Waited til the driest day of the weekend to have a go at getting this route put together for FKT! I walked to the starting point, which is the Oslo sign in the middle of the bridge over the Lysaker River where it enters the Oslo Fjord, and started the run around around 12:40pm. Legs and body felt heavy and dead for the 4ish miles running up the river, but I never give myself credit for how much overall climbing happens there as you leave fjord-level. Trails had a few muddy spots but nothing crazy. It got quite crowded on the first couple miles of Bogstadvannet, which is to be expected on a lovely Sunday afternoon, and the usual treacherous muddy spots along that trail as well. The sheep had been moved to a new pasture so no interference with the regular marked Bongstadvannet Rundt route. My favorite part of this run is the pine forest on the back half of the lake, with lots of little water crossings and ferns and it's just beautiful. Didn't stop to take a picture on this run though. As I was coming back towards the river trail, felt like my stomach might start acting up, but after a mile it went away and I was able to bomb back down the trails to Granfoss (where my boyfriend was waiting to snap a quick picture as I dashed across the bridge) and the final pavement sprint back to the start! My legs are TIRED today (day after), lots of elevation and terrain and not an easy run! But so so beautiful!
I carried 1.5L of water (first time using my new Osprey Dyna pack, actually -- loved it!) and drank almost all of it. Stopped a time or two to dip a fresh handful out of one of the running streams. Also carried one pack of Clif blocks and that was it.
There is one public restroom available on this route very close to the path just near Bogstadvannet beach. Also I'm a bit frustrated that my GPS screwed up a couple times on my return trip down the river -- should have been an exact match to the way up. There's a tunnel under Jar Bridge, and it definitely got messed up as I ran through that on the way back down. To summarize the river trails (since there are other options that aren't part of this route): at the start, the river is on your RIGHT; you cross it about a quarter mile upstream behind the train station; the river stays on your LEFT until you cross the Granfoss waterfall; then the river stays on your RIGHT until you go through the tunnel under Jar Bridge; river on your LEFT until the wooden bridge: river on your RIGHT until just past Grini Mill, where you will cross it on a paved bike path; river on your LEFT until you T into Bogstadvannet Rundt. Literally retrace all your steps back down the river after you run the loop around the lake.
I have so many photos but can't get them to upload!! Go see the scenery for yourself!