Øyungen: A Lake in the Forest

A New Hiking Tradition?

Trail sign pointing towards Øyungsdammen (Øyungen Dam).

Perfect Day for a Hike

Today the sun was shining and the forests were beckoning. After many hours of sitting and studying it feels great to get outside, walk, and be in nature. A short ride from Nydalen on bus #51 to Maridalen; Øyungen Lake is easily accessible. 

A little cottage at the beginning of the trail.

The hike to the lake is 2.5 km (about 1.5 miles), through a wide, easy to navigate forest trail.  Nearby there are also plenty of other hiking trails going through different parts of the forest.

My classmates ahead on the trail.

Seven of my fellow classmates from SUM (Centre for Development and the Environment) came to our inaugural hiking afternoon.  Every week we are hoping to go hiking at a different spot.  Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and take a much needed break from studies.  Oslo has many accessible trails and parks a short distance away via public transportation, which makes it nice to easily get out and explore new places.

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The Skarselva river flowing from Øyungsdammen.

On our hike to the lake we passed by the Skarselva river. The river flows down to Maridalsvannet, where Oslo gets its drinking water.  My Norwegian friend was so proud of how clean the water is that she poured out the water in her bottle and excitedly re-filled it with river water.

The Skarselva river.

The Skarselva river flows from Øyungen Lake and over the Øyungsdammen. It runs alongside nearly half of the trail to the lake before disappearing behind trees, and is really nice to stop beside or look at while walking.

 Øyungen Lake

Emerging from the forests at the lakeside we found a nice place to sit down by a fire pit.  There are many different picnic tables and fire pits around the lake. Currently though, Oslo has a no open fire policy that has been running since April and ends later this September.  It has been such an unusually dry summer, that campfires haven't been allowed.

Photo-op in front of the lake.

 Everyone was all smiles at the lake shore. We sat gazing out at the lake, chatting, and taking in the nature for quite some time.

 Øyungen Lake.

Just like in Finland, Norway allows everyone to roam freely across the land. This means that you are able to go hiking or camping anywhere, as long as you aren't camped right behind someone's house or in a military training zone.

Shoreline of Øyungen Lake.

Living in the city there is always some noise, but everything is so silent out in nature. Even with the rustle of the wind and the rippling water, it was very quiet and calm. Across the lake someone was even laying in a hammock, really taking in the peacefulness of the place.

Duck swimming in the lake. 

The water didn't feel all that cold, but the only ones taking a dip today were a few ducks swimming near the shore.

Another view of Øyungen Lake.

There is a 5.1 km (about 3 miles) trail that goes along the lake. We didn't walk around it today, but in the future it may be nice to take the full trek around to view the lake from all angles. At the southern portion of the lake is the dam which feeds water to the Skarselva river.

A distant bench along the side of the trail.

Today was terrific, and the hike to Øyungen Lake was absolutely lovely.  Hopefully in the future we can continue this hiking tradition and check out even more beautiful places around Oslo!