Molden and Svarthiller in Luster – hike with views of the Lustrafjord

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The two to three hours hike to Mt Molden (1118 masl) in Luster gives you a tremendous view towards the Lustrafjord and the surrounding mountains. The Lustrafjord is a branch of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord, the King of the Fjords.

Season, guiding and important safety information

SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY: Follow the Mountain Code when hiking in Norway. Conditions can change from summer and sunshine to winter and frost within minutes. Always be prepared for rapidly changing weather.

Read about your personal responsibility and how to stay safe in Norwegian nature.

BEFORE YOU GO: Weather and conditions are crucial. Always take this into account before setting out. Avoid the hike in bad weather, fog, thunderstorms, snow or icy conditions. Bring appropriate clothing, good hiking shoes, a map and compass, and enough food and water. Always check the weather forecast before you go.

DIFFICULTY: Demanding. This is a general assessment based on distance, terrain, elevation gain and exposure.

DURATION: 4–6 hours.

ELEVATION: This hike starts at approximately 500 masl (Parking by the road between Hafslo and Mollandsmarki). Highest point at approximately 1116 masl (Mt Molden).

SEASON: Mid June to Mid September. These are approximate months and depend on weather, temperature and snow conditions in the mountains.

SUITABILITY: There are several steep, narrow and exposed sections on this hike. Be careful not to walk too close to the edge around the summit of Molden, from there it is more than 1000 meters vertical fall straight down into the fjord. Due to this, the hike is not suitable for children.

GUIDE: We recommend using a guide when hiking to Molden. Check Nortind’s website about guiding.

NAVIGATION: Use a map and compass on this hike. Parts of the hike to Molden cross high mountain terrain where the trail is not always clearly visible. The area is also frequently covered in fog.

MOBILE COVERAGE: Mobile coverage is often limited or unstable on many of the hikes described on this website, and in some areas there is no mobile coverage at all. It is recommended to bring an extra power bank for your mobile phone.

LIVESTOCK ON GRAZING LAND: Keep a safe distance from grazing animals, avoid sudden movements and close gates behind you. Dogs must be kept on a leash as required by regulations for much of the year. Read more about how to behave around animals and nature in Norway.

OFFICIAL TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Descriptions on fjords.com may be incomplete or contain errors. Always check updated information from official sources before you go. Many hikes in Norway can be found on UT.no, which provides maps and elevation profiles. Here is a trail description of Molden on UT.no.

The hike to Svarthiller Mountain Farm

Svarthiller farm above the Lustrafjord. Ornes is the headland in the middle of the picture.
Svarthiller farm above the Lustrafjord. Ornes is the headland in the middle of the picture.

The hike to Mt Molden starts at the parking by the road between Hafslo and Mollandsmarki in Luster (500 masl).

The trail is well marked, and it takes approximately one hour before you get to the abandoned Svarthiller Mountain Farm. At Svarthiller, you can see towards the southern part of the Lustrafjord.

Svarthiller is a great place for a lunch break and to take in the view towards the fjord and to Ornes on the other side of the Lustrafjord.

At Ornes, you will find the UNESCO-protected Urnes Stave Church, the oldest of a total of 28 remaining Stave Churches in Norway. The church was built around year 1130 AD.

From Svarthiller to Molden

View from Mt Molden towards the Lustrafjord, towards north.
View from Mt Molden towards the Lustrafjord, towards north.

The hike continues from Svarthiller (865 masl) towards Molden. Parts of the trail to Molden consist of stone stairs built by Sherpas from Nepal.

From the summit of Molden you can see the Lustrafjord in all directions. The locals claim this is the best view in Luster, and in Luster there are many great viewpoints.

Just below the summit, on the northern side, there is a shelter built of stone. The view from the shelter towards the nortern part of Lustrafjord is epic, see video below.

The descent from Molden

The normal and recommended way back down from Molden is the same way as you hiked up.

The total time for the hike, from the parking by the road between Hafslo and Mollandsmarki to Mt Molden and back down to the parking is around 4-5 hours.

Mollandsmarki and Raaum Gard – On the edge

From Mollandsmarki, view towards the Lustrafjord, towards south.
From Mollandsmarki, view towards the Lustrafjord, towards south.

The road to Mollandsmarki is the same road as for the hike to Mt Molden. But drive past the parking lot where the hike to Molden starts, and continue further towards Mollandsmarki.

Soon the Lustrafjord will reveal itself to you, and the view from the road towards the Lustrafjord is fantastic.

In the cabins at Raaum Gard you can literally live right on the edge and look straight down into the fjord and over to Ornes on the other side of 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 Sognefjord area.

Mt Molden above the Lustrafjord in Luster.
Mt Molden above the Lustrafjord in Luster.

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, FJORD SPA and FJORDS LIVING. You will also find an overview of MICHELIN KEY HOTELS in Western Norway – hotels recommended by Michelin.

There are 13 restaurants that have awarded Michelin Stars and Michelin Guide’s Point Of View in Western Norway. Seven of the Michelin restaurants are located in Stavanger, five in Bergen, and one in Bekkjarvik on the coast near the Hardangerfjord. Here you will find an overview of MICHELIN RESTAURANTS in Western Norway.

USEFUL LINKS is an overview of websites with useful information about Norway and the fjords.

Hiking to Mt Molden – Map Overview