Explore Akerselva Falls in Oslo, Norway

 Explore Akerselva Falls in Oslo, Norway

Cutting through the city from Maridalsvannet Lake in the north to Bjørvika and the Oslofjord in the south, the 8km-long Akerselva is Oslo's green artery, once described by the New York Times as 'one of Europe's finest streets'.

Along the river, which traditionally divided the affluent western neighbourhoods and the poorer working class suburbs to the east, you will find a vast array of old industry buildings next to thriving wildlife, cosy restaurants and cafes, colourful street art, beautiful waterfalls, luxurious parks and more. 

 

Nydalen. Photo: Marie Peyre

Bridges and waterfalls

 

Nearly 50 bridges span the Akerselva, and there are some 20 waterfalls along the way. Which one of these is the most spectacular is debatable, but the waterfall at Mølla (Nedre og Øvre Vøyen Foss), located next to the  picturesque Hønse-Lovisa's house and the Beier Bridge in Sagene, is a good contender. 

Other notable waterfalls include Bjølsen Waterfall, the highest with a drop of 16 metres, Nedre Foss in Vulkan and the man-made Nydalsfossen in Nydalen.

 

Øvre Vøyen Foss. Photo: Marie Peyre
 

The Jerusalem Bridge, which opened in 2011, is one of the newest, and rather impressive, rising 14 metres over the river at its highest. 

The Åmot Bridge is another favourite. The suspension bridge, built in the early 1850s in Modum, Buskerud, was one of the first of its kind in Norway, and one of the most expensive – it cost almost four times the agreed budget. In the 1950s, the bridge was dismantled and moved piece by piece from its original location to Oslo. 

Also worth mentioning are the imposing, gothic-inspired Sannerbrua and Ankerbrua Bridge, with its famous bronze sculptures by artist Dyra Vaa – hence its nickname, the Fairytale Bridge. 

 

Åmot Bridge. Photo: Marie Peyre

 

Art on the go

 

Artists (among them famous names like Frits Thaulow and Edvard Munch) have long been drawn to life along the Akerselva, its waterfalls, bridges and factories, and the river is a recurrent motive for many. 

Today there is still plenty to see along the river for those interested in art. The ateliers at Frysja for example, home to more than 50 artists, open their doors on several occasions throughout the year – you can visit during Oslo Open, Turist i Egen By and in November, when they hold their own Christmas Market. 

There are also many sculptures along the river, from the much-loved Factory Girls on Beier Bridge by sculptor Ellen Jacobsen to Petter Hepsø's Elephant in Sagene or Ola Enstad's Divers in Grønland… not to mention the Dick Swan (yes, you read this correctly) floating in the water outside Blå in Grünerløkka.

 

The Old Factory, Akerselva by Frits Thaulow