Norway in a Nutshell® tours starting from Oslo
Imagine yourself sitting beside a waterfall watching the 'Norway in a Nutshell'® train arrive or enjoying a hottub surrounded by waterfalls...
Flam (Norwegian: Flåm) is the small Norwegian town on the fjord edge where the 'Norway in a Nutshell'® tour visits. After travelling from Oslo to Myrdal, you catch the Flåm Railway down the mountain to this lovely town. Our 'Norway in a Nutshell'® tour can be done in 2 - 4 days and takes in the best of Norway, from popular train journeys to pristine fjords to small villages. 50 Degrees North specialises in making this popular package a step above the rest - taking you away from the summer and cruise crowds.
Generally what is included for the classic 3-day 'Norway in a Nutshell'® tour is:
• The scenic Bergen Railway
• The breathtaking Flåm Railway
• Fjord cruise on the world famous UNESCO-protected Nærøyfjord and the magnificent Aurlandsfjord
• Bus tour down the steep hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva (May-September)
Even if you are short of time, you can add a few special features into your tour to make it unforgettable.
Activities to add to your 'Norway in a Nutshell'® tour
Free waterfall hike
An excursion well worth doing when visiting Flåm is to climb to the Brekkefossen waterfall - a 30 min moderate walk (10 mins is quite steep). Watch this short video from the viewing hill beside this waterfall. Listen out for the wonderful sound of the train sounding its arrival.
Zipline
Experience the Flåm Zipline, the longest zipline in Scandinavia with a span of 1,381 metres. This breathtaking zipline starts at Vatnahalsen near the Bergen Line and the Flåm Railway and ends up in Kårdalen close to the Rallarrosa Cheese Farm, in the upper part of the Flåm valley.
Visit a small fjord village
Why not Explore Undredal fjord-village? With a pick up in the middle of Flåm, you can join an exclusive guided tour of Undredal village, the authentic goat cheese producing village by the fjord. Located in the Aurlandsfjord, Undredal is a unique Norwegian fjord village where people still have a strong connection to the land and their traditions. It’s famous for its goat cheese, architecture and breathtaking scenery. Goats are very friendly animals, and if you wish there will be an opportunity to meet some of them.
Highlights of this tour include:
• Enjoy magical fjord views from the local restaurant situated at the dock.
• Taste local goat cheese products and enjoy a homemade lunch.
• Learn about the historical Norwegian goat cheese production from a local expert
• A guided tour of Scandinavia’s smallest Stave Church
Private Borgund Stave Church Visit
Leaving from Flåm by private minivan, travel through the world’s longest road tunnel, Lærdalstunnelen famous for its beautiful light halls, and reach Husum in Lærdal. It is time to hike parts of the Old Kings road, Vindhellavegen, with impressive hair-pin bends through the mountain pass between Husum and the Borgund Stave Church. The road was built between 1842-1843, is 2,7 km long and is now a picturistic historical hiking rute. You will reach Borgund Stave Church for a private tour of the church that was built around 1181. This stave church is the best preserved one in Norway. After spending about an hour at Borgund, it's time to hike back to Husum on Sverrestigen. Here we walk in the footsteps of a Viking King! The name comes from the saga of Sverre which states King Sverre rode along this part of kongevegen in 1177. This tour is 5 - 6 hours long and is fully guided.
Unique accommodation to add to your 'Norway in a Nutshell'® tour
Our most popular 'Norway in a Nutshell'® package is the 'Norway in a Nutshell'® Plus . We have delved deeper into the surrounding areas near Flåm and found a boutique riverside lodge to stay in. Get away from the cruise crowds and explore this quiet corner of fjord Norway. Our 'Norway in a Nutshell'® Plus tour is 5-days and includes an extended stay in our riverside lodge with hiking, kayaking or biking. Half board and two active experiences are included.
Alternatively, 50 Degrees North also offers 'Norway in a Nutshell'® tour as a 'Norway in a Nutshell'® three day active package tour (Oslo to Bergen with cycling to Flåm across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau; or a two day package (Oslo to Bergen via Voss, or Oslo to Oslo via Bergen) and we can include this package into a wider Norway or Scandinavian itinerary, tailor-made just for you.