Those interested in the water and regional industrial history in Tinn will find two defining themes at Lake Tinnsjå: fishing and the former transport route of the Rjukan Railway. The lake is 35 kilometres long, up to two kilometres wide, and reaches depths of up to 460 metres. It is Norway’s third-deepest lake and the third-deepest in Europe.
Fishing on Lake Tinnsjå
Lake Tinnsjå has good stocks of trout and char. Typical catches weigh between 300 grams and 3 kilograms. The fish are easiest to reach by boat, but are also caught from the shore. Fishing methods include fly fishing, trolling, and otring. This gives the lake a range of options for the fishing part of a trip: you can plan around both access by boat or from shore and the method that suits you.
Navigational beacons and traces of industrial heritage
Historic navigational beacons along Lake Tinnsjå guided the transport of the Rjukan Railway. Ten remain in their original locations; an eleventh was moved during construction of the Tinnsjøveien road. The beacons can be visited year-round and are part of excursions along the lake shores and on the water. Access conditions may change, so it is advisable to check before visiting.
The beacons are part of the Rjukan–Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 5 July 2015. The ferry connection is also important for understanding the lake’s history: the Rjukan Railway’s historic transport across Lake Tinnsjå included a 30-kilometre route by railway ferry. From 1956 to 1991, M/F Storegut was the largest vessel Hydro used in its transport chain across the lake.
The railway ferries D/F Hydro and D/F Ammonia
The railway ferry D/F “Hydro” was sunk in Lake Tinnsjå on 20 February 1944. Eighteen people died, including 14 Norwegians and four German soldiers. The history of the ferry therefore includes wartime events as well as historic transport.
D/F Ammonia was built in 1929 and is moored at the landing stage near historic Mæl on Lake Tinnsjå. As the ship’s current location may change, check the situation before visiting. Its technical specifications include two triple-expansion steam engines, each rated at 450 hp, and two boilers, each with a capacity of 20,000 litres. Historically, the railway ferry also had a café and its own post office; the crossing of Lake Tinnsjå took two hours. These details relate to the ferry’s history and do not describe any current onboard services.
Mæl Station and the wider Tinn destination
Nearby, Mæl Station is located at the western end of Lake Tinnsjå. It can be visited year-round. The station and ferry area extend over 850 metres and now form a protected cultural park. Check the current access conditions before your visit.
Beyond the focus on Lake Tinnsjå, the wider Tinn destination offers other options. Tinn Museum is an open-air museum with historic buildings and natural surroundings; visits are free at all times. The Gaustabanen takes visitors to the summit of Gaustatoppen in 15 minutes. Check current operating status before travelling. Ryes vei is a four-kilometre path below Krossobanen, with 21 hairpin bends and a total elevation gain of 500 metres. From Gvepseborg, a 2.8-kilometre walking route leads to the Sun Mirror; the estimated time is about one hour each way. These places and routes are part of the wider Tinn destination, not features of Lake Tinnsjå.
Discover more destinations: Hovin I Telemark, Austbygdi, Rjukan, Miland
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