Luster: Glaciers, Waterfalls and Church Art

When planning a hotel stay in Luster, two key themes provide a useful guide: the glacier landscape around Jostedalen and several churches with their own architectural histories. There are also waterfalls, hikes and activities on the river and lake. You can organize your trip around your preferred focus—whether nature, culture or a mix of both.

Glaciers and national parks

Jostedalsbreen National Park extends into Luster. Jostedalen is a starting point for seeing the glacier or going on a glacier tour. Breheimen National Park also extends into Luster; hikes start in places including Jostedalen and Mørkridsdalen. The two national parks thus offer different starting points for excursions in the region.

Nigardsbreen is an outlet glacier of Jostedalsbreen in Jostedalen. Visitors aged five and over can take part in guided glacier hikes there; the organizer’s safety rules also apply. From the parking lot, you can reach the glacier on foot along the lake or take a boat across the lake. These options may vary by season, so it is advisable to check the current access options before setting out.

The route to glacier hikes also starts at Breheimsenteret in Jostedalen. Its interactive exhibition focuses on Jostedalen and the Jostedalsbreen and Breheimen national parks, particularly the topics of climate and glaciers. The center’s restaurant serves homemade food from local producers. As the offerings may change, it is best to check before your visit.

Activities and trails

In Jostedalen, rafting on the Jostedøla River and kayaking on Nigardsbrevatnet are available. This puts a river and a lake at the heart of two different water activities. Guided cultural walks are also available in Jostedalen. The availability of these activities may vary depending on the season and provider.

Feigefossen is 218 meters high and is one of Norway’s tallest unregulated waterfalls. The path there climbs uphill and is steep. For a hike with specific trail details, the Solvorn–Lægene route offers a separate point of comparison: it is listed as an easy hike covering 2.8 kilometers, taking three hours, with a total elevation gain of 38 meters. Trail conditions and seasonal availability may change; check these details before your hike.

In Gaupne, Lustrabadet has a 25-meter swimming pool, a five-meter-high diving tower, a 65-meter-long slide, a climbing wall and children’s pools. As the facilities may change, check the current details before your visit.

Churches with their own architectural histories

Urnes Stave Church was built in the 1130s and is one of the oldest surviving Norwegian stave churches. It is richly decorated both inside and out. Dale Church was built around the middle of the 13th century. Its richly ornamented west and south portals make it stand out among Norway’s medieval stone churches.

Gaupne Old Church was built between 1647 and 1652. Its colorful, richly decorated interior includes painted walls and ceilings. It also preserves the west portal of an earlier stave church, dated to the second half of the 12th century. The three churches offer a chance to explore architectural history through traces from different periods: from Urnes’ stave church of the 1130s, to the medieval portals at Dale, and then to the later church building in Gaupne with its older, reused portal.

Getting there

The road from Sogndal to Jostedalen runs through Hafslo and Gaupne. Another point of reference is Sognefjellsvegen: it starts in Fortun and is Norway’s first National Tourist Route. When planning your drive, check the current route and travel times before departure.

Discover more destinations: Luster, Veitastrond, Gaupne, Høyheimsvik, Solvorn, Skjolden, Hafslo, Marifjøra, Ornes, Fortun, Jostedal

For the broader travel overview: Sogn Og Fjordane.