- Location: Hedmark, Oppland, Akershus, Norway
- Length: 117 km
- Area: 365 square meters. km
- Dimensions: 117x15 km
- Volume: 56.24 cubic meters. m
- Height above sea level: 123 m
- Average depth: 178 m
- Bridges: Minnesun Railway Bridge
One of the largest and deepest lakes in Norway is Miesa, located in the south of the country. Annually thousands of tourists flock to its shores, wishing to enjoy the picturesque nature, ride an old boat or go fishing in the very center of the reservoir.
General characteristics of Lake Mieza
This reservoir is located on a flat terrain, where it was formed due to the flooded channels of ancient rivers . It has an elongated shape, narrowed at the ends. In the north, Miesa is filled with the waters of the Gudbrannsdalslofen river, and in the south it flows from the Vorma river. The total length of the lake is 117 km, and in some areas the depth can reach almost 470 m.
Lake Miesa flows immediately in two counties of Norway - Hedmark and Oppland, washing the territory of the following cities:
- Gevik;
- Hamar ;
- Lillehammer .
Over the last two centuries, the reservoir has been flooded at least 20 times, which is why its level has risen by almost 7 m. During these floods the most affected area of the city of Hamar.
Infrastructure of Lake Mieza
The first dam was built in 1858 at the source of the Vorma River. Due to the poor quality of building materials, it broke several times, which served as reasons for flooding nearby areas. Settlement of the river was possible only in 1911 after the construction of another dam. In 1947 and 1965 two more dams were built on Lake Miesa.
According to archaeological research, the settlement of this flat terrain began as early as the Iron Age. The most ancient city is Khamar. It was built in 1152, and now it is a famous ski resort. In 1390, on the shore of Lake Miesa, one of Norway's most beautiful cities, Lillehammer, was founded. After him, in a beautiful valley, a city was erected, which is still considered the birthplace of elves and trolls - Gudbrandsdalen.
From ancient times to this day, local residents are engaged primarily in fishing, because in Miez is a large number of lake trout.
Tourist infrastructure of Lake Mieza
Now this huge picturesque pond attracts supporters of eco-tourism and avid fishing enthusiasts. It was thanks to the activity of tourists that fishing was restored at Miesa, which since 1789 began to gradually decline. Now local travel agencies organize fishing tours with professional guides. They help everyone who wants to learn to fish from the shore, from the boat or any other place on the pond.
In addition to fishing, to come to the shore of Lake Mieza in Norway follows in order to:
- to drive on an old wheeled steamer "PS Skibladner" , built in 1856;
- To get acquainted with the Scandinavian beliefs about trolls and elves directly in their homeland;
- visit agricultural land, considered the most fertile in the country.
Directly from the coast, you can go to the ski resorts of Hamar and Lillehammer, where in 1994 the Winter Olympic Games were held.
How to get to Miesa Lake?
In order to contemplate the beauty of this natural body of water, one must go to the southeastern part of Norway. Lake Miesa is located about 120 km north of Oslo. Four roads of different significance lead to it: E6, E16, Rv4 and Rv33. With good weather, the whole way to the lake takes a maximum of 2.5 hours.
Along the east coast of Miez there is a railway linking the cities of Oslo and Trondheim . Following it, you need to go to the station Hamar or Lillehammer, and from there get to the lake by taxi.