Møsvatn is the tenth-largest lake in Norway, covering 79 square kilometres on the Hardangervidda plateau at about 919 metres above sea level. It straddles the border between Vinje and Tinn municipalities.
The lake played a role in one of the most important operations of World War II. In 1942, the British Special Operations Executive recruited Einar Skinnarland, a Norwegian engineer who worked at the Møsvatn dam. He was smuggled to Britain, trained as an agent in ten days, and parachuted back to Telemark. From a cabin west of the lake, he maintained radio contact with London and relayed intelligence about the German heavy water production at Vemork near Rjukan. In November 1942, Operation Freshman attempted to land British gliders on the frozen lake. It failed: both gliders crashed, and the survivors were captured and executed by the Gestapo. The successful sabotage came later, in February 1943, when Norwegian commandos of Operation Gunnerside destroyed the heavy water plant.
In summer, the catamaran M/B Fjellvåken II runs daily between Skinnarbu and Mogen, a route that has been served for over 130 years. The crossing takes about 1.5 hours through a roadless landscape along the border of Hardangervidda National Park. At Mogen, the DNT tourist cabin serves lunch with local dishes. From Skinnarbu you can also visit Møsstrond church on the island of Hovdeøyi, the highest situated parish church in Norway, still in use.
Today the lake is heavily regulated for hydropower, feeding the Tokke power station, which was Norway's largest when it opened in 1961.
The lake played a role in one of the most important operations of World War II. In 1942, the British Special Operations Executive recruited Einar Skinnarland, a Norwegian engineer who worked at the Møsvatn dam. He was smuggled to Britain, trained as an agent in ten days, and parachuted back to Telemark. From a cabin west of the lake, he maintained radio contact with London and relayed intelligence about the German heavy water production at Vemork near Rjukan. In November 1942, Operation Freshman attempted to land British gliders on the frozen lake. It failed: both gliders crashed, and the survivors were captured and executed by the Gestapo. The successful sabotage came later, in February 1943, when Norwegian commandos of Operation Gunnerside destroyed the heavy water plant.
In summer, the catamaran M/B Fjellvåken II runs daily between Skinnarbu and Mogen, a route that has been served for over 130 years. The crossing takes about 1.5 hours through a roadless landscape along the border of Hardangervidda National Park. At Mogen, the DNT tourist cabin serves lunch with local dishes. From Skinnarbu you can also visit Møsstrond church on the island of Hovdeøyi, the highest situated parish church in Norway, still in use.
Today the lake is heavily regulated for hydropower, feeding the Tokke power station, which was Norway's largest when it opened in 1961.