Norway is an incredibly beautiful country full of natural wonders and so much to do outdoors. A road trip through Fjord Norway and the Hardanger region makes for a fantastic family summer vacation. Use this guide as a starting point for planning your ideal trip in Odda & the Hardangerfjord with kids.
How to get to the Hardangerfjord region:
Flights in to Norway are easiest through airports in Oslo, Bergen or Stavanger. We love to use Kayak to scout out the best flight deals. It’s easy to check for the cheapest and best timing across airlines this way. Bergen airport provides the quickest access to Fjord Norway, but consider Oslo or Stavanger if including this area as a part of a larger road trip around Norway. Even if the drive is longer, you won’t be sad about seeing more of this gorgeous country.
We arrived via overnight ferry on Go Nordic Cruiselines from Copenhagen, which you can read all about here. If you are doing a larger tour of Scandinavia, this is a fun, unique option for making your way up to Oslo and taking off into the rest of the country.
Whether you fly in or drive, you will definitely need a car to explore outside of bigger cities like Oslo. Once again, we recommend price comparing through Kayak, our favorite place to look for rental cars. After our start in Oslo, we spent a few days exploring the Valdres and Jotunheimen regions before making the drive to Hardangerfjord. The drive to the Hardangerfjord was simply incredible – road tripping in this country cannot be beat.
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Where to stay in the Hardangerfjord region:
We always prefer looking for a great VRBO when we travel with kids. It makes it so easy to relax in the evenings and, we think, provides a deeper connection to the place you’re calling home for the week. This is also a great option if you want to get a little more out into nature, although you will find plenty of non-chain hotel options in smaller towns. Rent a small Norwegian hytte or a hotel room on booking.com if that’s more your speed.
We based ourselves in the small rural area outside of the village of Ullensvang in a beautiful little farmhouse. It was peaceful and nature-forward, while allowing us quick access to two national parks and the larger town of Odda for food and supplies.
Things to do in Hardangerfjord:
Expect most of your time to be spent outdoors and enjoying this country’s incredible nature. That will be the highlight and heart of any trip to Norway and it’s no different in this region. Prepare for the weather – in the summer it can be quite warm and pleasant, but it’s wise to also expect a few days of rain and chill temperatures.
Tunnels and Ryfylke National Scenic Route
I know tunnels seems like a crazy thing to write on a list of activities for kids, but there are actually some pretty spectacular tunnels in this country. If you’re doing any sort of driving, you will inevitably end up in one, but I would go out of my way to experience the Laerdal Tunnel. This is a 12.5 mile tunnel that exits straight out of the mountain onto a connecting bridge. Colorful mountain cave formations dot the passage and, honestly, it’s just a cool experience that my kids still remember.
Folgefonna National Park
There are multiple options of things to do inside the park, with trails everywhere in Norway. Hiking the Buarbreen glacier trail was one of the best experiences of our entire trip. Our kids, ages 7, 9 and 11 were the perfect age for this challenging but fun trail up to the face of the glacier. Park at the Buarbreen Car Park for easy access to the trail head, but be aware that once you enter the parking lot, you’re paying the set day rate of 150-230 NOK, whether you stay for 5 minutes or all day long. Annoying, but again, it’s kind of the price of traveling in Norway and this trail is worth it.
Be prepared to a lot of rock scrambling and some easy ladders and ropes on this trail. It’s best suited for slightly older kids, but will absolutely be something they will remember. Take along plenty of snacks and water to keep up the energy levels. There are also a few water crossings, so proper hiking shoes are necessary.
Hardangervidda National Park
Norway is flush with national parks, and this one is just as spectacular. The Husedalen Valley trek passes four waterfalls as it climbs to the Hardangervidda plateau.
The famous Trolltunga hike sits just outside of the park’s borders. It’s a long hike, taking between 8-12 hours, and is recommended only for kids 12 & older, so we didn’t take it on our trip. If you have older kids with a bit of experience in long hikes, I think it would be an unforgettable time.
Fjord Swimming
For the brave, for sure, but another of those core memories from our trip to Norway. The water of the fjords is magical, as it feeds straight down the mountain from glaciers. If your weather is warm you’ll want to jump right in. Be prepared – it’s shockingly cold. Like take-your-breath-away-cold. But when the sun is warm, it’s a one of those fun lifetime experiences that you’ll be glad you did. And, again, the water is the most amazing color.
We stopped at Sørfjorden and the public bathing area near Camp Lothepus to swim one afternoon. There is a dock fitted with ladders for easy access in and out, as well as plenty of space for warming up in the sun after your dip. Views are incredible. It’s also easy to choose whatever access is closest to you.
Waterfalls
This area is simply brimming with waterfalls. Walk trails to your heart’s content or simply drive and stop along the way to view these natural wonders.
Numerous trails will be accessible from wherever you are. We took the Tjørnadalsfossen trail directly from Highway 13. Easy to access, a quick walk and a big reward.
Some of the most famous waterfalls are visible from the road, and will take your breath away as you approach. The Låtefoss waterfall is one of the most famous in the country and incredibly easy to access. Come early if you want to grab an easy parking spot and avoid traffic. There’s also a small beach area that our kids had fun playing on for a while.
Apple Orchards
The Hardanger area is dotted with numerous apple orchards, and quite famous for the ciders and apple products that are produced there. Popular options include Ulvik Frukt and Sideri or Lofthus Sideri. Be sure to stop by one and sample the local fares, but check opening hours in advance, as they are closed certain days of the week.
Stave Churches
These unique Norwegian-style churches are plentiful in the country and are a draw for many history enthusiasts. While maybe not a full day activity for kids, it can be a good option on a rainy day (which you have a good chance of experiencing at least once on your trip). We made a rainy morning of the drive over the mountain into Røldal (gorgeous ski resort area) and visited the stave church in the town.
Road Trip to Other Regions of Norway
If you have plenty of time in Hardangerfjord, consider adding on another of Norway’s regions. Road trip up into the Sognefjord region, or visit the Nærøyfjord World Heritage Park. A little more than two hours from the Hardangerfjord region, you’ll have fantastic views along the way, passing through numerous idyllic small towns, fjord-side roads and sweeping vistas.
Flåm is a popular destination in the Sognefjord. We found it super busy and extremely touristy, so the highlight for us was actually getting away from the town itself and closer to the river, where the brave can once again swim in those icy waters. The park areas all around the town are great for kids. Parking is a bit crazy, and a bit pricey, so just go in aware.
Norway is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever have the chance to visit, so enjoy your time in this stunning country.
Looking for more things to do in Scandinavia?
Norway with Kids: Valdres & Jotunheimen
