Things To Do In Voss

We have researched to find as many sports activities as Voss has to offer. We hope that some will be helpful to you.

Let us first present what the town has to offer besides sports activities.

Voss Stone Church (Vangskyrkja)

Vangskyrkja stone church is in the Voss center. It has a unique timber roof and a long church design, Norway’s most common church type. The original design is from 1277 but had several renovations during its existence.

The most striking interior detail is the rich and colorful decorated organ.

Bordalsgjelet Gorge

Bordalsgjelet Gorge is just a 5-minute drive from the town center on the southern outskirts of the town and on the local road Fv311. From the parking space, there is a short but narrow pathway to the gorge. It is nice that the metal rail fence protects the visitors while walking the path and exploring it.

We experienced the shorter version near Trollstigen mountain road at Gudbrandsjuvet – Gudbrans Ravine. As you can see in the photo below the security measures are spot on with sturdy cages build around the ravine.

Tvinde Waterfall (Tvindefossen)

There are so many waterfalls on the road from Flåm to Bergen, and Tvinde Waterfall (Tvindefossen) is one of them worth mentioning. The waterfall is only 13km (8 miles) from Voss on the road’s left-hand side while driving in the Flåm direction. Near the waterfall are a souvenir shop, camping, and parking space. It is very easily reachable from the road and parking.

Compared to Kjel Falls – Waterfall (Kjelfossen) described later, the Tvinde waterfall drop is only 110 meters (360 ft). However, the Tvinde waterfall is broader. The water flows down natural staircases, cascade sprinkling around stair by stair.

We were lucky to visit this place several times. However, during the summer months (July especially), the waterfall is as beautiful as in the photo above.

On our first visit, it was raining. So weather conditions can be challenging to enjoy this beauty to the full extent.

As you can see in the photo below, it is a lot less impressive in spring. The rocks are predominant, and the colors are too gray since there is less water and the vegetation is not green.

Voss Cable Car (Gondola) Rides

This cube-designed cable car (gondola) building dominates the town’s center, surrounded by bus and train stations, hotels, and many buildings in the neighborhood. It is a traffic hub for many eager to reach the mountain top extremely fast as soon as they step out of the bus or train.

Skydiving

Skydiving has a long tradition in this region. If you are passionate about exploring our planet top-down, maybe this is a suitable activity for you.

The skydiving season is between April and September.

Tandem Paragliding

Maybe, you prefer to climb mountains and launch the wings from high terrain rather than jump from aircraft. If all the above facts are suitable for you then Tandem paragliding is good sport activity for you.

We have seen many enjoying paragliding. Some even had the skis on while flying.

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The Wind Tunnel

Compared to skydiving, wind tunnel flying is in a more controlled environment. That doesn’t mean less fun. On the contrary, it’s extraordinary!

Rafting

Family rafting or rafting with friends is a really “wet” and thrilling experience. We were lucky to do rafting in Slovenia on the Soča river and in the USA (North Caroline). We are looking forward to coming back to Voss and getting wet and splashing ourselves.

Another area in Norway popular for rating is on Sjoa River in Gudbrandsdalen Valley and not far away from Lillehammer.

Kayaking

Kayaking is another splashing water activity. There is a lot of excitement in riding the rapids with a group of like-minded friends.

However, it demands some practice since you are alone in the kayak. There is no skipper like in rafting to do the steering, emergency actions, corrections, etc.

Canoeing

We prefer canoeing over kayaking, especially if the paddling is in calm waters such as lakes, slow rivers, etc. It is an enjoyable, fun, and relaxed water activity for the whole family.

Canoeing can be combined with fishing and camping.

Riverboarding

Even before we relocated to Norway, we heard about riverboarding. We watched one of Lonely Planet’s episodes about Norway with the funny Ian Wright. That was the first time hearing about Voss and riverboarding.

Canyoning

Maybe you like jumping from the cliffs into the cold, clear, and beautiful mountain river water. Canyoning allows experiencing the canyons from another perspective.

SUP Paddle Boarding

Paddleboarding has been extremely popular in recent years. Voss’s nearby lake offers an opportunity for smooth “glide”.

Waterfall Rappelling

Some people like to use ropes and climb up. However, some prefer to put on harnesses, wetsuits, and helmets and descend beside the spectacular waterfalls in waterfall rappelling activity.

Fishing Tours

Where is a lot of water must be a lot of fish. Check your fishing skills and try to trick sly trout in the many beautiful lakes, rivers, and streams.

Hiking

The beautiful landscapes of this region provide opportunities for short and long mountain hiking explorations. The hiking season is from June until October. However, it is heavily dependent on the weather conditions.

We look forward to visiting this area again and further exploring hiking tracks.

High Rope Parks & Zipline

Pick your mini or main route, and get basic training in using the equipment. You are ready to go and adventure different obstacles. It is great fun for the whole family.

Skiing in Voss

Living in a country with long winters means you will eventually fall in love with skiing. Voss Resorts offer many kilometers of groomed ski slopes, many ski lifts, and Voss Gondola to efficiently reach the slopes.

It is a snow paradise for all lovers of alpine, cross-country, snowboarding, off-piste skiing, and even telemark skiing.

Places Nearby Voss

Voss is interesting and exciting for many sports and nature lovers but its vicinity has a lot to offer. We have put for you a few suggestions that might be interesting for you.

Skjervsfossen Waterfall

We stopped by this waterfall on our way back from Bondhusvatnet Glacier and Lake. Although it was a short detour from the main road 13 to Voss, it was worth it.

The waterfall is a less than 20-minute drive from Voss (road 13) and a short detour on the local road (turn left at the Skjervsfossen sign).

You can see, enjoy and explore the waterfall from the top and bottom.

If you drive from Voss, the first stop is to see the waterfall from the top. Here you get a glimpse of the waterfall.

The view from the bottom is much better, in our opinion, as you can see in the photo below. You drive a little bit further down the local road until you see a small parking lot on the road’s left-hand side. From there, you can walk a short pathway to the foot of the waterfall.

Stalheimskleiva Road

On the road to Flåm (E16 road) after 36 km (22 mi) and 35 minutes drives, instead of driving through the tunnel, take a detour over the winding one-way only downhill driven Stalheimskleiva road.

For two consecutive years, we tried to “slide down” this 13 hairpin bends road, but without any luck yet. It is currently closed due to maintenance work. So it is still on our wishing list for visits in the future.

To reach it, exit E16 (to the left) at the Stalheim sign and drive up the narrow road to the Stalheim Hotel. The hotel was the furthest we could drive to on our first attempt to experience the road. While you “slalom” drive, please do not forget the magnificent views of the beautiful waterfalls Stalheimfossen and Sivlefossen.

Flåm

Flåm is a tourist magnet and has a lot to offer: the famous Flåmsbana railway, the Aurlands fjord, fjord safari, fjord cruises, the Stegastain viewpoint, the Aurlandsfjellet snow road and much more.

It is a must-see destination, and we highly recommend it to everyone.

If you drive a car between Voss and Flåm, you will see many valleys, mountains, tunnels, lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, etc. You have to drive the E16 road for about one hour and 65 km (40 mi) to reach Flåm.

Another option is to take the train from Voss to Myrdal and transfer to the famous Flåmsbana railway to Flåm.

A third option is to take a bus to Gudvangen village, change to a Nærøyfjord cruise, and experience this beautiful fjord together with the Aurlands fjord until you reach Flåm.

Bergen

Bergen is the second biggest city in Norway on the coast of the Northern Sea. Seven mountains surround the city. Many islands on the west protect the city from the open sea.

The most famous tourist attraction in the city is Bryggen in Bergen. Bryggen is the old timber and colorful houses by the sea. They are on the UNESCO list of world heritage.

However, Bergen has a lot more to offer: Fløibanen funicular ride and Mount Floyen over the city panorama view, fish market, Mount Ulrike Cable Car, fortress, and many museums, statues & monuments…

Getting Around in Voss

Voss is, in a sense transportation hub and intersects with several roads. You can easily travel to Voss by car, bus, and train.

East-west is the E16 motorway that connects Bergen and Oslo. After visiting Stavanger, Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), Trolltunga, Bondhusvatnet Lake, and the glacier, you are coming from the south road. From Voss, you can drive north over Sognefjord to charming Balestrand village, Gaularfjellet viewpoint, Stradalselva Valley, and the beautiful Stryn region.

By car: E16 highway (in reality not highway) connects Oslo and Bergen via Voss.

• Voss – Bergen is one hour and thirty minutes drive and 100 km (62 mi).
• Voss – Oslo is an approximately 6-hour drive and roughly 380 km (235 mi).
• Voss – Flåm is approximately one hour’s drive and 65 km (40 mi).

By bus: Several intercity coach services operate to and from Voss. Please check Skyss’s and Vy Buss’s websites for routes, timetables, prices, purchase tickets, and other services. The bus terminal is in the town center near Voss Gondola and the train station.

By train: Voss is on the Oslo-Bergen train route and has several daily departures and arrivals. Please, for more information, check the VY website (routes, timetables, prices, purchase tickets, etc.). The train station is in the town center near Voss Gondola and the bus terminal.

Trains time to/from Voss:

• Bergen: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Oslo: 6 hours
• Flåm: 1 hour 45 minutes

By airplane: Voss has a small sports airport, Bømoen. It is for all interested in skydiving, helicopter panorama flights, etc.

However, the nearest passenger airport is Bergen international airport. It is 100 km (62 mi.) and one hour and thirty minutes drive to it. SAS and Norwegian operate daily flights to/from major Norwegian and European cities.

Where to stay in Voss?

We passed Voss several times while driving to Bergen and Flåm, but we did not need to stay in Voss. However, Fleischer’s Hotel, built in the old Swiss style, caught our eye. It is next to the road we passed and not far away from the lake, Voss Gondola, bus, and train station.

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Voss Restaurants and Cafes you have to see!

On our stops by Voss, the primary resupply location was the Amfi shopping center, packed with many shops, restaurants, and groceries.

Are you a food adventurer? In that case, you can taste the local delicacy “sheep’s head” (Smalahovetnunet). It is the dish back to the Viking age. The sheep’s eye is a special treat and honor for the guest from the host.

Best Time To Visit Voss

Voss is a location to visit all year round due to the many sporting activities available in all seasons. However, every sporting activity has its season, so please keep that in mind.

Costs of traveling in Voss

We have set a budget estimate that might be helpful while planning your own trip to Voss. In addition, we have a few tips for you that might save your wallet or cards from going in the red.

USD ($) – Budget

EUR (€) – Budget

GBP (£) – Budget

We wish you an epic trip!