Kjerkeberget (631 m): Hiking to Oslo’s Highest Point in Nordmarka

SummitClimbs Field Note: Kjerkeberget (631 m) is the highest point in Oslo and the city’s northernmost point: a forested ridge deep in Nordmarka, right on the border with Lunner, topped by a red-and-white fire lookout hut that you can see from far away. It is not a mountain above the tree line but a long forest day: on foot from Sørkedalen it is about 22.4 km one way, around 5 hours, with plenty of ups and downs. You can shorten it a lot by cycling the gravel roads.

Oslo’s Highest Point

Kjerkeberget lies north of the lake Store Sandungen and south of the ridges Branntjernhøgda and Revshammeren, between Sandungen in the southeast and Katnosa in the northwest. The name means “the church mountain”: kjerke is the local dialect form of kirke, church, and berg a rocky hill; several Norwegian mountains are named for a resemblance to a church.

The hill has a wartime story too. During the Second World War, the resistance organisation Milorg used it for parachute drops. In early October 1942 (sources give the 3rd or the 4th) Milorg’s District 13 received its first drop at the site code-named “Bittern” on the northeast side of Kjerkeberget, with four men: Tor Helliesen, Jan Allan, Ruben Larsen and Johannes S. Andersen.

Kjerkeberget at a Glance

• Height: 631 m, the highest point in Oslo
• Location: northern Nordmarka, on the Oslo–Lunner border; Oslo’s northernmost point
• On top: a red-and-white fire lookout hut
• Classic hike: from Sørkedalen school, about 22.4 km one way, about 5 hours, about 1,074 m of total ascent; demanding because of the length
• Shortcut: cycle the gravel roads from Sørkedalen towards Sandungen
• Other starts: Skar in Maridalen (bus 51), or via Katnosdammen
• Season (on foot): May to October; a classic ski destination in winter

The Hike From Sørkedalen

Start at Sørkedalen school and turn onto Zinoberveien, following signs to Finnerud. A blue-marked path leaves the gravel road after a short stretch and climbs at a moderate gradient to Finnerud. From there follow the gravel road past the barrier towards Kikut, then take the blue-marked path at the junction after the bridge between Vestre and Østre Fyllingen, up to Kikuttoppen (turn round for the view). Continue along Porthøgda and Sandungsmiddagskollen down to Sandungssmalet, then up an old cart track to the gravel road and right towards Sandungen farm.

Go straight on at the junction by Sandungen and take the gravel road up towards Katnosdammen. After a bridge and an uphill stretch, a signpost behind the farmyard points left to Katnosdammen and Kjerkeberget. Climb gently to a junction, turn right onto an unmarked but clear path, and follow it to the fire lookout hut on the summit.

By bike

The best cycling route from Sørkedalen goes from the school up to Pipenhus and along the gravel roads through Langlidalen past Langlivann and Kringla to Vesle Sandungen and Sandungen farm. Alternatively, cycle past Finnerud towards Kikutstua and along Hakkloa, walk the path at the dam between Store Sandungen and Hakkloa, and cycle again from Sandungssmalet to the start of the blue path up Kjerkeberget.

Before You Go

• It’s long: 22 km one way on foot; bring food and water, or use a bike.
• Getting there: drive Sørkedalsveien from Røa; there is a large car park just over the bridge by Sørkedalen school.
• Navigation: Nordmarka has many junctions; carry a map, as some sections are poorly marked.

The SummitClimbs Take

Kjerkeberget is Oslo’s highest point and a proper Nordmarka adventure: a long day through forest and past lakes to a lookout tower on the city’s northern edge, with a wartime parachute-drop story. Walk it from Sørkedalen, or bike most of the way and walk the last part.

Route facts from the UT.no route to Kjerkeberget; other facts from Norwegian Wikipedia and Wikipedia (Kjerkeberget).