Experiences
Voss adventure: rafting, the gondola and extreme sports between fjord and mountain
Rushing rivers, parachutes over the lake and a gondola straight from the railway station. How to experience Voss, from rafting and the Voss Gondola to skiing in winter, and where to stay.
The raft is thrown up by a white wave, paddles slap the water, and the guide shouts something you cannot hear over the roar. Two seconds later you are through, soaked and laughing. That is Voss: the rivers run fast, the mountains are steep, and adventure is five minutes from the railway station.
Voss lies halfway between Bergen and Flåm and calls itself Norway’s adventure capital. Here are the best things to do in summer and winter, and the hotels to rest in afterwards.
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The best things to do in Voss
Book the experience: See activities in Voss
Rafting and river sports
The rivers around Voss are among the best in Norway for rafting. Family trips run on calmer stretches, while the wildest go through rapids that make your heart skip. You can also try riverboarding or canyoning, jumping, sliding and climbing down through a gorge.
The Voss Gondola
The Voss Gondola leaves from the centre, by the railway station, and takes you up to Hangursnoset. From here you look out over Lake Vangsvatnet, the village and the surrounding mountains. There is a restaurant at the top, and in winter the gondola links to the ski area.
The Extreme Sports Week
Every summer Voss fills with skydivers, kayakers, climbers and cyclists during Ekstremsportveko, one of the world’s biggest extreme sports festivals. Even as a spectator, the atmosphere is worth the trip.
Skiing in winter
In winter, Voss Resort and Myrkdalen are two of western Norway’s biggest ski areas, a short drive apart. The snow often arrives early, and the season lasts long.
Where to stay in Voss
Myrkdalen Resort
Myrkdalen Resort by the slopes.
Myrkdalen Resort Hotel
Myrkdalen sits by the slopes half an hour north of central Voss. In winter it is ski-in, ski-out, and in summer a quiet mountain hotel with hikes from the door. Breakfast is included.
Book your stay: See rooms at Myrkdalen Resort
Fleischer’s Hotel
Fleischer’s is the classic hotel in Voss, a grand Swiss-style wooden building by Lake Vangsvatnet, next to the railway station. The staff are much praised, and breakfast is included.
Book your stay: See rooms at Fleischer’s Hotel
Scandic Voss
Scandic Voss sits by the Voss Gondola, with a restaurant and gym. Guests rave about the breakfast, and the gondola and centre are right outside.
Book your stay: See rooms at Scandic Voss
Stalheim Hotel
The view from Stalheim over the Nærøy valley.
Stalheim Hotel
Stalheim is half an hour’s drive from Voss, on the edge of the Nærøy valley. Combine Voss with a night here and a boat trip on the Nærøyfjord.
Book your stay: See rooms at Stalheim Hotel
When is the best time to visit Voss?
June: high water in the rivers after the snowmelt, and the Extreme Sports Week.
July and August: the warmest months, with every activity running.
December to April: ski season at Voss Resort and Myrkdalen.
Voss is about an hour by train from Bergen on the Bergen Railway, and buses and trains to Flåm leave from here.
Voss FAQ
What is there to do in Voss?
Rafting, canyoning and riverboarding in summer, the Voss Gondola all year and skiing in winter. The Extreme Sports Week in June is an experience of its own.
How do you get to Voss?
By train from Bergen it takes about an hour, and the Bergen Railway runs direct from Oslo. From Voss, buses and trains continue towards Flåm and Gudvangen.
Can children go rafting in Voss?
Yes, there are family trips on calmer stretches of river. The minimum age varies, so check with the operator.
When is the Extreme Sports Week in Voss?
The festival takes place every year in late June. Check the dates in advance and book your hotel early.
Where should I stay in Voss?
Fleischer’s and Scandic Voss are in the centre by the train and the gondola. Myrkdalen Resort is best for skiing, and Stalheim offers views over the Nærøy valley.