Loen and the Jostedalsbreen glacier

Loen and Olden are two villages at the end of the Innvikfjord, an inner arm of the Nordfjord, in northern Vestland, a few kilometres from each other. From each village a narrow valley climbs southward, with milky green lakes, farms and waterfalls, up to the tongues of the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the largest on the European mainland, which covers the plateau between the Nordfjord and the Sognefjord. The glacier area is a national park.

In Loen, the Loen Skylift cable car rises in a few minutes from the fjord shore to the top of Mount Hoven, at about 1,000 metres, with views over the Nordfjord, the valleys and the snow-covered mountains. The Loen valley, Lodalen, follows the lake Lovatnet up to the Kjenndalsbreen glacier, which descends from the plateau almost to the valley floor. To the east, in Oppstryn, the Jostedalsbreen National Park centre explains the glacier and the landscape.

In Olden, the Oldedalen valley runs along the lake Oldevatnet and ends at Briksdal, from where a trail leads to the front of the Briksdalsbreen glacier, one of the country’s most visited glacial tongues. The village has a cruise ship quay and an 18th-century wooden church.

The glaciers have retreated in recent decades: their size changes year to year, and it’s best to follow local guidance and guides. Winter tends to be dark and snowy in the mountains, with fewer services open.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Loen, Olden.