#Rakssetra is every instagramer’s wet dream. Put on your fancy dress and run barefoot between the cabins with the drone right behind you while Kanye West sings “Good Morning”. Map: Jostedalsbreen 1:50000.
Featured Image: Rakssetra in Nordfjord, Photo: Eirik Heen
Let´s put jokes aside. The view from Rakssetra down to Nordfjord, Oldebukta and Olden is fantastic. The abandoned mountain pasture is located up on the hillside at Oppheim between Loen and Stryn. It belongs to the farm Rake which is further down towards the fjord.
About season and other important information
OFFICIAL HIKE DESCRIPTION – Tour descriptions from fjords.com may be incomplete and inaccurate, errors and omissions may occur. Therefore, it is important to look for updated information from official information sources. You can search for most of the mountain hikes in Norway in the website UT.no. There you will find more accurate hike descriptions with maps, elevation profiles and other useful information. Unfortunately, UT.no has only Norwegian text and does not cover all the hikes on this website. Here is a hike description from UT.no to Rakssetra. Read about your own responsibility and about how to explore the Norwegian nature in a safe way. We recommend using a guide.
GRADING: Medium. ALTITUDE DIFFERENCE: This hike starts at approximately 280 masl (Parking lot at Oppheim). Highest point at approximately 540 masl (Rakssetra).
SEASON: June to mid September, these are approximate dates that depends on the weather, temperature and the amount of snow in the mountains.
SAFETY IN THE MOUNTAINS – You should follow the Norwegian Mountain Code when hiking in Norway. It can change from summer and sunny weather to winter and frost in minutes! Always check the Weather Forecast before you go hiking. For safety reasons it is recommended to avoid hiking in Thunderstorms, in fog, in bad weather and when it is snow and ice on the trail and in the mountain! Always bring good clothes and hiking shoes. And have enough food and water in your rucksack.
The road up to Oppheim and the parking
Just east of Rake, between Loen and Stryn, drive up Oppheimsvegen Road towards Oppheim. Drive Oppheimsvegen all the way to the end, about three kilometers. There is a parking lot (parking fee) at Oppheim, this is where the hike to Rakssetra starts.
The hike up to Rakssetra
From the parking lot at Oppheim, you first walk a short distance on a gravel road before you turn left and continue on a marked trail. The trail goes up in the forest between Oppheim and Rakssetra, you walk in the forest all the way.
Rakssetra (540 masl) is an abandoned mountain pasture that is currently used by those who owns it. It is also a popular hiking destination and is used as recreation for others. There is a beautiful cultivated landscape around the farm, and it is nice to sit there and eat your packed lunch while enjoying the beautiful place and the great view down to the fjord, Olden and the Oldedalen Valley.
The Traditional Pasture Farming in Norway was inscribed in the UNESCO Heritage list on December 4, 2024. A great example of traditional pasture farming in Norway is exactly the old pastures at Rakssetra.
Although the mountain dairies are no longer in operation, sheep spend the summers at Rakssetra. There they maintain the beautiful cultural landscape around the old mountain dairies, to the delight of all those who visit Rakssetra.
The hike up to Rakssetra takes between half an hour and an hour to walk. Parts of the trail are a bit steep, but it is easy and nice to walk. Just before you get up to Rakssetra you have to cross a river. Crossing the river can be challenging and sometimes impossible when there is high water flow. From Rakssetra you can walk the same way down as you went up.
NOTE – It is not allowed to camp on or near Rakssetra since it is privately owned. Read more about Rakssetra and how to relate to “allemannsretten” (the right to roam) on Visit Nordfjord’s website.
Loen Shuttle Bus – a new way to experience Loen and Lodalen valley
Loen Shuttle Bus is a transport offer for visitors in Loen and Lodalen valley. This is a way to reduce the environmental footprint in the area and to simplify logistics.
The bus have three daily departures through Lodalen valley to Kjenndalstova and to Oppheim where, among other things, the hike to Rakssetra starts. Whether you want to hike to Rakssetra, experience lake Lovatnet or swim at Breng Seter, you can now leave your car and hop on the Loen Shuttle Bus. With a flexible day ticket, you can travel as much as you want.
This is an easy and flexible way to experience the area, and is an offer that can reduce the traffic load on the narrow roads. Now guests and visitors can leave their own car and motorhome. The result is less traffic, a reduced environmental footprint, a safer road and (if possible) an even nicer Loen.
Nordfjord – What to See and Do
The mountains, glaciers, fjords and coastline of Nordfjord are some of the most beautiful landscapes Norway has to offer. Hjelle in Oppstryn, Loen Skylift, Briksdalsbreen glacier and Hoddevik beach are great places to visit when you are in Nordfjord. Nordfjord is located in the northern part of Vestland County, in the middle of Western Norway.
Visit Nordfjord
Visit Nordfjord is the official destination company for the Nordfjord area.
Accommodation in Stryn and Oppstryn
Hjelle Hotel at Hjelle in Oppstryn
Cabins at Glomnes at Hjelle in Oppstryn
Folven Adventure Camp in Oppstryn
Strynsvatn Camping in Oppstryn
Lidasanden by Lake Oppstrynsvatnet
Stryn Hotel in Stryn
Visnes Historic Hotel in Stryn
Stryn Camping in Stryn
Accommodation in Loen
Hotel Alexandra in Loen
Hotel Loenfjord in Loen
Loen Apartments in Loen
Sande Camping by Lake Lovatnet
Loenvatn Feriesenter by Lake Lovatnet
Sandeåsen Feriehytter by Lake Lovatnet
Kjenndalstova at the inner part of Lake Lovatnet
Accommodation in Olden
Oldevatn Camping
Aabrekk Gard in Oldedalen
Melkevoll Bretun Camping
Yrineset by Lake Oldevatnet
Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge
Olden Camping Gryti
Olden Fjordhotel in Olden
Accommodation in Innvik
Loen and Olden – Useful Links
Gondola in Loen – Loen Skylift
Adventure Company in Loen – Loen Active
Briksdal Adventure Adventure in Olden – Briksdal Adventure