Island kingdoms and World Heritage fjords: experience Fjord Norway by kayak

This tour starts in Oslo and takes the mountain road RV52 via Hemsedal to Flåm, in the heart of Fjord Norway. If you get an early start, there is plenty to explore in Flåm and Aurland, the next village by the fjord. A short drive from Aurland takes you to Stegastein, an impressive viewing platform overlooking the fjord, created from glass and wood materials by architect Todd Saunders. Stegastein marks the entry to the Norwegian Scenic Route Aurlandsfjellet to Lærdal, which the locals refer to as “the snow road”. If you venture up, you will quickly discover why – in these spectacular altitudes there can still be patches of snow in June and July. When you get to Flåm, check in at the historical Fretheim Hotell.

Treat yourself to a Viking platter of local food and beer from Ægir Bryggeri pub, or eat at the hotel. If you are lucky enough to spend an extra day, a ride with the Flåm Railway combined with biking the Navvies’ Road “Rallarvegen” is highly recommended.

The next morning starts with a combined kayak and hiking adventure along the Old King’s Path with Njord. The 4-hour tour does not require kayaking experience, and if you bring a towel and swimwear, you will have the chance to cool off in the lagoon.

Before travelling on to your next destination, take a trip on the post boat, which gives you a glimpse into the daily life of this little island community.

From Hardbakke you will backtrack to Krakhella but drive aboard the ferry to Rysjedalsvika on the north side of the Sognefjord this time. From the quay, an hour’s drive along narrow and windy roads takes you to the tiny village of Sørbøvåg in Hyllestad. Check in at Fjordkick cabins and enjoy the view of the fjord and the majestic Lihesten mountain, or head straight for your next kayaking adventure with a guided tour or rental with Fjordkick. If you want a change of pace, choose between guided hiking trips, biking, sightseeing or fishing trips by boat.

The following day it’s time to go kayaking with Fjordkick in Sørbøvåg, before driving on to Førde. On the way, you can stop at Millstone Park in Hyllestad. The park is an open-air museum in the largest stone quarry landscape from the Viking Age and the Middle Ages in Northern Europe. Join a guided tour through the quarries and get to know a different side to the Vikings as skilled craftsmen. Try bow and arrow shooting, grinding grain, baking bread as they did a thousand years ago or simply relax by the fire.

​​​​​​Take your time traversing the narrow roads from Sørbøvåg to Førde and enjoy the many rest stops to take in the beautiful view while letting locals in a hurry pass by. The Laukelandsfossen waterfall just after the town of Dale is a beautiful sight, cascading down on the opposite side of the Dalsfjord. Førde is the administrative centre of Sunnfjord, which after the joining of four municipalities became the home of long-stretched lakes, waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and narrow fjord arms all in one.Check in at a hotel in Førde or continue to Thon Hotel Jølster on the banks of the Jølstravatnet lake, or stay in a quiet camping ground or cabin.

Drive on towards Loen from Førde, and stop at Astruptunet, home of the famous artist Nikolai Astrup, beside the beautiful Jølstravannet lake.

Past Jølstravatnet and over the Utvikfjellet mountain road, the tour continues to Nordfjord, where you can spend the night. Nordfjordeid has a central location, not far from Loen, where, among other things, you can take the spectacular Loen Skylift. The region of Nordfjord is perfect for adventures in nature, with characteristic mountains, glaciers and glimmering fjords.Norway Adventures is based in Davik, sharing hidden gems and spectacular hiking and kayaking experiences with visitors.

The closeness to mountains, river and fjord has made Valldal known as «The Adventure Valley», and withUteguiden - Valldal you can explore wild nature and enjoy a peaceful moment from the seat of your kayak in the Tafjord and Nordalssfjorden.

From Valldal you continue on the Norwegian Scenic Route Geiranger-Trollstigen to Åndalsnes. The drive offers numerous highlights, and the eleven hairpin bends of Trollstigen as well as the view from the platform at the top may set your pulse racing. Trollstigen is normally open from May and closes in the autumn when masses of snow cover the landscape.

You can spend the last night of your trip in Åndalsnes before heading home. Try the new attraction the Romsdal gondola before dinner.

The Rauma Railway between Åndalsnes and Bjorli is one of Norway’s most beautiful rail journeys. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes one way, and passes by the famous Kylling bridge and Trollveggen, Europe’s highest perpendicular mountain wall while the emerald-green Rauma river will follow you right outside the train window.

If you have a few extra days, you can walk Romsdalseggen, an airy, beautiful walk with fantastic views, or try the new attraction Romsdalen Gondola.