Stave Church
The main attraction in Vik is the richly decorated stave church “Hopperstad Stavkirke”. You can join a guided tour of the church or explore at your own pace.
The stunning village of Vikoyri, Vik is home to the richly decorated stave church “Hopperstad Stavkirke”. Hopperstad was built in 1130 and is, together with Urnes, the oldest stave church in existence.
A stave church is a medieval wooden Christian church building once common in north-western Europe. The name Stave derives from the building's structure of post and lintel construction, a type of timber framing where the load-bearing ore-pine posts are called stafr in Old Norse (stav in modern Norwegian).
During its long life, Hopperstad Stave Church has suffered periods of neglect but thankfully experienced a wonderful revival in the 1880s. With the exception of the nave and the chancel, most of the church's interior had been removed. In 1881, the architect Peter Andreas Blix offered his services free of charge. The stave church was restored using other churches as models. The external gallery and ridge turret are clearly inspired by Borgund Stave Church.
Cheese tasting in Vik
If you want to learn more about Gamalost (and maybe even brave a taste), we will organise a trip for you - with a visit to the café at the TINE dairy, just a block or so up the hill from the passenger boat dock in Vik.
In the historic village of Vik, on the Sognefjord, you can learn about and try the local speciality cheese; Gamalost. Literally meaning ‘Old Cheese’ this is the only place in the whole of Norway where it is still made.
Gamalost originates in Viking times and today expert cheesemakers are continuing a tradition of over 1000 years. Made from only skimmed cows milk, it is known for its health-promoting characteristics - containing more than 50 percent protein and just 1 percent fat. It also contains chitosan, a substance that has many beneficial properties, including lowering cholesterol.
The Vikings, who fueled themselves for their expeditions in part by eating Gamalost, also considered the cheese an aphrodisiac!
Gamalost was once a staple of the Norwegian diet, in large part because it could be stored for long periods of time without refrigeration. Although the tradition of making Gamalost is an old one, the name of the cheese comes not from its long history but from the length of the aging process.
If you want to learn more about Gamalost (and maybe even brave a taste), we will organise a trip for you - with a visit to the café at the TINE dairy, just a block or so up the hill from the passenger boat dock in Vik.
Gamalost even has its own festival, which takes place in Vik over several days in late May or early June.
Private RIB Tours
If you are looking for a private tour with an extra kick - book a private RIB trip - one of the best ways to experience the most inaccessible parts of the Sognefjord.
Wind through your hair. Fjord below your feet.
If you are looking for a private tour with an extra kick - book a private RIB trip - one of the best ways to experience the most inaccessible parts of the Sognefjord.
For an exclusive experience in the most secluded arm of the Sognefjord, we recommend the Finnabotn Tour. Many are also interested in seeing the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nærøyfjord. You can book your Balestrand Adventure RIB trip through us, here at Glacier Tour.
If you’d like to combine your RIB tour with land-based activities, we recommend combining a tour of the Fjærlandsfjord with lunch at Fjærland fjordstove (lunch not included). Or combine a tour of the Nærøyfjord with a visit to Vikingvalley or the a guided tour of the village Undredal.
For the especially curious, we offer a trip to the village Ortnevik, including to a homemade Stave Church, chainsaw art park, and land-based halibut farm. Then we swing by our favorite spot, Finnabotn, just for good measure. If you’re short on time, we recommend the private version of our popular Fjord Sightseeing Tour.
There are two boats available, each with space for 12 guests. For groups requiring two boats, there is a 10% discount on the second boat. More boats can be arranged if your group is larger - just let us know what you need in advance.
Note that we can pick up and drop off in locations other than Balestrand as well, for example: Vik, Fjærland, Sogndal, and Flåm.
We also offer a no-frills transport service, without scenic stops or detours. We can take you to or pick you up from most locations on the Sognefjord. To Vik, Fjærland, Sogndal, and Flåm we offer quick online booking. For other destinations, just let us know.
KJELL IS ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE?
The RIB experience Includes
Guided stops at major attractions
Life Jacket
Insulated Suit
Goggles
Safety Briefing
Further info
There are small compartments under the seats for cameras and other personal belongings
There are lockers for luggage, clothes and valuables in the Tourist Information Office
Bring Along: Warm layers, Camera
Conditions: Full refunds are given if cancellation is made more than 72 hours before start time.
Cidery tour
If you are thirsty for new flavors and insights behind the ciders of Norway, you'll gain a new understanding of fruit growing and cider production after just 90 minutes on this Cider tasting trip with Glaciertour.no.
If you are thirsty for new flavors and insights behind the ciders of Norway, you'll gain a new understanding of fruit growing and cider production after just 90 minutes on this Cider tasting trip with Glaciertour.no. And you'll expand your world of taste by sampling 5 distinct ciders in a glass house overlooking the Sognefjord.
Your experience begins in the organic orchard on the banks of the Sognefjord, the oldest fruit-growing region in Norway. From here you will learn the basics of growing apples and the local traditions, from the 1100s to today. Then we step into the Cider House, where we taste our way through five ciders, and learn that apples are more than just apples. You will get acquainted with the whole spectrum of tastes: sweet dessert apples, acidic cooking apples, and bitter cider apples.
And you’ll taste that cider is more than just cider, sampling your way through five unique styles, from light and easy “veranda cider” to heavy tannin-infused cider, best drunk alongside bold and savory dishes.
Get in touch to book your cidery experience today.
Hiking
There is nothing like a good hike to clear the mind and give a new perspective. Did you know that Norwegians become much friendlier at about 700 meters above sea level?
There is nothing like a good hike to clear the mind and give a new perspective. Did you know that Norwegians become much friendlier at about 700 meters above sea level?
The mountain Raudmelen is our backyard in Balestrand; in the afternoon you’ll find neighbors and colleagues taking a short energizing hike after work, and in the wintertime we ski from home to the summit and back.
The mountain hike is with Balestrand Adventure, and begins in the village centre and from there you will walk through the village on a local road to Balestrand’s primary school. From there you enter the forest and start your ascent. Then you follow a well-maintained, sometimes steep dirt path through a birch forest, with planks and stones over bogs. As the forest opens up you will enjoy wide-open views over several fjord arms.
The trail towards the summit is steep but comfortable, much of it on stone steps made by Sherpas from Nepal. At the summit there is a small public hut where you can get out of the weather.
We can organise everything for you!
Fishing
Fishing in the Fjords is a spectacular and unique experience, open to all. We can arrange for a private deep-sea fishing trip that will change how you think about the ocean.
Fishing in the Fjords is a spectacular and unique experience, open to all. We can arrange for a private deep-sea fishing trip that will change how you think about the ocean.
Balestrand Adventure are the experts; they have been fishing in Balestrand for years, on the deepest section of the world’s deepest fjord—as deep as the mountains are high. If you stare out over the fjord, you might wonder: What landscapes lie hidden beneath the surface? What strange creatures live in this world? Drop your line and you may meet one of them!
You can choose where you’d like to be picked up and you then set out for a good spot for fishing mackerel, which you will use as bait. After about an hour, when you’ve caught enough, you’ll learn how to use a tandem tackle baited with our fresh mackerel. You’ll let your line run out and out and out and out—between 200 and 500 meters below the surface.
At this depth, there is no light, and no plants. Sound travels slower. It’s an underwater desert. The only light comes from your flashing bait, illuminating a fresh, bleeding mackerel. It’s irresistible to the bulging, light-hungry eyes of the fish down there. If a one takes the bait, you’ll have to do some real work to get it to the surface (or ask for the help of the experts).
As they break the surface to the warm light of the Sognefjord, they’ll hear whoops and hollers of happy fishermen (that’s you).
Make your booking below!
This activity lasts for three hours, is for anyone over the age of 4 and with any level of fitness.
Kayaking - Balestrand
When you visit somewhere, you often feel like you are there just as an observer, like there’s a glass wall between you and the place. Kayaking is the best way we know of to break that wall.
There’s a difference between looking at fjords and mountains, and feeling them with your whole body.
When you visit somewhere, you often feel like you are there just as an observer, like there’s a glass wall between you and the place. Kayaking is the best way we know of to break that wall.
You’ll feel like you’ve met the Sognefjord after your tour is over. You’ll remember the smell of salt air mixed with seaweed, the splashes of fish, and maybe the grunts of a harbor porpoise.
Your kayaking experience will be with the experts at Balestrand Adventure and starts at the historic Balestrand quayside, where you’ll get a safety briefing and learn about the equipment you will be using for the day. You will paddle in the shallow, sheltered Esefjord, and along the Balestrand shoreline. You’ll hear stories about life in the village, and we’ll make a stop at a little beach for a stretch and some local Balholm juice.
You’ll see the last remnants of the glacier Bjørnabreen, which scraped out the Esefjord long ago. You’ll notice the details of the fruit orchards and ornate wooden facades of the old wooden villas. When you step back on land, you’ll feel refreshed and invigorated, and maybe a little humble. At least, that’s how we always feel.
For more experienced paddlers, kayaks can be rented. For new paddlers, beginner kayak courses are available.
This activity is three hours long, for those over 12 years of age and at any level of fitness.
The Haugabreen Glacier Walk
For the adventurous (and fit) we highly recommend the full day hike at Haugabreen Glacier in Jølster, guided by Fjaerland Guiding.
For the adventurous (and fit) we highly recommend the full day hike at Haugabreen Glacier in Jølster, guided by Fjaerland Guiding.
We set off from Stardalen for a full day trip to the glacier where you can walk on the glacier itself. You will need to have some experience with trail hiking and be physically fit enough for the one hour hike to reach the glacier where we then typically spend 2-3 hours on the glacier itself. We can choose different routes on the ice, depending on ice and snow conditions on the day.
This activity is demanding and participants need to be reasonably fit to do it*. It is an all day activity(up to 7 hours) available to those traveling between July to September (and over 12 years of age).
*Medium to hard (medium for people who are used to hiking in mountain terrain, and hard for people who are not used to hiking in mountain terrain).
You will need to bring the following equipment and clothing with you:
Good solid mountain boots
Clothing for a day in the mountains: insulating underwear/wool, wind/waterproof clothing
Thin gloves/mittens
Sunglasess/sunscreen
Thermos with warm beverage and lunch
A small backpack (20-40 l)
If you would like to enquire further and book the Glacier walk please contact us on glaciertour@email.no. call XXXX
Kayaking - Fjærland
If you enjoy getting a little closer to the water and being in a boat of your own, why not hire a kayak for a fun, relaxed experience right among the calm and beautiful Fjærlandsfjorden.
If you enjoy getting a little closer to the water and being in a boat of your own, why not hire a kayak for a fun, relaxed experience right among the calm and beautiful Fjærlandsfjorden. Paddling here is great, whatever the weather is like or whatever previous paddling experience you have (or do not have), getting out on the Fjærlandsfjord is a must-do activity.
Starting at the kayak base in Mundal you will be met by a Fjaerland Guiding official guide who will take good care of you and share all sorts of interesting information about Fjærland and the surroundings. The views to both Bøyabreen Glacier and Flatbreen Glacier are stunning, so remember to bring a camera to capture the incredible scenery that you only get from the cockpit of a kayak!
Kayaking is something for everyone. You can paddle in a single or double sea kayak for 2 or 4 hours. Just contact us(link to email) at Glacier Tour today and we will organise everything for you.
We urge clients to check their insurance and make sure it covers the planned activities. Participation on our programmes is at your own risk, and Fjærland Guiding can not be held responsible for unfortunate accidents.
Once you sign up for our programmes we expect that you have read and accepted these terms.
Biking
If you would like an alternative way of exploring the charming Norwegian Book Town of Mundal in Fjærland, you can hire a bike!
If you would like an alternative way of exploring the charming Norwegian Book Town of Mundal in Fjærland, you can hire a bike! Bike hire is easy - you can simply ask us to organise hire for you or you can find them for rent at Bøyum Camping, close to the Norwegian Glacier Museum.
Both good for you and good for the environment, heading off on two wheels will give you a different perspective of this quintessential Fjord-side village, originally only accessible by water. Park up your bike and browse the bookshops that occupy various buildings such as the ferry port, tourist info, cafe and a couple of cowsheds. Enjoy!
Glacier Guided Tour
This tour takes you to the Norwegian Glacier Museum and the Bøyabreen glacier - a branch of Jostedalsbreen glacier.
Norwegian Glacier Museum and Bøyabreen Glacier
While in Fjærland you can visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum - an interactive experience and award winning museum, which offers something for the whole family. If you choose to book the Glacier Tour from Voss, the entry ticket is included in the price.
If you are interested in glaciers and the climate this is the leading centre in Norway, answering key questions like ‘Why is glacier ice blue?’, ‘Why is the fjord green?’ and ‘How were the fjords formed?’. You can even perform your own experiments with 1000 year old ice from the nearby glacier Supphellebreen.
You can also enjoy a unique and staggering panoramic film about Jostedalsbreen National Park, and experience the climate exhibition which takes you on a journey through Earths’ climatic history.
From the Museum, the tour continues by bus up to Bøyabreen glacier - a branch of Jostedalsbreen glacier. Here you can spend some extra time taking photos and see up close how the glacier impacts the landscape. For safety reasons it is not possible to walk on the glacier, but you will be able to see the glacier from up close
Visit the magical Norwegian Book town
Where the Sognefjord meets the Jostedalsbreen Glacier, you’ll find Fjærland with its almost 300 inhabitants and Norway’s official Book Town (Bokbyen)!
Where the Sognefjord meets the Jostedalsbreen Glacier, you’ll find Fjærland with its almost 300 inhabitants and Norway’s official Book Town (Bokbyen)!
Book Town Fjærland in Norway
Here in this remote village of Mundal the people have turned abandoned buildings into bookstores. There are more than 10 second-hand bookshops in enchanting waterfront wooden houses, former ferry waiting rooms, stables, local banks and a post office, below towering mountains and magnificent glaciers. Bokbyen (the Book Town) is now home to a collection of over 150,000 used books. Indeed, there are more books and pine trees here than people – and the people are warm and welcoming!
Ten years before the booktown became the reading hub it is today, you could only get to Fjærland by boat. The first road to the valley was built in 1986, and now there are bus routes to get in from the north or the south. In 1995, Mundal officially became the first “booktown” in Norway.
This remote small village of Mundal in Fjærland turns abandoned buildings into bookstores