Easy hikes and walks in Søndre Håøya Naturreservat

In the middle of the Oslofjord, Oscarsborg Fortress sits enthroned on the island of Håøya. An imposing 19th-century stronghold that you can only reach by boat. Here, Norwegian gunners sank the German cruiser „Blücher“ in April 1940, giving the Norwegian government crucial hours to flee Oslo. After exploring the fortress grounds, a hike through Håøya's natural forest paths with a magnificent view of the fjord is worthwhile.

A very pretty cafe. The range of cakes is huge. The cinnamon rolls taste great. You can sit inside and outside. www.g.co/kgs/5spKMY

A figurehead hangs on a building in Drøbak. The house is right at the ferry port. A little further sit the "Three Mermaids"

Right in the small harbor of Drøbak the three mermaids are enthroned on a stone. In contrast to the famous mermaid in Copenhagen, these three ladies are slightly larger, but just as worth seeing. The advantage here is that no buses full of tourists are carted here. A real insider tip. Apart from that, Drøbak is a cute little place with great white houses and a big figurehead on a white wooden house. There is also an anchor for the "Blücher" here. The diving boards fixed on the rocks invite you to jump into the Oslofjord. You can reach Drøbak by bus line 500 from Oslo. The buses run every half hour.

There is a lot to discover in Drøbak.

A huge part. A second is in Oslo at Aker Brygge.

Colonel Birger Eriksen was commander of Oscarsborg Fortress. In the early hours of April 9, 1940, German ships entered the fjord to take Oslo. At the head of the fleet association was the heavy cruiser "Blücher", at that time the most modern ship in the German Navy. The test drives had only been completed on March 30, 1940, it was the first use of the "Blücher". The heavy cruiser "Blücher" was hit several times from Oscarsborg Fortress. The ship caught fire and drifted across the narrow stretch of fjord and closer to the old fortress. Directly in range of the torpedo batteries. Two 40-year-old torpedoes then hit the "Blücher" and she finally sank in the fjord without firing a single shot and only a few days after the last sea trial. The fort's guns were then 47 years old and the torpedo batteries similarly antiquated. The successful resistance of the fortress under Colonel Birger Eriksen made it possible for the Norwegian King Håkon VII to escape to Great Britain into exile with the country's gold treasure.

Colonel Birger Eriksen was commander of Oscarsborg Fortress. In the early hours of April 9, 1940, German ships entered the fjord to take Oslo. At the head of the fleet association was the heavy cruiser "Blücher", at that time the most modern ship in the German Navy. The test drives had only been completed on March 30, 1940, it was the first use of the "Blücher". The heavy cruiser "Blücher" was hit several times from Oscarsborg Fortress. The ship caught fire and drifted across the narrow stretch of fjord and closer to the old fortress. Directly in range of the torpedo batteries. Two 40-year-old torpedoes then hit the "Blücher" and she finally sank in the fjord without firing a single shot and only a few days after the last sea trial. The fort's guns were then 47 years old and the torpedo batteries similarly antiquated. The successful resistance of the fortress under Colonel Birger Eriksen made it possible for the Norwegian King Håkon VII to escape to Great Britain into exile with the country's gold treasure.