Loen – Fjord, Mountains and Experiences

In Loen, experiences range from the fjord to the mountains: you can get out on the water, explore marked hiking trails on Hoven or take on a challenging via ferrata. When planning your holiday, it makes a difference whether you want to focus on shared activities on the water, mountain excursions or a cultural visit.

Hoven and the Via Ferrata: Two Very Different Days in the Mountains

The Loen Skylift takes visitors nearly 1,000 metres up to a restaurant on the edge of Hoven mountain. The hiking trails on Hoven, accessible by Skylift, are marked and signposted to international standards. Along the way, you can enjoy views of the fjord landscape and Jostedalsbreen National Park. This lets you experience the mountain scenery on hiking trails without making a via ferrata the goal of your trip.

If you are looking for a more challenging activity, the Loen Via Ferrata is a climbing route secured throughout with steel cables. The route leads from the fjord to Hoven’s 1,011-metre summit. It includes Gjølmunnebrua: the bridge is 120 metres long, sits 750 metres above sea level and crosses a 170-metre-deep gorge. The via ferrata is physically demanding and requires a normal level of fitness. Guided tours with an instructor are offered daily during the season.

Hiking Trails with Different Features

The Gjølrunden circuit on Hoven is described as an easy hike on a good trail with natural-stone steps. The hike up Skredfjellet is also considered easy and is well maintained, although it has some steep sections. You can bring a pushchair on this route. These specific trail features can help you choose a hike to suit your group’s needs. Loen Active also offers guided hikes in Loen tailored to different experience levels and preferences.

Water Experiences on the Nordfjord and Lovatnet

In the heart of Loen, Loen Marina is a starting point for a range of activities on the water. You can rent kayaks, SUP boards and pedal boats there to explore the Nordfjord on your own. If you would rather join a guided tour, Loen Active offers a double-kayak tour on Lovatnet or the Nordfjord. You can combine this tour with a hike. This gives you a choice between exploring independently and joining a guided paddling tour.

Church and Activities for Younger Visitors

One cultural attraction is Loen Church, an octagonal wooden church on a hill above the village. It was built in 1837 and consecrated on 9 September 1838; the interior has 190 seats. The church is considered one of the best-preserved of its kind in Norway and has not undergone any major renovations or alterations over the years. Its automatically registered protected status covers the period 1650–1850.

For younger visitors, Loen Play is an area in the centre of Loen with a range of physical and mental challenges. So alongside mountain and water activities, there is also a dedicated way to enjoy activities that engage both body and mind. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider which experiences you would like to combine on your trip as an important location preference.

Discover More Places

Other places you can discover include Hjelle, Utvik, Briksdalsbre, Stryn, Blaksæter, Oppstryn, Olden and Innvik.

Back to the main travel overview: Stryn.