Activities in Norway
-
FEATURED
Norwegian Evening Cruise on the Fjord
3 hours (Departs Oslo, Norway)
by Viator
Journey through Oslo’s beautiful fjord on this Norwegian evening cruise. On board a traditional wooden sailboat, you’ll see Oslo’s waterfront sights. Munch on a…Not LP reviewed
from USD$69.47 - All activities
-
Stryn Summer Ski Centre
Nowhere near the town of Stryn, despite its name, this ski centre is in fact on the Tystigen outlier of Jostedalsbreen, at its northernmost point. Here is Norway’s most extensive and best known summer skiing, and most of those photos of bikini-clad skiers you see around were snapped here. There are six red runs, one blue and a black. The longest alpine run extends for 2100m with a drop of 530m, and there are also 10km of cross-country ski tracks. A ski bus runs from Stryn (Nkr150 return, one hour) at 9.15am and returns from the ski centre at 4.15pm, roughly between mid-June and mid-July, depending upon snow conditions. Drivers will enjoy the scenic Gamle…
reviewed
-
A
Nordic Ventures
Nordic Ventures is one of the best activity centres of its kind in Norway, offering tandem paragliding flights (Nkr1200), parasailing (Nkr450) and even 180m-high, 115km/h bungee jumps from a parasail (Nkr1600) ! As its motto says: ‘Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No-one can tell the difference.’
reviewed
-
Engholm's Husky
Engholm's Husky, in the lodge bearing the same name, offers winter dog-sled and cross-country skiing tours, as well as summer walking tours with a dog to carry your pack - or at least some of it. All-inclusive expeditions range from one-day dog-sled tours (per person around NOK1100) to eight-day, off-piste Arctic safaris (NOK11,500).
reviewed
-
B
Pasvikturist
Offers a wealth of tours as well as a day's trans-border visit to the Pechenga valley and mining city of Nikel (around NOK990), and a guided weekend in Murmansk (around NOK1700). For both you need a visa.
reviewed
-
Folgefonn
Folgefonn is mainland Norway’s third-largest icefield and offers summer skiing, snowboarding and sledding from mid-June to October. For more information, contact the Folgefonn Sommar Skisenter. Short tours to the ski centre leave from Jondal Quay at 10.30am from mid-June to mid-August and return at 3.30pm. From Odda, weekend glacier trips run to Odda Turlag’s Holmaskjær mountain hut; contact the tourist office for details. Anyone in good physical condition with warm clothing and sturdy footwear can take a guided hike up the lovely Buer valley followed by a glacier walk on the Buer arm of Folgefonn (minimum three persons, Nkr400 per person, including crampons and ice…
reviewed
-
Whale Safari
The island's biggest outfit, Whale Safari, which operates the Whale Centre, runs popular cruises between late May and mid-September. The tour begins with a guided tour of the Centre and slide show, followed by a three to six-hour boat trip. If you fail to sight at least one sperm whale, your next trip is free. There's also a chance of spotting minke, pilot and humpback whales and, towards the end of the season, killer whales (orcas).
Trips depart at least once daily (at 11:00) with up to six sailings in high summer. Your fee includes a light lunch, if you can face it - staff pass around the seasickness pills, just like airline boiled sweets before take-off. A tip: weather…
reviewed
-
Trollactiv
TrollActiv, around 6km north of Evje, is the centre of most of Evje’s high-energy thrills. White-water rafting (per person Nkr400) is its forte, but it also organises riverboarding (Nkr400), rock-climbing courses (Nkr750), river kayaking (Nkr750), paintball (Nkr550), waterskiing (Nkr350) and more sedate pastimes that include fishing safaris (Nkr250) and nightly beaver and elk safaris (adult/child/family Nkr260/210/820). There’s also a climbing wall (per hour Nkr200), family rafting trips (per person Nkr350) and kids’ activities packages that include climbing, archery and canoeing (Nkr250). As if that weren’t enough, it also rents out canoes (Nkr300), inline skates…
reviewed
-
TrollActiv
TrollActiv, around 6km north of Evje, is the centre of most of Evje's high energy thrills. White-water rafting is its forte, but it also organises riverboarding, rock-climbing courses, river kayaking, paintball, waterskiing and more sedate pastimes that include fishing safaris, and nightly beaver and elk safaris for families. It also doubles as Evje's youth hostel. It's modern and well-run and the place to be if you're planning any one of the many activities on offer.
There's also a climbing wall, family rafting trips and kids' activities packages that include climbing, archery and canoeing. As if that weren't enough, it also rents out canoes, inline skates and mountain…
reviewed
-
C
Alaskan Husky Tours
In winter, Alaskan Husky Tours organises two-hour excursions by dog-sled (adult/child/12-18-year-old Nkr590/190/290) or horse-drawn sleigh (Nkr600 per hour for four people); in summer dog-cart trips offer an all-you’ll-get-at-this-time-of-year substitute. Its office is in Os, 22km southwest of Røros, but reservations can be made at the tourist office in Røros. You can also join a winter day trip to the Southern Sami tent camp at Pinstitjønna, 3km from Røros, where you’ll dine on reindeer and learn such unique skills as ice-fishing and axe-throwing. The three-hour tour costs around Nkr500 per person (minimum 10 people).
reviewed
-
Skibladner
Skibladner, the world’s oldest paddle steamer, is a wonderfully relaxing way to explore lake Mjøsa. First built in Sweden in 1856, the boat was refitted and lengthened to 165ft (50m) in 1888. From late June until mid-August, the Skibladner plies the lake between Hamar, Gjøvik and Lillehammer. Most travellers opt for the route between Hamar and Lillehammer (one way/return Nkr220/320, 3½ hours) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, which can be done as a return day trip (from Hamar only, Nkr320). Jazz evenings aboard the steamer cost Nkr450, including food (but not drinks).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Hiking, Blåisen Glacier
Finse is the starting point for some exceptional treks, including the popular four-hour trek to the Blåisen glacier tip of Hardangerjøkulen; some Norwegians-in-the-know claim this to be the most spectacular glacier walk in the country. Adding interest to your hike, remember that the planet Hof in the Empire Strikes Back was filmed around the glacier. It's also possible to walk around the glacier and down to Vøringfoss.
The wonderful three- or four-day Finse-Aurland trek follows Aurlandsdalen down to Aurlandsfjorden and has a series of DNT and private mountain huts a day's walk apart.
reviewed
-
D
Tours
Mo i Rana is the most convenient base for exploring the fjords to the west (although they are still some 110km away). For tours to the Svartisen glacier, there's no public transport from Mo but you can hire a bike from the tourist office and pedal the 32km each way to the ferry point beside Svartisen lake to explore Østisen. The tourist office also does a pair of evening guided walks (around NOK80).
Choose either the one-hour town walk or, for spectacular views, the 90-minute mountain walk (don't be put off by the term; it won't overtax you). Sign up by 16:00 on the day.
reviewed
-
Spitsbergen Travel
One of the giants of the Svalbard travel scene, Spitsbergen Travel runs three-day guided cruises between mid-June and mid-September aboard the former Hurtigruten coastal steamer Nordstjernena, putting ashore at both Barentsburg and Ny Ålesund. Prices, not including airfare, start at Nkr7930/12,875 per person without/with private shower. It also offers seven-day cruises with the smaller Polar Star, which penetrates more deeply into Svalbard’s so lightly travelled areas. Prices begin at Nkr32,600 per double cabin.
reviewed
-
E
Voss Rafting Senter
If you’re unable to take to the air, you don’t need to be left behind. Voss Rafting Senter has everything from white-water rafting (Nkr450 to Nkr750, or Nkr1600 per family), or canyoning (Nkr700) to waterfall abseiling (from Nkr800) and riverboarding (Nkr800). Rafters and riverboarders can choose between three very different rivers: the Stranda (Class III to IV), Raundalen (Class III to V) and Vosso (Class II). Not to be outdone in the motto stakes, its motto is: ‘We guarantee to wet your pants’.
reviewed
-
Oldedalen Skyss
Oldedalen Skyss has 'troll cars', vehicles like giant golfing carts (around NOK170 per person), to transport you the 5km to the Briksdal glacier face. From their turnaround point, there's still a 15-minute hike on a rough path to see the ice. To breathe up close in the glacier's face, take a guided trip in an inflatable dinghy. Dinghies, operated by Briksdal Adventure, depart hourly in summer. We strongly recommend advance reservation for both troll cars and dinghies as places are often snapped up by tour groups.
reviewed
-
Tomm Murstad Skiservice
Oslo's ski season is roughly from December to March. There are over 1000km of ski trails in the Nordmarka area north of Oslo, many of them floodlit; easy-access tracks begin right at the T-bane stations Frognerseteren and Sognsvann.
Tomm Murstad Skiservice at Voksenkollen T-bane station, hires out downhill and Nordic gear. The downhill slopes at Tryvann Skicenter are near Voksenkollen Station, from where a ski bus runs to the lifts. Skiforeningen can provide more information.
reviewed
-
F
Audiotor
AudioTor rents out iPods with information on various sites around Oslo so you can tour the city at your own pace. The iPods, available from the tourist office (one-/two-day rental Nkr149/249), have a selection of itineraries covering major attractions such as Vigeland Park and Holmenkollen. They offer all the basic history, practical details, a pronunciation guide, as well as a variety of interesting information most Oslo dwellers don’t even know.
reviewed
-
Olympic Bobsled Run
In Hunderfossen, you can career down the Olympic Bobsled Run aboard a wheelbob under the guidance of a professional bobsled pilot. Wheel bobs take five passengers and hit a top speed of 100km/h. The real thing, taxibobs, take four passengers, reach an exhilarating 130km/h and you won’t have much time to get nervous – you’re down the mountain in 70 seconds. Bookings are advisable during winter.
reviewed
-
Flat Earth
In addition to hiking up to Kjeåsen Farm and trekking in the Hardangervidda National Park, climbing (half-day Nkr250), abseiling (per day Nkr1700), river- and sea-kayaking (half-day Nkr360 to Nkr400), power-kiting (half-day Nkr400) and guided, two-day glacier expeditions (Nkr1800) can be arranged through Flat Earth. You’ll find it close to the Hardangervidda Natursenter in Øvre Eidfjord, 6.5km southeast of Eidfjord.
reviewed
-
Mågelibanen Funicular
About 5km east of town, in Skjeggedal, the 960m, 42-degree Mågelibanen Funicular runs on Wednesday and Friday; timings are variable so check with the Odda tourist office. Hikers can head for the top of the Tyssestrengene waterfall (646m) and the outrageous Trolltunga rock feature from either Skjeggedal (eight to 10 hours return) or the upper funicular station (six to eight hours return).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Norsk Fjordhestsenter
Above the village of Nordfjordeid, midway between Stryn and Måløy, are the stables of the Norsk Fjordhestsenter, which specialises in rearing the stocky, handsome Norwegian fjord ponies with their bristle-stiff, Mohican manes and creamy-caramel hides. If you want a ride (Nkr250 for the first hour, Nkr100 for subsequent hours), do reserve since the ponies are often in demand for school groups and summer camps.
reviewed
-
G
Norlandsbadet & Spektrum Velvære
Here’s a very superior place to relax, tone up and warm yourself if it’s freezing outside. Exhaust yourself in its six swimming pools (you can zoom down an 85m water slide and splosh into one of them) then head upstairs to unwind in its six saunas (the one with therapy music and scents perhaps? Or does eucalyptus vapour tempt?). Soak yourself to the skin in the tropical rainforest shower or shiver in the ice grotto.
reviewed
-
Bird Safari
Sails two to three times daily between June and late August to the offshore bird colony on the Gjesværstappan islands. There are an estimated three million nesting birds, including colonies of puffins, skuas, razorbills, kittiwakes, gannets and white-tailed eagles. Reserve this 1½-hour tour directly or at the Honningsvåg tourist office. Bird safari can also arrange accommodation June to August.
reviewed
-
M/S Fæmund II
The historic ferry M/S Fæmund II is more than a century old and sails daily between mid-June and late August from Synnervika (also spelt Søndervika), on the northern shore of lake Femunden, to Elgå (six hours return). At the height of summer, the boat sometimes continues on to Buvika and even Femundsenden, at the lake's southern tip. A timetable is available from Røros tourist office.
reviewed
-
Ássebákti Cultural & Nature Trail
On the Rv92, 12km south of Karasjok heading for Kautokeino, the 3.5km Ássebákti Cultural & Nature Trail is well worth undertaking for a taste of the forest even though, despite its name, it doesn't actually have much that's cultural. This said, around 25 minutes out (allow two hours for the full out and back route), there are traces of trappers' pits, store mounds and, across the river, turf huts.
reviewed