Stryn
With its mighty mountains, valleys, glaciers, and emerald-green lakes, Stryn is the place for adventure seekers. Did you know that there are 12 glacier arms of Jostedalsbreen in Stryn?
©Loen Skylift
©Marvin Kuhn
©Ruben Soltvedt
©Loen Skylift
©Mattias Fredriksson
The surroundings of Stryn can truly take your breath away. With steep waterfalls, deep valleys, high mountains and emerald-green lakes, it’s no wonder that photos from Stryn are shared around the world on social media. With magnificent nature as the backdrop, there’s a wide range of activities available throughout the municipality.
Stryn municipality has around 7,100 inhabitants, but this number doubles with tourists in the summer. After the cities, Stryn is the largest tourism municipality in Western Norway, and since the mid-1800s people from all over the world have come here to experience the spectacular nature. High mountains, fjord, glacier, waterfalls and lakes in deep green valleys are the very definition of Norway—and here in Stryn you get a small taste of everything Norway has to offer.
In Stryn town centre you’ll find several great accommodation options. Choose between the historic Visnes Hotel, the centrally located Stryn Hotel by the water, or Stryn Camping for a more flexible stay. In addition, there are a number of campsites, cabins and hotels throughout the municipality. You’ll find a full overview at nordfjord.no. Stryn town centre also offers cosy cafés and places to eat, such as Stryn Vertshus, as well as a varied selection of shops—from well-known chains to unique niche boutiques that give your shopping experience that little something extra.
Briksdalsbreen © Ruben Soltvedt
The attractions in Stryn municipality are like pearls on a string, and the journey starts high in the mountains on Strynefjellet. The Old Strynefjell Road, which is a Norwegian Scenic Route, runs between Stryn and Skjåk. Along the road you’ll find the unique alpine facility Stryn sommerski, which is world-famous for summer skiing in spectacular surroundings. When you come down from Strynefjellet, you’ll find Oppstrynsvatnet. Feel free to stop at Hjelle and enjoy the view of the green glacial lake. If you need a break from the drive, you can hike up to Segestad, a hike of about 1.5 hours that offers some of the best views over Hjelle and Oppstryn. In the area you’ll also find Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre, which shares the natural values and the history of life in and around the national park.
The trip continues to Loen. Here you can challenge yourself on Via Ferrata Loen up to the top of Hoven (1011 m a.s.l.), or take the fast and spectacular gondola ride with Loen Skylift. In just five minutes you’re at the top, with panoramic views of fjord, mountains and valleys. This is one of the largest tourism investments in Norway in recent times, and it has inspired other destinations to build similar ones.
In Loen, you’ll find Lodalen, which is often described as one of the most beautiful valleys in Norway. The blue-green Lovatnet is surrounded by steep, dramatic mountains. Here you can also learn about the tragic Lodalsulukka. Lodalen is a popular starting point for mountain hikes to Skåla and Lodalskåpa.
In the valley next to Lodalen you’ll find Oldedalen and the iconic Briksdalsbreen. The glacier has fascinated travellers from all over the world for more than 150 years, and became a popular destination as early as the 1800s. Today, Briksdalsbreen is still one of the most visited natural attractions in the area. Photo: © Helene Myhre / @helenemoo
Nos/Panoramavegen © Ruben Soltvedt
On the north side of the fjord you can drive the Panoramic Road, which gives you panoramic views over the fjord all the way to Stad kommune.
Steep mountains create the perfect hiking experiences, and the perfect views. All the hikes are easily accessible and vary in difficulty. In Nordfjord there is a high level of activity, and the local population knows the area well. Most of the peaks are well-trodden and well-marked. In winter you can make use of many miles of well-groomed trails. Because of the countless mountain peaks, Nordfjord is something of a ski-touring mecca – here you’ll find ski tours for both beginners and more experienced visitors.
Guided tours in Stryn
For a safe and memorable experience, we recommend bringing a guide on the trip. A local guide knows the area well, finds the best routes and the best snow conditions, while safety is taken care of. There are several skilled guiding companies in Stryn.
In Loen and Lodalen, Loen Active is a natural choice for guided mountain and nature experiences. For glacier hiking or kayaking trips around Stryn, you can get in touch with Olden Active. If you want more demanding and adrenaline-filled experiences, we recommend Bre og Fjell.
Zipline in Loen © Loen Skylift
Oppstryn
When you drive down from Strynefjellet, it is Oppstryn and the beautiful Oppstrynsvatnet that greet you first. Oppstryn is a popular starting point for many of Stryn’s lesser-known hikes, and a favourite among locals. The vivid green Oppstrynsvatnet is at least as beautiful as Lovatnet in Lodalen, but far more peaceful. Along the water’s edge you’ll find small, hidden gems where you can often have the place all to yourself.
From Oppstryn you have access to several great nature experiences. We recommend a trip to the more than 100-year-old farm Segestad, a mountain hike to the top of Marsåhyrna, or exploring the mighty Erdalen. Erdalen is also the starting point for the original route across Jostedalsbreen lengthwise. This is a demanding trip that requires good planning, but the reward is a three-day ski tour across Norway’s roof. It is considered one of the most beautiful spring ski tours in the country.
If you want to learn more about natural values, cultural heritage sites, and the history of the people who have lived in and around the glacier, you should visit Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalparksenter. Here you gain insight into how the glaciers have shaped the landscape as we know it today.
For those who want to be active in other ways, Oppstryn offers varied opportunities. At Folven Adventure Camp you can rent equipment for cycling, kayaking or skating. Here you can also get good tips for experiences in the surrounding area. Feel free to end your stay in Oppstryn with a good meal at Matstova, and enjoy the calm after a day filled with impressions. Photo: © Kristine H. Langstrand
Loen
Loen is a vibrant and popular village in Stryn municipality, known for dramatic nature experiences and unique activities all year round. Here, the fjord meets the mountains – and the opportunities line up.
In the centre of the village is the traditional Hotel Alexandra, established in 1884 and known for its personal atmosphere and long history. Nearby you’ll find Hotel Loenfjord, a cosy and informal hotel idyllically located by the river and Nordfjorden.
Just a few metres from the accommodation options is Loen Skylift – a spectacular gondola that takes you almost 1,000 vertical metres in just five minutes. The lift gives you what is often described as Norway’s easiest summit hike, taking you all the way to the top of Hoven (1,011 m a.s.l.).
On Hoven, a wide range of activities awaits. You can hike on well-marked trails, try the zipline, or take part in more adrenaline-filled experiences like Via Ferrata Loen. The secured climbing route starts just behind Hotel Alexandra and leads you all the way to the top of Hoven, with spectacular views the entire way. Towards the top, the landscape opens up towards Lodalen, Oldedalen and straight down into the village of Loen. You also see the mighty Skåla and the mountains towards Jostedalsbreen. As part of the route, you cross Gjølmunnebrua – the longest via ferrata bridge in Europe.
After an active day in the mountains, you can stop by Hoven Restaurant, located right at the edge of the mountain. Here you’ll get one of the most spectacular dining experiences in the country, with striking views from every single table.
The experiences in Loen don’t stop at the mountain summit. Down by the fjord, you can rent a SUP board or join Loen Active on a guided kayak tour. Paddling on the fjord between high mountains offers a special kind of calm – and is an experience many add to their highlights list after visiting Loen.
Via Ferrata Loen © Loen Skylift
Lodalen
Lodalen is located on the western side of Jostedalsbreen and is one of the most spectacular valleys in Norway. Here, the landscape is shaped by towering mountains, dramatic waterfalls, and the lush green Lovatnet, with the glacier as a majestic backdrop. Whether you paddle a canoe, go hiking, or simply take in the peace and quiet, Lodalen is a place where it’s easy to let your thoughts drift freely.
The dramatic history and distinctive landscape have made Lodalen a world-famous destination and an iconic photo motif. Every year, visitors from all over the world come to experience the contrasts between the beautiful and the wild. This is a nature experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Lodalen offers a range of well-known and beloved hiking destinations. Here you’ll find the idyllic mountain pasture Breng, which is also one of the starting points for the hike to Skåla. Further into the valley lies Bødalen, where you can continue on to Bødalseter and the mighty Bødalsbreen. At the very end of the valley you’ll find Kjenndalsstova and Kjenndalsbreen.
When you stand at the very end of the valley and look into Kjenndalen, the landscape can feel almost unreal, like a living postcard. But this is no dream. You are in the heart of Lodalen, surrounded by some of the most magnificent nature Norway has to offer.
Lodalen is a fragile natural gem. Please be considerate, tread carefully, and help us take care of the valley, so that future generations can also experience this unique place.
Olden and Oldedalen
Olden is a beautiful village in Stryn municipality, idyllically located by the Oldenelva river where it flows into Nordfjorden. With only a ten-minute drive to Stryn town center, Olden is an easily accessible destination, while the village also offers peaceful surroundings and magnificent nature. Here you’ll find a wide range of accommodation options, from campsites and cabins to hotels. Among them is the charming Olden Fjordhotel right in the center.
Olden also has a good selection of shops and places to eat. In the center you’ll find well-known brands such as Skogstad Sport and Ricco Vero, both founded in Stryn municipality. In addition, there are grocery stores and several cozy cafés where you can take a break and enjoy the village atmosphere.
The village is a natural gateway to some of the most spectacular nature experiences in Norway. From the quay in Olden, you can join, among others, Olden Active for guided activities such as kayaking and RIB rafting on the fjord. Nordic Nature Guide is also an activity company that offers various guided activities. This is perfect for those who want a high-speed experience in majestic surroundings. The beautiful nature has made Olden a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, and in 2019 the village welcomed over 100 cruise ships.
Just a short drive from Olden lies Oldedalen, often described as one of the most adventurous hiking valleys in Norway. Here you’ll find a large network of hiking trails suitable for both families and experienced mountain hikers. At the very end of the valley awaits the iconic Briksdalsbreen, one of the best-known glacier arms of Jostedalsbreen. Briksdalsbreen has fascinated travelers for over 150 years and remains one of the most visited natural attractions in the region.
Klovane and Oldedalen © Ruben Soltvedt
Activities in Stryn
A climbing offer for everyone
Climbing has become increasingly popular in Nordfjord, and it’s easy to understand why. The region offers a varied range of climbing options that suit both children and adults, beginners and experienced climbers. Here you can combine physical activity with magnificent nature and spectacular views.
Beachen in Stryn is described as one of the best climbing crags in Norway. The crag offers a wide range of routes, from short and easier climbs to long and steep challenges. There is something here for all levels and preferences, whether you’re climbing for the first time or looking for new challenges.
At Hydlaparken you can climb among the treetops, zoom along zip-lines, test your skills on the pump track, or take a relaxed break with a cup of coffee. Hydlaparken is a popular meeting place for both locals and visitors. A place for families, couples, and groups of friends of all ages.
Via Ferrata Loen is the climbing route that takes you to the top of Hoven at 1011 m above sea level. This is for those who want a more spectacular, high-altitude climbing experience. The secured climbing route leads you all the way to the summit of Hoven at 1,011 m above sea level, with fantastic views the entire way. At the top you can take the Loen Skylift back down to fjord level in just five minutes, a perfect end to an active day in the mountains.
Accommodation in Stryn
Food and drink in Stryn