🇳🇴 Gressholmen, the Perfect Getaway from Norway’s capital | Island Walking Tour with Classic Jazz

🇳🇴 Gressholmen, the Perfect Getaway from Norway’s capital | Island Walking Tour with Classic Jazz

Also available without music. Link on the top right corner. In a few minutes we will be arriving to Gressholmen, otherwise called in this season islands series – Spring Island-. If you take this boat from Aker Brygge in Oslo (I’ll leave the address down in the description),

It makes stops in 5 different islands that form this small archipelago just in front of the capital of Norway. The first island we visited was Hovedøya, which we did in autumn; next, we strolled around Lindøya in winter; and in today’s video we are visiting Gressholmen. Our third island, in the season of spring.

By the way, there’s a guided boat tour video where we make the full trip without getting off on any island. It’s sort of the introductory video of this series. You can the see the link on the top right corner, and it can also be found in the description section.

So, what makes spring island interesting? It is an islet with very interesting historical facts, and at the same time, its nature is the most fascinating of all 5 islands. Despite its small size, it hosted the first main airport of Norway in 1927.

And before the modern era of airplanes, in the 19th century, this island also hosted an important industrial community. Today, though, things are quite different. Large areas of the island are part of a nature reserve.

Many animals have made of this place their home and it is now an important nesting area for sea birds. It is also a fantastic location for going on a picnic, swimming and sunbathing, surrounded by nature and just within a few minutes from the city.

If you want to know a bit more about this place you can activate the subtitles [CC] in your language of choice. As for now, I wish you all a great walk and a joyful day. I am very glad that you have decided to learn a little more about this place.

For your information, many of my videos are divided into chapters. Every time you see this symbol ℹ️ in the time bar it means that it comes with information. So, after paying a visit to autumn and winter islands, we are now visiting spring island.

Since it’s the reproduction season, we will see many newborns: specially mama and papa geese and their babies, and mama and papa ducks and their ducklings.

Just remember that in adventures like this it is very important to keep distance from animals, specially in this season, and avoid, when possible, interfering in the cycle of nature. Apart from seeing nature in action and the best corners of the island for bathing, playing and resting,

We will deepen along the way about the aviation history of this island as well as its fascinating industrial past, and learn the reason why there’s an abandoned railway, a boat workshop and the vestiges of what one day was the sea airport of Oslo.

First though, let’s wander through this beautiful small forest before we say hello to the first family of geese. Hey, you are leaving behind one of your babies! You might have been expecting an actual land airport, but what Gressholmen hosted was the most important sea airport of Norway.

Do not downplay this fact. Actually, it was the most relevant airport in the country during the period it was operational.

It opened in 1927 and served as the first main airport of Oslo until 1939, with the opening of Fornebu land airport, which gradually took over as the newest and most modern airport of Norway. Nevertheless, until then, the sea airport had a pivotal role.

It was mainly used for domestic flights, but it also handled international seaplane routes, notably to destinations in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. I can’t tell with certainty where landing and taking off operations happened.

The water on our lefthand side could have potentially been one of the landing areas, since this bay allowed the sea to remain calm and flat, making of it a perfect area for safe landing operations.

However, it seems a little shallow, and when deciding where to land, aside from water levels, other factors entered in the equations, such as wind. Ease of access to the airport facilities would have also been paramount, influencing the choice of landing and takeoff perimeters.

Those facilities lie on the North side of the island, making it possibly the most active operational area surrounding the island. We will be visiting it later on, but first, though, I want to show you my favourite resting area. And here we are: my favourite spot and resting area.

Since it’s the furthest point from the dock, it is usually where you find fewer people. It is great for the kids to play and for the adults to swim, sunbathe and rest. It even has toilets. Although I must admit it is not always in its best working conditions.

We are now approaching the industrial area. What fascinates me the most is that, despite the island’s small size and the lack of a land connection to the mainland, this place still played a pivotal role across a range of industries.

Before the early era of aviation in the beginning of the 20th century, Gressholmen hosted an important industrial community that was specially active during the 19th century. I guess that several things aligned in order to make this possible.

To start with, if you follow this pavement on a straight line you would reach the North bay. The natural harbour provided shelter for vessels and a convenient place to load and unload cargo. At the same time, the island was very forestry dense. So wood was widely available.

The combination of these two factors gave “birth” to a powerful shipping and a thriving timber industries. Sawmills and lumberyards were established on the island to process the timber and to use it in the construction of facilities and ships, and the excess of logs were transported by boat to the mainland for further distribution.

But all of this was possible because this land, at the same time, was very fertile, making it possible to cultivate a variety of crops, which also contributed to the island’s overall economic prosperity.

It was home to several farms that produced crops such as wheat, barley, and vegetables. Livestock, including cows, sheep, and chickens, were also raised. Furthermore, Gressholmen was also known for its brick-making industry.

Clay deposits were abundant, and several brick kilns were established to produce bricks for construction projects in Oslo and the surrounding areas. But as I mentioned first, there was one industry that thrived more than any other: shipbuilding.

The island has a long history of shipbuilding dating back to the 16th century. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that the industry really started flourishing. It became a major economic driver for the region, employing hundreds of workers and providing a significant source of revenue.

The shipyards built a variety of different vessels, ranging from small fishing boats to larger merchant ships and even naval vessels. The quality of these ships built in Gressholmen were renowned, and the island gained a reputation as a centre of excellence in shipbuilding.

In addition to building new ships, the shipyards also provided repair and maintenance services for vessels. Actually, the railway we are stepping on right now has a single deviation that brings you there. We will walk through the workshop later.

The other function this railway had was to connect two warehouses: one on the North side, were we are coming from, and the other on the west. Probably, depending on the sea conditions, boats would decide to load and unload on either one side or the other, and then transport the goods using wagons.

We can now begin to glimpse “Heggholmen fyr”, popularly known as Gressholmen lighthouse. It was established in 1827, automated in 1972 and listed as a protected site in 1998. The white, octagonal tower has a red lantern room and a focal plane of 13 meters.

Aside from its astonishing beauty, it also has a significant cultural importance as it is one of the oldest lighthouses in the entire Oslofjord.

It stands as a symbol of the country’s rich maritime history, heritage and the importance of lighthouses in aiding navigation and ensuring safe passage for sailors in the fjord of Oslo. Although it isn’t open to the public, it is also beautiful to sight from a distance.

As you can see, Gressholmen is both, natural and historically rich. Kicking off on the 16th century, it started acquiring a relevant role in the economy of the region. The 19th century became the golden age (economically speaking) lead by the shipping and fishing industry.

It became an important stopover and a hub for ships carrying goods, passengers, and supplies to and from the mainland and other nearby islands. Later, in the early 20th century it became the most important airport of Norway in the late 20’s and throughout the 30’s.

Today, the limited infrastructure we find that catered the needs of the early aviation era and the shipping industry are vestiges of what this once was. Like the hangars, the boat workshop, the railways that connected the warehouses, the harbour facilities, etc.

The newer buildings, like -Gressholmen Café-, the kayak club we just saw on our left and the colony house we have in front of us, dot today’s landscape giving an opportunity to visitors to explore the natural wonders of the island from ashore and the sea.

School kids, for instance, are brought here to learn and explore the many beautiful trails and corners of the island and sometimes spend the night in the building you can see behind the tree.

We are reaching the end of the walk and that’s all I had to say on my side. I hope you enjoyed the island tour as much as I did.

If there’s anything else you want to know about the island’s nature or history, you can leave a comment below; I’ll try to answer as best as possible. Take care.

🙋‍♂️ Welcome to Gressholmen, the Perfect Getaway from Norway’s capital | Island Walking Tour.

In this walking tour we visit the island of Gressholmen in spring; a serene island nestled in the heart of the Oslofjord, just a short boat ride away from the bustling city center of Oslo, Norway. This tranquil oasis is steeped in history and natural beauty, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage and outdoor experiences. Known for its lush landscapes and rich wildlife, Gressholmen serves as a popular recreational destination for both locals and tourists seeking to escape the urban hustle and enjoy the serenity of nature.

Although historically this tiny island played a pivotal role in the early days of Norwegian aviation and other industrial activities, today, Gressholmen is primarily known for its natural reserves and recreational opportunities. The beaches and rocky shores provide ideal spots for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking during the warmer months. In addition to its natural attractions, Gressholmen retains a sense of community and simplicity as small cabins and historical buildings dot the landscape.

⛴️ The link below is pinned at the depart location of the regular ferry services.
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🗺️ Google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bKSeRBLqhEA7F3EH7
🎞️ Scroll down and discover the different PLAYLISTS we offer.

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📯 ANNOUNCEMENT

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🎞️ PLAYLISTS

– I want to visit…

Norway: https://bit.ly/47tlhck
France: https://bit.ly/3ZN6qpE
Spain: https://bit.ly/3DQMpVh
The Netherlands: https://bit.ly/3R6X1GO
Denmark+Sweden: https://bit.ly/3ToHi60

📥 These are available, but there are more to come.

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– I want to listen to…

Acoustic Guitar: https://bit.ly/47fNLFo
Bossa Nova: https://bit.ly/3Q4HXJf
Classic Crossover: https://bit.ly/classical_crossover
Jazz: http://bit.ly/3z7O6ew
Piano: http://bit.ly/3MF47jT
Relaxing: https://bit.ly/3K8PX9i
+ Other genres: https://bit.ly/3PZvtBD

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– Alternatives to Walking:

Bicycle Tours: https://bit.ly/bicycletours
Boat Tours: https://bit.ly/3wlz1bf
Tram Tours: https://bit.ly/tramtours

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– Other Categories:

By a River: https://bit.ly/3Q6mpfp
Forests: https://bit.ly/48TEjs1
Guided Tours: https://bit.ly/3Zodbhw
Oslo Tour: https://bit.ly/481T1Nk
Old Towns: https://bit.ly/old_towns
Sunrises: https://bit.ly/3K8PX9i
With Snow: https://bit.ly/3PH3yr7

📤 These are just a few. Find out more Playlists on the main page.

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🙆‍♂️ ABOUT ME

My name is Martin, a Spaniard currently living in Norway. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in life and people around me had certain expectations of what I should become. After living in multiple countries including Germany, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, and Norway, I’ve realised how much I love exploring outdoors. I decided to start a YouTube channel where I put all my heart and soul into every video and I’m loving it! Today my purpose is to help this planet thrive as much as possible through the donation program. Join me and let’s discover together the world of wonders we live in.

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CHAPTERS

00:00:00 – Overview
00:03:00 – Intro
00:05:58 – ℹ️ Forest Path
00:09:45 – Gressholmen Café
00:12:32 – Black sand Beach
00:13:32 – Mama & Papa Geese Alert!
00:15:28 – ℹ️ Aviation History
00:25:59 – Resting Area
00:34:10 – ℹ️ Industrial Area
00:36:49 – ℹ️ Railway Background
00:39:10 – Water Well/Fountain
00:45:20 – ℹ️ Gressholmen Lighthouse
00:48.16 – Human Made Bee Nest
00:50:12 – Ship Workshop
00:51:19 – Ducklings
00:52:46 – ℹ️ Aeronautical History Summary & Present Day
00:55:00 – Geese Families
00:59:02 – Return Forest Path
01:03:13 – Running Back to Catch the Ferry
01:04:00 – Quote

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📹 The sound and video have been filmed on location. Do not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, display, perform, modify, create derivative works, transmit, or in any way exploit any such content without previous written authorisation.
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