Hafslo by Hafslovatnet: Nature, Culture and Fishing

Hafslo lies by Hafslovatnet between Sogndal and Gaupne. The village brings together the lake area, a bird sanctuary, Hafslo kyrkje and the Modvo cultural heritage site. When planning your visit, you can focus on different things: nature and fishing, architectural history, or a visit to the seasonal ski resort. These different themes offer concrete points of reference when choosing a hotel in Hafslo.

Location and getting your bearings around Hafslo

The drive from Sogndal via the FV55 is stated to take 15 minutes. Actual journey times may vary depending on conditions. Hafslovatnet is an important landmark: the bird sanctuary is located there and includes the westernmost part of the lake. The area also includes Straumavatnet, Tverbergvatnet and a few metres of shoreline.

The Hafslovatnet bird sanctuary was established in 1991 to protect its rich birdlife. To get there, take the FV55 to Hafslo, then drive through the centre towards Veitastrond. Check road conditions before setting out. Information about the sanctuary’s extent helps you understand the lake and the other named bodies of water as part of a connected nature area.

Nature, fishing and seasonal activities

Trout fishing is a central activity at Hafslovatnet; sport anglers from all over Norway also come here to fish. Fishing in the bird sanctuary is permitted with a fishing licence for Hafslovatnet. Before fishing, check the applicable local rules and the required permit. This lets you take both your interest in fishing and the conditions in the sanctuary into account when planning your visit.

Sogn Skisenter in Hafslo welcomes families to its ski area and ski play area. As seasonal facilities can change, check the ski centre’s current information before visiting. Whether you are weighing nature and fishing on the one hand against seasonal skiing on the other, Hafslo offers different reasons to consider it as a destination.

Church and cultural heritage site in Hafslo

Hafslo kyrkje stands on the north shore of Hafslovatnet. The wooden long church has 300 seats and was consecrated on 4 December 1878. A stained-glass window from 1878 on its east wall depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The church’s design, seating capacity, consecration date and window are all specific historical and architectural features.

Modvo is a 1,500-year-old abandoned farm and a cultural heritage site in Hafslo. Old field boundaries and fields on the former farmstead are still visible. From the Rv. 55 at Heggmyrane, follow Krekavegen and then a tractor track. The cultural heritage site is signposted from the road; marked posts bearing the letters A to F and a map on site help visitors find their way. Check local access conditions before planning your visit.

Culture and nature in the wider Luster destination

The wider Luster destination offers other distinct cultural experiences. 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 dates from around the middle of the 13th century. Its richly decorated west and south portals set it apart among Norway’s medieval stone churches. In Gaupne, the Old Church was built between 1647 and 1652. Its colourful interior includes painted walls and ceilings; it also preserves a west portal from an earlier stave church, dated to the second half of the 12th century.

The nature experiences across the wider Luster destination also vary in focus. Jostedalsbreen National Park extends across Luster; Jostedalen is a starting point for seeing the glacier or going on a glacier tour. Nigardsbreen is an outlet glacier of Jostedalsbreen in Jostedalen. From the car park, visitors can reach the glacier on foot along the lake or take a boat across it; access options may vary by season. At Nigardsbreen, visitors aged five and up can take part in guided glacier hikes, subject to the organiser’s rules.

In Jostedalen, Breheimsenteret is a starting point for glacier hikes. Its interactive exhibition covers Jostedalen and the Jostedalsbreen and Breheimen national parks, with a focus on climate and glaciers. The wider Luster destination thus offers different experiences side by side: church architecture and preserved details on the one hand, glaciers and ways of learning about them on the other.

Discover more destinations: Marifjøra, Gaupne, Luster, Skjolden, Høyheimsvik, Fortun, Ornes, Veitastrond.

Go to the wider travel overview: Luster.