Hjelle, Norway
This will be the most charming blog post you’ve ever read. I’m setting expectations high only because I know you will love the photos you’re about to see.
I’m about to make an even bolder statement: Hjelle, little-known, little-visited Hjelle, was my favorite place we saw in Norway. To be sure, when I was drawing up our itinerary, I had never heard of Hjelle and I only chose to stay there because it happened to be close to Loen and Geiranger, and had an available hotel room. I had no idea that we were in for such an incredible treat when we arrived.
Reasons to Add Hjelle to Your Norway Itinerary
Reason 1: During the planning of our trip, we were astonished at how difficult it was to secure a hotel in Loen, Stryn, Geiranger, or Hellesylt, the major towns surrounding this area of Norway’s fjords. Consider Hjelle an even better option, however, than these towns. It sits very close to the Loen Skylift and Geirangerfjord, the subjects of prior posts. Hjelle is also just 5km from the Jostedal Glacier National Park, where you can take guided tours of the Briksdalsbreen Glacier (more on that experience in a later post!)
Reason 2: The Hjelle Hotell is the most romantic and charming hotel we found in Norway.
The same family has been operating this hotel since the late 1800s, when owner Thor Hjelle, a 20-year-old shopkeeper, decided to open the hotel after determining that the opening of a new road and the beauty of the natural surroundings would bring more tourists to the area.
Situated on the shores of Lake Oppstrynsvatnet, the main hotel and separated guest rooms provide stunning views of the mountains of rural Norway. At the front desk, rent a canoe, kayak, or fishing boat for a day and buzz around the milky-blue glacial lake, or have a picnic on the grass and enjoy the quiet of this little-known piece of land.
Make sure to wake up in time for a full-service breakfast in the super-charming breakfast area. Open to all guests, the dining area features traditional breakfast foods and staff dressed in rural Norwegian attire.
Reason 3: You can hike from the hotel to the mountain farm of Segestad for stunning views of the Nordfjord.
Reason 4: The gazebo that reminded me of “I Am Sixteen Going on Seventeen” from The Sound of Music. And yes, I definitely did dance around singing the song for all to hear, much to Matt’s chagrin.
Reason 5: The best thing about Hjelle, to me, was the quiet. Unlike Geiranger, Loen, or Hellesylt, Hjelle is not a well-known stopping place for most tourists traveling through Norway’s fjords.
Perhaps it should remain that way. But I’m so thankful that necessity directed us to this incredible little place in the world. If you’re looking for absolute serenity, unparalleled natural beauty, and warm hospitality, look no further than Hjelle.
