Skjolden is a picturesque village set between towering mountains and one of Norway’s deepest fjords. The village is a launchpad to three of the country’s most beautiful national parks - Jotunheimen, Jostedalsbreen and Breheimen. Rolling farmland, lush pine forests and a Viking-era church give the village a fairy-tale feel.
Tours take you up to the Jostedal Glacier, one of the largest ice masses in Europe. Most include a boat ride on the ice-blue lake and a guided glacier hike. Skjolden is also an adventure tourism hub. Choose from activities like kayaking, mountain biking and white water rafting along glacier-carved canyons.
Urnes Stave Church dates back to the 12th century and is one of Norway’s best-preserved wooden churches. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is perched on a grassy hillside and commands sweeping views over the emerald-green fjord. Admiring the church, you’ll notice elements of Celtic, Romanesque and Viking architecture.
Getting there
Skjolden is located at the end of Lustrafjorden, a five-hour drive from Bergen and 5.5 hours from Oslo. The village is compact and easy to get around on foot, while rental cars offer the freedom to explore Vestland County at your own pace. Oslo Airport is a five-hour drive away.