Lovatnet and Kjenndalsbreen at a glance
Lovatnet is a lake in the Lodalen valley near Loen. At the end of the neighboring Kjenndalen valley lies Kjenndalsbreen, an arm of the Jostedalsbreen ice cap. The lake is the way in. You can drive along it on a toll road, or you can take the boat from Sande to Kjenndalstova.
Walking in the valley and walking on the ice are two different things. The path from the end of the road gives you a closer look at the glacier. It does not take you onto the ice, and the ice is only for guided groups. The ice cap behind it is covered on our Jostedal Glacier page.
Three ways to see it
The road, the boat and the walk can be combined, but the boat does not automatically include the glacier.
By road
A toll road runs from the memorial plaque at Bødal to the Kjenndal car park. A local equipment rental says the toll is included in its rental offer. The amount for a private car is not given here, so check it at the barrier before you drive in.
By boat
MS Kjenndal II sails from Sande to Kjenndalstova at Kjenndalsanden. The trip takes about 4 hours in total, with a stop of about 2 hours. The ticket does not automatically include a trip on to Kjenndalsbreen.
On foot
From the end of the road a path of about 10 minutes leads to a closer view of the glacier. That time is the walk to the viewpoint, not a walk to the ice.
Tours around Loen, Olden and the glaciers
Scenic drives, lake tours and guided glacier excursions in the region, with live prices and availability.
The boat to Kjenndalstova
Prices from the operator's 2026 list. The boat does not run every day.
| Ticket | Adult | Child 6–13 | Age 0–5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return | NOK 340 | NOK 170 | Free |
| One way | NOK 250 | NOK 130 | Free |
In 2026 the boat ran from mid-May to September on selected days only. The booking calendar shows the departures, so do not plan around a daily service. The boat is approved for 100 passengers and has a toilet and a kiosk. If you want to bring a bike, order its place in advance.
Kjenndalstova itself lists opening hours that end on 30 August. It is not clear which year that line refers to, so confirm before an autumn visit, and do not assume the boat and the café keep the same schedule.
The glacier and the rule for the ice
The national park offers valley walks and guided ice activities. It warns that going onto the ice without knowledge and equipment is dangerous, and it asks for professional guiding on longer glacier crossings because of crevasses.
If you want to stand on the ice, book a guided glacier walk. Nothing on this page replaces a guide, and the short path to the viewpoint is not a safe approach to the glacier front. For the arms, centers and guided options, see the Jostedal Glacier page. The better-known glacier walk of the area is described on the Briksdalsbreen page.
The rockslides of 1905 and 1936
Lovatnet is also known for two disasters. On 15 January 1905 a rockslide fell from the mountain Ramnefjell into the lake. It caused a flood wave. The Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) gives 61 dead. A second slide followed on 13 September 1936. The NGU lists 73 dead and a wave height of 74 m on the Bødal side of the lake.
An older NGU brochure gives 62 and 74 dead for the two events. The counts differ by one in each case, and the way of counting is not explained, so the figures here follow the NGU event pages. The NGU pages draw on literature from 2006.
These accounts describe past events. They do not tell you whether a particular slope or shore is safe today, and they do not clear any place for swimming. Follow local signs and ask on site.
Combine it with other stops
The lake sits in the same area as Loen, so it pairs well with the Loen Skylift on another day. If you only have a cruise day, the Olden page explains the port and the shuttle to Briksdal, which runs in a different valley from Lovatnet and Kjenndalen. For a bed near the lake, see where to stay in Stryn, Loen and Olden. Other fjord regions have their own guide at Norwegian Fjords, including the Geirangerfjord.
Lovatnet and Kjenndal Glacier: frequently asked questions
Can I walk onto the Kjenndal Glacier?
Only with a guide. The path from the end of the road, about 10 minutes, gives a closer view but does not lead onto the ice.
How much is the boat to Kjenndalstova?
In the 2026 price list an adult pays NOK 340 return or NOK 250 one way. Children aged 6–13 pay NOK 170 or NOK 130, and children aged 0–5 travel free.
Does the boat run every day?
No. It ran on selected days from mid-May to September in 2026. Check the booking calendar for the departures.
Is there a toll on the road to Kjenndal?
Yes, the road from the memorial plaque at Bødal to the Kjenndal car park is a toll road. The current amount for a private car is not listed here, so check it on site.
What happened at Lovatnet in 1905 and 1936?
Rockslides from Ramnefjell fell into the lake and caused flood waves. The NGU gives 61 dead in 1905 and 73 in 1936, with a wave of 74 m on the Bødal side in 1936.
Can I swim in Lovatnet?
No place is cleared for swimming on this page. Ask locally and follow any signs.