Stryn, Loen and Olden in a nutshell
Stryn, Loen and Olden are villages in the inner Nordfjord in Vestland county. Loen lies on road 60 between Ålesund and Bergen, and the Loen Skylift starts right beside that road. Olden has a cruise quay and a tender stop. The Briksdalsbreen glacier arm sits at the head of the Oldedalen valley, and the Kjenndalsbreen arm lies at the end of the Kjenndalen valley by the lake Lovatnet.
All of this belongs to the region around the Jostedalsbreen, which the national park authority calls the largest ice cap on the European mainland. This guide covers the villages, the cable car, the two glacier arms, the lake, the national park, the summer ski centre and the way to get around. It is an independent site, not run by the municipality, a cable car operator, a hotel or a tour company.
What to know in autumn 2026
Several things changed with the season. Older guides still describe the summer.
Skylift on the winter tariff
The summer price of NOK 650 for adults ended on 11 October 2026. From 12 October the return ticket costs NOK 530. From 26 October to 20 December the regular opening days are Thursday to Sunday, so do not count on a ride on Monday to Wednesday.
Loen Skylift →Summer skiing is over
The ski centre has announced its next season for the end of May 2027. Average ski months in the past were late May, June and into mid-July, depending on snow. That is no promise for any date.
Summer ski centre →Troll cars need a booking
The troll cars to Briksdal run from May to October. In May and from 20 September a reservation is required. The operator does not run them from the cruise terminal in Olden.
Briksdal Glacier →Road works at Utvikfjellet
Since 28 September 2026 the road over the Utvikfjellet is closed at times during the day. On Monday to Thursday the windows are 08:00–09:30 and 11:00–15:30, on Friday 08:00–09:30 and 11:00–14:00. No end date was given in the municipal notice of 30 September.
Our picks: Stryn tours
A guided glacier hike, a glacier day with kayaking and a ride on the fjord.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kayaking and glacier hike at Nigardsbreen
A kayak tour and a glacier hike with a guide, crampons and rope included. Transport and the toll fee are extra.
Check availability →
Guided hike at Briksdal Glacier from the Olden pier
Bus transport and a guided hike, with a return in time for cruise passengers according to the provider. Getting to the meeting point, food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →
Nordfjord RIB boat ride from Olden
One hour on the fjord with a captain and live commentary. Flotation suit, life jacket and goggles are provided; food, drinks and getting to the meeting point are extra.
Check availability →Tours around Stryn, Loen and Olden
Glacier hikes, cable car trips, fjord boats and shore excursions, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Start with the place that matters most to you, then open the pages you need.
Loen Skylift
Ticket prices for summer and winter, opening hours and the via ferrata.
Briksdal Glacier
The valley walk, troll car prices, parking and the retreat of the ice.
Olden
Quay and tender stop, the Briksdal shuttle and how to use a port day.
Lovatnet and Kjenndal
The toll road, the lake boat and the glacier arm at the end of the valley.
Jostedal Glacier
Glacier arms, visitor centres and why you go on the ice only with a guide.
Summer ski centre
Season, lift prices for 2026 and the road to the mountain.
Where to stay
Stryn, Loen or Olden: what each village is good for.
Getting here and getting around
By car, the operator of the Skylift gives rough driving times to Loen: about 10 minutes from Stryn, 2.5 hours from Ålesund and 4.5 hours from Bergen. The airports at Ålesund (Vigra), Sandane (Anda) and Ørsta-Volda (Hovden) are the nearest, with Ålesund about 3 hours away and Bergen about 6 hours. These are estimates without waiting time at road works.
Skyss runs line 115 from Stryn through Loen and Olden to Briksdalen. The timetable valid from 17 August 2026 limits the tourist morning run to 15 May to 15 September, so there is no such bus in October. Single fares from May 2026 start at NOK 51 for adults on one zone. Plan Bergen by bus with care: the Fjordekspressen route lists only Førde to Bergen, so do not assume a direct bus to Stryn.
The old mountain road Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, 27 km (17 miles) between Grotli and Videsæter on road 258, closes in winter and can close at night or in bad weather afterwards.
Daylight and weather
Stryn has no midnight sun and no polar night. On 21 June 2026 the sun rises at about 03:43 and sets at 23:25, which makes a day of almost 19 hours 42 minutes. On 21 December it is up from about 09:55 to 15:06, just over 5 hours. Mountain walls shorten the direct sunlight in the valleys.
Check the forecast on the day. The German Foreign Office warns of unstable glaciers, floods and landslides in remote areas, and mobile coverage can be missing there.
Safety on the ice
A path to a viewpoint is not a walk on the glacier. The national park authority warns against going on the ice without knowledge and equipment. Go on the ice only on a guided tour, and for the Jostedalsbreen as a whole read the Jostedal Glacier page.
The nearest fjords with their own guides are the Geirangerfjord and the Sognefjord. If you plan a longer route through western Norway, start there.
Stryn, Loen and Olden: frequently asked questions
How much does the Loen Skylift cost?
In summer 2026 (1 May to 11 October) a return ticket for adults cost NOK 650 and for children aged 6–15 NOK 345. From 12 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 the winter tariff is NOK 530 and NOK 270. The Loen Skylift page has the full table.
Can I walk to the Briksdal glacier?
Yes, along a valley path of about 3 km (1.9 miles), which the shuttle operator puts at roughly 45 minutes each way. The path ends at the glacier area, it does not lead onto the ice. Details are on the Briksdal Glacier page.
Is it possible to ski in Stryn in summer?
Only in season. The ski centre ended its 2026 season and announced the next for the end of May 2027. See the summer ski page.
Which port do cruise ships use here?
Olden has a cruise quay and a tender stop at the Olden Cruise Park, and Loen has a separate tender landing at the Skylift. Not every ship ties up at the same place. See Olden.
When is the best time to visit?
That depends on what you want. The troll cars run from May to October, the lake boat on selected days from mid-May to September, and summer skiing depends on snow. The Skylift has separate summer and winter tariffs. This guide gives no monthly weather figures, so check the forecast before you go.
Is visit-stryn.com an official site?
No. It is an independent travel guide with no link to the municipality of Stryn, Visit Nordfjord, the Loen Skylift, any hotel, cruise line or tour operator.