The small village of Loen, not far from Stryn, is wonderfully situated at the head of the Nordfjord, close to the blue-green Lovatnet lake. The area is known for its stunning scenery.
Loen Skylift – from fjord to mountain in 5 minutes!
The Loen Skylift – one of the world’s steepest gondola lifts – takes you all the way from the fjord to Mount Hoven, 1,011 metres above sea level, in just five minutes. The gondola is open all year round. At the top of Hoven, you can have a delicious lunch or dinner made from local ingredients at Hoven restaurant, while admiring the view from the edge of the mountain.
From Mount Hoven, you can also access many kilometres of marked trails, and in winter you can go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ski touring. All the trails offer fantastic views of the fjord landscape and Jostedalsbreen National Park. More information can be found here. You can choose from short trips to more challenging full-day excursions. The trails are prepared and marked to international standards, and the keywords are quality and sustainability. The season for hiking on Hoven is from May to October/November (depending on the snow), and walking maps of the area are available. Loen Active offers guided tours.
Want to challenge your fear of heights? Try the Via Ferrata and zipline!
The popular climbing route Via Ferrata Loen, with Europe's longest Via Ferrata bridge – Gjølmunnebrua – also ends on Hoven. It’s a spectacular experience you’ll never forget! You climb high above the fjord, surrounded by mountains and the Jostedalsbreen National Park, while securely fastened to a safety wire. The view is unforgettable. A trip over the 120-metre-long wire suspension bridge, which crosses a 160-metre-deep gorge, is guaranteed to give you butterflies. The bridge is situated 750 metres above sea level and can be accessed by climbing the Via Ferrata Loen route. Getting back is easy – via Loen Skylift. Loen Active offers guided tours and packages with Loen Skylift. The season for Via Ferrata Loen is from May to October.
Mount Hoven boasts no fewer than two ziplines. Flying like a bird over the gorge makes you feel alive...!
Other activities in Loen and the world's most beautiful valley
In Loen and in Lodalen – which many consider the most beautiful valley in the world thanks to its blue-green lake and dramatic mountains – you can find a variety of activities on land and water. Hiking, cycling, kayaking or swimming in the fjord or Lovatnet lake are some of the tempting activities on offer, or there are several spots where you can try your luck fishing.
Getting to Loen
Loen Skylift is situated in Loen in Stryn, in the Nordfjord region. It’s right next to the Rv60 road and is easy to find. There is parking close to the Skylift. It takes ten minutes to drive from Stryn, two-and-a-half hours from Ålesund, four-and-a-half hours from Bergen, and six hours from Oslo.
If you’re travelling by bus, check entur.no for departure times.
The closest airports are Ørsta-Volda and Sandane, and Widerøe operates direct flights from Oslo and Bergen to both airports.
