When visiting Loen in Norway we were search for things to do in the area, after seeing pictures of the Loen via ferrata ropes course we knew it had to be on our agenda. A via ferrata is a fixed course with bridges and climbing feature, some people call them Klettersteig. This course takes your from the base camp to the top of Mt. Hoven. Here you will find all the information that you need to complete the course, rental equipment, where to stay and how to get to the Loen Via Ferrata.
Be sure to check out my post on my Two Weeks in Norway Itinerary.
We are big fans of via ferratas, you can read about our Switzerland one here and our climb in Germany here.
If you don’t know much about via ferratas they are a fixed rope course, many featuring bridges, tightropes and more. Much of the course is using metal staples to climb a side of the mountain while using a harness for safety. Trust me, I would never do this without a helmet and harness!
Statistics
Difficulty: medium
Rating: B/C
Elevation Change: 730 meters (2,395 feet)- from the road to the top
Ascent: 1000 m (3,281 ft)
Length: 6 km ( 3.73 miles)
Time: 5-6 hours including breaks
When to Go
The Loen Via Ferrata opens on May 1st and closes around October 31st. This is due to weather and snow conditions along the route. You will want to go on a clear day to see the fjord below, this is the best part of the climb. We stayed in Olden for a few nights to choose the clearest day to do this route. We spent the other days exploring the glacier area nearby. You can also use the Loen SkyLift webcams to check out visibility at the top before you go, you can find those here.
Gear You Need
You will need a harness, clips and helmet. If you own them then you are set to get started on the course. We have thought about purchasing our own, as they are somewhat affordable (a great set linked here
If looking to rent we got ours from Loen Active for 450 NOK (53 USD). This is a pretty steep rate for rentals but I feel like all still worth it.
At Loen Active you can also rent:
Shoes: 100 NOK (12 USD)- which a gym shoe with good grip is fine.
Gloves to Keep: 50 NOK (6 USD)
Two baguettes for lunch: 100 NOK (12 USD)
***If booking with a tour guide the rentals come with the booking fee.
***You can reaad more about what I brought on this hike below, and also my entire Norway packing list here.
Book a Tour Guide
If you have been on via ferratas before this course is do-able without a guide, we did not use a guide as we wanted to go at our own pace.
If looking for a guide Loen Active is the place to book, we rented out gear with them and saw them along the course, they were knowledge and super friendly.
Guided Climb Prices:
Adults: 1345 NOK (160 USD)
Childern (12-15 years): 1195 NOK (142 USD)
***tickets include rentals and skylift back to the bottom, it’s really not a bad deal for being in Norway.
You can book with Loen Active here.
How to Get There
From Loen Active begin your walk into the parking lot until you find yourself on their city sidewalk in front of Hotel Alexandra. Continue walking along the main road (Fv60) until you find the via ferrata sign post. It will be right before the Loen SkyLift, here is your last chance to use the restroom or fill up your water bottle.
This is what the sign post looks like.
The Climb
Starting Route
After getting on the trail you will follow a long steep gravel road before the actual fixed course begins. This section of the path goes from an altitude of 170 meters to 440 meters. You will actually be on this trail 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours before the course starts, depending on your speed. It’s quiet the climb carrying your gear, we took plenty of breaks to turn around and check out the views of the fjord behind us.
Once you have completed the climb through the forest the via ferrata will officially start. The starting section has a small platform that the guides use to explain how to use the gear. This is a perfect place to practice and get comfortable clipping in and out.
The first part is a pretty steep ascent. You really have to use your upper body and stretch your legs to get around those boulders. Here is where the gloves come in handy, you sometimes need to use the fixed rope for support.
After this the majority of the upward climb out is of the way, it really starts getting fun with the different features.
Features
First, you will come to the Gjølmunne suspension bridge. This is the longest suspension bridge in Europe. It is 120 meters long, 394 feet. The canyon below the bridge drops 160 meters down.
Most people go one person as a time as the bridge does get wobbly. Take your time and pause to check out the views over the fjord here.
At the end there will be a bell if you choose to ring and a nice decked area to wait. We ate part of our packed lunches here.
After a short climb up again will be the next main feature, the Gjølmunne wirebridge. This tight roped bridge is 36 m long, 118 feet. Not looking as intimidating as the bridge before this one was swung you around a lot. I found it best to glide your arms along the top to help steady yourself, it also creates a better hold if you happened to slip.
It took awhile for us to cross this as it was very wobbly.
The Last Leg
After another short section climbing up the trail begins being hit or miss on needing your clips and harness. Before long a lot of the sections become more of a walking trail.
At last you will see trails leading to and around the Loen SkyLift. Many people here take the SkyLift up to walk around a bit and eat at the Hoven restaurant.
We grabbed a table and ate the rest of our lunch with this view. Not bad, we thought about ordering at their walk up window but the prices were quite steep for what you got.
After lunch we walked around a bit before heading down. This might of been one of my favorite views in Norway.
How to Descend
You can choose to get back down by hike or by SkyLift.
There are a few trails you can take down by foot. One involves a gravel road that is closed off to traffic. This is about 7-8 km long trail that brings you down approximately 700 height meters. You can also use other trails as part of the walk down. From Oppheim the asphalt road to Loen is approx 6 km/300 height meters. This will take you quiet awhile to accomplish so that is why we choose to fork out the money and use the SkyLift. You are talking about adding hours and hours back to Loen Active.
Here is a map with some of the hiking trails that you could use down.
The Sky Lift
We choose to go via SkyLift. This is a quick few minute descent down. It’s quite pricey but I felt like worth it as we were exhausted, ready to prop our feet up and already thinking about that ice cream shop we saw in town!
Prices (one way):
Adults: 320 NOK (38 USD)
Children (6-15 years): 160 NOK (19 USD)
From the SkyLift Base it is just a few minute walk along the sidewalk back to Loen Active to return your gear if you rented with them.
What to Bring With You
Water– Hydration Bladder 
Snacks– I love these
Sandwiches– you can always plan on ordering something at the restaurant, but it is expensive
Harness and Clips– rent or purchase a kit here
Helmet– rent or purchase
Good Shoes– I usually wear my Ahnu’s
Camera– this
Gloves– You have the option to buy these at Loen Active. Here
***You can find my complete Norway packing list here.
Other Tips & Information
Only go without a guide if you feel confident in your climbing abilities and clipping in and out of the fixed ropes.
If smart about it you should always be clipped in, always double check before moving along on the course.
Bring you own gear to make this more affordable.
Bring plenty of water and a snack as a pick me up along the trail, you will exert some energy climbing up those rocks.
Where to Stay
Many people stay in Loen but we found a cheaper and better deal with an AirBnb in the next town over, Olden. Olden is only a 7 minute drive away from Loen Active. We stayed in this cozy fjord side AirBnB. Use this link for $40 off you first stay wit AirBnB.
If looking for other information on Norway check out these posts:
The Triple Crown of Hikes in Norway
The Top 10 Best Hikes in Norway
What to Pack for Norway in the Summer
A Guide to the Kjeragbolten Hike
Being from Norway myself, this is one of the things I have yet to try, but would love to do. 🙂 Looks a bit scary, but also absolutely stunning!
Ah it is so worth it! Where in Norway are you from?
The views are totally to kill for 🙂 Haven’t been there yet, so thank you for the insights, that will help me plan my trip 🙂
Yes they were my favorite in Norway! Aw I hope you get to go, well worth it!