Villages and places

Jølster

Surrounded by majestic mountains and an idyllic lake, Jølster is the perfect destination for rewarding experiences.

With its central geographical location, Jølster is a hub between Sunnfjord, Nordfjord and Sogn, making it ideal for those who enjoy trout fishing, cycling, kayaking or mountain hiking – preferably combined with cultural and culinary experiences.

Jølstravatnet lake is known for its exceptionally good fishing, and especially for the high quality of its fish. Around 15 tonnes of Jølster trout are caught every year. The fishing competition Jølster Aurefest (trout festival)takes place on the lake at the beginning of June every year.

In Astrup's realm

Be sure not to miss Astruptunet, which was the home of the artist Nicolai Astrup, one of Norway's most famous painters. He created many iconic images of the local community and landscape. If you visit Astruptunet, you will be able to see where he stood with his easel and get a sense of the stunning landscape. The artist’s beautiful home is in an idyllic location just above Jølstravatnet lake.

Mountain and glacier walks

Jølstravatnet lake is surrounded by beautiful mountain summits and is therefore a good starting point for mountain walks. The glacier has carved out valleys and ground down the summits. There are several mountain walks to choose from, so you are sure to find one that suits you. If you think glaciers sound exciting, there is a lovely walk up to Haugabreen glacier, on which you have excellent views of the glacier. If you want to walk on the glacier itself, you can take a guided tour with breogfjell. And if you are looking for a fairly easy walk after a long day, you can walk up to the day-trip cabin. This walk suits everyone, and you get excellent views of Jølstravatnet lake. If it’s an Instagram-friendly image you are looking for, then Hamnanova is the right mountain for you. From the summit, you look out over the Kjøsnesfjord and Jølstravatnet lake.

Activities in Jølster

mange personer står i eit t-trekk opp en skibakke. det er sol og blå himmel og snø på bakken

Outdoor activities and nature

Jølster skicenter

Jølster

At the family-friendly Jølster Ski Centre, you will find ski slopes suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned skiers seeking a challenge.

Sightseeing

Guided boat tours on lake Jølstravatnet and Kjøsnesfjorden with Jølster Boat Tours

Jølster

Experience Jølster’s spectacular glaciers, mountains, and fjords with Jølster Boat Tours. Enjoy a guided boat tour featuring stunning nature and local stories, aboard quiet, low-noise boats.

eit motiv med ein fjord og høge fjell med snøtoppar. det er grøne trer med eit hint av oransje. det er også grøne og oransje element i graset. i midten av bilde står ei jente og ser utover utsikten

Outdoor activities and nature

Hike to Hamnanova

Jølster

A mountain hike to Hamnanova in Jølster offers stunning views of Jølstravatnet and Kjøsnesfjorden. The hike is suitable for the whole family.

How to get here

You can discover a unique coastline just north of Bergen, in combination with a beautiful fjord kingdom. Below you will find an overview of how to get to and around the region.

Getting to and around Fjordkysten & Sunnfjord

Sleep well in Jølster

  • Dronebilde. Vi ser rett ned på bubil og campingvognparkeringa, med teltplassar og leieplass. Langs elva ligg hyttene. Til høgre i bildet ligg servicehuset, butikk, bensinstasjon og serveringstad. Vi ser elva renne nedover dalen. Det er mykje frodig skog og vi ser starten på nokre av fjella.

    Accommodation

    Jølstraholmen Camping

    Jølster

    Surrounded by rivers, glaciers and hiking-friendly mountains, Jølstraholmen is the perfect place for an active yet relaxing stay, in close contact with nature.

  • Jølvassbu Camping

    Accommodation

    Jølvassbu Camping

    Jølster

    Jølvassbu Camping is a small and pleasant camping close to the centre of Vassenden.

  • Accommodation

    Lunde Turiststasjon

    Jølster

    Lunde Turiststasjon is a family owned company which have given accomodation since the 1890s.

Other villages in Fjord Norway

  • Ein person sitter på enden av eit fjell og ser ut over. utsikten er over ein by med masse hus, og ein fjord som går mellom høge fjell

    Førde

    The small town of Førde is built around the river Jølstra, which winds its way through the landscape on its way to the Førdefjord. The town is both a commercial and a cultural centre and has plenty of cafés and eateries.

  • Bygstad

    Bygstad is an idyllic place in Sunnfjord, surrounded by majestic mountains and beautiful fjords. Here, you can experience the beauty of nature and local culture at its best.

  • Fjærland

    Fjærland is the area surrounding a branch of the Sognefjord, close to the Jostedalsbreen - the largest glacier on mainland Europe.