Adventure Week in the West Fjords
Regions
Southwest
Starting Point
Bergen
Best time to travel
Late May - early Sept
Recommended Length
13 - 15 days
Minimum Age*
Outdoor Adventure
Activity Level **
4/5
This impressive tour through the western fjords of Norway will take you along some of the most spectacular scenery and culture that Norway has to offer. After a few adventure-filled days spent between the beautiful Sogn-, Auerlands- and Nærøyfjord, you will enjoy some challenging hiking along the Jothunheimen National Park and explore the dramatic scenery along Romsdalen and Trollstigen. Enjoy the scenic views over the UNESCO listed Geirangerfjord and the idyllic Nordfjord before finishing your road and outdoor adventure with canyoning and glacier hiking around the glaciers of Norway's Jostedalsbreen National Park.
Family Adventure Holidays
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
✓ road trip adventure in one of Norway's most dramatic scenery of the western fjords
✓ hidden valleys and fantastic panoramic views on hiking and cycling tours along old fjords and sunken valleys
✓ hiking among giants in the Jothunheimen National Park
✓ wild musk oxes safari to observe the rare animals in their natural habitat
✓ hike adventures around the iconic viewpoints and scenery at Romsdalen, Geiranger, Loen or Trollstigen
✓ aglacier hiking tour on the Jostedalsbreen glacier
Family Adventure Holidays
TOUR OVERVIEW
Day 1 - arrival - overnight in Flåm
Day 2 - cycling Rallarvegen, the Navvies Road - Local craft beer tasting - overnight in Flåm
Day 3 - kayaking in the Nærøyfjord - overnight in Årdalstangen (80km)
Day 4 - hiking Årdalstangen - overnight in Årdalstangen
Day 5 - Jothunheimen National Park - overnight in Lom (110km)
Day 6 - Dovrefjell musk ox safari - overnight in Åndalsnes (200km)
Day 7 - hiking Romsdalen - overnight in Åndalsnes (50km)
Day 8 - Trollstigen - Geirangerfjord - overnight in Ålesund (150km)
Day 9 - Ålesund - hiking in around Loen / Nordfjord - overnight in Loen (130km)
Day 10 - cycling in the Lodalen Valley - overnight in Loen
Day 11 - Jostedalsbreen Blue Glacier Hike - overnight in Sunnfjord area (80km)
Day 12 - Departure
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1 - WELCOME TO FLÅM
Arrive to Flåm and check-in. You have the rest of the day to enjoy the lovely village and stroll around the harbor.
Overnight in the Flåm area.
DAY 2 - CYCLING THE NAVVIES ROAD - LOCAL BEER TASTING
The Navvies Road (Rallavegen) running over 80km all the way from the mountains down to Flam is known to be one of the most spectacular bike rides in Norway and the world. The road was once established as a construction road to build the Bergen railway and is today closed for traffic. You will take the scenic ride on the old train to Myrdal in the morning to follow down the last 20km of the road, which will take you through stunning alpine scenery while descending about 865m to Flåm. You will have time to relax in the afternoon before enjoying a local craft beer tasting followed by a traditional Norwegian dinner at the local beer brewing company.
Overnight in the Flåm area.
DAY 3 – KAYAKING IN THE NAEROYFJORD - UNDREDAL
You will transfer to Gudvangen in the morning from where you will embark on a kayaking adventure in the Naeroyfjord. Surrounded by towering mountains, the narrow UNESCO heritage listed fjord is known to be one of the most dramatic fjords in Norway and you will be able to take in its full beauty from the waters. Visit the charming village of Undredal in the afternoon, famous for its white and brown goat cheeses and the small Stave church dating back to 1147AD. Enjoy the view over the Auerlandsfjord from the impressive panoramix Stegastein platform before continuing to Årdalstangen.
Overnight in the Laerdal area.
DAY 4 - HIKING IN LAERDAL
The Laerdal area is certified as a sustainable destination in Norway. Apart from being home to the Borgund Stave Church, one of the best preserved Starve Churches in Norway, and the historic Gamle Lærdalsøyri village with its 161 wooden buildings, the area is an outdoor paradise offering a huge range of great activities in stunning nature. You will follow one of the many hiking trails taking you through the breath-taking scenery of deep glacial valleys and mountain peaks, offering you fantastic views over the Sognefjord and the surrounding area.
Overnight in the Laerdal area.
DAY 5 - JOTHUNHEIMEN NATIONAL PARK
Jothunheimen National Park in the heart of the Norwegian fjord lands is home to 250 different mountains, including Norway's highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen, reaching nearly 2,500m in height. The area is packed with waterfalls, rivers, lakes, glaciers, mountains and valleys and a hiking tour will take you to some of the most scenic spots to take in the breath-taking nature. Many of the routes in Jothunheimen are marked as challenging or difficult, so depending on your level of fitness and experience, we will make sure to pick a suitable tour with you.
Overnight in the Jothunheimen National Park area.
DAY 6 - DOVREFJELL WILDLIFE AND HERITAGE TOUR - ÅNDALSNES
Today you will continue to the Dovrefjell National Park characterized by beautiful plains, valleys and high mountains. The area is known as the Norway's sanctuary and wild reindeers, wolverines, arctic foxes and golden eagles can be widely found throughout the area. The park is also the only area in Europe to find the mighty musk oxen in their natural habitat, which have been reintroduced to the wild during the 1950s. A guided hiking tour will take you through the majestic nature to encounter the “Kings of the Dovrefjell mountains” and other wildlife in their natural habitat and to learn more about the cultural landscape of the area.
Overnight in Åndalsnes.
DAY 7 - ROMSDALSEGGEN RIDGE HIKE
Today’s hiking tour will take you along one of Norway’s most beautiful routes - the Romsdalseggen Ridge, offering fantastic panoramic views over the Romsdalsfjellene mountains all along the way. The ascent to the top is hard going and steep, but the hike is an experience as such and the fantastic views on Trollveggen, Romsdalshorn and Store Venjetind that await you are well worth the effort! The challenging day hike requires hiking experience and good physical fitness, but easier options with an equally stunning nature experience are available for less experienced hikers.
Overnight in Åndalsnes.
DAY 8 - TROLLSTIGEN - GEIRANGERFJORD - ÅLESUND
On your way to Ålesund, stop at the iconic serpentine Trollstigen road, a masterpiece of engineering in the midst of the majestic landscapes of the Norwegian fjords. The Trollstigen reaches 852m at its highest point and is surrounded by fantastic scenery with mighty mountains and deep valleys. Take your time to take in the magnificent landscape to its fullest by experiencing parts of Trollstigen by foot on some of the restored hiking paths. Continue along the scenic route all the way to the bottom of the UNESCO listed Geirangefjord. You will reach the beautiful town of Ålesund in the afternoon, where you have time to stroll among the Art Nouveau buildings, enjoy a short hike to the Aksla viewpoint overlooking the town or take in the beautiful views from the sea on a kayaking tour.
Overnight in Ålesund.
DAY 9 - HIKING THE HEIGHTS OF THE NORDFJORD
Todays tour will take you to the small village of Loen in the innermost of the Nordfjord and in the shadows of Norway's mighty Jostedalsbreen Glacier. Here you will find stunning fjord scenery at it’s best and a full range of exciting and fun activities to experience nature. The Loen skylift will take you to the top of Mount Haven, 1,101m above sea level and you will follow one of the many hiking trails to enjoy the fantastic views over Jostedalsbreen, the Nordfjord and Lake Lovatnet. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can also opt for the more strenuous Via Ferrata climbing route, taking you across the 120-metre long Gjølmunnebrua Suspension Bridge at a height of 750m above sea level!
Overnight in Loen.
DAY 10 - CYCLING IN THE LODALEN VALLEY
You will take a break from Norway's dizzying heights today and enjoy the fantastic scenery around the Nordfjord and Lodalen Valley on a cycling tour. Explore the beautiful glacial valley scenery around the Lovatnet Lake taking you through small historic settlements and along the shores of the lake at the foot of the majestic mountains.
Overnight in Loen.
DAY 11 - JOSTEDALSBREEN BLUE ICE GLACIER HIKE
On your last day, you will explore the ancient ice on a guided hiking tour over a Norwegian glacier. Your tour will take you through the beautiful Stardalen Valley fjord scenery and you will learn more about formation of the landscape, the local glacial history and the significance of preservation. Learn how to use crampons, ice axes and ropes to conquer the glacier and enjoy this adventure to the fullest!
Overnight in the Sunnfjord area.
DAY 12 - DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport and departure.
Family Adventure Holidays
SERVICES INCLUDED
Family Adventure Holidays
- accommodation in good standard middle-class hotels and/or guesthouses
- private care hire for the entire trip
- activities, visits and tours as outlined, with a certified, English speaking guide where desired/required
- all taxes and insurances for the activities
- expert travel planning, trip preparation and 24/7 on-tour support
Family Adventure Holidays
TIMES & RATES
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Description
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GALLERY
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Family Adventure Holidays
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TRAVEL TIPS
When to travel
As the country stretches over a length of just under 1,500km from south to north, the climatic conditions in Norway are quite varied. The gulf stream brings mild conditions to the western coast. Temperatures in spring in the west and south lay around 14 degrees. Norway's northern and eastern regions have cold, long winters and warm summers.
Due to the northern location, November, December and January are the darkest months in Norway with long dark nights everywhere and hardly any daylight in northern Norway. February and March are still considered winter months and come with long dark nights, but offer great conditions for winter sports. Including October, these months also bear the best chances to spot the Northern lights. Temperatures still tend to be quite low in April and October, but spring is unfolding all across Norway in May and between June and September the conditions for getting outdoors are perfect with warm temperatures and long days.
How to travel
Oslo Gardermoen is by far the largest and busiest international and national hub for passengers arriving to Norway by plane. Many airlines offer regular schedules and direct connections to many European cities and it is also easy to connect here to other destinations in Norway. There are only a few direct long-haul connections from Gardermoen, but it is possible to connect through the European hubs like Copenhagen, Frankfurt or London.
After Gardermoen, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Tromso have the highest passenger volumes. International direct European connections are also available from these airports.
It is also possible to arrive to Norway by ferry with links to Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany or the UK.
The national flight network is well developed with frequent and regular national connections, also to the smaller, regional airports.
Despite the natural challenges like fjords, high mountains and harsh winter conditions, infrastructure is well developed in Norway. Railroads are mainly located in the south while most northern regions are accessible by car, ship or plane. Local transport issues have seen large investments since many tunnels, bridges or ferryboat connections are indispensable in many parts of Norway.
Travelling with children
Norway is a great country to travel with the whole family with kids friendly hotels, restaurants and activities waiting around every corner. From roaming the green parks and museums of Oslo, enjoying outdoor activities and Viking culture around the western fjords or whale watching and dog sledding adventures in the north, Norway holds many adventures that kids will never forget.
Many Norwegians tend to travel as a family, so many hotels and attractions are well prepared to look after families and make them feel welcome. Admission to museums and other attractions is often free for children under six years and family tickets are nearly always available.
Outdoor adventures are the best way to experience the magnificent landscape of Norway and there is a wide range to enjoy with the whole family, obviously the older the kids, the wider the range of adventures. For younger kids, there are wildlife safaris or theme parks all over the country, where kids can also learn about the magnificent nature and the mythical heritage.
Children’s products are widely available, but, like many things in Norway, are very expensive, so you might want to consider to pack a reasonable supply from home , specially for very small kids.
As many activities center around being outside, the summer months are the best time for families to travel to Norway. But winter also holds some great experiences to be enjoyed with the whole family, like the Northern lights, skiing or dog sledding, so don’t let the cold temperatures hold you back, it’s all about being prepared and bringing the right clothes.
Many restaurants offer kids menus with smaller portions for cheaper prices. Baby changing areas and high chairs are available in most places. Car seats are available when renting a car, but it is advisable to reserve in advance when traveling over the summer months.
What to bring
If traveling in summer
As with many northern and coastal countries, it is possible to experience all four seasons within a couple of hours, especially over summertime. So it’s best to be prepared for all weather and keep in mind that it can be cold in the south and warm in the north and vice versa.
As conditions can change quickly in Norway and temperatures vary with altitude, it is best to dress in layers and always bring a waterproof jacket and, if hiking, some waterproof trousers and proper waterproof hiking boots. As the sun is strong over the summer months, sun lotion, sun glasses and a sun cover are a must.
As the days can get quite warm over the summer months, you might want to bring a swimsuit to test the waters in the Norwegian fjords, so it’s always a good idea to bring a swimsuit. You should also bring some light summer clothes for warm days where you plan to be less active.
On the other hand, the days can be quite cold as well and especially when going to the mountains it is important to stay warm. A warm wooly sweater, some thermal leggings or underwear and a warm hat will save the day. To be on the very safe side, you should pack some gloves and a scarf too.
Some people might find it hard to sleep during the short and bright nights in the summer months, so sleeping masks can help to prevent missing out on sleep.
Besides some of the essentials listed above, your waterproof backpack should also be filled with some snacks and a reusable water bottle when heading out to the wild. The natural water in Norway is very clean and you can easily refill your bottle on the way.
When travelling in winter
Packing for winter in Norway is quite straight forward - pack the warmest clothes that you can find in your wardrobe! Definitely pack a warm, water- and windproof coat, a warm hat, thick gloves and a proper winter hat. Warm and lined winter boots will keep your feet warm when out for longer periods and walking in snow.
Thermal layers are essential, ideally bring thermal underwear, but tights and a warm wooly jumper will already help to keep you much warmer. Snow pants will keep you dry and warm in any weather.
Most people are not used to the cold air of the Norwegian winter and your skin might dry out quickly, so a rich moisturizer or skin oil is also a good addition to the packing list.
As the winter nights are dark, many people in Norway wear reflectors, especially in the smaller towns and in the countryside. A reflector vest or reflectors that can be clipped on the coat will do just fine.
For more practical travel advise and general information on visiting Norway, please follow the link below.
Family Adventure Holidays
* The minimum age is based on the overall tour, some activities can require a higher minimum age, this will be advised at proposal stage. While not all activities are suitable for very small children, we are happy to tailor the tour to meet your specific wishes and needs.
** The activity level is based on the amount of tours and activities included (1 - few tours and activities with a lot of free time, 5 - a lot of tours and activities with little free time). The activity level does not reflect the difficulty of the activities or tours included. Itineraries can be tailored to match the preferred level of activity.
