Vacation with children in Nordfjord

Nordfjord is one of Norway’s most varied travel destinations for families with children. Here you’ll find fjords and mountains, beaches and glaciers, animals and adventures – and activities suitable for everyone from the very youngest to grandparents. Summer and winter. Here you’ll find everything in one fjord. 

The region stretches from Bramnger and Stadlandet at the outer edge by the open sea to Stryn deep inside the fjord, with Gloppen and Eid in between. That means that no matter where you stay, there are experiences nearby. The distances are short, the nature is magnificent, and most attractions are easily accessible – also for families with strollers and young children.

Photo: © Emma Midthjell Solibakke

Photo: © Emma Midthjell Solibakke

​​​​​​Visiting farms and animal experiences

Meeting animals is one of the things that stays in your memory the longest after a holiday. In Nordfjord you’ll find several visiting farms where children can get up close to big and small animals in various beautiful places around the region. These are experiences that suit the very youngest and engage the whole family.

You can join the feeding of deer at Hjortegarden in Ålfoten. Olden Farm has farm animals that enjoy cuddles, and offers sack races, jumping in the hay and horseshoe throwing. Hakallegarden has horses, donkeys, alpacas, sheep, emus and other exciting animals you can meet. The tractor chugs around the farmyard, and you can ride along in the trailer.

Photo: © Emma Midthjell Solibakke

On horseback

Nordfjord is home to the Norwegian Fjord Horse, which people all over the world know from the Disney film Frozen. Here are several places where you can get to know this pleasant animal, which can suit the whole family, regardless of experience. Feel free to travel to the Norwegian Fjord Horse Centre in Nordfjordeid or join a ride with Stall Rygg.

Experiences with animals

Photo: © Emma Midthjell Solibakke

Swimming pools in Nordfjord 

Nordfjord has a surprisingly varied swimming offer. Here you will find everything from ice-cold mountain lakes and sheltered sandy beaches to heated outdoor pools – as well as indoor pools open year-round. Whatever the weather and temperature, it’s possible to go for a swim in Nordfjord.

Trivselshallen in Sandane is located in the same building as the sports hall in Sandane town centre. Here you’ll find a swimming pool (25 degrees), water slide, therapy pool (34 degrees), children’s pool and diving tower. At Gloppen Camping and leisure centre, the family will find both a swimming beach and an outdoor pool. Byrkjelo Camping has a great and popular heated outdoor pool. 

At Hotel Alexandra, there is a large bathing facility with pools both outdoors and indoors, linked together with canals. There is a water slide with a real stomach-drop feeling and a counter-current pool for those who want a good workout. There are several children’s pools indoors and outdoors, plus a water slide, waterfall, and grotto. 

Photo: © Ruben Soltvedt

Beach holiday in Nordfjord

Seljesanden is located in the beautiful village of Selje. It is no coincidence that thousands of photos from here find their way to Instagram. The beach stretches from the town centre to Selje Church.

Grotleasanden is one of the finest swimming beaches in Western Norway. This is a sandy beach that sparks delight and admiration and is visited by many families with children during the summer. Grotlesanden is located near several other small beaches between Hauge and Grotle.

Hoddevik is located in Stad municipality. In Hoddevik, at the outermost edge of Stad, you can walk barefoot on white sand, surrounded by steep mountainsides. In Hoddevik, you can even bring the children surfing.

Photo: © Emma Midthjell Solibakke

Photo: © Emma Midthjell Solibakke

Climbing and via ferrata

Nordfjord is a paradise for those who want to challenge themselves at height. Here you’ll find options for all levels – from indoor bouldering gyms and high-ropes parks with zipline, to spectacular via ferrata routes for the more adventurous. Many of the facilities offer options specially adapted for children and young people.

Hydlaparken in Stryn is a high-ropes park with 7 climbing courses, 11 ziplines and 58 obstacles – with easy children’s courses, family courses and tougher challenges for the oldest. Trivselshallen in Sandane has one of the largest climbing walls in Western Norway, well suited for children. Hamna Aktivitetssenter in Nordfjordeid is an indoor bouldering gym perfect for children and young people.

For the older children, Via Ferrata Loen is a spectacular alternative. The age limit is 12 years for Via Ferrata Classic (minimum weight 40 kg). If you want one of the most epic climbing experiences in Western Norway, Hornelen Via Ferrata in Bremanger is the answer.

Loen Skylift and Loen Play

Loen is one of the most visited places in Nordfjord – and with good reason. Here you’ll find several attractions gathered in one place, from the very youngest to those who want an adrenaline rush. A visit to Loen can easily fill a whole family day.

Loen Skylift takes you from fjord to mountain in just five minutes – an experience the whole family will remember. Up on Mount Hoven, a panorama over Nordfjord opens up that is hard to describe. Down by the fjord you’ll find Loen Play, an indoor activity park with play and fun adapted for children from 1 to 12 years – a perfect choice on rainy days.

Via Ferrata Loen / © Sverre Hjørnevik

Culture and museums

Nordfjord has a rich history, and several museums and experience centres make it accessible in a way that engages children. Here, the family can learn about Vikings, local culture and coastal life – often combined with interactive exhibitions and activities.

Sagastad in Nordfjordeid is an experience centre connected to the Viking Age and the Myklebust Ship – Norway’s largest known Viking ship. With interactive exhibitions, this is an especially good choice for families with children who like history and adventure. Nordfjord Folkemuseum offers lively presentations of local history and cultural heritage – a good choice for families who want to experience Nordfjord beyond nature.

Paddling 

Fjords, lakes and rivers make Nordfjord one of the best paddling destinations in Western Norway. Canoeing and kayaking are activities that suit the whole family, and it’s easy to find calm waters where even the youngest can join in. Many accommodation providers and operators offer rentals, and no prior experience is necessary.

Briksdal Adventure, Loen Active and several other operators rent out kayaks and canoes.

Photo: © Ruben Soltvedt

Boat rental and fishing

In Nordfjord, you can rent a boat in several places for fishing, both on lakes and in the Nordfjord itself. Ask for information where you are staying.

Trail biking and hiking trails 

Nordfjord has a well-developed network of marked hiking trails and cycling routes, and many of them are adapted for families with children. Here you can choose between calm valley walks and more demanding mountain routes – depending on what the family is ready for.

Nordfjord Trail Centre in Sandane has cycling trails arranged for families and beginners, with the possibility to progress over time. Sandane Pumptrack is located by the artificial turf pitch near Sandane town centre. Folven Adventure Camp in Stryn offers activities and cycling experiences for the whole family. Hydlaparken has its own pumptrack, and Harpefossen on Nordfjordeid becomes a great cycling facility in summer. Turløyper Stryn has a wide selection of marked hikes adapted to all levels – from short family walks on the valley floor to longer summit hikes with views over all of Nordfjord.

Winter activities

Nordfjord is just as good a family holiday destination in winter as in summer. The region has several ski resorts with offers adapted for children and families, and with short distances it is easy to combine a ski trip with other activities. For families who want something other than alpine skiing, there are also good opportunities for cross-country skiing, snow play and indoor experiences.

Harpefossen Ski Centre on Nordfjordeid offers alpine skiing, snowboarding and groomed runs for all levels – with a dedicated children’s area and good facilities. Breimsbygda Ski Centre in Breim is a local and child-friendly ski area with a short trip to the slopes. Stryn Vinterski is a unique ski destination where you can ski on natural snow far into spring and early summer, thanks to the altitude and the distinctive local climate. 

Experiences for the whole family

10 tips for the perfect family holiday in Nordfjord

1. Let the kids take part in the planning. Check out our websites for inspiration and travel excitement. Give the kids the opportunity to draw or talk about their expectations. Compare them with the reality after the trip? 
    
2. Book your holiday well in advance, so you can look forward to it together for as long as possible. 
    
3. Let the children help decide the day stages and the content of the holiday.
    
4. Allow plenty of time for each visit. Things often take longer than you think. And nothing ruins the good mood more than being in a hurry.
    
5. Set aside plenty of time to discover, taste, and enjoy the great, family-friendly food in Nordfjord. Experiences are always nicer when you’re full and satisfied. 
    
6. Feel free to stay in the same place for several days, and take day trips from there. That way, the kids have the chance to return to a familiar place in the evening. And you avoid checking in and out every day.

7. Bring clothes for all kinds of weather. Don’t let the weather limit what you can experience on holiday. The summer days are often warm, nice and delightful in Nordfjord, but not always. 

8. Be curious. We in Nordfjord want to show you our hidden little gems and places we are proud of. We’re happy to tell you about the fjord we live by, so feel free to ask the people you meet – we’re happy to share. It might be exactly the tip that becomes the highlight of your holiday. 

9. Can you bring an extra friend? Nordfjord is the perfect holiday destination for children and friends. And even the boring car ride becomes more fun when you share it with a friend. 
 

10. Make a photo album from the holiday. Children love looking through albums with photos of themselves. Feel free to collect small keepsakes with you that you can glue into the album. 

Photo: © Emma Midthjell Solibakke

Photo: © Emma Midthjell Solibakke