OLDEN, NORWAY

Olden and Oldedalen (Olden Valley) The southernmost of the three short branches at the inner end of Nordfjord terminates at Olden from which a lovely valley, Oldedalen, strikes due south for some 20 kilometres between slopes rising sharply to more than 1700 metres to the edge of the Jostedalsbre. The turbulent river which feeds the Olden and Floen Lakes and forms magnificent falls two kilometres from the village, comes from the glacier tongues of the Jostdalsbre, lining the head of the valley around the pointed Middagsnibba (1440). Olden has two churches. The one in the village was built in 1759 on the site of a stave church dating from around 1300. Its pew doors and jambs are made from timbers of the stave church. The "new" church, a short distance along the valley, was built in 1934 so that the old church could be preserved. Just east of the old church is "Singerheimen", former home of William Singer, an American millionaire, artist and local benefactor. Many of his paintings are of the Olden district and delicately reflect the atmosphere and the seasonal mood. The fertile soil supports many fine old farms in the lower and upper valleys and high above the farms are several tiny summer pastures. WALKS IN OLDEN There is a range of short or long walks to go on in Olden and the surroundings. We will list a few of them below and refer to the map. A. Olden Centre From the quay to the centre of Olden is about 700 metres, a 10-minute walk. Here you will find shops, the post office, a bank and cafes. B. Olden Old Church Olden Old Church is in the centre of Olden, about 10 minutes on foot from the quay. The church was built in 1759. Before then there was a 14th century stave church on the same spot. The doorposts and the doors of the pews were made from timber from this stave church. Olden Old Church is open to the public during the summer season. C. The Singer Home On the other side of the centre of Olden, about 1 km from the quay, is the Singer Home. This was the home of the American millionaire and painter William Singer. Singer was also a great benefactor in the local community. Many of his paintings have motifs from Olden and the surroundings. Some of them are exhibited in his atelier in Olden (open to the public during the summer season 10 am - 15 pm). Mrs. Singer bequeathed the home to the county of Sogn og Fjordane as a holiday home for nurses. D. Bruvoll and Lokenfossen (waterfall) Take the road from the centre towards Oldedalen for about 500 metres. Cross the river and go along the western side of the river to the waterfall. Here you rejoin the county road. Time: about 1.5 hours. Panoramic view of the river [Image 105 KB] E. Auflem Farms A good path parallel with the fjord goes from Muri to Auflem. You can walk back along the main road. Time: a good hour. F. Skarstein and Heggestad Take the local road which turns off to the left from the road to Innvik, about 500 metres from the centre of Olden. Heggestad is where the local road comes to an end, and from here there is a fine view over the district and the fjord. Time: about 1.5 hours. G. Floen Floen is the lowest part of the Oldevatnet (lake). There is a road on both sides of Floen and it is a fine walk around the lake. Time: about 3 hours. H. Skarstein Saeter (mountain farm) Follow the road to Heggestad and turn left about 2.5 km from the crossroads along a marked path. Time: about 3 hours. I. Auflem Ridge This little mound of rock, 400 m high, is on a ridge on the Auflem mountain, which separates Loen and Olden. Fine view over the inner Nordfjord. Time: about 3 hours.   See also: Magic Fjords of Norway