Top ten things to do in Jølster

Jølster is a popular destination for active, adventure-seeking explorers. With a rich history, a long, narrow lake and a wide range of hiking destinations in every direction, everything is in place for great outdoor experiences.

Visit Astruptunet

Astruptunet is idyllically located on the southern side of Jølstravatnet and was the home of painter, illustrator and printmaker Nikolai Astrup. Here, he created several of his iconic portrayals of his home village and its surroundings.

At Astruptunet, you can wander among artistic treasures and draw inspiration from the lush natural surroundings. The garden was a central source of inspiration for Astrup, and his goal was to recreate the powerful impressions of nature he experienced. The buildings, interiors and farm garden are all easily recognisable in his artworks.

Mountain hikes in Jølster you won’t want to miss

Jølster is surrounded by beautiful hiking destinations and peaks in every direction, making it a fantastic base for memorable mountain hikes. The mountains offer a wide range of elevation and difficulty levels, ensuring that you’ll find a hike that suits your experience and fitness level.

Family-friendly hike to Hamnanova

A mountain hike to Hamnanova, at approximately 750 metres above sea level, offers a fantastic nature experience for the whole family. The trail takes you through varied terrain with a steady ascent of around 350 metres, and the reward at the top is a breathtaking view of Jølstravatnet, Kjøsnesfjorden, and the majestic surrounding mountains.

Lundeskaret - a true mountain classic in Jølster.

Lundeskaret is much more than a mountain hike, likely the closest you'll get to a true mountain classic in Jølster. The trail winds up the narrow and wild Lundeskaret inside Kjøsnesfjorden. Lundeskaret is Norway's steepest DNT-marked trail, so being in good physical shape is advisable.

Gletscherwanderung auf dem Haugabreen

In einem Seilteam über einen Gletscher zu gehen, ist ein einzigartiges und spannendes Erlebnis für Groß und Klein. Der Haugabreen ist ein leicht zugänglicher Gletscherarm im Nationalpark Jostedalsbreen, und gemeinsam mit Breogfjell kannst du an einer aufregenden geführten Gletscherwanderung über das blaue Eis teilnehmen. Auch wenn du nicht auf dem Gletscher selbst wandern möchtest, lohnt sich der Weg dorthin auf jeden Fall.

Eikaasgalleriet

At Eikaasgalleriet, you can view a large part of the art created by Ludvig Eikaas (1920-2010), which is also found in Copenhagen, New York, Paris, Florence, and art museums in Norway. Jølstringen Eikaas is considered one of the most significant post-war visual artists. He was a pioneer in Norwegian modernism from the late 1940s. Be fascinated by the innovative works and explore the boundaries of the art world.

Bike Rides in Jølster

Surrounded by majestic mountains and an idyllic lake, Jølster is the perfect cycling destination. Cycle along the south side of Jølstravatnet. This route offers picturesque landscapes on a lightly trafficked, flat road. Combine your bike ride with a stop at Astruptunet. Enjoy the beautiful village from your bike seat and be inspired by the stunning nature around you. Bikes can be rented from several providers in Jølster.

Would you like to continue your cycling adventure? We recommend making Stardalen your next stage. This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Jølster, surrounded by towering mountains with the mighty Jostedalsbreen as a dramatic backdrop. Here you’ll find a cycle route that combines idyllic summer pastures, fresh rivers and views of glaciers – a perfect choice for experiencing the contrasts of nature from the saddle. The trip is ideal to combine with a coffee stop or a picnic.

Experience Jølser´s wild nature and glaciers from a kayak

Join a adventurous paddling trip on the beautiful Kjøsnesfjorden and Jølstravatnet. Here you can paddle between steep mountains and glacial meltwater from Jostedalsbreen, creating striking green reflections in the water. Jølstravatnet also offers an excellent kayaking experience, where the surroundings Jølster mountains are mirrored in the calm, glassy lake.

You can rent kayaks at Jølstraholmen, Jølvassbu camping, or Lunde tourist station.

Kvåleskajakk offers guided kayak tours in Jølster.

Go fishing in Jølstravatnet

Jølstravatnet is Northern Europe´s richest trout lake, and many visitors, both Norwegians and international, travel to Jølster to try their luck at fishing. Each year, around 15 tonnes of Jølster trout are caught.

If you´d like to try fishing yourself, you can purchase a fishing lisence, rent fishing equipment and hire a boat at Jølvassbu Camping. The hosts at the campsite are active anglers themselves and are happy to share tips and local knowledge.

Jølster Trout Festival

Every year in June, the Jølster Trout Festival is held. A competition where the goal is to catch a trout as close as possible to the ideal weight. The main prize in the competition is a car.

Join a guided fishing trip on Jølstravatnet

Would you like to try fishing but don´t feel completely confident doing it on your own? Kjøsnes Feriehytter offers guided fishing trips on Jølstravatnet. You can choose to learn about the tradition of net fishing or join an evening fishing trip. The guide ensures a great experience and provides all the necessary equipment for the trip.

Warm sauna after a day outdoors

There´s little that beats the feeling of stepping straight from an active day outdoors into a warm sauna. By the riverbank at Jølstraholmen, you´ll find a charming sauna, perfectly located with views of the Jølstra river. For the brave, a refreshing dip in the river awaits before returning to the warmth.

Join Jølster Boat Tours on a guide boat trip

A guided boat trip with Jølster Boat Tours offers a unique experience on Jølstravatnet. Experienced captains take you out on the lake and share local stories, offer fishing trips, or arrange exciting surprise tours for groups of friends.

All tours are operated with a captain, and life jackets are included. Jølster is beautiful in all kinds of weather, but on rainy days it´s recommended to dress warmly and appropriately to ensure the best possible experience.