The Way to Kjenndalsbreen

Getting to see a glacier or even just a part of it has always seemed like a far-fetched idea for someone from the tropics.  I’ve always thought one had to hike hundreds of miles of rugged mountain trails to get close to these enchanting natural formations.  All that ignorance was wiped out the moment I set foot in the land of glaciers, waterfalls and the midnight sun. 

Passing by charming Loen on the way to Kjenndalsbreen

Two summers ago, the hubby drove me to the village of Loen, Stryn to see the Kjenndal glacier or Kjenndalsbreen in Norwegian. The glacier is an arm of Europe’s biggest glacier, Jostedalsbreen located in the county of Sogn og Fjordane in Western Norway. One can drive or bike to the foot of the glacier. There is no problem hiking to the site as the path offers good space for those choosing to go on foot. The drive from the town of Loen to Kjenndallsbreen offers many of the most scenic views anyone can see in Norway. In the summer, the way to Kjenndalsbreen is lined with multi-colored wildflowers that make for artistic frames to the otherwise stark mountain views. As it is with our trips, I always have problems resisting the urge to take photographs of the panoramic background of fjords and mountains, even when inside a not-so-slow, zigzagging car! One day I just might take some serious photography lessons…

A piece of heaven on earth

We got to the foot of the glacier just before a busload of tourists arrived so we had good enough time to commune with nature by ourselves.  It was getting to be overcast and it was a challenge photographing the top of the glacier as it started to be covered with fog.  I did what I could, once more framing my photos with violets and buttercups sprouting from the icy rocks below. 

Driving home, we stopped by the Kjenndals “stova”  for coffee and our favorite apple strudel with ice cream or “eplekake med kule” in Norwegian.     You read it right, people get ice cream with their coffee and apple cakes here! The stopover was another great opportunity for pictures as the restaurant is located amidst greenery at the end of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.  The mirror-like fjords and mountain scenes never fail to catch my attention. 

Our short stop-over for coffee and cakes, Kjenndalstova

 

applecake served with ice cream

Once we got back to the village center of Loen we realized it was almost dinner time.  There are several hotels and cabins in the area as the municipality of Stryn is a prime tourist spot in Norway.  We checked out Hotel Loen’s specialty, fillet of sole, locally known as “sjøtunge filet” served with fettuccini in pesto sauce and were we pleasantly surprised!  The melt-in-your-mouth fish dish was certainly a delicious ending to our first glacier adventure!

Kjenndalsbreen seen from the main road