JØLSTER – english

Freshwater fishing in Jølstravatnet

• Grovabreen • Bjørga • Tortnegrøeggja • Bjørsetstøylen • Day Trip Cabin Fjellro

If you’re interested in exploring Haugabreen, a guided tour with Breogfjell is available. These tours require no prior knowledge and operate daily from June 18th to August 31st. To secure your spot, it’s recommended to book by 7:00 PM the day before. If you prefer a private guide, you can contact Breogfjell at post@breogfjell. no. For additional information about the tour, visit breogfjell.no/tur/haugabreen

Activities Kvåleskajakk

Kayaking, courses, and guided tours kvaaleskajakk.online Jølvassbu camping Rentals: Boats, fishing equipment, kayaks, canoes jolvassbu.no Lunde Tourist Station Rentals: Boats, kayaks/canoes, fishing equipment, SUP boards. Try outdoor hot tub, shooting simulator, air rifle shooting, axe throwing, rodeo bull, archery, fishing simulator, laser clay shooting, blowpipe, laser moose shooting range, off-road buggy, and laser pistol shooting. lunde@turiststasjon.no Jølstraholmen camping Rentals: Boats, e-bikes, bicycles, kayaks, SUP boards. With a daily pass of NOK 60, you can enjoy the water slide, swimming in a natural pool, try kayaking and SUP, ziplining, trampolines, volleyball, interactive football wall, dance arch, and use the playground at the campsite. jolstraholmen.no/aktiviteter

A til Å · www.atilaa.no

• Orkja • Hamnanova • Grovanipa • Bolsetnipa

Photo: Visit FjordKysten og Sunnfjord.

Recommended hikes: • Lundeskaret • Tindefjellet • Olahansen • Kleivafjellet

You’ll find a variety of ski touring mountains around Jølstravatnet. One of which is located in Ålhusdalen, just inland from the village of Ålhus by the sparkling Jølstravatnet. From Fjellstøylen, you can start your ascent to Gotdalsnipa at 1249 meters above sea level. Starting at around 250 meters above sea level, you’ll have nearly a thousand meters of excellent mountain terrain for your top tour. The best descent is north-facing from the summit, with a view of Grønlifjellet, which happens to be an excellent mountain for ski touring and a great destination for those seeking a longer and more challenging trip. Another Jølster classic nearby is a well-known motif in the paintings of artist Nikolai Astrup, who immortalized the “Isdronninga”, meaning “Ice Queen”, in the mountain formation of Blåfjellet, Egga, and Nipa. Park at Helgheim Church and trace your tracks almost from the edge of the water of Jølstravatnet up the slope, looking forward to the thrilling cruise back down. Here, you can conquer multiple peaks in a single day trip.

Jølstravatnet is renowned as one of the best trout lakes in Europe, and the famous Jølster trout can be caught here. The combination of cold water inflow from Jostedalsbreen, a rich food supply, and a 30 km long lake with a maximum depth of 200 m provides ideal conditions for the Jølster trout. Fishing in the lake is well-regulated, and the quality of the fish is excellent. Each year, 15 tons of Jølster trout are caught.

At the beginning of June, the fishing competition and public celebration called Jølster Trout Festival is organized, with the entire Jølstravatnet serving as the venue.

At Jølvassbu camping and Lunde Tourist Station, you can purchase fishing permits, fishing equipment, and rent boats. The staff members are enthusiastic anglers themselves and are happy to share their knowledge and experiences. Jølvassbu camping: jolvassbu.no – Lunde Turiststasjon: lunde@turiststasjon.no Fishing permits for different areas can be purchased at inatur.no

Photo: Visit FjordKysten og Sunnfjord.

Jølstravatnet is surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks, making it an excellent starting point for mountain hikes and glacier walks. The glacier has sculpted valleys and shaped the mountains, creating a captivating landscape. There are various mountain hikes available, catering to different difficulty levels and ensuring there’s a suitable option for everyone. For those who find glaciers fascinating, the hike to Haugabreen offers a remarkable experience with breathtaking views of the glacier.

Guided tours are available for those interested in walking on the glacier. If you prefer a relaxed hike after a long day, a trip to the day trip cabin is highly recommended, providing stunning views over Jølstravatnet. For those seeking an Instagram-worthy view, Grovanipa is the ideal mountain to conquer, offering sweeping views of Kjøsnesfjorden and Jølstravatnet.

Summit ski tour

Kayaking Are you and your family wondering what to do on your vacation? Come to Skei in Sunnfjord and embark on a kayaking adventure in Astrup’s realm. You can paddle on the vast Jølstravatnet or explore the idyllic Kjøsnesfjorden, surrounded by steep mountains that embrace the water. At Lunde Tourist Station, you can rent a kayak and set off on your own exploration. If you’re interested in an introduction course or basic training to paddle the blue waves or even a guided tour to Kjøsnesfjorden, Kvåleskajakk is here to assist you. They offer introductory and basic courses for sea kayaking during the summer and autumn seasons. Booking Kvåleskajakk: kvaaleskajakk.online • Booking Lunde Turiststasjon: lunde@turiststasjon.no

Rafting Immerse yourself in lush and stunning nature as you embark on an exhilarating river adventure filled with excitement, splashes, and thrills that will leave you with an incredible rush. Jølster Rafting takes you on a rafting journey down the Jølstra River, renowned in the industry for having one of the best rafting stretches in Northern Europe. Opening hours in 2023: June 10th-11th, June 24th-25th, July 15th-16th, August 12th-13th, August 26th-27th. They also accommodate group requests on selected days outside these dates and during peak season, attracting great interest. Booking: post@jolster-rafting.no

Photo: Line Hårklau.

Mountain hikes and glacier walks

Photo: Reisegutta.

Photo: Vanja Birkelid.

Photo: Visit FjordKysten og Sunnfjord.

JØLSTER

Jølster Ski Resort Jølster Ski Resort offers alpine ski slopes suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced skiers seeking challenges. The total length of groomed ski slopes is approximately 4000 meters. Our guests can choose from 4 ski lifts: Kvamsheisen, Bjørkeliaheisen, Uglumheisen and Hauglandsheisen (for children). As a visitor in the area, you can take advantage of the toll road that takes you to the upper part of the resort, serving as a great starting point for summit tours and circular routes.

Jølster Ski Resort offers fantastic freeride areas both above the tree line and in the forest. In the mountains surrounding Jølster Ski Resort, you’ll find many beautiful peaks and snow-covered slopes just waiting for ski tracks. We also provide groomed cross-country ski trails leading to Gjesdalsdalen, a lit track for night skiing, a 10–30 meter ski jumping hill, ski play facilities, and two distinct grill huts. At the beginning of the resort, you’ll find parking spaces, a cozy café with a fireplace, ski rental, and sanitary facilities. Visit jolsterskisenter.no for more information.. jolsterskisenter.no

Sauna What could be better after a long hike in one of the Jølster mountains than a relaxing and invigorating sauna experience? At Skei, you’ll find Fyrig Sauna, located on the pier with stunning views overlooking Jølstravatnet and surrounded by spectacular mountains, offering a glimpse of Astrup’s realm. At Jølstraholmen, you’ll discover a sauna beautifully situated on the riverbank, with a view of the Jølstra River and just steps away from a serene natural pool.

Skei: fyrigsauna.no • Vassenden: jolstraholmen.no/sauna

fjordkysten.no

Kupefjellet

Skruklefjellet KART. ELLEN JEPSON

Storefjell

Byrkjelo

Isvatnet E 39

Syskarnipa

Fossheim

Skrede

Angedal

Kjøsnes

5688

lhus Stranda

5690

E 39

Hegrenes

Dvergsdalen Sunde

Solheim

Tindefjellet

Orkja

Svidal

Vassenden

Astruptunet

Strand 5690

Food and Drinks

5

Juklestad

Photo: Falkeblikk.

Berg

Skei Vika

Steinegga

Botnen

E 39

Fygla Helgheim

Photo: Fotograf Helle.

Erikstad

Myklebust Langeheia

Sandal

Hammar

Garden Gjesdalen

alsdale

Kvammen

Sandd

Langhaugane

n

Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalpark

Kvamsfjellet

At The Vineyard at Jølst, everything revolves around what is possible with the abundance of raw materials from the West Coast. The Vineyard at Jølst serves as the headquarters for Vestavin, a new and innovative fruit wine producer. Camilla Aasen, the founder of Vestavin, purchased the abandoned smallholding on the steep hills above Jølstravatnet in July 2021. By summer 2023, you can experience a fruit vineyard in the making, with cultivation and production of modern fruit wines. Here, you can taste some of the creations that Vestavin is working on and purchase both fruit wines and non-alcoholic products. Opening hours: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from July 1st: Guided tours with tastings from 14:00 to 15:30, open sales from 15:30 to 17:00. Visit vestavin.no/vingarden for more information.

Jølstra Museum At Jølstra Museum, hosts Heidi and Frode offer the perfect combination of art, local history, a welcoming atmosphere, and locally sourced food. The founder of Jølstra Museum, Eivind Fossheim, who happens to be Heidi’s grandfather, had a strong interest in the history, everyday objects, and architectural style of Jølster. His vision was to create a rural museum where artifacts and houses from Jølster could be gathered and exhibited for future generations. The museum grounds feature a total of 13 houses surrounded by a lush garden. The gallery in the barn hosts a diverse sales exhibition. Throughout the season, there are also exhibitions featuring various artists, both local and national. Visit jolstramuseet.no to learn more.

Astruptunet Located on the idyllic south side of Jølstravatnet, Astruptunet is the former residence of the renowned painter, draftsman, and printmaker Nikolai Astrup (1880 - 1928), one of Norway’s most celebrated national artists. He created iconic portraits of his hometown, capturing the essence of Nikolai Astrup. When you visit Astruptunet, you can stand where he stood at his easel and experience how the surroundings influenced his work. Nikolai Astrup is one of Norway’s most renowned artists, with recent exhibitions in England, Germany, the United States, and Sweden. Explore misf.no/astruptunet to plan your visit. misf.no/astruptunet

Eikaas Gallery Located by Jølstravatnet/E39, the modern Eikaas Gallery showcases the art of the innovative Ludvig Eikaas and other artists. At Eikaas Gallery, you can admire a significant collection of artworks by Ludvig Eikaas (1920-2010), which can also be found in Copenhagen, New York, Paris, Florence, and Norwegian art museums. Ludvig Eikaas, a Jølster native, is considered one of the most prominent visual artists of the post-war era. He was a pioneer of modernism in Norway, starting in the late 1940s.

Discover more at misf.no/eikaasgalleriet

Bike Tour Surrounded by majestic mountains and an idyllic lake, Jølster is the perfect cycling destination. Cycle along the southern side of Jølstravatnet, where you’ll encounter picturesque landscapes on lightly trafficked, flat roads. Combine your bike tour with a stop at Astruptunet, the home of painter, illustrator, and graphic artist Nikolai Astrup, one of Norway’s most renowned national artists. For a short and easy ride, you can cycle from Skei to Sægrov and back. Starting at the end of Jølstravatnet, you’ll have a view of the entire lake before pedaling along Kjøsnesfjorden, where you’ll witness the steep mountains plunging into the clear water. You’ll also catch a glimpse of Jostedalsbreen glacier at the inner part of Kjøsnesfjorden. Parts of the route are on gravel roads.

Photo: Sunnfjord Golfklubb.

Photo: Visit FjordKysten og Sunnfjord.

Photo: Visit FjordKysten og Sunnfjord.

Photo: Thomas Bickhardt.

Troget

The Vineyard at Jølst

At Jølstramuseet, you will find the restaurant Låven, where an à la carte menu is served based on locally sourced ingredients from farmers in the area. The signature dish at Jølstramuseet is Jølstra trout, which they catch themselves and serve boneless and pan-fried. With skillful craftsmanship and a love for food, they aim to provide guests with a delightful dining experience. Thon Hotel Jølster is home to the Jølstrastova restaurant. Here, they offer an à la carte menu with delicious homemade dishes. During an extended summer season, the à la carte menu is replaced by a lavish buffet. Whether you’re looking for brunch with friends, pizza with family, or a glass of wine with someone special, “Brunsj og Briller” in Skei caters to all. They serve both cold and hot dishes and beverages, drawing inspiration mainly from Asian cuisine. You’ll also find delightful baked goods here. Stardalen Hyttegrend has a summer cafe that is open every day from late June to early August (Sundays during the rest of the year). It’s the perfect place to enjoy a satisfying meal and a good cup of coffee in a tranquil setting in the village beneath the glacier. At Skei Servicenter and the café at Spar Jølstraholmen, they offer daily specials and à la carte dishes. YX Jølstraholmen serves pizza, delicious signature burgers, CFC-fried chicken meals, milkshakes, soft-serve ice cream, baguettes, and sausages. They are open seven days a week.

Golf Sunnfjord Golf Club invites you to an exciting experience on a challenging 9-hole course with double tees (par 72). The facilities include a driving range, short game area, practice greens, and bunker area. At the clubhouse, you’ll find a coffee machine, toilets, and amenities, as well as a well-equipped pro shop. Sunnfjord Golf Club was founded in 1992 by local enthusiasts, and the course in Bjørkelia was completed in the summer of 2001. Today, the club has many active members and skilled instructors who offer courses and training and can provide all equipment through the club’s shop (GoosenGolf). Visit sunnfjordgk.no for more information. sunnfjordgk.no ACCOMMODATION For information on accommodations in Jølster, please visit fjordkysten.no