Along the Frozen Lake

Snow, Ice and a Winter Wonderland

The winter bridge in Brekkedammen park.

Today the sun was shining and it was just a chilly -1˚C (30˚F), so no better time to get outside and take in the sunshine and beautiful snowy landscape.

View of Maridalsvannet.

I walked up along the Akerselva to Kjelsås, through Brekkedammen park, and around Maridalsvannet.

Maridalsvannet frozen lake.

The view of Maridalsvannet was absolutely stunning. Finally, the lake has frozen over, making it the perfect place to go ice skating.

View of the lake.

I had a nice walk through the forests, where now there are a couple of cross country ski paths too. Fortunately for me, there hasn't been much snow lately, so apart from being quite slippery in places, it was easy to walk the paths. Maybe later on in the season if there is a lot of snow, the trails will only be for cross country skiing.

Winter hiking adventure.

The nice thing about this time of year is that it is slowly starting to get lighter and lighter each day. By now the sun sets at 15:20pm which may still seem very early, but with the snow it doesn't feel too dark when you're outside.

Winter trails through Sander farmland.

Sundays are always so crowded in the city, so I enjoy trying to get out in nature away from the busy paths of the city center. The further I walked, the more trrails I had completely to myself which was nice.

Frozen plants.

The plants were lovely with the little spiky bits of ice and frost glinting in the sunlight.

Winter wonderland.

With the snow covered foliage, the land looked so beautiful and peaceful. 

Frozen landscape of Sander Gård.

The land was quiet apart from my boots hitting the frozen earth. In Norway they don't use salt on the roads, but rather have rocks, or nothing at all once you are out on the trails. It can be quite slippery at times, so it takes a bit to get used to the rhythm of having to walk on the ice.

Frozen river to Maridalsvannet.

Through one snowy farms and across the bridge to another. At this time of year even some of the rivers have frozen over, allowing people to ice skate up and down them.

Nes Gård.

All was quiet on the farm, as the hard work has been done until springtime. As I passed Sander Gård, I noticed two horses outside in the snow. They weren't moving at all, so I wondered if they were frozen. As I passed by, they moved slightly but remained mostly still just bathing in the sunlight. 

View of the lake from Nes Gård.

I had walked around Maridalsvannet once before back in November, but it was nice to get to see how everything now looked with the snow rather than the autumn leaves.

Sunset over the snowy countryside.

Besides taking in the fresh air and getting to explore new areas, one of the reasons I enjoy getting to go outside and walk around is that it gives me the chance to clear my mind, think things over, and get aware from the stresses of school and so forth. I absolutely love nature, so being outdoors is by far where I feel the happiest.

Sunset from the frozen lake.

I got so excited when I was up above hiking around the lake and noticed all of the ice skaters dancing down below. Because Maridalsvannet is the main drinking source for Oslo, there aren't many access points to that lakeside, so it took me quite awhile to actually get down to the ice.

Looking southwards over the frozen lake towards Kjelsås.

If you want easy access to the lakeside but don't feel like walking from Kjelsås through the forests, you can take bus #51 in the direction of Maridalen, and get off at the stop, Kirkeby, which is right after the ruins of St.Margaret's Church.

Footprints over the frozen lake.

Despite not having any ice skates, I didn't want to miss out on getting to experience the frozen lake so I braved the lake in my shoes. I just didn't have too much trouble walking, but just kind of shuffled along exploring the northern shore.

Sunset over Maridalsvannet.

The sunset over the lake was absolutely stunning and I just wanted to stay out all evening taking it in.

The thick ice near the lake shore.

In a couple of places the lake had some thick cracks in the ice where you could see the ice's thickness (at least a few inches in some sections). Even with these cracks, the ice was completely solid, minus some small areas along different sections of shoreline which were still liquid.

Sunset behind Margaretakirkeruinen.

As the sky was painted with rainbow colors, I basked in the beauty of Norway, of earth's natural wonders, and of life itself. With the last day of 2018 arriving tomorrow, I am reminded of how precious each and every day is. As this year comes to a close, I am grateful of all of the opportunities I have been granted this year, and I look for forward to exploring more and continuing to grow as a person come 2019.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and healthy new year full of many adventures! 

Misty morning at Skjærsjøen

From Hammeren to Skjærsjøen

I've been bit by the nature adventure bug. Most of my free time is spent walking around the city or forests surrounding Oslo. By foot you can see so many places you otherwise would miss if you were riding in a car, bus, train, etc.

Skjærsjøen lake.

A couple of weekends ago, I braved the clouds, and cool, misty air, to take advantage of my day off from uni. Even though the weather wasn't ideal, it still made for a great daytime hike.

The shore of Skjærsjøen.

I took bus #51 to Hammeren, and then headed north along the forest paths. Eventually I ended up around Skjærsjødammen which is a dam from the 1890s. The dam carries water from Skjærsjøen lake via the Skjærsjøelva, down through the Hammeren hydroelectric power station, and out to Maridalsvannet.  

Looking north across Skjærsjøen.

The paths were so flooded, but I slowly made my way along the lakeside. Looking across the lake I fell in love with Norway all over again. If only I could just get a job hiking around this beautiful country. I feel so happy and at peace when I'm out in nature.

Trail marker.

Since it was a cold, damp day, there were very few hikers out and about. It was kind of nice having the trails to myself, although it was definitely slow going because most of the paths had literally become streams after days of constant rainfall.

Trail back down to Hammeren.

I wouldn't say I got lost, but I had never been in this part of Nordmarka before, so as time passed I began feeling anxious to see trail signs. Soon the sun would be setting and I was becoming slightly more desperate to get back to Hammeren and out of the dense, soggy forests before darkness fell.

A pathway of water.

After trekking through forests, fields, and some valleys where trees had been cut down, I felt relieved when I finally emerged near the Hammeren hydroelectric power station. Fortunately, the main paths in Nordmarka are clearly defined by blue or red markers to help guide through the forests.

Downed tree along the path with its roots growing through the rock.

I didn't take many photos since it was such a wet day and I didn't want to wreck my camera. Yet, despite having my shoes soaked on multiple occasions, I had a great hike and enjoyed getting to explore a new area. Tusen takk!

Lindøya

Welcome to Lindøya East & West!

Lindøya from Oslofjord.

Lindøya is easily accessible by a 20 minutes ferry ride from Oslo harbor. There are two stops on the island, one on the east side and another on the west side. 

Photo-op by some of the island's many boats. 

The island is home to about 300 summer cottages, and has various recreational areas including a soccer field, swimming pool, and a miniature golf course.

Along the shoreline of Lindøya.

By autumn, fewer visitors arrive and most of the activities on the island are no longer operational for the season. 

Flora.

By the time I visited there were just a few boats still left in the water. Most had been taken up onto land, or were in the process of being transported ashore. 

Along the shore.

The island has lots of little coves and inlets along the shoreline. It was so quiet at the beaches, but I can only imagine how busy it must be in the summer when everyone is staying at their cottage or visiting the island for vacation.

On one of two small islands attached to Lindøya.

There are also two smaller (more like tiny) islands just off the coast, and connected to the main island via bridge.

Getting nectar.

I arrived mid-morning so it was a bit chilly, but a beautiful day. I was there for two hours exploring the island, but was happy to leave because the wind had picked up and a storm was moving in.

Rocky shoreline of the island.

Visiting the islands has really made me become more aware of the landscape. I am absolutely amazed by the geology and find it fascinating how plants, soil, etc., are able to survive and flourish in rocky landscapes. We certainly live on a unique planet; where life exists above a world of rock.

The different layers of the rocks making up the island. 

I always enjoy visiting the different islands and seeing how the rocks look, because each island has various types. Also, even on the same island each beach tends to have different shells and rocks dominating a particular area.

Near Lindøya west.

Lindøya was the last nearby island in Oslofjord that I needed to visit before winter arrives. There are some ferries going to other towns just outside of Oslo, but most of the boats going to islands further away are now closed for the season.

Plants emerging from the rocky landscape. 

It's really nice to visit the islands during autumn, because the weather is still very nice and the crowds aren't too bad. Additionally, you get to see all of the beautiful plants changing colors.

Looking back towards the bridge to the main island.

 Lindøya is a beautiful spot for an excursion and has several picnic areas around the island to enjoy a meal at. There is also a small amphitheater area in use during the summer months.

Multi-colored leaves in the nature preserve.

On the north side of the island there is also a nature preserve with a few trails to walk through. The nature preserve is a small forested area, but in some places you can also walk down to the shore.

View of Oslofjord from the island.

Lindøya translates to Linden Island, named for the Tilia cordata species of plant.

Paths of the nature preserve.

I enjoyed walking through the nature preserve, but it was a bit weird because some areas were blocked off because of a few summer cottages. I wonder if the cottages had been built there before the space was designated a nature preserve.

Many trees growing from a single stump.

On my walk I saw this crazy looking tree, that really was many trees twisting out from the base of one huge split tree. It reminded me a bit of the tree in the film, Sleepy Hollow, where the headless horseman emerges from to find his victims.  Rather a fitting image since it's almost Halloween. 

Beautiful autumn leaves.

Overall, I had a lovely time exploring the island and taking in the nature. For those looking to see both nature and summer cottages, Lindøya is a nice balance and very easy to navigate. Tusen takk!

Autumn Along the Akerselva

Autumn 

Autumn is my favorite time of year. So, one afternoon a while back, I traded in my books for my camera and headed to the river-walk; hiking up near Kjelsås in northern Oslo to take in the sunshine and nature.

Bridge over the Akerselva at Bjølsendumpa.

The Akerselva runs through Oslo and has paths alongside it from Maridalsvannet lake all the way down through the city center.  It's a nice scenic route to take into the city center, or to go out to the forests. 

Autumn time in Nydalen.

On this particular day, I wanted to head up to the forests, so I took the path headed in the direction of Nydalen. Historically, Nydalen has been an industrial hub in Oslo. Today it still very much has that old factory feeling with lots of old brick buildings dotted along the river. There are also lots of new buildings springing up in the Nydalen/Storo area, making it very modern, and in my opinion; lacking in charm.

Along the Akerselva in Nydalen.

In the northern part of Nydalen, there is a dam over the Akerselva, creating a small lake where people can sit around and enjoy picnics or go swimming.

Bridge over the Akerselva.

In some parts of the Akerselva there are pathways along both sides of the river, but in other areas the paths turn into residential streets and move away from the river.  Many bridges over the river make it easy to get across to different paths and on to where you need to go.

Light shinning through the leaves.

Autumn is my favorite season for a few reasons. Not only do I love when it cools off and becomes sweater weather, but I absolutely adore the leaves changing colors; making natural rainbows which color the ground and trees.

Dam and bridge over the Akerselva at  Brekkedammen park.

While the distance was fairly short, it took me quite awhile to walk because I kept stopping to take photos. The furthest I had gone before had been across the bridge over the dam in Brekke. Now, it was time to push on and explore what lay beyond the dam.

In Brekkedammen park.

Situated near the neighborhoods of Brekke and Kjelsås; Frysja or Brekkedammen park is a nice little park offering many picnic areas, shores to fish or swim from, and of course places to hike. It was fairly quiet and peaceful when I walked through the park, but on the weekends and in summer it would be much more crowded.

Brekkedammen park with a view of the dam in the background.

I really enjoyed getting to walk through Brekkedammen alone minus the occasional jogger. The park is also situated next to the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology.

Statue in Brekkedammen park

There were a few artist studios located in old brick buildings along the shore. It sure would be a lovely location to work from, being so close to the trees and river. 

Brekkedammen park.

I kept heading north through the park into Kjelsås, enjoying the scenery as I walked.

Bridge over the Akerselva in Brekkedammen park.

There was just one main bridge in the middle of the park in addition to one at the beginning and end of the park.

Brekkedammen park near Kjelsås.

Some of the trees had such vibrant and magnificantly colored leaves.

Shadows.

The paths of Brekkedammen park.

Sunlight illuminating the leaves.

In case you haven't yet realized, I'm obsessed with color; especially the way light shines on and through leaves. Lighting conditions change all the time, so I love seeing the different colors and changing looks of plants.  I also love the shade of green made when light shines through leave.

Leaves in the sunlight.

I walked up to Maridalsvannet lake, but couldn't get up to the lake because the road is currently closed for a huge tunnel construction project. Instead, I turned around and began making my way down along the path on the other side of Brekkedammen park.

A rainbow of autumn leaves near Kjelsås.

 Being out in nature is very calming to me. At one point, I came to the most beautiful spot. The leaves were all different colors and glimmering in the sunlight. It truly looked magical, but sadly the photo above doesn't do it justice

The forest changing colors near Kjelsås.

Little bridge in Brekkedammen park.

As the sun was beginning to set, it was time to head back towards Brekke and down along the Akerselva on my way home.

Pathway going along the river in Brekkedammen park.

Brekkedammen park was absolutely gorgeous with the changing leaves and setting sun. I definitely hope to make it back to the park to check it out during other seasons, and if I'm lucky; before all of the leaves are gone.

Behind a dam in Nydalen.

On my way home, I stopped by the lake in Nydalen to marvel at the sunset creating a soft glow against the trees. Sadly, I went back today and most of the leaves have already fallen from the trees and now rest in the lake.

Leaves along a building in Nydalen.

It was truly a lovely afternoon in Oslo. I can't wait to enjoy the leaves and take in the nature more this season!