Veitastrond: Summer Pastures and Glacier Trails

Veitastrond combines glacier scenery, summer pasture culture, and historic buildings. Around Tungestølen, trails lead into the Langedalen and Austerdalen valleys; at Veitastrondvatnet, a road steeped in history and opportunities for activities on the water also shape your stay. The area’s different highlights help you plan your trip around the landscape, hiking, or culture.

Tungestølen and the Summer Pasture Landscape

Tungestølen Turisthytte is located at the foot of the distinctive Skyttarpiggen. The mountain opens up access to Langedalen and Austerdalen towards Jostedalsbreen. Below Tungestølen lies a large river delta with emerald-green glacial rivers and several summer pasture farms, where livestock graze in the pastures. Glacial rivers and working summer pastureland together shape the landscape.

Tungestølen has operated as a Turisthytte since 1910. The tourist facility at Øvre Tungestølen consists of six buildings and is considered an important attraction because of its innovative architecture. At the same time, Tungestølen has long been used as a summer pasture. Tungestølen and Nystølen are also typical summer pasture landscapes: groups of summer pasture cabins are set amid well-grazed land. The upper areas of Langedalen and Austerdalen are part of the Veitastrond conservation area; the upper sections of these valleys are part of Jostedalsbreen National Park.

Hiking and Glacier Views

Midtnovi can be reached as a hiking destination from Nystølen or Tungestølen. The former trail markings have not been renewed, and navigation may vary. So check current trail conditions before setting out. A challenging hike to Skyttarpgiggen also starts from Tungestølen.

A trail about five kilometres long through Austerdalen leads to Austerdalsbreen. It was previously marked, but is now inadequately marked; check current conditions here too. On the tourist trail to Austerdalsbreen, the highest point is before the glacier’s edge. From there, you can enjoy wide views of the glacier terminus, the scree slopes, and two glacial waterfalls. Austerdalsbreen has three named wild glacial waterfalls: Tor, Odin, and Loke.

The approach from Tungestølen to the glacier front takes a little over an hour and a half. Equipment is put on there before you continue over the bare ice, with views of Odin, Tor, and Loke. Check the seasonal availability of this activity before your trip. This makes it possible to plan a glacier experience with a clearly stated time commitment, without confusing it with the shorter views from a viewpoint.

At Veitastrondvatnet: Road and Activities

Veitastrondvegen runs along Veitastrondvatnet. Since 2002, it has been included in Norway’s national preservation plan for roads, bridges, and road-related cultural heritage sites. You can cycle past the tunnels on the old road along the lake; road and tunnel conditions may change, so check them before your ride.

On the water, Kvam Guiding & Service offers a guided RIB tour on Veitastrondsvatnet. It lasts two hours, is described as easy, and takes place with a private guide. As availability is seasonal and the duration may change, it is advisable to check before your trip. This makes the ride quite different from the hikes and the longer approach to the glacier front.

Chapel and Glacier History

Veitastrond Chapel is a wooden long church with 120 seats. It was built as a prayer house in 1928 and consecrated for church use and designated a chapel on 14 July 1935. History is also present at Austerdalsbreen: a memorial stone was unveiled there on 13 August 1994, almost exactly 100 years after William Cecil Slingsby and two other people first explored this arm of the glacier. Together with the history of the summer pastures and the road, this offers a cultural perspective on Veitastrond that extends beyond the trails into the glacier landscape.

A Further Look at Luster

In the wider travel destination of Luster, Urnes Stave Church offers a different cultural focus. It was built in the 1130s and is one of Norway’s oldest surviving stave churches. It is richly decorated both inside and out. This historical reference complements the story of Veitastrond Chapel with another example of Luster’s cultural heritage.

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

Go to the main travel overview: Luster.