Tinn: Tinnsjå, fishing and Rjukan Railway history

A trip to Tinn can focus on both fishing on Tinnsjå and the history of the Rjukan Railway. The lake is 35 kilometres long, up to 2 kilometres wide and up to 460 metres deep. It is the third-deepest lake in Norway and Europe. At Tinnsjå, nature and fishing meet the history of the transport route across the water.

Fishing on Tinnsjå

Tinnsjå has good stocks of trout and Arctic char; typical catches weigh between 300 grams and 3 kilograms. The fish are easiest to reach from a boat, but are also caught from the shore. Fishing with a fly or bait, trolling and otring are all possible. So, if fishing is part of your travel plans, you can consider both access by boat or from the shore and your preferred fishing method as practical aspects of your stay.

Navigation lights and industrial heritage

Historic navigation lights along Tinnsjå guided the Rjukan Railway’s transport route. Ten remain in their original locations; an eleventh was moved during construction of the Tinnsjøveien road. The navigation lights are part of the Rjukan–Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 5 July 2015. They can be visited year-round and are part of excursions along the lakeshores and on the water. As access conditions may change, check the latest information before your visit.

Historic railway ferries

On 20 February 1944, the railway ferry D/F “Hydro” was sunk in Tinnsjå. Eighteen people died: 14 Norwegians and four German soldiers. The Rjukan Railway’s historic transport route across the lake covered a distance of 30 kilometres by railway ferry. As part of its transport chain across Tinnsjå, Hydro used the M/F “Storegut” as its largest vessel from 1956 to 1991.

Built in 1929, the D/F “Ammonia” represents another part of this ferry history. Historically, it was equipped with two triple-expansion steam engines, each rated at 450 horsepower, and two boilers, each with a capacity of 20,000 litres. On board, there was a café and a dedicated post office; the crossing of Tinnsjå took two hours. These details describe its former equipment and journey, not a current service.

Mæl and the surrounding area

In the area around the destination of Tinn, Mæl station lies at the western end of Tinnsjå and can be visited year-round. The station and ferry site extend over 850 metres and today form a protected cultural park. This makes it possible to explore the history of lake transport on land, while the navigation lights draw attention to the historic landmarks along the water.

Your travel decision therefore involves two distinct areas of interest: fishing, with options from a boat or the shore, or the industrial history of the navigation lights and railway ferries. When looking for hotels in Tinn, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations: Miland, Austbygdi, Hovin I Telemark, Rjukan

Go to the main travel overview: Tinn.