This was a hike that we took with a local Oslo guide into an old neighborhood east of the Akerselva River but very much in central Oslo. According to our local guide, two-thirds of Oslo is forest and many wild animals live within the city of Oslo. That surprised me very much but not so much after this hike. Our guide said this was an old working class community and that today, this neighborhood has about 30 percent immigrants. The Akerselva River starts at Maridalvannet which is Oslo’s largest lake. This area was the cradle of Norway’s industrialization era in the second half of the 19th century when it had saw mills, textile factories, and mechanical workshops.

Eventually, the mills and factories led to industrial discharges and pollution. Then, in the 1980’s, a local initiative to limit emissions and revive the flora and fauna along the river began. That initiative has worked. It was a beautiful walk along the river. We still saw old mills and old brick buildings but they looked refurbished. Along with that, we saw clean water, beautiful forest, picturesque walking and biking trails, fishing holes, swimming holes, and multiple waterfalls. Also along the river were cafes, galleries, offices, and schools. It has become a popular recreation area as well as a nice neighborhood in which to live.

The first photo was near the start of our hike. I’m standing on a bridge over the Akerselva River. You can hardly tell that I’m not in a remote forest. But if you look close, you can see buildings all around us. The trees had only recently leafed out and my guess is that in another week or so, we wouldn’t be able to see the buildings at all.

You can see two old brick buildings and one of the many waterfalls that we passed on the river in the second photo. It was easy to see that it was once a place with mills and factories.

The pedestrian/cycler bridge in the third photo was really well done and picturesque. I can understand why people want to come here to walk and bike and enjoy nature.

Another old factory or mill is in the fourth photo and right below another set of waterfalls. The water wheel is gone now but the building is still in use, just in another capacity. I think today it’s a school.

Kids along the Akerselva River are just like kids everywhere, giving their Mom’s flowers on Mother’s Day – even if it is just a dandelion.