The ponds in Fredrikstad marka (ground) Bjørndals dammene(Dams) are 15 minutes walk from the city center and 5 minutes walk from my house

Bjørndalen and Bjørndalsdammene (most often called "Dams") has been and has been a popular hiking and recreation area for over 100 years. Here it is perfect for jogging, hiking, mountain biking, skiing in the winter and swimming in the summer. In 2013, the tour and recreation area of Bjørndalsdammene was voted the country's best outdoor space.

Bjørndalsdammene consists of three ponds built in the 1870s. The ponds were the city's drinking water source until 1908. The area was upgraded in connection with rehabilitation of the ponds, new main water pipeline through Bjørndalen and new flood runs during the autumn of 2008 - 2010.

This was written in the jury's grounds when Bjørndalen was voted the country's best outer space::

A center-centered and popular hiking area is, through the work the municipality has carried out, supplied many new qualities. The area now appears as a park-based process, with a calm harmony that provides visual pleasure along with accessible and comprehensive trip experience. A strength for the area is that it is used for all seasons with swimming in the summer and skiing and skating in winter when conditions permit.

search infoBear trail in Fredrikstad - children's own hiking trail in Bjørndalen [bear valley]

The Bear Trail is a great hiking trail with varied surfaces and exciting animal sculptures ready to be discovered. Use your eyes well - some birds are sitting high in the trees, and bears wonder behind each turn. What about an evening trip with a flashlight after the fall dark has turned on for sure, it's guaranteed exciting for the little ones.

Halfway through the trail there is a nice barbecue area that has plenty of seating, it can accommodate an entire school class or day care center, a great place to enjoy a packed lunch!

Bjørneløypa starts and ends at 2. dam in Fredrikstadmarka and is marked with reflexes. It's about a mile long.

The trail was opened on the occasion of the open-air year 2015. It is the internationally renowned treasurer Jordan Anderson from the United States who has spelled out all the bears, birds, squirrels and other animals placed along the trail - all made with chainsaw.

Children who are addicted to wheelchairs can also experience the trail, the strong boys in Fredrikstad Skiklub are doing every Tuesday with ATV and good mood, registration via Fredrikstad municipality's service center.