Loen has become a very popular destination, or more precisely: stop-over. We had seen the online photos and heard the stories but wanted to do things differently. So we visited Loen in autumn and decided to stay a few days, so we had time to explore the area. And we were very happy with our decision.
The valleys near Loen and Olden are some of the most scenic you can find in Norway. We chose to explore them by bike. This way, our one-year-old son could enjoy the ride more, and so did we! The autumn sunlight and foliage covering the mountains, and their reflections in the water are truly awesome.
We visited the Briksdalsbreen and Kjenndalsbreen glaciers, both part of the Jostedalsbreen icecap. Unfortunately, they are melting fast.
The Loen Skylift (which opened in 2017) was a great way to get into the mountains (1,000m) fast. However, I must say I enjoyed the spectacular Loen Via Ferrata more. It consists of (not too) challenging climbs, all providing visitors with stunning views. The swing bridge made my heart pump fast.
If you want to do a more advanced hike, I can recommend hiking to Skålå. In 8 km, the trail goes steeply up from sea level to 1848 meters! At the characteristic circular Skålå stone cabin, you can enjoy views of Lodalen Valley, Loen, and the glacier-covered mountains around. If you are lucky with the weather!