Activities in Bergen & The Western Fjords
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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…
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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.’
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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…
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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’.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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).
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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
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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.
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Valldal Naturopplevingar
From Valldal you can experience a four-hour white-water rush (Nkr590; 11am daily May to September) down the Valldøla River. Contact Valldal Naturopplevingar, whose headquarters is 200m from the tourist office. It also offers kayak hire and a variety of other outdoor activities such as wilderness camping and, in winter, moonlight ski trips.
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Briksdal Adventure
Briksdal Adventure also known as Briksdal Breføring, is based at Briksdalsbre Fjellstove, the end of the blacktop road, offers guided glacier walking on Brenndalsbreen (around NOK600), the next glacial tongue north of Briksdalsbreen. Treks last between six and seven hours, including around 2½ hours on the ice and depart daily between June and August.
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Touring Boat
From May to September, the tourist office sells tickets for a boat that leaves Kinsarvik at 10:25 and returns at 15:55, with three hours in Eidfjord. Given that you pay an extra around NOK200/around NOK110 if you want to take the sightseeing bus to the Hardangervidda Natursenter and Vøringsfossen, it's only worth doing if you don't have your own wheels.
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NSB
The famous 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour, normally done between Oslo or Bergen, also works as a day tour from Voss. It involves rail trips from Voss to Myrdal and from there to Flåm, the boat to Gudvangen and the bus back to Voss (6½ to 8½ hours). Book through the tourist office, any travel agency, or directly through NSB at the train station.
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Veteran Steam Train Tour
From early June to early September, another popular excursion is the Sunday tour by Veteran Steam Train Tour between Garnes and Midtun. It begins at 09:00 on the historic ferry M/S Bruvik from Bryggen to the railway museum (%55 24 91 00) at Garnes and from there the teak-panelled train inches 18km to Midtun. The whole trip takes four hours.
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Sukkertoppen
A more challenging hike leading to an even wider-ranging view leads to the summit of Sukkertoppen (314m). It begins on the street Sukkertoppvegen, on the hook of Ålesund's peninsula. The track follows the easiest route, right up the east-pointing ridgeline. Take bus No 618 from town and ask the driver to stop at Hessla school.
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Geiranger Fjordservice
Geiranger Fjordservice does 1½-hour sightseeing boat tours (adult/child Nkr 110/45, sailing 4 times daily Jun-Aug). Its kiosk is within the tourist office. From mid-June to August, it also operates a smaller, 15-seater boat (Nkr390/190) that scuds deeper and faster into the fjord.
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Geiranger Downhill
Geiranger Downhill will drive you up to Djupvasshytta (1038m), from where you can coast for 17 gentle, scenically splendid kilometres by bike (Nkr195) down to the fjord; allow a couple of hours. Book at the sod-roofed cabin 50m above the harbour, which also rents bikes (Nkr50/200 per hour/day).
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Ice Troll
For a truly original glacial perspective, sign on for a guided kayak outing with Ice Troll. Walking and kayaking tours of seven to eight hours (around NOK750), suitable for first-timers as well as the more experienced, take you where those without paddles never get. It also does overnight sorties (1200).
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Havhesten
If the fjord’s too chilly, visit Havhesten. Plunge into one of its three indoor heated pools and savour the fantastic view of the fjord as you bob up, work up a sweat in the gym, then get all aglow in the sauna. Everything, even the view, is included in your admission.
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Bergens-Expressen Toy Train
Bergen wouldn’t be a tourist town if it didn’t have its Bergens-Expressen toy train, which trundles along the Bryggen waterfront from opposite the Hanseatic Museum and up into some of the more interesting back streets. The trip takes one hour.
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Nordnes Sjøbad
If you fancy a swim but can’t face wading into cold fjord waters, the outdoor heated pool (27°C) at the Nordnes Sjøbad at the water’s edge is good. For something a little cooler, there’s a diving board to the open water.
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Bergen Shore Excursion: Bergen Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Flexible (Departs Bergen, Norway)
by Viator
When your cruise ship docks in the Bergen port, head out on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing shore excursion and discover Bergen’s best attractions! Enjoy the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$25.99 -
Olden Activ
Olden Activ, which operates from the Melkevoll Bretun camp site, is a five-minute walk down the hill. It organises a good range of treks, glacier hikes and climbs (that don't demand previous experience) in Oldendalen and adjacent valleys.
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