A vertical adventure with a lifelong friend
A year has passed since I visited Norway the last time. Back then, I visited Trolltunga and spent the night alone on the mountain. This time, it was something completely different. Me and one of my best friends drove to Loen in Norway to test out the Via Ferrata.
Loen Via Ferrata is one of Norway’s most iconic climbing routes. It climbs the face of Mount Hoven, which rises to 1,011 meters above sea level, towering above the Nordfjord below. The route blends iron steps, steel cables, and suspension bridges.
The route began with a steady uphill walk, taking us through lush greenery and rocky trails. It was about an hour of hiking, gradually climbing to just over 450 meters above sea level before the real climbing started. The air was fresh, the views already opening up.
The higher we climbed, the more the view opened up.
The climb took us about five hours in total, in manageable intervals - 30 to 40 minutes of focused climbing, followed by short breaks to catch our breath, hydrate.
At one point during the climb, we heard a loud sound. For a split second, we thought it was a rockfall. But then, out of nowhere, two wingsuit flyers came soaring down the mountain beside us. It was intense! 😄
At 750 meters above sea level we crossed the Gjølmunne Suspension Bridge, the longest Via Ferrata bridge in Europe. It stretches 120 meters across a deep 160-meter gorge, connecting the cliffs between Mount Hoven and Midt-Tunga.
As we got closer to the final section of the route, we could see the goal up ahead. But honestly — I didn’t want it to end 😄
Reaching the top of Mount Hoven felt really good! At the top, we enjoyed Hoven Restaurant with some well-earned food and drinks.
The next morning, we made one last stop before heading home: Lovatnet.
The lake was dark and still, with low clouds drifting across the mountain tops. Sunlight lit up just a few spots on the slopes. Epic!
The lake was dark and still, with low clouds drifting across the mountain tops. Sunlight lit up just a few spots on the slopes. Epic!
There are also some photos from the ride home — couldn’t resist stopping to capture a bit more of Norway before crossing the border. 😄
Loen, 6789, Norge
2025.06.26 - 2025.06.27