Bjorli & Lesja, Norway – Hiking, cycling, hunting, fishing

Norway the snowy way

If you’re itching to start skiing as early as possible, Bjorli is usually among the first ski centres in the country to open in the autumn. But there’s much more to do in Bjorli and Lesja for those looking for activities in the outdoors.

At the very top of the Gudbrandsdalen valley, only a few kilometres from Romsdalen valley, you will find the municipality of Lesja and the village of Bjorli. It’s a small community in a relatively large geographical area, with long traditions for tourism. Reinheimen National Park, Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park and the protected area of Dalsida extend across parts of Lesja.

If you’re itching to start skiing as early as possible, Bjorli is known for its long winter season, reliable snowfall and great cross country skiing opportunities. Bjorli has several downhill slopes and lifts, one of which is a six-seater chairlift. There are half-pipes, rails and a terrain park, in addition to a nursery slope with its own lifts for children and novices alike. But there’s much more to do in Bjorli and Lesja for those looking for activities in the outdoors.

The summer in the area is normally warm and dry. With the many mountains and national parks, there is a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, riding, cycling and hunting. If you want to go fishing, Bjorli and Lesja can tempt you with more than 250 fishing areas made up of lakes and rivers.

If you want to experience local culture and old traditions, you can visit the open-air museum Lesja Bygdemuseum. Next to the museum you will find Lesja Church, built in 1749, which is famous for its magnificent wood carvings. Don’t forget to make a stop at Avdemsbue, where you can buy locally made cheese and other local products from Nord-Gudbrandsdalen.

nasjonalparkriket.no

Bjorli.
Photo: Heidi Vognild

Stugguflåten.
Photo: Leif J. Olestad

Rånåkollen.
Photo: Maria Kampesæter Kleiven

Sjongsvangen.
Photo: sjongsvangen

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Things to do

Getting here and around

By plane:

The closest airport is Molde Airport, located approximately two hours and 30 minutes by car from Bjorli and Lesja.
From Trondheim Airport and Oslo Airport you need to estimate approximately a four hours drive.

By road:

If you go by car from Oslo, follow E6 towards Lillehammer and Trondheim until you reach Dombås. Go straight after the roundabout onto E136 towards Åndalsnes. E136 runs through Lesja.
From Trondheim, follow E6 towards Lillehammer and Oslo until you reach Dombås. Turn right in the roundabout onto E136 towards Lesja and Åndalsnes.
Express buses will take you from various places in Norway to Lesja.

By train:

From Oslo and Trondheim you can go by train to Dombås (just over four hours from Oslo, two and a half hours from Trondheim) and then take the Rauma Railway to Lesja, Lesjaverk and Bjorli.