Lesja municipality has approximately 2.170 inhabitants and covers a area of 2.259,0 km2. The administrative centre is the village of Lesja. Lesja is highly mountainous, and lies on the east-west watershed, with Lesjaskogsvatnet lake draining both west to the Rauma river and east to the Gudbrandsdalslågen river. The community is primarily agricultural. The most populated areas lie between 500 and 650 metres along the Gudbrandsdalslågen river and highway E136. The largest part of the community area is over 900 metres above sea level, with the highest mountain peaks reaching above an elevation of 2,200 metres in the northeast.
Abundant summer farms (seter or sæter) are situated close to the treeline, both in the main valley and its tributaries. The summer farms were of major importance for farming until recently, but today only few are used in the traditional way, and mainly as grounds for grazing dairy cattle and sheep. More than 400 lakes are situated within the municipality, mainly above treeline. The Norwegian trout is common both in lakes and rivers, even in lakes above 1,500 metres above sea level. The landscape is hummocky in general, and owes its appearance mainly to erosion by the Scandinavian Ice Sheet during the last glacial period.
Rail service is provided by the Raumabanen, connecting with the Dovrebanen at Dombås in Dovre and extending to the terminus in Åndalsnes on the fjord in Møre and Romsdal. Lesja is located in a mountain region, comprising the south-westerly portion of the Dovrefjell range. It is the site of the Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, lies just north of Jotunheimen National Park and lies just west of Rondane National Park, so tourism and outdoor sports such as skiing are also important.
The Bjorli ski area is a fantastic part of Norway where distances between the mountains, fjords and sea are short, you are invited to explore Norwegian culture, history and nature in a new and exciting way. Bjorli is full of exciting possibillities. Bjorli is a centre for both summer and winter adventures, and the mountain landscape invites guests to go fishing, walking in the mountains, canoeing and canyon hiking.
Gudbrandsdalen valley is oriented in a north-westerly direction from Lillehammer and the lake Mjøsa, extending 230 kilometers toward Romsdalen. The river of Gudbrandsdalslågen (Lågen) flows through the valley, starting from Lesjaskogsvatnet and ending at Mjøsa. The Otta river flowing through Otta valley is a major tributary to Gudbrandsdalslågen.
Together with Glomma river and Østerdalen, Gudbrandsdalslågen and Gudbrandsdalen forms Norway´s largest river / valley system. Gudbrandsdalen is home to Dovre Line and the E6 road, and is the main land transport corridor through South Norway, from Oslo and central eastern lowlands to Trondheim and Møre & Romsdal.
DOVREFJELL-SUNNDALSFJELLA NATIONAL PARK
Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park was founded in 2002 and encompasses part of the former Dovre National Park area, as originally founded in 1974. It is 1,693 square kilometres encompassing areas in Lesja and Dovre in Oppland as well as areas in Sør-Trøndelag and Møre and Romsdal. It includes the Dovrefjell mountain range.
LESJA BYGDETUN
Lesja Bugdetun, by Lesja Church is a traditional inland farm rooming 12 buildings dating from the 18th and 19th century and portrays local inland culture, working life and living conditions from this time. Exhibits. Many activities during the summerseason, salesexhibits by local artists, sale of coffee and traditional bakery goods.
LESJA IRONWORKS
The headquarters of the ironworks time Lesja in the years 1660 – 1812 can be found at Lesjaverk and Lesjaverk Farm. Here you will find the remains of blast furnace from 1757, the only country from this time, as the molten iron from the ore. You will also see the old main building, which today is preserved, with the oldest part of 1734.
Five kilometers west from Lesjaverk center, along the E136, you can Gruvlia, labeled landmark signs and Gruvlia. Gruvlia a walking trail, which shows production basis of Lesja ironworks.
LESJA CHURCH
Lesja Church, “Our Savior´s chuch”, built in 1697, delocated and renovated several times, but in 1957 restored to its original. Carvings, decorations, podium and altarpiece was made by Lucas Nielsen Gram. The benchseats are inscripted with the names of their occupants, with the rich in front and the criminals behind bars in the back, under lock and key.
LORDALEN VALLEY
If you take the E 136 at Lora, at the sign to Lordalen and shooting range, going up to the mountain valley Lordalen. There are still farms in operation, as it is possible to visit. If you are running at the head of the valley, to Nysetra and go up the left side of the river coming down from Lesja Page, you will find remnants of old animal pits Ages.
MUSK OX SAFARI
A hunt for these rare animals with the prehistoric appearance! The guides know where the musk oxen wander and we can almost guarantee a sighting. There is also a good chance of coming across other animals that live in this mountain habitat. En route your guide will tell you about the flora and fauna of the national park.
MOUNTAINS
Svånåtind 2.209 metres, Larstind 2.106 metres and Østra Langvasstinden 2.085 metres.
Trips in the mountains to Rånåkollen, Kleneggen or other mountain tops in the Bjorli area.
CANOEING
Paddling in the river Rauma and the beatiful Lake Lesjaskog. This is a great way of getting to know the different elements!
SKIING
Bjorli Skicenter has got 6 lifts, plus a lift for children, the ski lift café and 10 downhill tracks for all different skills. At Bjorli you can cross country skiing, slalom, telemark or snowboarding. A new downhill slope from the top of Fjellheisen (the mountain lift) and heading westwards down the Bjorli slope. A great alternative in combination with lift no. 3 and Fjellheisen. New technical section on the downhill slope on the NM (Norwegian Championship) slope. New terrain park in Knoll & Tott.
Heiskroa (the lift pub) is located on the lower part of the alpine facility, in the middle of the slope. Here you can “ski right up to your table” without having to take your skis off. Heiskroa has a separate fully licenced pub section. These premises are also eminently suitable for holding private events.
FISHING
The Rauma is one of the world´s most beautiful rivers and it has been a magnet for foreign tourists since the mid-19th century. English aristocrats have had a permanent base at Fiva House since 1876, and Lord Davenport is still a regular guest during the salmon fishing season. Experience some of Rauma´s cultural treasures and learn the fundamentals of fly-fishing. The Bjorli area is full of good fishing possibillities, both in rivers and lakes.
Fishing in mountain rivers and lakes. It is permitted to use most types of fishing equipment in the mountains. Many people use otter boards for fishing in mountain lakes, but most prefer to use a rod. The tackle should be light, with a line that is preferably not much thicker than 0.25 mm and small hooks. Small spinners and spoons also work well. Some mountain lakes are ideal for fly-fishing.
The best salmon rivers are the Aura in Eikesdalen, Batnfjordselva in Batnfjord, the Eira in Eresfjorden, the Hustadelva at Hustad, the Malmeelva in Malmefjorden, the Moaelva in Sylteosen, the Oselva in Kleiveosen, the Rauma in Romsdalen, Tressa in Tresfjord and the Visa in Vistdalen. Sea trout migrate up the Oselva river and freshwater trout can be fished in the Visa, Moaelva and Hustadelva rivers.
Lesja is a unique area for those interested in hunting or fishing. Many of the mountain lakes are teeming with fish Lågen and Lesjaskogvannet are just two examples. Annual hunting season for wild reindeer, moose, and small game especially grouse. A State fishing licence is required and can be purchased at any post office. Fishing permits can be bought locally near the rivers.
GOLF
Bjorli Golfclub is a 9 hole course. It´s possible to buy Green fee at the parking place of the Golf Course. Turn off the E136 road towards Rånå and follow the road until you see the rink on the right-hand side, by the river.