Southern Norway Active Adventure - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, Explore

Welcome to Oslo! Upon arrival, you'll take a comfortable and scenic train ride between Oslo Airport and the city center—a swift 20-minute route. Depending on your hotel location, you can walk from the train station or arrange a taxi or private transfer.

Once settled in your hotel, get out and explore. Norway's rapidly growing capital is still considered a small city, helped by the fact that mountains and sea surround it. An excellent place to start is walking along Karl Johans gate, the main thoroughfare, from the city center to Palace Park, where the Norwegian monarchy resides. You can also spend the afternoon visiting cultural attractions like the new 13-story Munch Museum or the Norwegian Open-Air Folk Museum. Another option is to walk to Aker Brygge, a modern area on the Oslofjord with dozens of restaurants and bars, as well as the Nobel Peace Center.

Day 2: Train to Flåm, Rent a Bike

Don't get too comfortable in the city because this morning, you'll head west on a scenic train ride between Oslo and the fjord village of Flåm. There will be one train transfer along the route and plenty of photo opportunities, so keep your camera close as you pass iconic Norwegian landscapes in the form of mountains, rivers, valleys, hamlets, and fjords. The final leg of the journey is on the Flåm Railway, one of the most beautiful and steepest train journeys in the world as it travels from high mountain ranges down to sea level.

Upon arrival, you'll have the rest of the afternoon to explore. You may want to set out on a nearby hiking trail, visit the Flam Railway Museum, or tour a church constructed from wood in 1667. Flåm is also an ideal starting point for a self-guided bike ride, with rentals available in the village center. Whether you choose to cycle along the Aurlandsfjord or explore the paved streets around Flåm, the terrain is flat and suitable for most ages and abilities.

When dinnertime rolls around, be sure to sample traditional Norwegian cuisine at one of the many cafés, pubs, or restaurants in town. There's even a bar and restaurant called Ægir Brewery—one of the best craft breweries in Norway. Consider ordering the tasting menu consisting of local dishes paired with five kinds of beer.

Day 3: Ride the Flåm Zipline

Today you'll have the opportunity to ride the longest zip line in Scandinavia, with a span of 4,531 feet (1,381 m). This breathtaking route starts at Vatnahalsen, located at 2,690 feet (820 m) above sea level, near the Bergen Line and the Flåm Railway. The route ends in Kårdal, close to the Rallarrosa Cheese Farm, in the upper part of the Flåm Valley.

There are a few ways to do this excursion. One option is to take rental bikes on the Flåm Railway to Vatnahalsen. Here you'll find the zip line and will ride down, while the bikes that you rented from Flåm will be zipped down as well. From Kårdal, where the zip line ends, you can cycle back to the village of Flåm. Alternatively, you can skip taking the bikes altogether and finish the journey back to Flåm on foot if that sounds easier. 

Day 4: Train to Bergen, Pick up Rental Car

This morning you'll take the train to Bergen, one of the oldest ports in Europe, and pick up your rental car for the next leg of the trip. Norway's second-largest city has a spectacular setting surrounded by ocean, mountains, and fjords. Upon arrival, enjoy your time in the easily walkable center, with its vast selection of cultural and outdoorsy activities, plus a lively restaurant and nightlife scene, thanks to its large student population.

Make sure to peruse the downtown Bryggen area to view the wooden houses along the waterfront, which characterize the city. Dating back to the 1700s, the whole neighborhood is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When evening rolls around, head out to dinner and immerse yourself in the city's delightful downtown. Some recommendations include The Fresco Hall, a gorgeous, palatial restaurant inside the historic Bergen Børs Hotel, the city's former 19th-century stock exchange.

Day 5: Drive to Voss, Explore

Today you'll make the two-hour drive from Bergen to Voss using the road E16. Upon arrival, you'll have plenty of time to explore the surroundings at your own pace, perhaps with a visit to one of the nearby waterfalls, like Tvindefossen or Skjervsfossen. Meanwhile, the Bordalsgjelet Gorge is also a beautiful natural attraction within walking distance from the town center, where you can see how ice and water have shaped the landscape over thousands of years. A drive down the hairpin road of Stalheimskleiva in the summertime—when conditions are dry—is also a must.

The Voss area is known for adrenaline-inducing activities thanks to an active extreme sports community in the area, which also ensures experiences are both enjoyable and safe. There is a wide range of activities to choose from, such as tandem parachuting, paragliding, flying in a wind tunnel, white-water rafting, rock climbing, cycling on paths and country roads, hiking, and kayaking—some of which you'll experience in the next few days.

Days 6-7: River Canoe, Mountain Bike & Sea Kayak Excursion

Today you'll embark on a memorable two-day journey that combines three activities—canoeing, mountain biking, and kayaking—allowing you to experience different aspects of Norway's remarkable landscapes. Regardless of your experience level, the itinerary can be adapted to your needs. Your professional guides will assist you through each adventure while showing you secret gems only locals know about. 

On the first morning, you'll meet the team, gear up, and shuttle to Raundal River, where you'll learn a set of safety instructions on how to operate the inflatable canoe. There will be some time to warm up and practice in a mellow river pool, and then it's time to set off on a 90-minute trip down the river while learning new skills along the way. At the end of the excursion, you'll shuttle back to the outdoor base. 

In the afternoon, it's time for a mountain bike tour. Like before, you'll gear up, learn safety instructions, and then take time to warm up and check bike adjustments with your guide. When everyone is ready, you'll ride out of town to reach a mountain bike trail network for a specified route that makes sense for your experience level. At the end of the ride, you'll return to the base and help hose down the bikes. 
 
The following day, meet your guide at the outdoor base, gear up, and then drive to the scenic Nerøyfjord. After a tutorial, you'll begin a 90-minute sea kayaking route while admiring the dramatic fjord views around you. Enjoy a peaceful lunch break on a spot of dry land, and then paddle the 90-minute route back to the fjord's starting point. When you return to base, congratulate yourself on completing the adventure and say goodbye to your new friends!

Day 9: Drive to Odda, Explore

Today you'll make a three-hour drive to Odda, a historic and charming industrial city in the Hardangerfjord, surrounded by steep mountains and mighty fjord landscapes. The activities are plentiful here, but many come to experience the area's hiking opportunities, especially the trail leading to Trolltunga ("Troll's Tongue"). This unusual ice age glacial formation sits high above the crystal clear waters of Lake Ringedal—and Odda is an ideal home base for travelers who are both starting and ending the hike.

Once you arrive, take a leisurely walk through the city and then settle in for the evening with a traditional Norwegian dinner. You'll want plenty of rest for tomorrow's adventure. 

Day 10: Hike to Trolltunga

Rise and shine as today is a full-day hike to Trolltunga, the long rock juts out from a cliffside at nearly 2,300 feet (700 m) above Lake Ringedal. Your experienced guides will lead you up this strenuous hike, following a rocky trail through the hills and mountain valleys. After a few ascents, the path levels out, and you can enjoy incredible views of the surrounding mountain peaks. You'll eventually start hiking along the cliffside with views out to Lake Ringedalsvatnet.

If you're feeling brave, and the conditions allow, it's possible to take a few photos while standing out on Troll's Tongue. You might have to wait your turn for a photo, as this hiking experience tops many travelers' bucket lists. 

Day 11: Drive to Rosendal, Glacier Kayak Excursion

This morning, you'll make your way to Rosendal, where you'll embark on an exciting kayaking adventure to get to a nearby glacier. This "young" glacier is part of Folgefonna National Park, home to the third largest glacier on mainland Norway. After your guide's safety introduction and equipment adjustment, you and your group will begin the route.

The kayak tour is about 1.86 miles (3 km) in each direction as you paddle along the shore to reach the glacier. At the halfway mark, you'll stop at a beach, dock your kayak, and enjoy a picnic lunch taking a closer look at the glacier while your guide shares local history. After lunch, you'll hop back in the kayak and return to the starting point. The average duration for this trip is about six hours, starting and ending in Rosendal.

You can also walk the 722 steps up to Mt. Stoltzekleiven. It's a fun and challenging hike, and just as your legs start shaking, you'll see a sign for "Melkesyren," which means lactic acid in Norwegian—a bi-product of exercise. Fortunately, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Bergen and the seven mountains when you reach the top.

Today, you'll make your way back to Oslo using Norway in a Nutshell tour, focusing on the area's dramatic fjords and mountains. You'll cover the best of Western Norway's scenery as you travel easily and sustainably. The trip can be completed in several ways. You choose the route, length, and activities to fit into your itinerary, like ferrying through the Nærøyfjord—a narrow, UNESCO-listed branch of the Sognefjord. If you want to experience more, you can easily extend the trip and tack on other experiences and accommodations along the way.

Day 15: Depart Oslo

It's time to say goodbye to Norway! At the appointed time, you'll take the express train back to Oslo Airport in order to catch your departure flight. Safe travels! 

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