Why Norway must be your subsequent household vacation spot

With an abundance of fjords and mountains reachable by practice, boat and on foot, outdoorsy households will discover a lot to get pleasure from on this Nordic nation’s western area — billed as ‘Norway in a nutshell’. Its superlative landscapes are ultra-accessible year-round and fully reworked by the seasons — go to in winter for snow and the Northern Lights, or summer time for wild swims and glacier hikes.

1. Begin in Bergen

Norway’s second largest metropolis is the gateway to its fabled fjords. Stroll the outdated quarter of Bryggen, the place gabled homes line the harbour, earlier than boarding the Mount Fløyen funicular. There’s a playground and a restaurant on the high and varied pretty walks to get you again down — one path winds by means of woodland and ends in a slide. Afterwards, take your gang to pattern Trekroneren’s well-known sizzling canines. Going robust since 1946, this vibrant avenue stand has sausages, sauces and toppings to fulfill even the fussiest eater.

2. Glacier mountaineering in Jostedal

Children as younger as eight can participate on this exercise, solely potential between May and September. Which glacier you’ll go to relies on the month; one tour begins with a ship journey previous the icebergs of turquoise Styggevatnet lake, then households don crampons for a two-hour exploration of Austdalsbreen’s crevices.

3. Adventures by practice & boat in Flåm

One of the world’s most lovely practice journeys, the Flåm Railway units out from its tiny namesake village on the finish of Aurlandsfjord. It makes a sluggish, steep ascent previous towering peaks and fairly mountain farms, reaching the distant practice station of Myrdal in below an hour. On the outbound journey, the platform aspect presents the perfect views of the three-tier, 790ft-drop Rjoandefossen waterfall. While within the Flåm space, additionally strive one in all FjordSafari’s RIB excursions from Flåm harbour to the doorway of UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, a physique of water barely modified for the reason that final Ice Age. Fans of the Frozen movies will probably be enchanted by the sight of Undredal, eight miles north of Flåm and the inspiration for Arendelle. In actual life the village is house to extra goats than people, and the encompassing waters are wealthy in wildlife, too — hold your eyes peeled for seals, whales and dolphins.

4. Hiking & viewpoints at Aurlandsfjord

Jutting 650m (2,130ft) above Aurlandsfjord, the Stegastein Viewpoint presents one in all Norway’s most precipitous panoramas. Arrive early to beat the crowds, then descend into the valley to discover on foot. For a straightforward, hour-long hike with children, start on the agricultural faculty’s farm store within the village of Aurland and observe the principally flat path to the bottom of the Turli waterfall. Afterwards, heat up with a go to to the Fjord Sauna in Aurland or Flåm. Floor-to-ceiling home windows provide a front-row seat to the ethereal landscapes — whereas leaping into the water will return you swiftly to the corporeal realm.

5. Get glacial in Fjærland

Sitting on the shores of Sognefjord, referred to as the ‘king of fjords’, sleepy Fjærland punches means above its weight on the subject of family-friendly actions. Home to round 300 individuals, the city has dozens of second-hand bookshops, the place children can choose up an English-language vacation learn. For a extra hands-on expertise, head to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Children will love the panoramic, curved cinema display screen, Ötzi the Iceman displays and experiments utilizing ice from the Supphellebreen glacier — which may also be seen up shut as a part of a personal tour, bookable by means of the museum.

6. Kayaking in Årdal

Serenely peaceable and surrounded by steep mountains, the Årdal Fjord evokes awe in all who go to. Parents share two-person kayaks with their kids for the paddle out to a campsite solely accessible by boat, then swim within the saline waters of the fjord whereas their information cooks dinner over an open hearth. Stay up previous bedtime to marvel on the midnight solar.