Lesjaskog Lake

We are now travelling along Lesjaskog lake, which is also know known as the watershed between Romsdalen and Gudbrandsdalen. It is one of very few lakes in Norway with two outlets, which run off into two of Norway’s most famous rivers, the Rauma River and Gudbrandslågen. The two towns of Lesjaskog and Lesjaverk, are located at opposite ends of the lake and the whole area exudes exciting history, magnificent nature and small vibrant rural communities. Here you can find Norway’s only remaining blast furnace from the old disused ironworks, an old school museum and many other well preserved cultural relics from a bygone era. Lesjaskog lake is known for its fantastic fishing opportunities, and you can catch both large and small fish here. During April 1940 the frozen lake was used as a landing site by the British RAF 263 squadron. Several hundred local men cleared a 750 metre long runway where 18 aircraft were stationed. More than 40 heroic missions were carried out from here, before the enemy’s superior flying capacity destroyed not only the landing strip but also most of the stationed aircraft. How cold it was during those winter days is not known, but at one time a temperature of minus 45 degrees was recorded here in Lesjaskog, and then both mice and men wisely stayed indoors.