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Maridalen is a valley in the north ofOslo,Norway, just above the suburb ofKjelsås. Considering that Maridalen is within the Oslo city limits, this area has a very lowpopulation density. The valley consists of forests, lakes and agricultural land. Most of the valley is made up of the lakeMaridalsvannet, which serves as the primary source of drinking water for 90% of Oslo's population.[1] The onlyhydroelectric powerplant within the City of Oslo,Hammeren Hydroelectric Power Station is located at Brekke in Maridalen. The valley is a popular recreational area featuring many hiking trails, cycling tracks for summer usage, and groomedcross-country trails in winter. Both the lake and valley are protected by the community.[2]Maridalen Church and the churchruins of the ancientSt. Margaret's Church are located north of Maridalsvannet. A bus route runs along Maridalen, starting atNydalen Subway Station.[3]
TheGjøvik Railway Line passes through Maridalen. Originally, the trains stopped at three stations in the area.Movatn Station (created in 1900) is an unmanned station atMovatn. The Snippen stop (opened in 1934) was an unmanned train stop with the address Greveveien.Sandermosen Station is a previously operated stop betweenKjelsås Station andSnippen train stop. It was opened in 1909, but closed in 2006.
TheNorse form of the name wasMargrétardalr. The first element is thegenitive ofMargrét, the last element isdalr m 'dale, valley'. The old church (now inruins) just north of the lake was dedicated toMargaret the Virgin.
The valley's name cannot be older than the Christianisation of Norway (around 1000 AD), and it probably replaced an older name that has since been forgotten. This is one of the few examples in Norway where an old name of a large valley has been replaced.
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59°59′36″N10°46′32″E / 59.99333°N 10.77556°E /59.99333; 10.77556
