Telemark - Buskerud - Oppland - Hedmark - Østfold - Vestfold - Akershus - Oslo

Valleys and mountains

Norway's eastern region, known as Østlandet, takes in the national capital Oslo and six additional counties: Akershus, Østfold, Vestfold, Buskerud, Telemark, Hedmark and Oppland. Unsurprisingly, Østlandet is the country's most populous region.

Although relatively small in area, the three non-metropolitan counties on the Oslofjord – Akershus, Østfold and Vestfold – make up one of Norway's larger agricultural districts and account for a fifth of the country's population. In addition to agriculture and forestry, these counties support a wide variety of industrial, business and service activities. Many of Oslo's most populous suburbs are located in Akershus county, as is Gardermoen, Norway's architecturally acclaimed international airport.

In this part of the country the landscapes vary wildly, from bucolic valleys to the highest mountains in northern Europe (in Jotunheimen National Park) to deep inland forest harbouring wolves, bear and elk as you near the Swedish border... a perfect environment for hiking, skiing, extreme sports, or just relaxing.

Situated at the northern tip of the fjord which also bears its name, the city (and county) of Oslo is surrounded by green hills and a vast forested area known as Oslomarka. In winter and summer alike, the people of Oslo spend as much time as they can enjoying this splendid natural environment: little wonder that some scholars believe the word "Oslo" originally meant "the meadow of the gods".

In addition to its functions as the capital city and seat of government, Oslo is also the business and cultural centre of Norway, and one of the world's foremost shipping cities. Culturally, Oslo offers residents and visitors a rich and diverse selection of concerts, theatre and opera, museums and galleries. With its sidewalk cafés, restaurants and well-appointed shops, the city is one of the most relaxing of the European capitals. It is also one of the easiest to escape from: interspersed among the cities and towns around the Oslofjord and further south along the coast are any number of idyllic locations, often the sites of weekend and holiday homes.

Tønsberg, in Vestfold county, is Norway's oldest city; founded in 871 AD, today it is a bustling administrative, trade and shipping centre. One of Norway's three Hanseatic cities in the late Middle Ages, Tønsberg boasted the country's largest fortress, one of the king's royal residences, and a Franciscan cloister. The county of Vestfold has been famous for shipping since Viking times: it is here that the Viking ships Oseberg and Gokstad were found buried. Østfold has the greatest concentration of historical monuments in eastern Norway.

Telemark county, rich in traditions and folk art, is one of Norway's favourite tourist districts, with vast forest and mountain areas and many small farms. Morgedal, a mountain village known as "the cradle of skiing", is home to the Norwegian Ski Adventure Park. The Bandak Canal, reaching inland from the coast, is a recipient of the highest Europa Nostra award for restoration and preservation. A trip through the canal on the old "Victoria" is a true adventure. Highlights of the region might start with the Olympic city of Lillehammer in Gudbrandsdalen valley, Oppland county, a vast district famous for winter sports and for producing one of Norway's greatest writers, Nobel Prize winner Sigrid Undset, author of Kristin Lavransdatter.

Valdres, another district much frequented by tourists, is noted for its folk art and old buildings, its numerous working mountain farms, and not least as the gateway to the spectacular Jotunheimen region. A breath-taking wilderness of glaciers, lakes and the highest mountains in Scandinavia, Jotunheimen (the name means "Home of the Giants") is popular at all times of year. Valdres is also one of Norway'smost attractive winter destinations, boasting more than 1000 kilometres of prepared ski trails, numerous downhill slopes and snowboard parks.

Telemark county, rich in traditions and folk art, is one of Norway's favourite tourist districts, with vast forest and mountain areas and many small farms. Morgedal, a mountain village known as "the cradle of skiing", is home to the Norwegian Ski Adventure Park. The Bandak Canal, reaching inland from the coast, is a recipient of the highest Europa Nostra award for restoration and preservation. A trip through the canal on the old "Victoria" is a true adventure.

Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake - comparable in size to Italy's Lake Garda - extends into both Oppland and Hedmark counties. The latter is very much a farming county, with a vast forest area, best experienced on the drive via Highway 3 out of Oslo or the train north towards Trondheim via the Østerdalen valley. (Forestry is of course an important industry here, well documented in the Forestry Museum at Elverum.)

The lakeside town of Hamar, site of the unique "Viking ship" athletic stadium, also offers the ruins of one of the country's loveliest churches, a symbol of the Christianization of Norway nearly 1000 years ago. The stadium, Olympia Hall, was built for the 1994 Winter Olympics. Another popular attraction in Hamar is the Jernbanemuseum, one of the oldest railway museums in the world. Norway's longest river, the Glomma or Glåma, begins a little north of the county border with South-Trøndelag, running through Østerdalen valley and feeding into the Oslofjord at Fredrikstad.