The Nordmarka High Five is a classic trip in the forest north of Oslo, Norway. It is a link-up between the five peaks over 700 meters in the capital area. The FKT has to start and end at Frognerseteren, but the order that you choose to link up the peaks is optional. The peaks, ordered in the direction they were run in the first fastest known time, are as follows: Helgehaugen (706m), Lamannshaugen (705m), Svarttjernshøgda (716m), Ringkollen (702m) and Oppkuven (704m) . The complete circuit is somewhere around 75-100km depending on the routing, and involves 2 000 - 3 000 meters of elevation. The route can be done on less marked and well-marked trails and on gravel roads.
Why a Frognerseteren roundtrip? Frognerseteren is said to be the first ”hytte” in Norway, since the place was bought by banker and philanthropist Thomas Heftye in 1865, who turned it into a recreational spot for his family and friends and the aristocracy of the capital city. Later on he went on to establish the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) and is since famous for being the father of Norwegian outdoor recreation. The FKT should preferably start and end at Frølichbautaen (the May 17th monument) in front of the Frognerseteren restaurant.
Submitter: Julius Z. Strömberg
Comments
On Wednesday 19th of August 2020, I went out to try to improve the FKT that Paul and I did in June. I had it all well planned with 1) a more efficient route, 2) less "faffing" (shorter pauses and try to walk instead of completely stopping up) and 3) a more efficient and way better weather and temperature than last time. With these three components I had it all set and good indications for me to take the (unsupported) FKT on the NH5.
I started at 8am at Frognerseteren and went clockwise this time; first to Sørkedalen and north from there to Oppkuven (704m) and then via gravel roads and trails to Ringkollen (701m). I ran on the west side of lake Øyangen (instead of east side as last time), but started cramping on the blue-marked trail going from Mosjøen to Svenådalen. Between km 45 and 52 I walked more than ran, and was really fatigued when I reached Lamannshaugen (706m). I took a shorter break there and tried to regain some will-power, but when I started going down my legs were even heavier. The three flat km's to Helgehaugen (705m) was okay, but I had to walk the complete ascent to the top and felt really heavy up there. I knew I still had 35-40km to go from there, and one more peak (Svarttjernshøgda, 717m) and got a bit anxious, since I realised that this was going to be a tough one, and would break my body completely down - and probably let me go of an FKT this day. On the way down from Helgehaugen, I met one of the few persons that I ran passed this day, Ragnar; a geologist putting up QR codes for an app he was developing for the kids in the area. I told him what I was doing, and that I had ran from Oslo to here, but didn't really know what to do next (Nordmarka is really desolate up here, and it's quite a bit to the closest town or village). He offered me a ride to Roa train station, and I gladly said yes. So, that was the end of my FKT attempt on the NH5 for this time (I ran 55km in six hours, and climbed four peaks, so it was still a good run in the forest this Wednesday).
It was fun to try, and I hope I can manage the whole trip one day soon again. I hope that more people wants to take on this challenge and wish you a good luck, if you do (the FKT is definitely beatable!). /Julius
Strava log: https://www.strava.com/activities/3937686075