AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Piperen is a small forest tarn nestled at 506 metres above sea level in Nittedal municipality, Akershus, Norway. Covering just 0.03 square kilometres, this quiet pond sits in the wooded hills north of Oslo and is part of the Nittelva waterway system, fed by the Piperfløyta stream.↗↗
Though unassuming in size, Piperen is one of many hidden water bodies that punctuate the extensive forest landscape around Hakadal, a village with deep roots in Norwegian iron-making history and a gateway to the popular Nordmarka hiking territory.↗
A Quiet Tarn in the Nordmarka Forest
Piperen is classified as a tjern—a small mountain lake or tarn—rather than a substantial body of water. At roughly three hectares in area, it occupies a low point in the gently rolling forested terrain of northern Nittedal, close to the border with Lunner municipality. Its shores are bordered by the kind of mixed woodland—spruce, birch, and undergrowth typical of the Oslo-area forests—that characterises the entire Nordmarka recreational zone.↗↗
The lake belongs to the Nittelva catchment, the river system that drains much of Nittedal valley and eventually feeds into Glomma, Norway's longest river. Water arrives at Piperen via the Piperfløyta, a small stream that gives the tarn its name and sustains its level.↗
Getting There and the Surroundings
Piperen lies near the small locality of Kappelsrudsetra and the area known as Tvekjellerbrlåtan, roughly 3 km northwest of the nature reserve Rundkollen og Sortungsbekken. The nearest settlement of any size is Hakadal, a village on the Gjøvik Line railway, about 30 km north of central Oslo.↗↗
The Hakadal area offers over 30 marked trails for hiking, trail running, and cycling, weaving through dense forest, past bogs, and alongside a string of small lakes and streams. Most visitors who stumble upon Piperen are following one of these woodland paths rather than heading directly to the tarn itself, which has no formal facilities or signage.↗
The Village of Hakadal
Hakadal's history stretches back to around 1550, when iron ore extracted from mines in the surrounding hills fed the Hakadals verk iron works, which operated until 1869. The village's timber church, dating from about 1610, is one of the oldest in the region and sits near the railway station that opened in 1900. Today Hakadal serves as a base for outdoor recreation in the northern forests, with easy rail access from Oslo.↗
What makes it special
A little planning goes a long way
- Piperen has no developed access roads, parking areas, or visitor facilities. It is reached on foot via forest trails in the Hakadal area.
- The Gjøvik Line from Oslo to Hakadal station provides the easiest public transport access to the trailheads in the area.↗
- Summer and autumn offer the best conditions for forest walking; water levels in small tarns like Piperen are highest after spring snowmelt.
About this guide
Compiled with AI assistance from the sources below; this is not a first-hand visit. Place details collected October 5, 2026. Hours, access and ratings can change; confirm with the venue before visiting.
