Ullensaker between Nature and History
Accommodation in Ullensaker
Ullensaker combines a landscape shaped by the Ice Age with traces of Norwegian history and cultural trails through the region. From nature experiences to historic sites, there are many different ways to plan a stay: you can explore paths by the water, learn about ancient burial grounds or discover the history of military aviation.
Landscape and Trails
Nordbytjernet is a kettle hole with a diverse variety of plant and bird life. Birds found there include great crested grebes, moorhens and coots. The path around the lake offers walking opportunities year-round and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. If you are looking for a clearly defined circuit for an outing, this is a practical option. Ullensaker also has around 110 kilometres of marked hiking trails, offering another way to explore the landscape on foot.
The Ice Age landscape can also be experienced in the protected areas around Gardermoen. Hovinfjellet offers a different impression of Ullensaker’s woodland landscape: its summit is 271 metres above sea level and is characterised by coniferous forest in gently undulating woodland. This means that wildlife observation by the lake and views of a wooded, hilly landscape offer different things to focus on.
Cultural Trails and Historic Sites
Viking i Kisi runs between Algarheim and Nordkisa. Information boards at four burial grounds introduce visitors to the Late Iron Age; the burial grounds date from approximately 550 to 1030 AD. Several cultural sites have picnic areas, and parking is available near all the information boards. Another culturally significant route is the first section of the Kløfta Cultural Trail: it runs from Ullensaker Church to Lautenbakken, follows the route of the historic Wingerske Royal Road and is part of the Pilgrim Route in Ullensaker.
In Jessheim, Herredshuset is part of the old wooden-house neighbourhood; the building is protected as a heritage site or subject to conservation regulations. A total of 18 signs identifying culturally and historically significant properties were put up for Historic Jessheim in 2012. Kløfta’s old school, known as Kogstadskolen, also tells the story of the region’s architectural and educational history: it dates from 1864 and is one of the best-preserved old permanent schools in Ullensaker.
Trandumskogen is a memorial site where 173 Norwegians, 15 Russians and 6 Britons were executed during the Second World War. The cultural landscape there also includes a preserved wartime tank firing range. The Museums in Akershus offer guided tours of Trandumskogen along the path by the graves. A visit thus combines reflection at the memorial sites with a look at other traces of wartime history.
Near Hovin is Raknehaugen, the largest man-made burial mound in northwestern Europe. It was probably built in the middle of the 6th century. Guided visits are offered from May to August; lectures are available on request throughout the year. Røverskansen is a hillfort on the border between Ullensaker and Nes Municipality. Hillforts generally date from the Migration Period, around 400 to 600 AD, and served as places of refuge and lookout points. Røverskansen can be reached from several hiking trail starting points in Ullensaker and Nes.
Hovin Church is another historic landmark: the old wooden church dates from 1695. The marked pilgrim route to Nidaros passes by it. Those interested in ecclesiastical architecture can therefore see the church in the context of a long-distance pilgrimage route.
More to Discover
The Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection in Ullensaker displays almost 40 historic aircraft, from Norway’s first aircraft, built in 1912, to jet fighters from the supersonic era. Themed exhibitions present the history of Norwegian military aviation in peacetime and wartime and are suitable for all age groups. FlyTribe’s wind tunnel offers a very different technological experience: it is 4.3 metres in diameter, has five-metre-high glass walls and reaches wind speeds of up to 300 km/h.
The 45-metre-high art installation Keplerstjernen, also known as Fredsstjernen, is another striking work by Vebjørn Sand. It is clearly visible from several places in Ullensaker and during the approach to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider whether you would like to centre your stay on nature and hiking experiences or on cultural and historic sites. For more information about the area, visit the pages for Ullensaker and Jessheim.
For the broader travel overview: Akershus.
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