Luster

Norway

Luster is a district in Sogn og Fjordane county. Luster sits right at the intersection of central alpine mountains, great glaciers and the iconic fjords. Luster is also the name of one of the villages. The great Luster fjord, a major branch of Sognefjord, is surrounded by Jostedalsbreen, Breheimen and Jotunheimen.

Skjolden is known for Ludwig Wittgenstein's lodge and Urnes is a UNESCO world heritage site. Luster offers all of Norway's grand nature as well as some of the finest cultural heritage.

Luster is at the inner (eastern) end of the 204 km (127 mi) long Sognefjord. Parts of Jotunheimen (Norway's high alpine summits) and Jostedalsbreen (Norway's great glacier) are within Luster municipality. Luster's grand nature is created at the intersection of Norway's largest fjord, largest glacier and tallest mountains. Numerous rivers transport "thick" (opaque) glacial meltwater to lakes and to the fjord, giving fjords and lakes a milky turquoise appearance. Luster is also home to numerous pretty waterfalls. Luster fjord (Lustrafjorden), easily recognized by its emerald-turquoise color, is a major arm of the great Sognefjord, and is more than 600 meters deep at Urnes. The area is sparsely populated, and is primarily glaciers and barren uninhabited mountains. Luster fjord

Some 5,000 inhabitants share more than 2,500 km2, making it a sparsely populated area, built up areas and farm land is limited to narrow shores and narrow valleys. About 15 % of the area is glacier or permanent snow. There are no towns in the area, only small villages and settlements.

  • Skjolden
  • Dale
  • Gaupne
  • Hafslo
  • Solvorn - once an important trading place, now peaceful village with a fine hotel.

Urnes Stave Church.

Nigardsbreen glacier arm

  • Nigardsbreen, Gaupne/Jostedalen (Route 55 to Gaupne then route 604. Arm of the great Jostedalsbreen glacier. Caution: Watch from a safe distance, respect signs and fences, professional guide needed for hike on the ice. Free.
  • Feigumfossen, Skjolden, +47 97600443. A 218 m (720 ft) high waterfall. The waterfall can be seen from route FV331. A path let you take a closer look. If you continue on the path there is a place right by the bottom of the waterfall where you can take a sip of pure, safe snowmelt. Free.
  • Romantic Road. The FV331 is a 30 km scenic road along the eastside of the fjord. The road is narrow with several curves, so drive slowly. From Urnes you can take the ferry to Solvorn. This is a nice alternative to route 55. Free.
  • Jotunheimen. The western part of Norway's highest mountains are in Luster and Årdal districts. These are also the wildest part of Jotunheimen, steep summits and sharp ridges. Visible from a long distance as well as from road 55.

Nigardsbreen, Gaupne/Jostedalen (Route 55 to Gaupne then route 604. Arm of the great Jostedalsbreen glacier. Caution: Watch from a safe distance, respect signs and fences, professional guide needed for hike on the ice. Free.

Feigumfossen, Skjolden, +47 97600443. A 218 m (720 ft) high waterfall. The waterfall can be seen from route FV331. A path let you take a closer look. If you continue on the path there is a place right by the bottom of the waterfall where you can take a sip of pure, safe snowmelt. Free.

Romantic Road. The FV331 is a 30 km scenic road along the eastside of the fjord. The road is narrow with several curves, so drive slowly. From Urnes you can take the ferry to Solvorn. This is a nice alternative to route 55. Free.

Jotunheimen. The western part of Norway's highest mountains are in Luster and Årdal districts. These are also the wildest part of Jotunheimen, steep summits and sharp ridges. Visible from a long distance as well as from road 55.

  • Urnes Stave Church, Urnes (30 km (19 mi) from Skjolden on route FV331, or with ferry from Solvorn., +47 57678840. 5 May-30 Sep: 10.30AM-5.45PM. The oldest stave church in Norway, built around 1130 AD. Included on UNESCO World Heritage List. Adults: kr 80, Students/Children: kr 60.
  • Ludwig Wittgenstein's lodge, Skjolden (Eidsvatnet lake. Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein had a vacation lodge on an isolated spot above the lake, he spent long periods there working on his theories. The building was later moved down to Skjolden, only foundations remain in the forest. Barely visible across the lake from road 55. Free.
  • Dale church, Luster village (Road 55. A modest gothic, medieval parish church with an impressive soapstone portal (visible indoor only) and murals. Free.
  • Gaupne old church, Gaupne (Road 55. Wooden church (about 1647) with remains of an ancient stave church on the same site, notably the wooden portal. Modest exterior. Interior rosemaling or tole painting. Now maintained as cultural heritage. Adults: kr 50, Students: kr 40.
  • Galleri Walaker, Solvorn. Tu-Su 12:00-17:00. This gallery holds exhibitions by local and national artists.

Urnes Stave Church, Urnes (30 km (19 mi) from Skjolden on route FV331, or with ferry from Solvorn., +47 57678840. 5 May-30 Sep: 10.30AM-5.45PM. The oldest stave church in Norway, built around 1130 AD. Included on [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. Adults: kr 80, Students/Children: kr 60.

Ludwig Wittgenstein's lodge, Skjolden (Eidsvatnet lake. Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein had a vacation lodge on an isolated spot above the lake, he spent long periods there working on his theories. The building was later moved down to Skjolden, only foundations remain in the forest. Barely visible across the lake from road 55. Free.

Dale church, Luster village (Road 55. A modest gothic, medieval parish church with an impressive soapstone portal (visible indoor only) and murals. Free.

Gaupne old church, Gaupne (Road 55. Wooden church (about 1647) with remains of an ancient stave church on the same site, notably the wooden portal. Modest exterior. Interior rosemaling or tole painting. Now maintained as cultural heritage. Adults: kr 50, Students: kr 40.

Galleri Walaker, Solvorn. Tu-Su 12:00-17:00. This gallery holds exhibitions by local and national artists.

Hurrungane summits as seen by skiers in Jotunheimen, mid April.

  • Cycling, Nørstedalseter, +47 95076382. 26 Jun-13 Sep: 8AM-11PM. Cycle the 32 km (20 mi) long downhill from the mountain down to the fjord. Those with strong leg muscles can cycle up again (and save kr 80). Cyclehire: kr 120, Drop of Cycle by the fjord: kr 80.
  • Hiking, +47 97600443. Hiking in Jotunheimen.
  • Moreld Sea Kayak, Kroken, +47 40467100. Kayaking tours to Feigumfossen waterfall and Urnes Stave Church. Longer tours also available. kr 450-750.
  • Sognefjellet mountain pass, Road 55 from Skjolden. Summer only. Norway's highest mountain pass runs pass Norway's highest mountains in Jotunheimen with view to summits and glaciers. On the eastern side through Bøverdalen valley to Lom village. The road is closed in winter, opens about May. Steep ascent and descent, sharp corners. Cross country skiing is possible until June. Free.
  • Other hiking:
    • Molden for spectacular views at 1118 m above sea level up and down the Lustrafjord.
    • Solvornnipa for full day hike
  • Other cycling ideas
    • Skjolden-Urnes road
    • Veitastrond

Cycling, Nørstedalseter, +47 95076382. 26 Jun-13 Sep: 8AM-11PM. Cycle the 32 km (20 mi) long downhill from the mountain down to the fjord. Those with strong leg muscles can cycle up again (and save kr 80). Cyclehire: kr 120, Drop of Cycle by the fjord: kr 80.

Hiking, +47 97600443. Hiking in [[Jotunheimen]].

Moreld Sea Kayak, Kroken, +47 40467100. Kayaking tours to Feigumfossen waterfall and Urnes Stave Church. Longer tours also available. kr 450-750.

Sognefjellet mountain pass, Road 55 from Skjolden. Summer only. Norway's highest mountain pass runs pass Norway's highest mountains in [[Jotunheimen]] with view to summits and glaciers. On the eastern side through Bøverdalen valley to [[Lom (Norway)|Lom]] village. The road is closed in winter, opens about May. Steep ascent and descent, sharp corners. Cross country skiing is possible until June. Free.

  • Husflidsbua, Skjolden, +47 57686106. Arts and traditional crafts.

Husflidsbua, Skjolden, +47 57686106. Arts and traditional crafts.

  • Fjordstova, Skjolden, +47 57686744.

Fjordstova, Skjolden, +47 57686744.

  • Lustrafjorden Kro, Høyheimsvik, +47 57681880.

Lustrafjorden Kro, Høyheimsvik, +47 57681880.

  • Route 55 to Lom is a scenic road and named one of 18 national tourist routes of Norway. It is the highest mountain pass in Norway at 1434 m (4705 ft). Closed during the winter (Nov-May). Private road from route 55 at Turtagrø to Årdal.
  • Route 55 to Sogndal.