Leirfossen

Leirfossen is a waterfall on the Alna river in the Grorud district of north-eastern Oslo. It brings together a patch of urban nature, traces of industrial history and an important episode in Norwegian skiing.

Where is Leirfossen and what does it look like?

The falls lie on the upper Alna, roughly one and a half kilometres downstream from the centre of Grorud, near Grorudveien. The water drops towards Hølaløkka. Sources disagree on the height: some say 16 metres, others around 20. Either way, it is among the tallest waterfalls in the Norwegian capital and the highest on the upper stretch of the Alna.

What is the history of the falls?

For a long time the falling water powered local industry. The best-known business was Grorud Textilfabrik, a textile mill operating here from 1867. The river helped a working-class community grow into today's district.

In the 1970s, because of pollution, the falls and part of the river were buried in pipes. That changed after 1985, when the city council decided that Oslo's rivers should no longer be piped. Leirfossen returned to its natural course, and in 2011 the area was opened to visitors and set up for public use.

Why does Leirfossen matter for ski history?

On 16 February 1862, a competition known as Skiløbermøtet på Grorud took place on the frozen falls. It was a combined downhill and jumping contest. Today it is regarded as the first organised modern ski race in the Oslo area, years ahead of the better-known Husebyrennet of 1879. A report appeared in the magazine Illustrert Nyhedsblad on 30 March 1862; the article was signed "I", and sources note that Henrik Ibsen may have written it, though this is uncertain. The 150th anniversary was marked on 16 February 2012 with city officials and figures from the skiing world present.

Who is it for?

Leirfossen suits a short, quiet outing for anyone interested in local history, industrial heritage, or simply greenery and the sound of water away from central Oslo's tourist trail. It pairs well with a walk along the Alna and a look around Grorudparken.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee?

The area was prepared for public access in 2011 as an open urban space, and we found no mention of charges.

Is this the same Leirfossen as the one in Trondheim?

No. Trondheim has separate falls with a similar name on the Nidelva, with hydropower stations. This one is on the Alna in Oslo.

Why was the waterfall hidden for years?

In the 1970s it was routed through pipes because of pollution. After the city changed its policy in 1985, the river was gradually uncovered, and Leirfossen reopened in 2011.

What happened here in 1862?

A ski competition took place that is considered the first organised modern ski race in the Oslo region.