Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Skjolden is at the northern limit of Lustra-fjord. In Fjordstova, its main building, you'll
find most that matters tucked under one roof: the
tourist office ( 97 60 04 43;
www.skjolden.com
;
11am-7pm or 2-7pm mid-Jun-mid-Aug; )
, a cafe, a
swimming pool, climbing wall and even a shooting gallery. The bit of industrial-looking
junk on display outside is a turbine from the Norsk hydropower station.
For land- or water-based exercise, you can hire bicycles (Nkr75/100 per half/full day)
and kayaks (Nkr75/150 per half/full day) at the tourist office, which can also supply you
with a brochure (Nkr20) on signed walks in the area.
East of Skjolden, the Rv55 at first runs beside the lovely turquoise glacial lake
Eidsvat-
net
.
Mørkridsdalen
, the valley that runs north of the village, makes for some excellent
hiking.
Further along the Rv55, 3km from Skjolden,
Vassbakken Kro & Camping ( 57
68 61 88;
www.vassbakken.com
, in Norwegian; car/caravan site Nkr120/140 plus per
person Nkr25, 2-/4-bed cabins with outdoor bathroom Nkr380/480, 5-bed cabins with
bathroom Nkr790, May-mid-Sep)
is a smallish campsite, which is set beneath a sur-
gingwaterfall. There'sapopularcafe-restaurant hereandallroomsinitsbrand-newHI-af-
filiated
hostel (dm 275, s/d/Nkr545/755, all incl breakfast)
come with a bathroom.
Getting There & Away
Bus 153 connects Skjolden with Sogndal (Nkr115, 1½ hours) three to five times daily.
If you're heading north on Rv55, check your fuel gauge; Skjolden's petrol stations are the
last for 77km.
DALE KYRKJE, LUSTER
Spectacular wooden stave churches get all the attention around here and this little
gem of a
medieval parish church ( 10am-8pm)
, built of stone, gets overlooked.
Just 13km south of Skjolden and constructed around 1250, it's mainly Gothic in
style. The wooden tower and elaborately painted western entrance (the work of a typ-
ically near-anonymous ecclesiastical artist known simply as 'Nils the Painter') were
added in the early 1600s. The crucifix above the chancel arch and fine multicoloured
pulpit are from the church's earliest days. Opposite, one Colonel von Krogh, a local
parishioner with ideas according to his station had the high, fretted pew - higher than
