nes. Hillforts in general date from the Migration Period, around 400 to 600 AD, and served as places of refuge and vantage points.

Cultural Trails and Historic Sites

The Viking i Kisi cultural trail runs between Algarheim and Nordkisa. Information boards are located at four burial grounds from the Late Iron Age, dating from approximately 550 to 1030 AD. Several cultural sites have picnic areas; parking is available near all the information boards.

The first section of the Kløfta cultural trail runs from Ullensaker Church to Lautenbakken. It follows the route of the historic Wingerske Royal Road and is part of the pilgrim trail in Ullensaker. The pilgrim trail to Nidaros also passes Hovin Church and is marked. Hovin Church itself is an old wooden church dating from 1695.

In Jessheim, Herredshuset is part of the old wooden buildings and is protected as a historic building or subject to conservation regulations. In 2012, a total of 18 signs were installed for Historic Jessheim, marking cultural and historic properties. In Kløfta, the old school, also known as Kogstadskolen, dates back to 1864; it is one of the best-preserved old permanent schools in Ullensaker.

Memorials and Archaeological Evidence

Trandumskogen is a memorial site in Ullensaker. During the Second World War, 173 Norwegians, 15 Russians and 6 British people were executed there. The site includes a preserved wartime tank firing range, which forms part of its cultural landscape. The museums in Akershus offer guided tours of Trandumskogen along the path by the graves.

Near Hovin is Raknehaugen, the largest man-made burial mound in northwestern Europe. It is believed to have been built in the mid-6th century. Guided visits are available from May to August; lectures can be arranged year-round on request.

The Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection in Ullensaker displays almost 40 historic aircraft. The collection ranges from Norway’s first aircraft, from 1912, to jet fighters from the supersonic era. Themed exhibitions present the history of Norwegian military aviation in peacetime and wartime and are suitable for all age groups.

Art and Getting Around

Keplerstjernen, also known as Fredsstjernen, is a 45-metre-high art installation by Vebjørn Sand. It is clearly visible from several places in Ullensaker and when approaching Oslo Airport, Gardermoen.

Oslo Airport is located in Ullensaker. The train journey from there to central Oslo takes about 20 minutes. All VY regional trains on the Skien–Oslo–Lillehammer–Trondheim route stop at the airport, as do VY local trains on the Kongsberg–Eidsvoll route. As journey times, routes and timetables may change, check the connection for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Ullensaker, Jessheim, Nesodden, Eidsvoll, Enebakk, Nittedal, Hurdal, Sørum.

For the broader travel overview: Akershus.