Luster

Luster is a neighborhood in Sogn og Fjordane county. Luster sits right at the intersection of central alpine mountains, great glaciers and the iconic fjords. Luster is also the name of one of the villages. The great Luster fjord, a major branch of Sognefjord, is surrounded by Jostedalsbreen, Breheimen and Jotunheimen.

Skjolden is known for Ludwig Wittgenstein's lodge and Urnes is a UNESCO world legacy site. Luster offers all of Norway's grand nature as well as some of the finest cultural legacy.

Norway Sogn og Fjordane - Luster.svg|Luster neighborhood in Sogn og Fjordane county.

Luster Halal Explorer

Luster is at the inner (eastern) end of the 204 kilometers (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.

Lustrafjorden - Luster fjord

Some 5,000 inhabitants share more than 2,500 km², 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.

Villages

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

Travel to Luster

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.

Travel on a Bus in Luster

Seven times daily from Sogndal. Buses twice daily from Lom (Norway) | Lom, July-August only.

By car

A view from Riksveg 55 at Sognefjellet - Sognefjell mt pass

Luster is on route 55 between Lom (Norway) | 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.

Get Around

GPS 61.481|7.554

 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.

What to See

Urnes Stave Church 1 - Urnes Stave Church.

Nature

Nigardsbreen paa avstand - Nigardsbreen glacier arm

Nigardsbreen Gaupne/Jostedalen 61.6765, 7.2134 Route 55 to Gaupne then route 604 Nigardsbreen Nigardsbreen glacier - 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 - Feigefossen - Skjolden 61.38069, 7.44241 ☎ +47 97600443 Free Feigefossen 2 - 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 Road 61.4869, 7.6000 Starts in Skjolden ends in Urnes The FV331 is a 30 kilometers 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.

Jotunheimen 61.462, 7.875 Road 55 (and/or Tindevegen road to Årdal) - Hurrungane JOV 0060 - The western part of Norway's highest mountains are in Luster and Årdal neighborhoods. 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 & Tradition of Luster

Urnes Stave Church - Urnes Stavkyrkje - fmf-@ Urnes 61.29803, 7.32197 30 kilometers (19 mi) from Skjolden on route FV331, or with ferry from Solvorn. ☎ +47 57678840 +47 57678889 Opening Hours: 5 May-30 September: 10.30AM Monday - 5.45PM Adults: kr 80, Students/Children: kr 60 Urnes Stave Church La pared original de la Urnes stavkyrkje (I) - The oldest stave church in Norway, built around 1130 AD. Included on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ludwig Wittgenstein's lodge Skjolden 61.4875, 7.6303 Eidsvatnet lake 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 - Dale kyrkje - Luster village 61.4413, 7.4549 Road 55 Dale Church (Luster) Dale kyrkje Luster klebersteinsportal.JPG A modest gothic, medieval parish church with an impressive soapstone portal (visible indoor only) and murals.

Gaupne old church - Gaupne gamle kyrkje - Gaupne 61.40806, 7.29722 Road 55 - Adults: kr 50, Students: kr 40 Old Gaupne Church Gaupne stavkyrkjeportal - 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 legacy.

Galleri Walaker - Solvorn Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 12:00-17:00 This gallery holds exhibitions by local and national artists.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Luster

View from the Storebjørn against Hurrungane - Hurrungane summits as seen by skiers in Jotunheimen, mid April.

Cycling - Nørstedalseter ☎ +47 95076382 Opening Hours: 26 June - 13 September: 8AM Monday - 11PM Cyclehire: kr 120, Drop of Cycle by the fjord: kr 80 Cycle the 32 kilometers (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 - ☎ +47 97600443 - Hiking in Jotunheimen.

Moreld Sea Kayak - Kroken ☎ +47 40467100 kr 450-750 Kayaking tours to Feigumfossen waterfall and Urnes Stave Church. Longer tours also available.

Sognefjellet mountain pass - Sognefjellsvegen - Road 55 from Skjolden 61.557, 7.926 Opening Hours: Summer only Free 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 (Norway) | Lom village. The road is closed in winter, opens about May. Steep ascent and descent, sharp corners. Cross country skiing is feasible 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

Shopping

Husflidsbua - Skjolden ☎ +47 57686106 - Arts and traditional crafts.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Fjordstova - Skjolden ☎ +47 57686744
Lustrafjorden Kro - Høyheimsvik ☎ +47 57681880
Muslim Friendly Hotels

Eidsvann-Skjolden-Luster-by-Anders Beer Wilse-1937 - Wittgenstein's cottage barely visible across the lake (1937)

Solstrand Fjordhytter - @jordhytter.no Luster ☎ +47 95221641 Cabins with view of the fjord.

Eplet Bed & Apple - 61.3023, 7.2443 Solvorn village on road 55 ☎ +47 41649469 Double: kr 600, Single: kr 500, Dormitory: kr 200, Tent: kr 100 per person. Warning: cash only payment and no ATM available in Solvorn 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.

Skjolden Hotel - @resort.com Skjolden 61.49091, 7.59878 ☎ +47 57682380 +47 57682381 Double room: kr 990-1090

Turtagrø Hotel - Fortun 61.5035, 7.8019 ☎ +47 57680800 +47 57680801 Double: kr 1980, Single: kr 1490, Tent: kr 125 per person

Tørvis Fjordhotell - Marifjøra 61.3811, 7.3074 ☎ +47 57683500 Double room: kr 1590

Eikum Hotell - Hafslo 61.31538, 7.20338 ☎ +47 57680600

}} Walaker hotell - Walaker hotel in Solvorn, run by the Nitter family since 1690.

The Walaker Hotel serves an excellent 4-course, set menu dinner with 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.

News & References

Travel Next

Route 55 to Lom (Norway) | 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 (November - May). Private road from route 55 at Turtagrø to Årdal.
Route 55 to Sogndal.