Vardåsen - hike to summit in Asker - hike in forest
- Admin
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Approx. 2.5 km southwest of Asker center is a hill 349 meters above sea level. As the name suggests, there has been a cairn here with a vantage point that was used in a warning system based on fire. The watchtower had four doorways - one in each direction - with a clear view to large areas and to other cairns, for example on Kolsåstoppen. The varden has roots all the way back to the Iron Age and was part of an extensive military warning system along the entire inner Oslofjord. After a forest fire in 1779, the cairn was moved to Skaugumåsen. Now it is a great vantage point for hikers.
The route is a blue-marked round trip that starts and ends at Vardåsen church. At the beginning, you walk on a wide gravel road along a power line. Later you enter a forest path. You first pass Drengerudsvann, then Abbortjern and Abbortjernmyr.
After nearly 2 km you reach the open area in the forest. This clearing is called Stupet, presumably because the terrain "plunges" down on the other side - without being very steep. Approx. 50 meters east of this clearing, there are signs for various hiking trails. Follow the bottom sign that leads to the longest of the tours, the one that goes over the top of the hill.
From here it is a steady climb on a forest path with lots of roots and smooth rock. It is not a dangerous or technically demanding ascent, but it can be very slippery on the roots and rock when it has recently rained.
The summit is 349 meters above sea level. When the area was used as a cairn, there were no trees on top. Now it is partly overgrown, but by moving a little you can see, in addition to Askerlandet, large areas of inner Oslofjord from Holmenkollbakken in the east to Håøya in the west.
Follow the blue marks until the descent on the other side of the hill. It also goes on a forest path with lots of roots and smooth rock at the start before you come down to a marshy area in the forest.
The last part of the descent goes close to buildings. It ends at a crossroads at Borgen secondary school. Go over to the school yard and from there on the footpath to the left of the school building. Here is the parking lot for the church.
The tour starts and ends at the signs set up in the upper part of the car park at Vardåsen church. Follow the signs for Rundtur Vardåsen and the blue marks on tree trunks and rocks. The short round trip of 4.3 km goes in a loop around the hill, while the long round trip of 5.6 km goes over the top of the hill. These tours are part of several tours that Asker municipality has marked and arranged for walkers in Asker.
More excursions: www.turideer.com
Excursion of the week: Round trip to Vardåsen - hike sto summit in Asker - hike in forest
Suitable for: Anyone in normally good physical shape. There are no dangerous or technically difficult sections, but there is an ascent of 210 meters in height which can be a bit strenuous at times. The route can be slippery in some places when the terrain is damp.
Duration: The trip takes approx. 2.5 hours and is 5.8 km long.
Getting there: Enter "Vardåsen menighet" in Google Maps. You will then arrive at the car park by the church. Alternatively: Drive E18 from Oslo towards Drammen. Take the first exit after Asker centre. Drive under the bridge and follow Drammensveien under the motorway. At the first roundabout, turn left onto Borgenveien. From now on you can follow the signs to Vardåsen church. Park in the car park at Vardåsen church. The signs marking the start and end of the round trip are located at the edge of the forest at the top of the car park.
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