Haus am Gletscher

Our house owes its name, Solheim—meaning “Sun Home”—to its sunny location on the south-facing slope of the Jostedalen valley, which is rich in forests and meadows (http://jostedal.com), which, with its numerous waterfalls and the raging Jostedalselv, ranks among the wildest valleys in all of Fjordland. It stretches from the lovely Lustrafjord near the village of Gaupne (which features, among other things, supermarkets, gas station, and tourist information office) for nearly 40 km into the mountain landscape, which rises to an altitude of 2,000 m. This area is protected as a national park and covered by the Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European mainland with an area of approximately 1,000 km². It presents itself as a dazzling white sea of ice from which no fewer than two dozen glacier tongues flow down.<br> The most famous and spectacular glacier tongue is the kilometer-long Nigardsbreen. It ranks among the most significant natural attractions in the country—indeed, in all of Europe—and is just under 4 km from our house. On the way there, the Norwegian Glacier Center (http://jostedal.com/de/breheimsenteret) is worth a visit; with its spectacular architecture, it’s an eye-catching landmark in the valley and also serves, among other things, as a booking office for glacier tours, rafting adventures (on the Jostedalselva), and kayaking tours (on the glacial lake Styggevatnet).<br> But the drive itself to Styggevatnet—located about 10 km away at an elevation of over 1,000 m—is a highlight in its own right, and several hikes begin there. From there, you can spend days hiking from cabin to cabin, and you’ll find relevant information and maps at our house; online at https://ut.no, you’ll find descriptions of dozens of hiking trails in the surrounding area.<br> On the way to Styggevatnet, a road also branches off into Fagredalen; from there—already at an elevation of over 1,000 m—it’s just a short hike to Holmevatnet, located at an elevation of just under 1,300 m. – A wonderful day trip, and you can also continue on to other hikes from here.<br> You definitely shouldn’t miss a drive to Krundal, which branches off from Jostedal near Gjerde. Gjerde itself, about 4 km from our house, has a hotel with a restaurant, bar, and campground, as well as a well-stocked supermarket. From there, follow the sign for Bergsetbreen; it’s about 5 km to a signposted parking lot, where a marked and well-maintained hiking trail begins, leading to the foot of the Bergsetbreen glacier tongue after about 3.5 km (approx. 1 hour). Along the way, you’ll pass the turnoff to Tuftebreen, a very spectacular but rarely visited glacier tongue (since you first have to climb 400 m). <br> There are many other hikes and drives to enjoy throughout the Jostedal Valley, and if you’re looking for a panoramic view of superlative beauty, you must be sure to take the road to Espe in the Jostedal Valley: It’s signposted about 5 km before you reach Gjerde; then follow the toll road that branches off to the right shortly after (50 NOK), which soon winds its way up dozens of switchbacks to an elevation of 1,045 m, where Vanndalsvatnet is located. The view of the valley along the way is fantastic, but it’s nothing compared to the one offered by Vangsen, which is signposted from the lake: At 1,757 m, it’s the highest mountain in the area and can be reached via a marked hike lasting several hours.<br> Other day hikes in Jostedal along marked trails lead to destinations such as Bakkedal and Vassdal, as well as Leirdal and Vigdal—each one more beautiful than the last— and from Gaupne, you simply must drive up into the Engjadal and also turn toward Sogndal to hike up to “the” scenic peak of the entire region: the 1,118-meter-high Molden, which overlooks the entire Lustrafjord. Solvorn is the ferry port for a visit to the world-famous Urnes Stave Church, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, from which you can return to Gaupne via Skjolden and Luster. Skjolden is the starting point for a trip to the Sognefjell range, home to