Lake Mjøsa: Norway's largest lake
Mjøsa is the largest lake in Norway by area. It covers 369 km² at the highest regulated water level and is 117 km long. The greatest measured depth is 449 to 453 m, and the mean depth is 150 m. The lake lies in Innlandet and Akershus, about 123 m above sea level. The river Gudbrandsdalslågen is the main inflow, and the Vorma carries the water out.
Lillehammer sits at the northern end, Hamar and Gjøvik face each other across the middle, and Brumunddal with the timber tower Mjøstårnet lies on the east shore. In summer the Skibladner paddle steamer links several of these towns. This guide covers the lake, the towns and the practical side: things to do in Lillehammer, museums, a drive or bike ride around the lake, fishing, weather and hotels.
To get here from Oslo, take the RE10 train via Oslo Airport Gardermoen, Eidsvoll, Hamar, Brumunddal and Moelv to Lillehammer. A timetable example for autumn 2026 takes 2 hours 11 minutes from Lillehammer to Oslo S. Gjøvik is not on this line. See Oslo to Lillehammer by train, bus and car.
Our picks: tours around Mjøsa
Maihaugen is the one ticket here that sits in Lillehammer itself, and the Olympic Museum comes with it. The other four start inland: the Sjoa rafting trip and the Heidal horse ride are day trips into Gudbrandsdalen, and the husky experiences start at Synnfjell, so plan how you get there.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Dog sledding with your own husky team
- 8 km sled ride
- Lead your own team
- Parking and road toll
A hot drink and homemade cookies in the lavvu follow if time allows. It starts inland at Synnfjell, not at the lake.
Check availability →
Horseback trail ride in Heidal
- Helmet included
- Coffee break with biscuits
A three-hour ride in the Heidal valley in Gudbrandsdalen; half-day and full-day rides are also offered. It starts inland, not at the lake.
Check availability →
Rafting on the Sjoa river, 3 hours
- Qualified guides
- Full rafting gear
- Refreshments after the trip
A day trip north of Lillehammer into Gudbrandsdalen, not an activity on the lake.
Check availability →
Husky kennel visit at Synnfjell
- Sled dog contact
- Dog games
- Parking and road toll
Hear how dog sledding works, with Norwegian snacks and drinks. It starts inland at Synnfjell, not at the lake.
Check availability →
Maihaugen open-air museum with the Olympic Museum
- Indoor exhibitions
- Seasonal outdoor exhibitions
- Postal museum in summer
One ticket for the whole museum site in Lillehammer; what is open outdoors depends on the season.
Check availability →Tours and things to do around Lake Mjøsa
Tickets, guided tours and day trips around Lillehammer, Hamar and Gjøvik, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip around the lake
Start with the towns and sights, then pick the practical pages you need.
Skibladner
Routes, 2026 fares, the restaurant on board and why it sails only in summer.
Mjøstårnet
The timber tower with a hotel and restaurant: height, hours and what is open to visitors.
Lillehammer
The Olympic Park, Storgata and the lakeside at the northern end of Mjøsa.
Maihaugen
The open-air museum with 2026 ticket prices for three seasons.
Hunderfossen
The family park: date-based tickets, parking and the train discount.
Hamar
Vikingskipet, the Norwegian Railway Museum and the shore.
Domkirkeodden
The museum and the cathedral ruins, with the glass hall currently closed.
Gjøvik
The Mountain Hall built for the 1994 Winter Games and the manor Gjøvik gård.
Helgøya
Norway's largest inland island and its farmland.
Around the lake
The 234 km Mjøstråkk cycle route and the bridge at Moelv.
Lake Mjøsa facts
Size, depth, history and the clean-up of the lake.
Fishing and swimming
Free lake fishing, the rules that still apply and bathing places.
Weather
Seasons around the lake and which activity fits which months.
Where to stay
Lillehammer, Hamar, Gjøvik, Brumunddal and Hafjell compared by area.
Things to do
Chairlift, Hafjell, museums and a steamer trip with 2026 seasons.
From Oslo
Train, bus and car, with timetable examples and road tolls.
A few things to know before you go
Seasonal rules and current closures that change how you plan.
The Skibladner sails in summer
The 2026 season ran from 23 June to 16 August. The Skibladner returns in 2027. If you travel in autumn or winter, plan a different way to see the lake, such as the train along the east shore.
Skibladner timetable →The glass hall at Hamar is closed
The glass building over the cathedral ruins at Domkirkeodden is closed for safety reasons with no end date. The museum is a separate visit with its own ticket.
Domkirkeodden →Lake fishing needs no fishing card
Fishing in Mjøsa itself is free. Minimum sizes, closed seasons and the rules for rivers and nature reserves still apply.
Fishing and swimming →The bridge at Moelv is the 1985 one
The Mjøsbrua is 1,421 m long and opened on 16 November 1985. A new bridge is part of the planned E6 Moelv to Roterud road, about 11 km, and is not built.
Around the lake →Mjøstårnet is a hotel first
The tower holds a hotel, flats and offices. Whether it is the tallest timber building depends on how you count, so the page shows the figures with their year.
Mjøstårnet →Vikingskipet is an arena
Vikingskipet in Hamar is a sports and event hall built for the 1994 Winter Games. It is not a museum of Viking ships.
Hamar →Example prices in 2026
Adult prices in Norwegian kroner (NOK). They change by season and date.
| Sight | Price in 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Skibladner, Gjøvik to Hamar, one way | NOK 345 | Summer season 23 June to 16 August 2026 |
| Maihaugen, adult | NOK 180 to 235 | NOK 235 from 22 June to 16 August |
| Chairlift at Lysgårdsbakken, adult | NOK 80 | Summer 2026 |
| Domkirkeodden, adult | NOK 170 | Museum; the glass hall is closed |
| Norwegian Railway Museum, adult | NOK 145 winter, NOK 175 summer | Summer rate 8 June to 16 August 2026 |
| Hunderfossen, parking per day | NOK 99 | Summer and autumn 2026 |
For most first visits, plan two days in Lillehammer with Maihaugen and the Olympic Park, add Hamar by train, and ride the Skibladner only if you travel between June and August.
Beyond Mjøsa
Norway has more to offer further north and west.
If you continue by train or car from Oslo and the lake, the fjords of the west coast have their own guide: see the Norwegian fjords. For a trip far north, the Lofoten islands and Tromsø each have a guide of their own.
More independent Norway guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one region.
Tromsø
The Arctic city: northern lights tours, whales and dog sledding.
Lyngen Alps
Ski touring, hiking and dark skies east of Tromsø.
Northern Norway
Lofoten, the North Cape, Hurtigruten and the northern lights.
Norwegian Fjords
Geiranger, Nærøyfjord, the Flåm Railway and Preikestolen.
Stryn, Loen and Olden
Loen Skylift, Briksdal and the glaciers of the Nordfjord.
Lofoten Islands
Fishing villages, the Trollfjord, midnight sun and northern lights.
Lake Mjøsa: frequently asked questions
How large is Lake Mjøsa?
It is the largest lake in Norway by area: 369 km² at the highest regulated water level, 117 km long, with a mean depth of 150 m. The greatest measured depth is 449 to 453 m. Details are on the facts page.
How do I get from Oslo to Mjøsa?
The RE10 train runs from Oslo S via the airport at Gardermoen, Eidsvoll, Hamar, Brumunddal and Moelv to Lillehammer. Buses and cars also work. See getting there.
Does the Skibladner sail in autumn and winter?
No. The steamer sails in summer. The 2026 season ran from 23 June to 16 August, and the Skibladner returns in 2027. Check the timetable for 2027 before you book.
Do I need a fishing licence for Mjøsa?
For the lake itself you need no fishing card. Minimum sizes, closed seasons and special rules for rivers and reserves still apply. See fishing and swimming.
Which towns lie on Lake Mjøsa?
Lillehammer, Hamar and Gjøvik are the best known. Brumunddal and Moelv lie on the east shore, and Helgøya is an island in the lake.
Is mjosa.org the official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no connection to Visit Innlandet, Visit Lillehammer, the Skibladner, Mjøstårnet, any municipality around the lake, or any tour operator or hotel.