Lesja – Nature, Culture and Active Days
Accommodation in Lesja
Lesja lies between Reinheimen National Park to the west and Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park to the east. The municipality combines impressive natural scenery with cultural trails, historical insights and activities for active days. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether you mainly want to hike, discover the culture or enjoy the winter sports facilities in Bjorli.
Scenery and trails around Lesja
On Dalsida, a 10-kilometre nature and cultural trail forms a circular route through the landscape. Its 28 information boards tell the story of how people and animals lived alongside their surroundings. If you would like to include a shorter walk in your plans, Lesjaverk has a 1.5-kilometre cultural trail. The two trails differ considerably in length, and each offers its own way to experience nature and cultural history.
The Valldalsleden pilgrimage route also passes through Lesja: it runs from Sylte in Valldal, through Reinheimen National Park and the municipality, to Dombås. In Lesja, the route goes through Brøstdalen, behind Rånåkollen, and continues to Einbu. If you are interested in a longer pilgrimage route, you can consider this section; the nature and cultural trail on Dalsida, by contrast, is a circular route with information boards.
Another trail leads from Dalsida across the mountains to Lesja: Reinstrakket follows an old summer-farm path. A guided tour offers insights into the history of reindeer hunting, as well as the local wildlife, botany and geology. Bus transport and a packed lunch may be included on this kind of tour. Another excursion option is Tussheimbue, a day-trip cabin in Lesja. The climb there from Lesja sentrum is about 3 kilometres long. From Tussheimbue, you can look out over Lesja’s cultural landscape and Reinheimen National Park.
Culture, history and local experiences
Lesja Bygdemuseum is an open-air museum in Lesja, between the two national parks. In Bjorli, Sagelva vasskraftsenter is a visitor centre showcasing more than 300 years of hydropower use. If you are interested in the history of the Lesja ironworks, you can explore the Gruvlia hiking trail, which shows the basis of its production. The churches in Lesja and Lesjaskog also shape the area’s cultural identity: they are richly decorated with acanthus ornamentation by Jakob B. Klukstad.
Local specialities include freshly made sour-cream waffles at Avdemsbue. For nature enthusiasts, Lesja’s 230 trout lakes, along with its many mountain rivers and fishing streams, are also part of the landscape. You can choose between a visit to the open-air museum, insights into the history of hydropower and exploring Lesja’s waterways.
Winter activities and choosing where to stay
Bjorli offers two different types of winter sports. Bjorli Skisenter has 11 downhill runs of varying difficulty. There are also around 90 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails, with both classic and skating tracks. If you are looking for downhill skiing, you can compare these options with the cross-country facilities and take your interests into account when choosing where to stay. Bjorli is also home to the Høyt & Lavt climbing park, with 7 courses, 95 elements and 10 zip lines.
The Rauma Line runs through Lesja municipality, and trains stop at Lesja station on request. To help you find your way around the municipality, you will also find links here to the pages for Bjorli, Lesjaverk and Lesjaskog. When looking for a holiday apartment, consider which of these places and experiences are most important for your stay.
For the wider travel overview: Oppland.
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