LAKE DRAKSTEN

Text: Vibeke C Strømmen

Photos: Vibeke C Strømmen & Martin Fossen

It is August 1, 2019 and the summer is far from over. We still have summer vacation and want to take advantage of all the good weather. After our fantastic trip in Femundsmarka earlier, we know that it will be difficult to match that experience. Nevertheless, each paddle trip is a new trip and each gives great memories.

So, we are back in Trondheim after a holiday trip to Kragerø and have now chosen to check out Draksten. This is a medium size lake located in Mostadmarka, belonging to Malvik / Hommelvik, a small hours drive outside Trondheim. Getting to Draksten can be done several ways. You can either drive along Jonsvannet and over Jervskogen or take the E6 to Hommelvik and follow the signs to Mostadmarka. It is recommended to use the Norgeskart app to see which exit (blue dot in the map below) to take to get to the water itself. Here a small toll for using the road must be paid.

Blue dot: Toll Road.

Red dot: Parkering and launching of kayaks.

We find the small descent where it is suitable to launch the kayaks. This small road stump MUST be kept free of cars, so once you have put out your preferred floating device, please drive the car up the road again and park along the road.

The water is deat still, which comes as a pleasant surprise. Of course we had checked the weather and wind beforehand, but it is difficult to know in advance that the water would be so calm. Again, we resort to the cliché word "magic", but there is no better word to describe it. We paddled out from the small cove where we had put out the kayaks and headed to the other side and followed it along the shore as indicated in the map further down. Here we spent a lot of time just enjoying the day and gliding through the shiny water. We  followed the shore and came to a small island where there was a cabin.

Now, at the cabin,  it was time for a short break and we found out that we had come to Langråodden. After the break we paddled further inland in Langråbukta. At the very heart of the bay, beautiful water lilies grew. After stopping by here, we continued around the headland and directed the bows towards Sagfjorden. This was the longest stretch, but we were not in any hurry. The goal was to get to the dam that separates Stor-Draksten and Lille-Draksten. At the dam, it is also possible to put out boats, canoes and kayaks. You get there by driving around Jonsvannet and follow the signs to Draksten and Saksvikvollen. Saksvikvollen is by-the-way a favorite place that we frequent in the winter by skiing in Nordmarka in Klæbu. Skiing here is very pleasant since there are long stretches without any hills, and the ones that are are not that steep (at least for us).

Today`s route..

Blue dot: Start.

Red dot: Short break.

Yellow dot: Food and swimming.

Orange dot: Vibeke`s little island.

We then went ashore on a small stick to grab a bite and Martin took a bath. The journey continued out again in Sagfjorden and in between Langholmen and Hevillneset. We paddled up in Otersunden and got Storholmen on our right oar. Along Storholmen, some small islets appeared. I really wanted to go ashore and take an island in my name, which I did!

It is possible to paddle into the Heinfjord, but this time we dropped it. After being the isle conqueress, we continued out through the sound before crossing over to where we put out the kayaks. Here I got some help from Martin who towed me for a while.

We spent about 4 hours on this trip and we plan to come back and paddle into the Heinfjord. This is an easy and super trip to take that does not require much planning and is also not far from the city. Thumbs up!

Have a nice trip!