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It started with a sound that didn’t belong in a quiet Norwegian summer. A deep, unnatural roar — followed by a sudden silence that felt even louder. Then the ground shook, like a short, sharp earthquake, and everyone stopped mid-step. People walked out of barns and kitchens and down the gravel tracks to see what had happened. Something had hit the valley hard. The only question was what — and what it would mean for the farm.
It was May 26, 1908, and the noise they had just heard was a rockslide. A rock shelf from the 1218-meter-tall Kneipen Mountain had fallen and created a crater in the valley below. A valley that each summer was buzzing with life, from the lush forest, the summer farm activities, its people, and animals. The summer farms were Syltad and Norang.
The slide dammed up the whole bottom of the valley. Slowly, it started to fill with water and cover buildings, bridges, roads, and the forest. The days on the summer farm were gone. It would no longer be fruitful activities by humans, or animals enjoying the summer outdoors. Lygnstøylvatnet lake was there to stay.
The largest rock slide ever recorded in the Hjørundfjord area
As the locals stood speechless, watching what had happened, they nodded thankfully that neither people nor animals had been at the farm. It was still spring, and they had not yet arrived for the summer. What they witnessed was the results of the largest rock slide that has ever been registered around Hjørundfjord and Norangfjord, in Norang Valley.
The lake is located in Norangdal Valley, a short drive up from Norang Fjord, a tributary of Hjørundfjord. A beautiful drive through the Sunnmøre Alps, with snow-capped mountain peaks and stunning scenery. A drive that connects two fjords and completes a road trip in northwest Norway.
An interesting diving spot - Lygnstøylvatnet Lake
Today the inviting green lake is very famous among divers. They report back that you can still easily see the houses, walk on the path and even check out the forest that is still there, underwater. A young lake, with an interesting history, is ready to be discovered!
Check out this video, to see and experience with the divers what they see underwater!
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