Hiking

High mountains and clear-blue glaciers frame in a narrow valley, where an emerald treasure lies. Lovatnet lake is a mesmerising sight in hues of green and blue, guarded by ancient mountains. 

The Nordfjord region is like a playground, filled with possibilities for adrenaline seekers, leisure hikers and families. Paths for children and adults, long and short, challenging and easy. The unique feeling of spectacular scenery, magnificent culture and a packed lunch with a taste of the mountains and fjord! Choose a trip according to your wishes and ability. Choose your tracks in Nordfjord. 

Unforgettable hikes in Nordfjord 

Nordfjord offers a wide range of walks, from high summits that will take your breath away to smooth paths along the exotic coast or on historic trails. These varied trails represent the very best walks in the Nordfjord area. Mt. Skåla – Norway’s highest mountain with its foot in the fjord, towers 1,848 metres above the fjord. Together with Via Ferrata Loen, Hornindalsrokken, Eggenipa, Trollenyken, Hornelen, Skongenes Lighthouse, Selja Monastery and Ytre Fure, these are some of the highlights.  

Walking trips for the whole family 

There are many family-friendly walks and cultural trails in the Nordfjord region. The following areas are particularly suitable for children: Trivsselsskogen in Sandane, Harpefossen in Eid, trails in Stryn and Hoven (Loen Skylift). Contact the Tourist Information for more info and useful tips. 

Mountain farm visits

The summer pasture farms in Nordfjord are both attractive destinations and unique cultural heritage sites. Running summer pasture farms is a long-standing tradition in Norway, and you can find the beautiful old farm sites in all the valleys of Nordfjord. You can drive all the way to some of them (usually a toll road), others you must walk to. Take your lunch break in a rural cultural landscape, idyllic and rich in tradition and history, and dream of a time of milkmaids and hard toil, but also fiddle music, folk dancing and fun.    

Maps and marked walking trails 

More and more walking trails in Nordfjord are marked according to national standards (level of difficulty: green, blue, red and black). Maps can be purchased at the tourist information offices in Nordfjord. You can also buy maps and guidebooks at local book shops. 

Glacier walks 

Jostedalsbreen is the biggest glacier in mainland Europe, spreading across 487 square kilometres. In the Jostedalsbreen National Park you can experience the powerful forces of nature up close, and a guided glacier walk is a magical adventure you simply must try. Skilled glacier guides can take you on an adventure to Haugabreen or Tystigbreen glacier. If you prefer not to walk on the glacier, there are several accessible glacier arms that you can observe from a safe distance. Briksdalsbreen and Kjenndalsbreen glacier are the most famous and easiest to access, but Bødalsbreen, Melkevollsbreen, Brenndalsbreen and Erdalsbreen glacier are also possible to experience from a distance. Up close or from afar, a glacier is truly an impressive sight with captivating hues of blue and white. 

The glaciers consist of massive blocks of ice in constant movement. It is very important that we respect the forces of nature! If you do not have the necessary skills and equipment there are many experienced glacier guides ready to take you on a safe walk on the ice. 

Glacier guide companies:

The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) operates more than 500 cabins across Norway, including staffed lodges, self-service cabins and no-service cabins. Plan your hike at dnt.no, where you will find mapped locations and opening dates. 

Daytrip cabins are free-access, simple-style cabins for day hikers, a place to find shelter and warmth while you rest. Every cabin has its own small “library” with many different books, so you can practice your Norwegian language skills while you enjoy your packed lunch. 

The daytrip cabins are the result of a collaboration project between Sogn og Fjordane County, Sparebankstiftinga / Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane and the municipalities. Daytrip cabin locations in Nordfjord: 

• Nausdalskamben, Eid

• Draumekvila in Trivselsskogen, Gloppen

• Nakkebruna, Hornindal

• Risnakken, Selje

• Kloppemyra, Stryn

• Kletten, Vågsøy

If you have planned a week’s holiday, you may want to change it to two when you discover the range of activities in the lakes, rivers and fjords of Nordfjord! Imagine gliding across a quiet, clear lake in a kayak, throwing your fishing line into the sea, or getting your adrenaline pumping with rib-rafting or surfing. In wild nature.