Choosing a base on the Nordfjord
The three places are a short drive apart. By car, Loen is about 10 minutes from Stryn. Stryn is the town with the bus connections, Loen is the base for the Skylift and the Lodalen valley, and Olden is the cruise port and the start of the way up the Oldedalen valley to Briksdal.
This page sorts places by location, not by rank. We name a few properties as examples that the operators describe themselves. We give no live availability and no nightly prices, because those change daily and are not published in a reliable form. Check rates and opening periods with the property before you decide.
Stryn, Loen, Olden and Lodalen
One example for each base. These are not rankings.
Stryn
Stryn Hotel describes itself as centrally located. It lists free parking, Wi-Fi, charging for electric cars for a fee, a restaurant and a bar. No fixed nightly price is published.
Loen
Hotel Alexandra is at Lodalsvegen 22 in Loen. The operator describes an indoor and an outdoor pool and a spa. It is not confirmed that every rate includes the treatments.
Olden
Olden Fjordhotel lies near Olden Brygge on a sunny slope by the fjord, according to the neighboring holiday home provider Olden Fjord View. A dated nightly price and year-round opening are not confirmed.
Lodalen
Sandeåsen Feriesenter is a campsite in Lodalen near Loen. Its 2026 list gives standard pitches at NOK 510 per night from 1 January to 19 June and from 17 August to 31 December, and NOK 610 from 20 June to 16 August. Electricity and water are included.
Tours from Stryn, Loen and Olden
Fjord, glacier and sightseeing tours that start in the area, with live prices and availability.
Which base fits your trip
Match the base to what you plan to do.
| Base | Close to | Getting around |
|---|---|---|
| Stryn | Bus lines 115, 130 and 150 | Line 115 runs on to Olden and Briksdalen in summer |
| Loen | The Loen Skylift and Lodalen | About 500 m on foot from the bus stop to the Skylift station |
| Olden | The cruise quay and the way to Briksdalsbreen | See the Olden page for the shuttle |
| Lodalen | The lake Lovatnet | Car is the simplest way |
Lovatnet and Kjenndalen belong to the area around Loen, while the Briksdal troll cars work only from Briksdal. Sleeping in Loen puts the Skylift and Lovatnet close, while Olden suits a morning at Briksdal.
Buses, car times and current roadworks
By car, estimates from the Skylift operator are about 2.5 hours from Ålesund and about 4.5 hours from Bergen to Loen. The airport at Ålesund (Vigra) is about 3 hours away and Bergen (Flesland) about 6 hours. These are estimates without queues or closures.
Skyss line 115 runs from Stryn through Olden and Oldedalen to Briksdalen. The timetable valid from 17 August 2026 limits the tourist morning trip to 15 May to 15 September 2026, on weekdays: Stryn 09:45, Loen 09:55, Olden cruise quay 10:05, Briksdalen 10:45. That period is over, so do not plan an autumn trip around it. A single ticket in zone 1 costs NOK 51 for adults and NOK 26 for children aged 6–17 from 1 May 2026. The zone of an individual excursion is not confirmed here.
Since 28 September 2026 there are daytime closures on the Utvikfjellet road on weekdays, with no end date announced. They matter if you arrive via Utvik or Byrkjelo. On Monday to Thursday the closed windows are 08:00–09:30 and 11:00–15:30, and on Friday 08:00–09:30 and 11:00–14:00. A direct Bergen to Stryn bus without a change is not confirmed, so check the connection before you rely on it.
Practical tips for booking
- Ask whether the property is open in the month you travel. Opening periods are not confirmed for all properties.
- Ask what is included. A spa or a pool does not always come with the rate.
- Day trips to the ice are covered on the Jostedal Glacier page.
Looking for a bed elsewhere on the western fjords? Norwegian Fjords and its sister guides cover other bases, and the north of the country is at Tromsø.
Where to stay in Stryn: frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Stryn, Loen or Olden?
Stay in Loen for the Skylift and Lodalen, in Olden for the cruise port and Briksdal, and in Stryn for bus connections. The distances are short by car.
How far is Loen from Stryn?
About 10 minutes by car according to the Skylift operator. Allow more time if there are roadworks.
Are there campsites near Loen?
Sandeåsen Feriesenter in Lodalen lists standard pitches at NOK 510 or NOK 610 per night in 2026, depending on the dates, with electricity and water included.
Does the Loen hotel have a spa?
Hotel Alexandra describes an indoor and an outdoor pool and a spa. It is not confirmed that every rate includes the treatments.
What do rooms cost?
No fixed nightly prices are published for the examples named here. Check the property directly for the dates you want.
Can I reach the area without a car?
Buses run on several lines, but the tourist trip to Briksdalen on line 115 was limited to 15 May to 15 September in 2026. Check each connection for your date.