Autumn in Loen

Autumn is here. The air becomes crisper, and nature changes its mood and color. And it's so good to come in afterwards. A fire in the fireplace and something hot in your cup, while the cakes are bursting with fresh mountain air. Come to Loen and take some time off.

Autumn in the mountains

Loen Skylift. Photo: Marius Beck Dahle

Hoven Restaurant. Photo: Lene Marie Gåsbakk

After a few minutes' glide from the fjord in Loen, you reach the top of the mountain Hoven, 1011 meters above sea level. Up here you can explore the mountain on foot, or just enjoy the view from the roof terrace or restaurant. You can see Skåla and Lovatnet in the east, Jostedalsbreen and Olden in the south and Nordfjorden stretching towards Stryn in the west. In Hoven Restaurant you can enjoy local food from the menu, and hot chocolate in front of the fireplace.

Cairn walks and fresh mountain hikes

On the way to Skredfjellet. Photo: Bård Basberg/Loen Skylift

The mountain station at Loen Skylift is the starting point for many great, well-signposted trails for all levels. Information boards can be found in several places at the top, and the tours are signposted and well organized. Choose the tour that suits you, whether you want to go a long way or just take a short walk. Loen Active offers guided tours for those who want them. In weeks 40 and 41 there are cairn walks at Hoven. Hoven is 1011 meters above sea level, so there may be snow in the mountains late in the autumn. Keep an eye on the webcam for weather conditions at Hoven. Down in the lowlands you will also find great hiking options. You can find hiking maps in Fjordshop.

Via Ferrata Loen

Via Ferrata Loen. Photo: Simon Sjökvist

There are more challenging routes to the top at Hoven. One of them is the Via Ferrata Loen climbing trail. As part of the route up to Hoven, you can cross the 120-meter-long Gjølmunne Bridge, the longest Via Ferrata bridge in Europe. It is suspended 750 meters above the fjord, and is guaranteed to give you summer birds in your stomach. Those who want to test their strength a little extra can take the "Tors Hammar" loop at the end of the route. In 2019, we also opened Ragnarok, Norway's toughest via ferrata, for those with strength and good climbing experience.

Zipline Loen

Airy above Loen. Photo: Marius Beck Dahle/Loen Skylift

At the top of Hoven , 1000 meters above the fjord, two new ziplines opened that are 125 and 95 meters long respectively. Here you can fly over the upper part of Tungejølet, with a view of the suspension bridge in Via Ferrata Loen. The ziplines are only a 5-10 minute walk north-east from the top station of the Loen Skylift, and are located by the path from Via Ferrata Loen. Many people also use the ziplines as a finish after the climb. In the fall, the ziplines are open on selected days.

Enjoy the Spa life

Hotel Alexandra

It's even better to enjoy a hot jacuzzi in the fresh autumn air, with high mountains and a blue fjord as a backdrop. At Alexandra Bad & Spa you'll find various swimming pools, a children's area, slide and saunas. In the spa department, there are skilled therapists who offer a range of wonderful spa treatments. Please note that Alexandra Bad & Spa is for residential guests only.

Kayaking on the fjord

Chess on the Nordfjord. Photo: Beate Marie Sollien Høgberg

Loen Active offers guided kayak tours on the fjord and on Lovatnet on request. If you have a wet card, you can rent a kayak. Loen Active also has SUP boards for hire.

Mt. Skåla

Skåla. Photo: Sverre Hjørnevik

Another high point in Loen is 1848 meters high Skåla. This summit hike is considered to be the one in Norway with the greatest difference in altitude from fjord to mountain. Here you will find Skålatårnet, which has been named Norway's most special tourist cabin. A few years ago, Skålabu was also built nearby. Please note that there may be snow in the mountains at this time of year, and that the hike is very demanding due to the many vertical meters. Read more about the hike at Skåla here.

Fair Lodalen

Bring in Lodalen. Photo: Scott Sporleder/Matador Network

Lodalen is a national romantic gem, and the valley's dramatic history makes it very special. At the bottom of the valley lies Kjenndalsbreen, the lowest glacier arm of Jostedalsbreen. Further down is the charming Breng mountain farm, which is a great photo opportunity. One of the side valleys is called Bødalen - a great hiking area with Bødalsætra and views of Bødalsbreen. Bødalen is also the starting point for hikes to Lodalskåpa itself ("The Queen of Western Norway") (2083 meters above sea level).

Magic and bathing at Hotel Alexandra

Hotel Alexandra

This autumn will be magical at the venerable Hotel Alexandra. During the fall break, magician, comedian and ventriloquist Erik Mogeno (known from Norwegian Talents) will entertain young and old with two daily shows and magic school. There will also be a nature trail around the hotel every day during the summer holidays and a children's disco in Alex Dancing. The swimming pool is heated both inside and out. Please note that Alexandra Bad & Spa is for residential guests only.

Fishing trip on Lovatnet

Lovatnet. Photo: Sergey Bogomyako

Sande Camping rents out rowing boats, canoes and fishing equipment at Lovatnet, so you can try to hook a trout. Fishing is free throughout Lovatnet, so a fishing license is not required. The average weight of the trout in the lake is about 200 grams, but the largest fish caught in a net recently was 9.2 kilos. Turid and Magne at Sande Camping provide simple instruction and good advice.

Fun and games in Loen Play

Loen Play. Photo: Christer Lunde Solberg

Loen Play is the new playground in the village, where residents can get their energy out and enjoy themselves whatever the weather. On the ground floor you'll find the activity house for children aged 3-12, as well as a department for the very youngest. In the basement there are activities for slightly older children.

Cycling under the national park

Lodalen Valley

Hire a bike or electric bike with Loen Active, and pedal up Lodalen along Lovatnet, and perhaps all the way to Kjenndalen? You'll be surrounded by the majestic mountains of Jostedalsbreen National Park the whole way. Loen Active also has two junior bikes and a bike with a child seat.

Beach climbing

Beachen climbing field. Photo: Einar Løken/Breogfjell

A few kilometers from Loen is the climbing area "Beachen", one of the best in Norway. An overhang keeps the mountain dry even in the rain. The routes are graded from 7+ to 9-, and almost all are 30 meters long.

In close proximity

Autumn in Briksdalen. Photo: Ruben Soltvedt

With Loen as your base, you can easily reach other great attractions and activities such as Briksdalsbreen, the Geirangerfjord, the new Viking center Sagastad, and even reach the coast in just 1.5 hours. Activity seekers can test the new climbing park in Stryn, cycle on trails in Hjelledalen or Sandane or surf at Stadlandet.

Shopping

In Loen you'll find the Loen Skylift Fjord Shop with various souvenirs, gifts and clothing, the Loen Active shop with Skogstad clothing and LaSportiva equipment, and the souvenir and gift shop at Hotel Alexandra. At Hoven you'll find the Skyshop with various gift items and clothing. Stryn town center is only 10 minutes away, and here you will find a large selection of shops, including the outlets of local clothing brands Skogstad Sport, Ricco Vero and Moods of Norway. Skogstad Sport also has warehouses in Olden (6 km from Loen) and in Innvik (24 km from Loen).