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$69.19 - All activities
-
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
-
A
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
-
B
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
-
C
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
-
D
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
-
Troll Train
In summer, the cutesy Troll Train runs from outside Eidfjord’s tourist office to the waterfalls at Vøringsfossen 20km up through the steep Måbødalen, stopping en route at Måbø Farm. Instead of taking Rv7 through the tunnels, it takes the older, more beautiful road up the valley. The journey takes about one hour and tickets must be purchased at the tourist office.
reviewed
-
Stappan Sjøprodukter
Fisherman Roald Berg will take you bird-watching (NOK1000 for up to two passengers, NOK450 each for 3-6) in his small boat. Or join him for a fishing expedition (NOK2000 per hour, maximum four passengers). He also runs a splendid waterside summer café offering delights such as smoked wild salmon sandwiches, cloudberries and cream, and waffles with homemade blueberry jam; he runs a well-furnished apartment.
reviewed
-
E
Guided Tours of Bryggen
Take one of the excellent Guided Tours of Bryggen, 11am & 1pm (English), noon (Norwegian) Jun-Aug). They last 90 minutes, leave from Bryggens Museum and the commentary includes descriptions of life during Bergen’s trading heyday. The ticket includes admission to Bryggens Museum, Schøtstuene and the Hanseatic Museum (you can revisit these museums later on the same day).
reviewed
-
F
EKT Riding School and Husdyrpark
For a more rural experience, try the EKT Riding School and Husdyrpark in the Ekeberg forest southeast of the city centre. There are sheep, goats, pigs and rabbits, as well as Norwegian fjord ponies. Take tram 19 toward Ljabru to Sportsplassen and walk 15 minutes uphill until you reach the farm. The Folk Museum also has regular events that are geared towards children.
reviewed
-
Akerforeningen
In the winter, try sledding down the ‘legendary’ Korketrekkeren (cork screw) toboggan run. The 2000m long track drops 255m and began its life as a bobsledding run for the 1952 Olympics. Sleds can be rented at the Akerforeningen next to the Frognerseteren restaurant. To get there take the T-bane to Frognerseteren and follow the signs downhill.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Tyssestrengene Waterfall
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
-
Basecamp Spitsbergen
Basecamp Spitsbergen mainly offers winter activities, including a stay aboard the Noorderlicht, a Dutch sailing vessel that’s set into the fjord ice as the long freeze begins each autumn. It also offers winter and summer stays at Isfjord Radio, the ultimate remote getaway on an upgraded, one-time radio station at the northwestern tip of Spitsbergen island.
reviewed
-
Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre
Juvvashytta hut serves as the gateway to this ski centre, at 1850m on the icy heights of Norway’s highest mountain. From Galdesand on the Rv55, follow the Galdhøpiggen road (Nkr70 toll) to its end at 1841m. The main season runs from June to mid-November. Apart from the skiing opportunities, this road takes you to the highest point reachable by road in Norway.
reviewed
-
Snow Sports, Hovden, Stølen & Vangslia Slopes
The three-part Oppdal Skisenter climbs the slopes from Hovden, Stølen and Vangslia, all within easy reach of town. The smaller Ådalen ski area nearby has two lifts. Vangslia is generally the easiest, with a couple of beginners' runs, while Stølen offers intermediate skiing and Hovden has three challenging advanced runs. The season runs from late November to late April.
reviewed
-
Jostedalen Breførarlag
Jostedalen Breførarlag does several guided glacier walks. Easiest is the family walk to the glacier snout and briefly along its tongue (around one hour on the ice, adult/child around NOK170/around NOK80). Fees for the two-hour (around NOK370), three-hour (around NOK450) and five-hour (NOK650) walks on the ice include the brief boat trip across Nigardsvatnet lake.
reviewed