Mt Molden in Luster at Vestland is a popular hiking goal amongst the locals. The hike is short, and the fjord view is great. Map: Sogndal – Leikanger 1:50000.
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.
Visit Sognefjord
Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the Sognefjord area.
About season and other important information
GRADING – Challenging. ALTITUDE DIFFERENCE – This hike starts at approximately 500 masl (Parking by the road between Hafslo and Mollandsmarki). Highest point at approximately 1116 masl (Mt Molden).
GUIDE – We recommend you to join a Guided Tour to Molden.
SEASON – Mid 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.
NOTE – 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.
NOTE – We recommend to use a map and compass on this hike since parts of the hike go in areas where there is no trail. It also often happens that Molden is shrouded in fog.
The hike to Svarthiller Mountain Farm
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
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
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
The Lustrafjord and Luster area is deemed to be one of the most beautiful spots in the country. It is where the fjords meet the top of Norway and the mountains and glaciers never ends. There are many wonderful and exciting things to see and do there.
Solvorn is an idyllic village located down by the Lustrafjord. The oldest historical hotel and one of the finest, the Walaker Hotel, is located in the village. Time has in a way stood still in Solvorn. Many of the original buildings have been preserved and refined.
From Solvorn, you can take the small ferry across the Lustrafjord to Ornes and visit Urnes Stave Church and see the mighty Feigefossen waterfall which reveals itself in the spring. Urnes Stave Church is the oldest of our remaining stave churches in Norway, and is one of four world heritage sites in Western Norway.
The hike to Mt Molden gives you a fantastic view both in and out of the Lustrafjord. The locals claim this is the best view in Luster, and in Luster there are many great viewpoints.
Nigardsbreen glacier in Jostedal and Austerdalsbreen glacier at Veitastrond are two of the most beautiful and most easily accessible glaciers in Norway. Mørkridsdalen and Fortunsdalen are two classic areas for mountain hikes near Skjolden, which is located at the innermost part of the Lustrafjord. Stay at Skjolden Hotel in Skjolden, a great hotel with short-travelled food and drinks from the top shelf.
High in the Jotunheimen mountains, the Sognefjellet Mountain Road runs between the Lustrafjord and the Gudbrandsdalen Valley. The Sognefjellet National Tourist Route is the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe with its 1434 meters above sea level at the highest point. Along the road is Turtagrø Hotel, Sognefjellshytta and Krossbu where you can stay and get information and guide to Hurrungane and the mountains and glaciers around Sognefjellet, which is one of Norway’s wildest mountain areas.
The Lustrafjord is approximately 40 kilometers long and is the innermost branch of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord which is located in the middle of Western Norway.
The Lustrafjord – Hotels and Accommodation
Jostedalen – Jostedal Hotell
Jostedalen – Jostedal Camping
Fortun/Hurrungane – Turtagrø Hotel
Skjolden – Skjolden Hotel
Skjolden – Skjolden Resort
Lustrafjord – Sørheim Fjordpanorama
Luster – Dalsøren Camping
Luster – Luster Fjordhytter
Luster – Nes Gard
Marifjøra – Marifjøra Sjøbuer
Mollandsmarki – Heil pao kanten
Norway’s oldest hotel – Walaker Hotell in Solvorn
Bed & Breakfast in Solvorn – Eplet Hostel & Juicefabrikk
Bed & Breakfast in Solvorn – Villa Solvorn
Exclusivity and well-being at Hafslo – BesteBakken
Tungestølen at Veitastrond – Tungestølen Turisthytte
The Lustrafjord – Useful Links
Skjolden – Where fjord meets the mountains: Skjolden.com
Activities in Luster: Visit Skjolden
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 Trip on the Lustrafjord: Fjordseal at Marifjøra
Guided Motor Boat Tours at Lake Styggevatnet: Ice Troll