Sidewalk pavements in Oslo are in a moderate state of repair. Tourist avenues such as Karl Johans Gate feature extremely well cared for sidewalks. Sidewalks in other areas of the city can range widely from poor to excellent in terms of accessibility to wheelchairs. In general, however, the physical condition of the sidewalks is a step above moderate and wheelchair users will not typically encounter difficulty in rolling along the pavements.
Nearly all intersections in downtown Oslo feature curb cuts meeting international standards. These curb cuts and street crossings can be easily navigated by both manual and powered wheelchairs.
The geography of the city will pose challenges for manual wheelchair users. While much of the city is relatively flat and level, there are some hills that will need to be climbed in order to get the full experience. The Royal Palace, for instance, sits at end of a significant rise in the street Karl Johans Gate. The rest of the avenue is level, but the rise up to and into the palace grounds is rather steep.
Weather is also a significant factor affecting accessibility in Oslo and all of Norway. Oslo is not far south of the Arctic Circle, and is only one degree of latitude away from the relative location of Anchorage, Alaska on the globe. This means that Oslo has a significantly harsh winter season. The snow and ice on the ground and on sidewalks can make traversing the city independently in a wheelchair rather challenging. While streets and sidewalks are cleared, significant amounts of snowfall are common and slow this process down. Summer and Fall are the best seasons to visit Norway in a wheelchair, as they offer a better experience for tourists.