Lovatnet Lake, Norway: Turquoise Water, Glacier and Loen Guide

Lovatnet is a long, narrow lake in the Loen and Stryn area of western Norway, and it is one of the few places in the country where the water really does look turquoise. The color comes from meltwater that carries finely ground rock from the Jostedalsbreen glacier, and it is strongest on bright summer days. This guide to Lovatnet lake in Norway covers why it looks the way it does, what to do around it and how to fit it into a trip.

The lake is also tied to a hard piece of history. Two rockslides from the mountain Ramnefjellet, in 1905 and 1936, sent giant waves across the water and wiped out farms along the shore. Most visitors drive the quiet valley road, see the glacier at the end and take a boat or a walk. Add the cable car above Loen and you have a full, varied day. For the wider region, see our Norway fjords and Lofoten guide.

If you are collecting turquoise lakes in Norway, Lovatnet is an easy one to reach and one of the least crowded, because most fjord tours skip the valley.

Why Lovatnet Is Turquoise

Glaciers act like slow sandpaper. As the ice moves, it grinds bedrock into a silt so fine that it stays suspended in meltwater instead of sinking. This is called glacial flour, or rock flour. When the water reaches a lake, the tiny particles scatter sunlight, and the lake reflects blue and green while absorbing the reds and yellows.

Lovatnet gets its flour from the Jostedalsbreen icecap, mainly through the Kjenndalselva river and several streams that tumble down the valley sides. The shade changes with the weather. After heavy rain or in peak melt, the lake can look milky and bright. On a gray day or later in the season it can look more green than blue. That is normal, and it is why two photos of the same lake can look like different places.

Lovatnet at a Glance

The basics are easy to check, and they help you picture the place before you go.

Kjenndalsbreen: The Glacier at the End of the Valley

At the head of the valley sits Kjenndalsbreen, one of the arms of Jostedalsbreen. Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier in continental Europe, covering roughly 487 km² and protected within a national park established in 1991. Kjenndalsbreen is among its lowest-lying arms, which is why you can reach it without any real mountaineering.

A road continues past the lake to Kjenndal, and the last stretch is a toll road. According to the Visit Norway listing, the viewpoint is roughly 17 km by car from Loen and the road closes in winter. From the parking area, the walk to the glacier viewpoint is short and easy, though ice is never a safe place to wander. Stay on the marked path and keep away from the glacier front, where ice and meltwater can move without warning.

The Kjenndalsbreen Hike

The classic Kjenndalsbreen hike is a gentle walk along the Kjenndalselva river and across moraine to a viewpoint below the ice. Local sources describe it as around 10 to 15 minutes from the car park, so it works for families and for anyone who wants a glacier without a long day. If you would rather make it more of an outing, you can leave your car earlier and walk, or paddle part of the way where rentals are offered. Rental details and tolls change, so confirm them before you go.

Ramnefjellsfossen, the Waterfall Above the Lake

On the mountain side above the lake, Ramnefjellsfossen drops from the Ramnefjellet slopes, with a total height commonly given as 818 m. The figure is debated. Different waterfall lists count the upper cascades differently, so you will see it ranked anywhere from third to eleventh in the world. Whatever the ranking, it is a very tall, thin ribbon of water and one of the best sights on the drive.

The waterfall is strongest in late spring and early summer when snow melts, and it can be thin after a long dry spell. You can see it from the road along the lake and from the water on the boat trip, so you do not need to hike to enjoy it.

The 1905 and 1936 Rockslide Tsunamis

Lovatnet is beautiful, and it is also a place of loss. On January 15, 1905, a huge mass of rock broke off Ramnefjellet and fell into the southern end of the lake. The wave reached about 40 meters, destroyed the farms at Nesdal and Bødal and killed 61 people, according to Visit Nordfjord.

Some families rebuilt farther up from the shore. On September 13, 1936, around 5 a.m., an even larger mass of rock, about one million cubic meters, came down from higher up the same mountain. The wave swept away every farm around the lake and killed 74 people. Houses built on higher ground after 1905 were spared. The farms at Bødal and Nesdal were not rebuilt, and the disaster is described as Norway's largest natural catastrophe of the modern era.

What You Can See Today

The scar on the mountainside is still visible from parts of the road. A copper plaque beside the road between Bødal and Kjenndal lists the names of people whose bodies were never recovered after the two events. Take a moment there; it is a place of memory, not only a photo stop.

Loen Skylift and Hoven

For a different view of the same lake, ride the Loen Skylift. The cable car opened in May 2017 and climbs from the fjord at Loen to the top of Hoven, 1,011 m above sea level, in about five minutes. From the summit station you see the Nordfjord on one side and, on a clear day, Lovatnet and its valley on the other.

Marked trails of varying difficulty start from the top, from simple gravel paths to rougher mountain terrain. The upper trails depend on snow, with the hiking season usually running from late spring to autumn, so check the official Loen Skylift site for operating status and hours. Weather up high can change fast.

How to Get to Lovatnet

Lovatnet is a drive-to place. A rental car makes life easiest, and the lake road is the heart of the visit. Loen sits on the Nordfjord, and most travelers arrive from Bergen, from Ålesund or over the mountains from Geiranger.

From Loen, follow the signs toward Lodalen and Lovatnet; the road runs along the lake to Sande and on to Kjenndal. It is narrow in places, so drive slowly and use the pull-outs for photos. If you are combining Lovatnet with Geirangerfjord, our Bergen to Geiranger guide covers the wider route. Exact driving times vary with ferries and roadwork.

Loen Norway Things to Do: Boats, Paddling and Hikes

Boat Trip on Lovatnet

The MS Kjenndal II runs on the lake in the summer half-year, between Sande and Kjenndalstova, with time ashore at the end, according to Visit Nordfjord. It is the relaxed way to see the waterfall and the steep walls of the valley. Check the timetable, since sailings depend on season and weather.

Paddling and Walking

Canoes and rowboats can be rented in the Kjenndal area in season, and the flat, sheltered water suits beginners in calm weather. Cold meltwater and sudden wind are real risks, so wear a life jacket. On land, the road beside the lake works well for a long walk or a bike ride, with the café at Kjenndalstova as a goal.

Other Stops Nearby

Loen sits close to Olden and Briksdalsbreen, another arm of Jostedalsbreen, and to the town of Stryn. A day for Lovatnet and a second day for Hoven and the fjord is a comfortable plan. Guided mountain activities also start from Loen in summer. More ideas are in our Norway travel guides and the wider European destinations.

Best Time to Visit Lovatnet

• June to August: the road, the boat and the café are all open, the waterfall runs strongly and the water is at its brightest. This is also the busiest period.
• May and September: quieter, with a good chance of clear days, although some services run on reduced schedules.
• October to April: the Kjenndal road is closed in winter, and boats and the café are shut. The lake is still beautiful, but you will see less of it.

Plan on rain at any time; this is one of the wetter parts of Norway. Bring a waterproof jacket and layers, even in July.

Where to Stay Near Lovatnet

You do not need a specific hotel to enjoy the lake. Think in terms of areas.

• Loen: the most convenient base, with the cable car, the fjord and the start of the lake road.
• Olden: a short drive away, useful if you want Briksdalsbreen too.
• Stryn: a larger town with more services, restaurants and shops.
• Farm stays and cabins along the Nordfjord: quiet and good for families; book early for summer.

Is There a Blue Lagoon in Norway?

Some travelers land on Lovatnet while searching for a blue lagoon in Norway. Norway has no geothermal spa like Iceland's Blue Lagoon, because it lacks the volcanic heat that feeds it. What it has instead are glacial lakes such as Lovatnet and blue-green fjord water that people sometimes compare to a lagoon. Our article on Norway's blue lagoon explains what people actually find under that name.

Lovatnet FAQ