Stryn travel guide

Stryn in Nordfjord: fjords, glaciers and adventure

Stryn lies at the head of Nordfjord, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Glaciers creep down from Jostedalsbreen, green valleys fall towards the fjord and mountains rise steeply on every side. It is no wonder Stryn attracts travellers from all over the world.

The municipality covers some of Norway's most beautiful places: Loen, Olden, Innvik and the village of Stryn itself. Each has its own character, but all of them lie where nature is at its most spectacular.

Why visit Stryn?

Stryn has something for most kinds of travellers: nature photographers, active outdoor lovers, families and those who simply want to sit by the fjord with a cup of coffee. And for something to remember for the rest of your life, Via Ferrata Loen takes you across Europe's longest via ferrata bridge, high above the fjord.

Stryn is also easy to combine with other highlights of Western Norway. The Geirangerfjord is less than an hour's drive away, and from there you can drive up to Dalsnibba and the Geiranger Skywalk at 1,476 metres, one of Norway's highest fjord views reachable by road. Bergen is a few hours away along one of Norway's most beautiful fjord roads.

The best places to visit in and around Stryn

Loen and Loen Skylift

Loen is perhaps the best-known name in the area, largely thanks to Loen Skylift. The cable car takes you from the edge of the fjord to the top of Mount Hoven in just a few minutes, and the view up there is simply magical. From Hoven you can do the via ferrata, cycle, hike or just take in the panorama from Hoven Restaurant & Bar.

Zipline Loen

Zipline Loen is open in the summer season and lets you soar out over the mountainside from the top of Hoven. It is one of the most adrenaline-filled ways to experience Nordfjord and pairs well with Loen Skylift on the same day.

The Briksdal glacier

Briksdalsbreen is an arm of Jostedalsbreen in the Olden valley, about 20 minutes from Stryn. It has been a famous attraction since the 19th century and draws around 300,000 visitors a year. The path in is well maintained and suitable for families. On the way you pass the Kleivafossen waterfall, where meltwater crashes down the mountainside right over the bridge you cross. Further in, the valley opens up to the blue-green glacial lake and the glacier front itself.

Cycling holidays in Nordfjord

Stryn and Nordfjord are among Norway's best areas for a cycling holiday. Quiet fjord roads, dramatic valleys and short distances between the sights make it perfect for exploring on two wheels. You can plan a cycling holiday along the Geirangerfjord, or simply take a day trip between Loen, Olden and Stryn. The terrain ranges from flat fjord roads to tough climbs over the Strynefjellet mountains, with routes for all levels, and e-bikes can be rented locally.

The Old Strynefjell Mountain Road

The Old Strynefjell Mountain Road is different from most mountain passes in Norway because the road itself is the attraction. It is one of Norway's 18 National Tourist Routes and was built by hand at the end of the 19th century. Hand-laid stone walls and rows of guard stones still line the route, and the road was listed as a protected monument in 2009.

The 27 kilometres between Grotli and Videsæter offer several natural stops, including a viewpoint at Videfossen and a 200-metre path with steel railings right in to the Øvstefossen waterfall. Langvatnet lake in the middle of the mountains shines turquoise with meltwater from the glaciers.

Down in the Hjelledalen valley lies the idyllic village of Hjelle, where an hour's walk takes you up to the abandoned farm of Segestad, perched on a mountain ledge 314 metres above lake Oppstrynsvatnet. The road is open from mid-June to early autumn.

Lodalen and Lovatnet

Lodalen is the valley behind Loen and home to Lovatnet, with its distinctive blue-green water coloured by glacial silt from Jostedalsbreen. The valley is quiet and lush, with farms and summer pastures along the water and mountains rising on both sides. Lovatnet is perfect for kayaking, and several operators rent equipment.

At the end of the valley lies Kjenndalsbreen, the lowest-lying arm of Jostedalsbreen, and the charming mountain farm of Breng is a natural stop on the way. You can also take the boat MS Kjenndal up the lake to Kjenndalen.

Stryn Summer Ski Centre

Stryn Summer Ski Centre on the Tystig glacier has been running since 1972 and is the largest summer ski centre in Northern Europe, one of the few places in the world where you can ski outdoors in summer. It opens when the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road has been cleared of snow, usually in May or June, and stays open as long as the snow lasts, with slalom, freeriding and a terrain park.

Stryn also has a winter ski area, Stryn Vinterski. In winter, Norway's longest toboggan run, 8 kilometres from the top of Hoven, is a favourite with the whole family, with fantastic views of the fjord and mountains. Sledges can be rented at the top and returned at the bottom.

Best time to visit Stryn

Stryn is a destination for every season. Most people visit in summer, from June to August, when the days are long and most attractions are open. Summer skiers should check the opening date of Stryn Summer Ski Centre, which varies with snow conditions. Autumn is beautiful, with fresh colours on the mountainsides, but the weather is less predictable. For winter skiing and the toboggan run on Hoven, December to April is best.

Plan your trip to Stryn

Stryn is not cheap, but no more expensive than other Norwegian destinations. Accommodation ranges from campsites to Hotel Alexandra, one of the best-known hotels in the region, and hiking and nature experiences are free.

Book Loen Skylift and the via ferrata in advance in high season, always check the weather forecast before heading into the mountains and be prepared for narrow roads with passing places in the valleys. Many mountain roads, such as the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road, are closed in winter.

Hotel Alexandra

Hotel Alexandra in Loen sits right at the foot of Loen Skylift and is known for its spa with indoor and outdoor pools, a natural choice for combining active days in the mountains with a little wellness.

Getting to and around Stryn

A car is by far the most flexible way to get to and around Stryn, as the best experiences lie along narrow fjord roads and valleys that public transport does not cover.

From Bergen it is around 250 kilometres and a few hours' drive, and renting a car in Bergen lets you combine Stryn with other highlights of Western Norway. The nearest airports are Sandane and Ørsta-Volda, and from Oslo it is around six hours by car.

Another option from Bergen is the express boat to Måløy in Nordfjord, followed by a bus to Stryn. Local public transport is limited, so a rental car is recommended if you want to explore the valleys.

Stryn is waiting for you, with open fjords and more nature than you can see in one trip.

Stryn: frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Stryn?

Ride Loen Skylift to the top of Mount Hoven, walk to the Briksdal glacier, paddle on Lovatnet and drive the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road. In summer you can ski at Stryn Summer Ski Centre, and the area is perfect for cycling along the fjords.

When is Stryn Summer Ski Centre open?

Stryn Summer Ski Centre usually opens in late May or June and stays open into July, depending on snow conditions. Always check the latest opening times before you go.

Where is Loen Skylift?

Loen Skylift is in Loen, next to Stryn at the head of Nordfjord. The cable car takes you from the fjord to the top of Mount Hoven, more than 1,000 metres above sea level, in just a few minutes.