Luster

Luster is at the inner (eastern) end of the 204 km (127 mi) long Sognefjord. Parts of Jotunheimen (Norway's high alpine summits) and Jostedalsbreen (Norway's great glacier) are within Luster municipality. Luster's grand nature is created at the intersection of Norway's largest fjord, largest glacier and tallest mountains. Numerous rivers transport "thick" (opaque) glacial meltwater to lakes and to the fjord, giving fjords and lakes a milky turquoise appearance. Luster is also home to numerous pretty waterfalls. Luster fjord (Lustrafjorden), easily recognized by its emerald-turquoise color, is a major arm of the great Sognefjord, and is more than 600 meters deep at Urnes. The area is sparsely populated, and is primarily glaciers and barren uninhabited mountains.

Some 5,000 inhabitants share more than 2,500 km 2 , making it a sparsely populated area, built up areas and farm land is limited to narrow shores and narrow valleys. About 15 % of the area is glacier or permanent snow. There are no towns in the area, only small villages and settlements.

• Skjolden
• Dale
• Gaupne
• Hafslo
• Solvorn - once an important trading place, now peaceful village with a fine hotel.

Luster is in western Norway so overland transport from East Norway runs through mountain passes.

By plane

There is a small airport in Sogndal. The nearest airport with international flights is Bergen airport, while the drive from Oslo airport (Gardermoen) is only slightly longer.

By bus

Seven times daily from Sogndal. Buses twice daily from Lom, July-August only.

By car

Luster is on route 55 between Lom and Sogndal. Route 55 is a national tourist route that includes the Sognefjell mountain pass - Norway's highest public road and closed during winter.
Road 55 connects to the private Tindevegen at Turtagrø, road to Årdal through high mountains.

Lustrabaatane is a ferry connecting Solvorn to Ornes (Urnes) respectively on the west and east shore of the fjord. The ferry is running 9 times a day in summer, 4 times in winter and it costs kr 34 per person and kr 93 for vehicles less than 6 m (19.7 ft). The crossing takes about 15 minutes.

Nature

• Nigardsbreen

  address: Gaupne/Jostedalen
  Arm of the great Jostedalsbreen glacier. Caution: Watch from a safe distance, respect signs and fences, professional guide needed for hike on the ice.

• Feigumfossen

  phone: +47 97600443
  address: Skjolden
  A 218 m (720 ft) high waterfall. The waterfall can be seen from route FV331. A path let you take a closer look. If you continue on the path there is a place right by the bottom of the waterfall where you can take a sip of pure, safe snowmelt.

• Romantic RoadThe FV331 is a 30 km scenic road along the eastside of the fjord. The road is narrow with several curves, so drive slowly. From Urnes you can take the ferry to Solvorn. This is a nice alternative to route 55.

• JotunheimenThe western part of Norway's highest mountains are in Luster and Årdal districts. These are also the wildest part of Jotunheimen, steep summits and sharp ridges. Visible from a long distance as well as from road 55.

Culture

• Urnes Stave Church

  phone: +47 57678840
  address: Urnes
  The oldest stave church in Norway, built around 1130 AD. Included on UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Ludwig Wittgenstein's lodge

  address: Skjolden
  Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein had a vacation lodge on an isolated spot above the lake, he spent long periods there working on his theories. The building was later moved down to Skjolden, only foundations remain in the forest. Barely visible across the lake from road 55.

• Dale church

  address: Luster village
  A modest gothic, medieval parish church with an impressive soapstone portal (visible indoor only) and murals.

• Gaupne old church

  address: Gaupne
  Wooden church (about 1647) with remains of an ancient stave church on the same site, notably the wooden portal. Modest exterior. Interior rosemaling or tole painting. Now maintained as cultural heritage.

• Galleri Walaker

  address: Solvorn
  This gallery holds exhibitions by local and national artists.

• Cycling

  phone: +47 95076382
  address: Nørstedalseter
  Cycle the 32 km (20 mi) long downhill from the mountain down to the fjord. Those with strong leg muscles can cycle up again (and save kr 80).

• Hiking

  phone: +47 97600443
  Hiking in Jotunheimen.

• Moreld Sea Kayak

  phone: +47 40467100
  address: Kroken
  Kayaking tours to Feigumfossen waterfall and Urnes Stave Church. Longer tours also available.

• Sognefjellet mountain pass

  address: Road 55 from Skjolden
  Norway's highest mountain pass runs pass Norway's highest mountains in Jotunheimen with view to summits and glaciers. On the eastern side through Bøverdalen valley to Lom village. The road is closed in winter, opens about May. Steep ascent and descent, sharp corners. Cross country skiing is possible until June.
• Other hiking:

• Molden for spectacular views at 1118 m above sea level up and down the Lustrafjord.
• Solvornnipa for full day hike

Other cycling ideas

• Skjolden-Urnes road
• Veitastrond

• Husflidsbua

  phone: +47 57686106
  address: Skjolden
  Arts and traditional crafts.

• Fjordstova

  phone: +47 57686744
  address: Skjolden

• Lustrafjorden Kro

  phone: +47 57681880
  address: Høyheimsvik

Budget

• Solstrand Fjordhytter

  phone: +47 95221641
  address: Luster
  Cabins with view of the fjord.

• Eplet Bed & Apple

  phone: +47 41649469
  Guest house and apple juice farm with friendly staff. You can do fruit picking during summer and stay for free in dormitory or with your tent. Open from 1st April to 1st October.

Mid-range

• Skjolden Hotel

  phone: +47 57682380
  address: Skjolden

• Turtagrø Hotel

  phone: +47 57680800
  address: Fortun

• Tørvis Fjordhotell

  phone: +47 57683500
  address: Marifjøra

• Eikum Hotell

  phone: +47 57680600
  address: Hafslo

Splurge

• Walaker HotellThe Walaker Hotel, by the Nitter family since 1690. Walaker serves a fine 4-course, set menu dinner with wine recommendations. This is served at 19:30 in the restaurant in the main building and is an important part of the Walaker experience. From June to August, it is recommended to reserve dinner in advance because the restaurant will be full.

• Route 55 to Lom is a scenic road and named one of 18 national tourist routes of Norway. It is the highest mountain pass in Norway at 1434 m (4705 ft). Closed during the winter (Nov-May). Private road from route 55 at Turtagrø to Årdal.
• Route 55 to Sogndal.