Høyheimsvik: Hiking, Fjord and Cultural Landscape

Høyheimsvik has a small boat harbor and a public bathing area. There is also a hike to Navarsete, which leads from the sea to above the tree line.

Hiking from Høyheimsvik to Navarsete

The route climbs from the sea to above the tree line and offers unusually beautiful views of the fjord and Feigefossen. Along the way are the spring mountain pasture at Kolstad and the mountain farm settlement at Flatningane. The hike thus combines views of the fjord and waterfall with stops in a mountain pasture and cultural landscape.

For navigation, it is important to note that the route is not marked on the map. Hikers follow the red T markings and the cairns. Parking for the hike is easiest in Høyheimsvik. So, when planning the hike, take both the trail markings and the indicated parking location in Høyheimsvik into account.

Mountain Farm History and Protected Farm Landscape

Navarsete was originally an old mountain farm. After being restored, it began operating as a self-service cabin in 1975. The mountain farming was abandoned many years ago, but the cultural landscape of mountain farms and pastures has been preserved. This means that the hike’s character is shaped not only by the change in elevation from the sea to above the tree line, but also by the history of mountain farming.

Another example of Høyheimsvik’s cultural heritage is the Urdi farm. The farm complex is protected under a cultural heritage preservation scheme; particularly carefully constructed stone terrace walls define the farm. Thus, both the history of mountain farming in the surrounding area and Høyheimsvik’s built cultural landscape are part of the local heritage.

Boat Harbor, Bathing Area and Boat Tour

Luster Fjordhytter runs a regular guided boat tour from Høyheimsvik via Gaupenfjorden, Kroken with the Munthehuset, Feigefosse and Harastølen. The tour lasts 60 minutes. Check the reservation details and operating periods in advance if you are including it in your travel plans.

Luster Fjordhytter also rents motorboats, including to visitors who are not renting a cabin there. Life jackets are provided for everyone, and users receive a safety briefing before using the boat. Check booking details and availability before your trip. The boat tour and motorboat rental offer different ways to enjoy an outing on the water: a guided tour with a specified duration, or a boat rental with a safety briefing.

Cultural Heritage Sites in the Wider Luster Destination

The wider Luster destination also offers notable churches and a range of architectural histories. Urnes Stave Church was built in the 1130s. It is one of the oldest surviving Norwegian stave churches and is richly decorated inside and out.

Dale Church was built around the middle of the 13th century. Its richly decorated west and south portals set it apart among Norway’s medieval stone churches. The Old Church of Gaupne was built between 1647 and 1652. Its colorful interior features painted walls and ceilings; it also preserves a west portal from an earlier stave church, dated to the second half of the 12th century.

These buildings offer a comparison of different historical periods: the early stave church at Urnes, the medieval stone church at Dale, and the 17th-century church at Gaupne with its older portal. These cultural sites are part of the wider Luster destination.

Discover more destinations: Hafslo, Gaupne, Marifjøra, Fortun, Veitastrond, Ornes, Solvorn, Skjolden.

See the wider travel guide: Luster.