From a cable car and zipline high above the fjord to emerald Lake Lovatnet and the glacier at the head of the Lodalen Valley. A compact route with short distances – and one of the densest clusters of experiences in Norway.
Few places in Norway pack experiences as tightly as Loen: a cable car from fjord to summit in five minutes, Europe's longest via ferrata bridge, one of the country's most beautiful lakes and a glacier arm you can walk almost right up to. All within a few kilometres.
The route splits into ‘high’ and ‘low’: one day on the summit of Hoven, one day along Lake Lovatnet into the Lodalen Valley – and a third day on foot up to Rakssetra. For experienced hikers we have also included Mt Skåla, Norway's longest continuous ascent from fjord to summit, as an add-on outside the itinerary itself.
Start at the fjord in Loen and make your way up – by cable car, zipline wire or iron rungs in the rock.
One of the steepest cable cars in the world takes you from fjord level to Hoven (1,011 m) in five minutes. At the top: panoramic views of fjord and mountains, marked trails for every level, and Hoven Restaurant right on the mountain edge.
Five to ten minutes from the top station, throw yourself off on two ziplines (125 and 95 metres) with the fjord a thousand metres below. Short, intense and a guaranteed highlight – literally.
Climb Hoven instead of riding the cable car: Via Ferrata Loen follows the mountainside all the way up, crossing the Gjølmunne gorge on Gjølmunnebrua – Europe's longest via ferrata bridge, 120 metres long and 750 metres above the fjord.
Dinner on the edge of the mountain: Hoven Restaurant sits right on the cliff edge at the top of Loen Skylift, with James Bond aesthetics and views straight down to the fjord. The ingredients are regional – locally brewed Odin beer, apple juice from the valley below and water from the Jostedalsbreen glacier.
Family-run since 1884 and one of the most storied hotels in Western Norway. Spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and the fjord right outside the windows – perfect after a day in the heights.
Drive the few kilometres into the Lodalen Valley along emerald Lake Lovatnet – one of the most beautiful valleys in Norway, with mountain pastures, a lake boat and glaciers in a row.
The lake gets its intense green colour from Jostedalsbreen glacier meltwater, and the turf-roofed pasture at Breng – with the lake as its backdrop – is one of the most photographed views in Western Norway. Stop, breathe, take the picture.
The classic boat MS Kjenndal II cruises across green Lake Lovatnet in season – a calm, beautiful way to travel up the valley, with the mountains mirrored in the water all the way.
At the head of the valley lies Kjenndalsbreen, one of the lowest-lying arms of the Jostedalsbreen glacier. From the car park it is a short walk towards the glacier front – and on the way back, Kjenndalstova awaits with coffee and something to eat.
At the head of Lake Lovatnet, in the dramatic landscape of Kjenndalen, sits Kjenndalstova. The food here is local and full of history: venison from the steep slopes around the valley, trout from Lovatnet, goat from Hogrenning farm – and homemade cakes and waffles with the coffee.
See the green water from the waterline: Loen Active runs guided kayak tours, SUP and rentals on Lovatnet and the fjord. A calm, memorable end to the day in the valley.
On the way out of the valley: Fiskekroken sits by the fjord in Loen and is both a café and an à la carte restaurant, serving indoors and out. The covered terrace has a fireplace – welcome if the evening turns cool after a day in the Lodalen Valley.
Sleep right at the water's edge: Sande Camping sits on Lake Lovatnet with cabins, apartments and pitches for tents and motorhomes – and the morning light over the green water is worth the trip on its own.
Finish on foot: the easy hour up to Rakssetra, with views out over the Loen and Olden valleys from the old mountain pasture.
One of the finest short hikes in Stryn: about an hour up from Oppheim brings you to the old mountain pasture, 540 metres above the fjord, with panoramic views over the Loen and Olden valleys. Want more? Follow the trail on to Oppheimsetra and all the way up to Hoven – then ride Loen Skylift back down.
Mt Skåla is not part of this itinerary – we include it as information for experienced hikers who want a serious challenge on top. The hike starts almost at fjord level and ends at 1,848 m, a continuous climb without equal in Norway. At the summit stand the Skålatårnet tower from 1891 and the DNT cabin Skålabu, so the fittest can even spend the night on top.
Approx. 7 hours by car via Rv15 over the Strynefjellet mountain pass. In season, the Gamle Strynefjellsvegen scenic route is a detour worth taking in its own right.
Approx. 4.5 hours via the E39 northbound. Combine with stops in Førde or along the Nordfjord on the way.
Approx. 2.5 hours by car. The nearest airports are Sandane and Ørsta-Volda – both under an hour from Loen.
Over Strynefjellet towards Geiranger
Geiranger is only about two hours from Loen, over the Strynefjellet pass. Many guests combine this route with the world-famous Geirangerfjord in a classic round trip – drive the Gamle Strynefjellsvegen scenic route one way in season. Geiranger lies in Stranda municipality in Sunnmøre, just north of Nordfjord, and is perfect to combine with a trip to Stryn and Loen.
See Gamle Strynefjellsvegen on nordfjord.no →A cable car, glaciers and emerald water within a few kilometres – give your guests the most concentrated experiences in fjord Norway, with local hosts all the way.