We will be in Norway in early July. We will have a car and have 6 days. We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers. The teens aren't big hikers but do like some outdoor adventure activities. And we can definitely get some short hikes in.
We fly into Bergen-2 nights in Bergen. Haven't researched anything in Bergen besides our hotel (which is booked).
Drive to Voss -possible activities include the Gondola and white water rafting
We will stay 2 nights somewhere in the area. Any suggestions? Open to any towns in that area. My husband has Voss-Stalheim-Gudvangen as options?
Other activities would be kayak, boat to Undredal, fjord safari and Stegastein viewpoint, zip lining.
Has anyone done the zip line/ropes course in Voss?
The next day is the longest with a 5 hour drive from Flam to Oslo. We then spend 2 nights in Oslo (hotel booked).
So, we need to finalize out time between Bergen and Oslo. If anyone has an itinerary for this area would love ideas for a hotel and activities.
Thank you.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6999 posts
Certainly doable. Although you should rethink having a car the entire trip.
Where you should stay is a good question. What kind of place are you looking for?
Posted by
Washington DC
28140 posts
It has been reported here that most of the Stalheim Road is closed due to damage. I think you'll need to follow the route my bus took back in June, which was the regular road with a detour to the Stalheim hotel and back. The route is still scenic even if you can't go all the way through on the Stalheim Road.
The two most scenic activities in the fjord area around Flam (and among the very best in the country) are the Flamsbana train between Myrdal and Flam and the Naeroyfjord ferry between Flam and Gudvangen. Those are two segments of the Norway in a Nutshell route. As public transportation links (though privately owned) they require adherence to their schedule, which means less flexibility than driving. However, trying to have those experiences when encumbered by a car will mean taking round trips (there's a bus substitute for the return ferry journey), which are not cheap and may require extra time as compared to a one-way path.
I think there are bus tours from Flam to the Stegastein viewpoint. To take advantage of those efficiently, you'd probably need to be staying in Flam or Aurland.
I don't know where the activities you're interested in take place, so I don't know how feasible it would be to participate in them without a car, but Voss is on the main railway line between Bergen and Oslo, as is Myrdal. Certainly a car would allow you to wander more easily, but I wonder how much time you'll actually have to do that if you are interested in multiple activities around Voss. I think it's possible everything you end up doing will turn out to be manageable without a car.
When I was looking for lodging in the Flam area about a year ago, it looked as if it was a bit easier to find in Voss, and perhaps Gudvangen, than in Flam. I think there's a reason for that: Flam works best for those who want the Flamsbana and Naeroyfjord experiences, and it's the easiest place to break the trip for those depending on public transportation, so rooms in Flam get snapped up quickly. But for those with their eyes on active pursuits rather than passive activities like the Flamsabana and Naeroyfjord ferry, Voss might well be a better choice. And as a public transporation user, I'm all for car folks not staying in towns on rail and bus routes to leave more room for folks like me.
Balestrand is considered a more attractive town than Flam, but I don't think it's practical if you have just two nights and have your eyes on outdoor activities around Voss. Balestrand's on the other side of the Sognefjord.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6999 posts
It has been reported here that most of the Stalheim Road is closed due
to damage
Correct, it is being repaired. And as far as I know, the plan is to reopen it only for pedestrians and cyclists.