Loen Things to Do Tips by Diana75

Hotel Alexandra in Loen

The hotel was opened, under the name of "Loen's Hotel", by Anders Markusson in 1884.

The hotel changed its name to Hotel Alexandra probably in 1892.

It is said that the name was given by the English tourists after princess Alexandra of Denmark, married to prince Edward, who later became king Edward VII of England.

The hotel, considered one of the leading hotels in Norway and still managed by Loen family, has a high degree of comfort, service and a friendly atmosphere.

I was told that I should not miss the lunch to the hotel, but due to the lack of time I've postponed this small pleasure for my next trip to Loen.

Loen's magnificent landscape

The small town of Loen offers some of the most magnificent landscapes in Europe, with beautiful fjords, magnificent turquoise lakes, waterfalls, wild glaciers and steep mountains.

And in August, this fairylike landscape was plunged into a divine smell of strawberry from a plantation near Hotel Alexandra.

Monument in the memory of Lodalen's victims

The Lodalen's catastrophes are remembered by a monument placed in front of Loen church.

The names of the persons who died in the catastrophes are written on two stone boards.

Inside the church on a board copies of newspapers dating from the years of the catastrophes are displayed.

Vikings ship model in Loen church

In most of Norway's wooden churches it can be remarked a model of a vikings ship.

Although it may seem strange to see this model in a church, the meaning of this old object is to present the journey of the dead person's soul from this life to the eternal one.

This is an old custom from the vikings' times.

Loen church

Loen church is located down town from its possition offering a perfect view in all directions.

The current church was built in 1837 and concecrated in 1838 but it is said that on this site has been a church since 1360.

The small church made of wood is vividly decorated inside.

Lodalen Valley

Lodalen Valley is renown and still marked by its dramatic history.

Twice in this century, in 1905 and 1936, huge blocks of stone fell from the sides of Mt. Ramnefjell into Lake Lovatnet below.

The resulting huge waves destroyed the farms of Nesdal and Bodal, taking 135 human lives of both locals and tourists from a cruise ship.

Kjenndalbreen (Kjenndal Glacier)

The Kjenndal Glacier is located at 10-15 minutes walk from the car park (around 4km).

Not as famous as Briksdal Glacier, probably due to its location at the lowest altitude of Jostedal Glacier and the dirt deposited on the upper part during the years, Kjenndalbreen lies at the head of Loen Valley.

Still, visiting Kjenndalbreen is a good alternative to the very touristic and crowded site of Briksdal Glacier and the walk to the glacier (although hard in the last part due to the stones) is offering a pleasand view of the mountaints and the waterfalls surrounding the glacier.

Arriving to Kjenndalbreen

Kjenndal Glacier is located at 22 km from Loen.

Just entering Loen a traffic sign is indicating the road to Kjenndalbreen, via Lodalen (at 14 km).

The road to the glacier, on the left of the main road from Stryn, just next to Hotel Alexandra, is becoming, after passing the Loen church, narrow (probably is not wider than 4 km) and is offering a stunning scenery.

The best part is the wooden brigde over the river coming from Kjenndalbreen. Although we were assured by the locals that the bridge had an inner concrete structure, it doesn't seem very safe.

But as long as we passed it with a hugh bus and we also succesed in coming back, I think they were right, weren't they?

And definitely the trip through Loen Valley is an experience not to be missed.

Road to Loen

The small town of Loen is situated on the west coast of Norway between Alesund and Bergen at the bottom of Nordfjord.

Very close to Stryn (24 km), the road to Loen goes through the mountains and fjord, the journey being a pleasant way for enjoying a wonderful landscape.