Skjolden at the end of the Sognefjord

Skjolden lies at the end of the Sognefjord in the municipality of Luster. Here, the fjord meets Jotunheimen. If you are looking for a hotel in Skjolden, distinguishing between activities in the village and attractions elsewhere in the wider Luster destination can help with planning.

Fjord scenery and hiking opportunities

The mountains and valleys around Skjolden offer plenty of opportunities for hiking. The Sognefjellet National Scenic Route can also be driven a short distance from the village; it crosses Norway's highest mountain pass. This brings different landscapes into focus: the Sognefjord at the end of the fjord and the mountain scenery that begins at Jotunheimen.

Bike tour, RIB and llamas

From Skjolden, a bike tour leads to the UNESCO-listed Urnes Stave Church, an important cultural treasure. Adventure Tours Norway's RIB tours offer another way to explore the Sognefjord. They combine a trip along the fjord with a close-up view of the landscape from the water.

Nearby, visitors can meet llamas at Skjolden Llamas and learn how to handle them. On a walk of about 20 minutes each way along the Mørkridselva River, they can lead their own llama. The farm is about 500 metres from the centre of Skjolden.

Cultural attractions in the wider Luster destination

The Urnes Stave Church was built in the 1130s. It is a remarkably well-preserved wooden church, is among the oldest surviving stave churches in Norway, and is richly decorated both inside and out. The Old Gaupne Church, built between 1647 and 1652, stands in Gaupne. Painted walls and ceilings define its colourful interior; it also preserves a west portal from an earlier stave church, dated to the second half of the 12th century. Dale Church was built around the middle of the 13th century. Its richly decorated west and south portals set it apart among Norway's medieval stone churches.

Glaciers, national parks and a waterfall

Jostedalsbreen National Park extends across Luster; Jostedalen is a starting point for seeing the glacier or taking a glacier tour. Nigardsbreen is an offshoot of Jostedalsbreen in Jostedalen. You can reach it from the car park on foot along the lake or take a boat across the lake. Access arrangements may vary by season. Guided glacier hikes are offered from age five; participation may also be subject to the provider's safety rules. The Breheimsenteret in Jostedalen is also a starting point for glacier hikes. Its interactive exhibition covers Jostedalen and Jostedalsbreen and Breheimen national parks, with a focus on climate and glaciers.

Breheimen National Park also extends into Luster. Starting points for hikes include Jostedalen and Mørkridsdalen. Feigefossen is 218 metres high and is one of Norway's highest unregulated waterfalls; the path there climbs steeply. This information can help you decide whether to focus your stay on hikes, glacier attractions or cultural heritage.

Getting there and getting around

Local bus services connect Skjolden with its surroundings. If you plan to take the bus, check the timetable and frequency before travelling. This lets you plan around the services available without assuming a particular frequency.

Discover more destinations: Gaupne, Jostedal, Marifjøra, Hafslo, Høyheimsvik, Ornes, Solvorn, Luster.

Go to the wider travel overview: Luster.