12 day Active Family vacation Norway

Information

Day 1:  Learn about Polar expeditions and viking heritage in Oslo

When you arrive in Oslo, you will take the express train to the city center and explore our capital. On the Bygdøy peninsula, just a short ferry ride from the city center, you will find many exciting museums that are waiting for you to be discovered: the Viking Ship Museum with the world’s best-preserved Vikings ships, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Kon-Tiki museum with exhibits on explorer Heyerdahl’s expeditions including his raft Kon-tiki, and Fram – the Polar Exploration museum. These museums will give you insight into our country’s history and definitely spark the imagination of your children. The zipline down from the Holmenkollen Ski Jump is also a popular activity for children. You will spend the night in a hotel in the city center.

Day 2: Enjoy a picnic in the home of the giants

Pick up your rental car and enjoy a scenic road trip north to the highest mountain range in Norway, the Jotunheimen National Park, home of the giants. Take a break along the way for a picnic by the lake, where the children always love to build dams or throw stones in the water. After approximately a 5 hour drive, you will arrive at a quiet mountain farm. Surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and with a great view, this is a perfect base for your adventures. You will stay in a log cabin/apartment for the next 3 nights.

Day 3: Conquer Norway’s highest summit or explore an ice tunnel

Today you will have a great day out in nature. You can hike up the highest summit in Norway, Galdhøpiggen, for a great view over the surroundings mountains and glaciers. This hike is done with a guide, joining a group, and is only recommended in good weather and with children from age 12.

Another fun activity is to visit the Climate park and Ice tunnel Mimisbrunnr. Since the ice is melting back to the level of 6000 years ago, hunting posts and ancient hunting gear and clothing have been found here in the past years. During the guided tour you will also learn a lot about the typical permafrost and polygon landscape. From experience, we can tell that also younger children enjoy this tour.

Day 4: Climb in the high rope park or explore the area on horseback

There are many adventurous things to do in this area. Today could be a perfect day to test your climbing abilities in the fun high rope trail close to your cabin. There are trails available for young children, teenagers, and adults!

Maybe you rather want to explore the nearby mountains by horseback, or rent bikes and go mountain biking. A good and relaxed alternative is to drive up the Sognefjell mountain pass, part of the Norwegian Scenic Routes, to look at the majestic peaks and glacier fields from the roadside, or by doing a small hike. Lom is also a great place for cultural visits like the Stave Church or the Norwegian Mountain Museum. The children will love the short zipline over the river too.

Day 5: Feel tiny while crossing the majestic Geirangerfjord by boat

Venture into the Fjords. The day will start with a scenic drive over the mountain pass Strynefjellet culminating into the winding road down to Geiranger with stunning views over the fjord. A visit to the visitor center/education hub about the West Norwegian Fjords, the Norwegian Fjord Heritage Centre, is recommended. They also have a fun exhibition and a special room for children.

The best way to experience the majestic UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord is from a boat. Take your car aboard the ferry and cruise through the fjord, while the audio guide will tell you all the facts and tales. Experience the impressive Seven Sisters Waterfall and much more.

Continue for an hour drive to your cabin in Nordfjord, in the Stryn area. You will stay here for 3 nights. The standard of the accommodation can be adjusted to your preferences from a very simple authentic Norwegian mountain cabin with a glacier view to a high standard cabin by the glacier lake, a historic family-run hotel, or a 4* hotel with fjord view.

Day 6: Go hiking or climb the Via Ferrata in Nordfjord

Do an easy hike to a hidden glacier, that only the locals know off, and maybe you can even greet the friendly cows that graze around here in the summer. If you are looking for even more adventure with your family, then climbing the Via Ferrata, iron road, is an exciting day activity (only possible for children from age 12). We can also offer a longer private guided hike in the area, where our guides make sure that the hike is adapted to your abilities and the weather, and will tell you all the local fun facts.

Day 7: Explore the Glacier Valley

There is a lot to explore in this area. Take the gondola up the mountain and do an easy hike with views over the fjords and the surrounding glaciers. Grill your sausages on the campfire while hiking. 

Relax and play in the in- and outdoor swimming pools of a nearby hotel. Are you more up to a private guided mountain farm visit, we can arrange that for you too. With youngsters cycling along the glacier lake is also fun.

Day 8: Welcome to our historic fjord farm

After some days in the fjord between glaciers, today is the time to explore the Atlantic Coast. We would love to welcome you to our historic sheep farm from 1865 for a private guided visit. The children will adore to feed the sheep or cuddle with our Norwegian Elkhound Kira. There is a chance that your children want to move in with us, you are hereby warned. Continue to the Coast where the roots of the fishermen culture are, this area is also called Little Lofoten (but without the crowds). You will either stay in an apartment in an old trading post, or in a cabin/hotel room in a cozy fishermen village.

Day 9: Paddle between islands and look for seals and eagles

Join a half-day guided kayak tour along all the small islands and narrow straits. You might even spot a seal or eagle here. This is a great area for small and big adventures: fishing crabs from the pier, doing small or longer hikes with a view over the ocean, spotting sea eagles or go fishing with a professional.

Day 10: Enjoy a cozy farm stay and walk the waterfall trail

Leave the coast and drive southbound for approximately 3,5 hours. For the last night in the countryside, we have a special treat for you in mind, spending the night at a small scale historic farm by the river. There is a fun bird trail that you can walk with the children. You can use the barbecue by the river to prepare your own dinner. Walking (a part of) the waterfall trail is also recommended.

Day 11: Discover the UNESCO listed world heritage city of Bergen

After a few hours’ drive to Bergen, you can spend the rest of the day discovering this charming UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. With its historic wooden houses at Bergen Bryggen and cozy harbourside center and fish market, it is our favorite city. Take the funicular up Mt. Fløyen for a great view over the city. The children will have a lot of fun at the playground up there, and meeting the locals (the goats that are always up for a cuddle). You will stay in a hotel in the city center.

Day 12: End of the journey and flight home

Drop your car off at the airport and take your international flight out. Thank you for visiting our country! If you rather add a few days and discover another part of Norway while driving back to Oslo, this is also possible. Please contact us if you want us to tailor this vacation to your adventurous family.