It's not exactly like the mines of Moria, but Spro mine is situated on the west side of Nesodden, just south of Oslo. The mine was in operation from the 1880s until after the First World War. In the mine they found many types of metals, amongst quartz, topaz and muscovite. Some of these metals make the walls of the mine shimmer and have given the name to the plateau outside; diamond beach. From the shore outside, you can also admire the views of Oslo and Oslo fjord. It's a really nice place to relax your mind. The area is very popular with local families and there is plenty of space to pitch a tent or place a hammock.
Above is a video showing the view of the Oslo fjord close to the mine.Â
There are practically no places to park nearby. There has been a small parking lot at Spro harbour, but the area around the harbour is under construction as they are building some apartment buildings. If you are going there by car you most likely have to park by the road. Because of the construction of the apartment buildings you can't use the coastal path to walk to the mine from the south so you have to walk back to the main road. The Spro harbour is just south of the mine and the easiest access is from the north. If you travel from Oslo you can take the ferry from Aker brygge to Nesoddtangen and the buss further on to a station called Rognskjær. It's a relatively short walk from Rognskjær station. The ferry provides a really nice view of Oslo from the Oslo fjord and the bus gives nice views of Nesodden. If you want to make a longer walk out of it you can walk along the coastal path, and that path is maintained with signs that tells you where to go.
The mine is quite large and the main entrance is a narrow. Further inn you come to a large room with a hole in the ceiling, a large pile of stones and a small pond. You can walk around the rock pile and follow the mine corridors a little to the north and come out through a smaller entrance a little further north of the main entrance. From the outside, the northern mine entrance can be a bit difficult to find. In some places you can hit your head on the roof of the mine. Travel in the mine is of course at your own risk. A flashlight and good shoes are required. Outside the mine there is a nice flat space for a picnic and with options for a coffee fire when the weather allows it. South of the mine itself is a large quarry.
