Kayak on the Lustrafjord – from Marifjøra to Ornes and Solvorn

We headed towards Marifjøra in Sogn, a great place to start kayaking on the Lustrafjord which is a branch of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord. It was late autumn, but the weather was nice and it still felt like summer. The goal was Ornes further out the fjord.

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Marifjøra is in the middle of the Lustrafjord, and from there you can easily explore this beautiful area in all directions. Our goal was just to have a nice day in our kayaks on the fjord, but we also wanted to visit Ornes and Solvorn, two idyllic villages on each side of the fjord.

 

Important information about kayaking in the fjords

SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY: Kayaking in the Norwegian fjords and lakes can be an incredible experience, but conditions can also be demanding and change rapidly. Read more about responsibility and important safety information here, and get an introduction to kayaking in Norway at Visit Norway.

GUIDED TOURS: For safety reasons, it is recommended to join guided kayak tours when paddling in the fjords. Landmark Adventures in Luster offer guided kayak tours on the Lustrafjord.

GUIDE & EXPERIENCE: It is recommended to use a guide when kayaking in the fjords and lakes of Norway. For safety reasons, you should avoid paddling alone. You should be an experienced kayaker with knowledge of paddling, safety and rescue techniques.

COURSES & REQUIREMENTS: Many guided kayak tours require certifications such as the “Wet Card”, a basic kayaking course, and training in self-rescue and assisted rescue. Requirements vary between operators and between single and double kayaks.

CHECK WITH THE OPERATOR: Kayaks are usually provided by the guide companies. Always check with the operator regarding required skills, experience and certifications before joining a tour.

SEASON: Kayaking in the fjords typically takes place during summer. Check with the operators for exact seasons. Dates mentioned on this website are approximate.

EQUIPMENT & COLD WATER: Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD). A dry suit with warm layers, preferably wool, is strongly recommended. The water in Norwegian fjords and lakes is cold, even in summer. Bringing a paddle float for self-rescue is also recommended.

WEATHER, WIND & WAVES: Always check weather conditions before heading out. Fjords and lakes in Norway can be exposed to strong winds, currents and rapid weather changes. Sudden winds can create frequent and large waves. Avoid kayaking in thunderstorms, strong winds or rough conditions.

BOAT TRAFFIC: Keep a safe distance from boats, ferries and cruise ships. Always stay alert and check behind you frequently. Some fjords have heavy marine traffic.

STEEP MOUNTAINSIDES AND CLIFFS: Many fjords and lakes have steep mountainsides and cliffs. This can make it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to get ashore if the weather deteriorates or an emergency occurs. Keep a safe distance from steep terrain where there is a risk of rockfalls, landslides or avalanches.

WHALES & ORCAS: Whales and orcas are sometimes seen in the fjords. These are wild animals and must be treated with respect. Never paddle towards them, and always keep a safe distance.

 

Kayaking the Lustrafjord from Marifjøra

Kayaking on the Lustrafjord. The Fjord Village Solvorn just behind the headland.
Kayaking on the Lustrafjord. The Fjord Village Solvorn just behind the headland.

We started at Marifjøra which is a great Base Camp if you want to explore this part of Luster and the Lustrafjord. It is wonderful to just glide into the fjord in a kayak, it is only you and the silence and the nature.

We paddled south along the western side of the fjord, and just before Solvorn we crossed the fjord towards Ornes. Ornes is a beautiful small village on the headlands by the fjord with hundreds of apple trees, a few wooden houses and a stave church from the Viking Age.

The stave church, Urnes Stave Church, is our oldest stave church and part of our common UNESCO World Heritage. It was built around year 1140 AD, and is really worth a visit if you are in the Sognefjord and Lustrafjord area.

Biking and Hiking along the Lustrafjord

The ferry on the Lustrafjord, seen from Ornes.
The ferry on the Lustrafjord, seen from Ornes.

There is a ferry that goes several times daily between Solvorn and Ornes during summer, making it easy for tourists to visit Urnes and the stave church. From Urnes it is also great to do some biking and hiking in the area.

The road along the Lustrafjord towards Skjolden at the innermost part of the Lustrafjord has little traffic, and the view to the fjord and the mountains and villages on the other side is great.

You can combine bike and hike and see the Feigefossen Waterfall with a vertical drop of 229 meters. You can hike to where the waterfall cascades into the Feigeelva River. The hike is easy and takes around one hour each way, the trail is marked.

Ornes and Urnes Stave Church

Urnes Stave Church at Ornes by the Lustrafjord.
Urnes Stave Church at Ornes by the Lustrafjord.

We entered the shore just by the ferry quay at Ornes and walked up to the Urnes Stave Church. It is a short 15 minutes walk up hill to the church, and we had a guided tour inside the church and also wandered around it just to see the beautiful church and all the fantastic wood carvings on the north wall of the church.

From the stave church, there is also a beautiful view over the fjord towards Solvorn on the other side. The autumn colours were beautiful and the apples were ready to be picked down from the trees, and the sound of the nature was fantastic.

Soon we were in our kayaks again, now on our way across the fjord to Solvorn on the other side. The ferry passed us, and we felt small in our kayaks when the waves from the ferry reached us from behind. But this is also the great part of kayaking, you are small and in the touch of the nature elements.

Solvorn in the western part of the Lustrafjord

Walaker Hotel in Solvorn by the Lustrafjord.
Walaker Hotel in Solvorn by the Lustrafjord.

Solvorn is another beautiful small village, on the western side of the Lustrafjord. Right beside the fjord in Solvorn lies Walaker Hotel. This is a charming family hotel and an attraction in itself. The hotel from 1640 has been owned by the same family since 1690 and is the oldest hotel in Norway, with more than 370 years of history.

We had our mandatory stop there, and had a stroll around the village and in the beautiful garden at Walaker Hotel. We also visited Gallery Walaker 300 in a building in connection to the hotel.

After stretching our legs and eating an ice cream at Solvorn, we again glided into the fjord and paddled north along the fjord towards Marifjøra and back to the starting point of this small but great adventure. We had a fantastic day on the Lustrafjord in our kayaks and visited some beautiful places by the fjord.

Lustrafjord – What to See and Do

Luster in Indre Sogn is one of the most beautiful areas in Norway, where the Lustrafjord meets the top of Norway with its many mountains and glaciers. From Solvorn you can take the small ferry across the Lustrafjord to Ornes and visit Urnes Stave Church and see the mighty Feigefossen waterfall that reveals itself in the spring. Locals claim that the mountain Molden has the best view in Luster. The Lustrafjord is an arm of the Sognefjord and is located in the middle of Western Norway.

Visit Sognefjord

Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the Lustrafjord and Sognefjord area.

The beautiful fjord villages lie like pearls on a string along the Lustrafjord.
The beautiful fjord villages lie like pearls on a string along the Lustrafjord.

The Lustrafjord – Hotels and Accommodation

Jostedal – Jostedal Hotell
Jostedal – Jostedal Camping
Fortun/Hurrungane – Turtagrø Hotel
Fortun/Skjolden – Vassbakken Kro og Camping
Skjolden – Skjolden Hotel
Skjolden – Skjolden Resort
Lustrafjord – Sørheim Fjordpanorama
Luster – Dalsøren Camping
Luster – Luster Fjordhytter
Luster – Nes Gard
Marifjøra – Tørvis Hotel
Marifjøra – Marifjøra Sjøbuer
Mollandsmarki – Heil pao kanten
Ornes – Urnes Gard
Ornes – Kroken Gard
Ornes – Feriehus på Ornes
Solvorn – Walaker Hotell in Solvorn
Solvorn – Eplet Hostel & Juicefabrikk
Solvorn – Villa Solvorn
Solvorn – Solvorn Gjestehus
Hafslo – BesteBakken Exclusivity and Well Being
Hafslo – Eikum Hotel
Veitastrond/Tungestølen – Tungestølen Turisthytte

Skjolden – Where fjord meets the mountains: Skjolden.com
Activities in Luster: Visit Skjolden
Solvorn – The idyllic village by the Lustrafjord
The UNESCO Protected Urnes Stave Church
Ferry across the Lustrafjord: Lustrabaatane
Glacier Guiding on Nigardsbreen Glacier: Jostedalen Breførarlag
Breheimsenteret Glacier Center in Jostedal: Breheimsenteret
Mountain Hotel in the Hurrungane Mountains: Turtagrø Hotel
Sognefjellet National Tourist Route: Norwegian Scenic Routes
Guided Kayak Tours, Mountain Hikes and Ski Tours in Luster: Landmark Adventures
Guided Motor Boat Tours at Lake Styggevatnet: Ice Troll

 

Here you will find an overview of recommended hotels and accommodations in Western Norway. FJORDS HOTELS in addition to FJORD SPA and FJORDS LIVING. You will also find an overview of MICHELIN KEY HOTELS in Western Norway, great hotels recommended by Michelin.

There are 14 restaurants that have awarded Michelin stars and Michelin awards in Western Norway. Eight of the Michelin Restaurants are in Stavanger, there are five in Bergen and one is out on the Hardangerfjord outside Rosendal. Here you will find an overview of MICHELIN RESTAURANTS in Western Norway.

USEFUL LINKS is a list of websites with great information on Norway and the Fjords.

Kayaking the Lustrafjord to Urnes Stave Church – Map Overview