You don't need to drive more than a few of hours by car from the capital to get to the nature and wildlife mecca of Flå. This small town is the southern gateway to Hallingdal, a valley that stretches across southern Norway, from Flå in the southeast to Hemsedal and Geilo in the north.
Whether you want to enjoy a short break while travelling through Hallingdal or are looking for a destination with beautiful views and memorable outdoor experiences, Flå is an excellent choice. Flå is home to forest landscapes, mountains and valleys that are perfect for hiking, skiing and cycling.
It is particularly well suited for families, with several short and relatively simple trails. And, of course, there's Flå's most popular attraction: Bjørneparken! Here you can get close to wild animals like bears, lynx and moose in their natural habitat and create lifelong memories.
Attractions
Memorable encounters at Bjørneparken
If you're travelling with children, a trip to Bjørneparken is a must when visiting Flå and Hallingdal. Experience all kinds of fantastic animals, such as bears, deer, lynx and Amur leopards, the world’s rarest big cat. You might even get lucky and get to feed a fox or touch a moose. The park also has familiar farm animals in a petting zoo, where children can learn how to be an animal caretaker. The park also has a large crocodile exhibit with alligators, snakes and reptiles and Dinosauria, a temporary exhibition with a variety of life-sized dinosaurs.
But there are more than just animals at Bjørneparken, from a water park, playgrounds that include an obstacle course and zipline to theatre performances and even a roller coaster. No wonder children love Bjørneparken!
The park opens at Easter every year and stays open until the end of the autumn holiday (week 41).
Learn about Norwegian predators
There are four predator centres around the country, one of which is located in Flå – more specifically inside Bjørneparken. Here you can experience taxidermied predators and learn more about Norwegian predators in an objective and exciting way. Test your reflexes compared to a lynx, compare your height to a bear, crawl into a wolverine den and learn about predator tracks and sounds.
Activities at sea
Take a dip or paddle
If you visit Flå during hot summer weather, there are several nice places to cool off. On the sandy beach in the town centre, you can swim in the Hallingdal River and at the Gulsvik swimming area, you can cool off in the Krøderfjord and enjoy sand, jetties and volleyball. Adventurous travellers can explore the area along Gulsvikelva east of Lavvoen at Høgevarde. Here you’ll find several beautiful natural pools and small waterfalls that are perfect for a unique water experience.
At Fyrisjø at Høgevarde, there is a beautiful sandy beach that is wonderful for a dip in fresh mountain water. There are also rowboats, canoes and life jackets that you can borrow for free. If you are interested in more water experiences, you can try stand-up padding (SUP) in the calm Fisketjern at Høgevarde. You can rent the board at Lavvoen right next door.
Try your luck at fishing
Flå has several excellent fishing locations, so if you love to fish, you should definitely bring your rod and enjoy a few hours in the scenic surroundings. At Vassfaret, you can fish for trout, perch and char, while the wonderful fishing waters of Fisketjern and Fyrisjø at Høgevarde are home to mountain trout and brown trout. There are also lots of nice mountain lakes on Turufjell, such as Gaptjern, where you can fish for trout, pike or perch. The river that flows through the centre of Flå is home to both pike and trout and in the Krøderfjord, you'll find pike, perch and the rare deep-water char. Remember to buy a fishing license!
Activities and nature experiences
Hiking galore
If you visit Flå in spring, summer or autumn, you should definitely go for a hike or two. This is the ultimate destination for those who like to lace up their hiking boots and go hiking in the mountains, whether you’re looking for a short and family-friendly walk or a long hike.
A few highlights: A summit hike to Vardefjell (1121 m above sea level) is among the options that are well suited for families. The hike is 3.2 kilometres long and is relatively easy, with nice views of Hallingdal and Krøderen and a choice of hiking trails. A hike that is sure to give the children a sense of accomplishment!
Moderate difficulty: The Vassfaret nature and heritage trail is 16 kilometres and takes 6-8 hours to walk. Vassfaret - which has become well-known thanks to writer and journalist Mikkjel Fønhus - is home to large wooded valleys, lakes, roaring waterfalls and mountain peaks. On this historic hike, you can experience traces of historic logging and mountain farming activities, as well as settlements. The hike starts at the car park at Øyvatn and along the trail, there are several information boards describing Vassfaret’s natural history, geology and flora.
Long hike: If you want to hike over several days, the long circular trail south of Vassfaret to Flå is a great option. The hike takes about four days and has a moderate difficulty level. You hike from the forest up to the tree line and then down again to Flå. Along the way, there are several DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) cabins where you can spend the night.
Family-friendly frisbee golf
Disc golf, or frisbee golf as it is also called, involves throwing a frisbee from A to B in as few throws as possible. It’s similar to regular golf, only you use a frisbee instead of a ball and there are baskets instead of holes. The course at Flå is great for families and those who have never tried the sport before. There are few obstacles and short distances to the baskets, which are often visible from the throwing point. The course consists of nine baskets and does not take very long - a round can easily be completed in less than an hour if there are not too many playing at the same time.
The discs used are specially adapted to the game and smaller, harder and heavier than regular frisbees. They can be bought at Sport1 and Sport Outlet and Thon Hotel Bjørneparken also has frisbees that hotel guests can borrow. A fun activity for young and old!
Cycling in breathtaking scenery
If you like being out on two wheels, you’ll love biking in Flå! Considerable investments have been made in recent years to make Flå one of the world’s best destinations for mountain biking. Here you’ll find everything from family-friendly gravel roads to more challenging trails that include forested valleys, steep slopes and roaring waterfalls. The two main areas for mountain biking in Flå are Høgevarde and Turufjell.
Høgevarde is often described as the perfect biking terrain, as it is neither too steep nor too flat. One of Europe’s largest networks of bike paths is being constructed here, and many of the paths can already be used. The Forkbeard trail, for example, is 3.5 kilometres long and defined as an intermediate trail, but also has technical elements along the way for those who enjoy a challenge. Less experienced cyclists may only bike outside the advanced sections. Along the trail is a rest area and several viewpoints with spectacular views overlooking Vassfaret and Krøderen, among others. Alternatively, you can check out the Lavvostien, a shorter trail with some roots and rock rolls, a little drop and turns - but which should still be manageable for most riders.
The Sauvallsving trail is even easier and a fantastic option for the entire family, regardless of cycling experience and age. You bike along a 1.5 kilometre long 'snake' and the trail is wide and friendly at the start, before the second half offers a little more speed. This trail also includes rest areas and great views.
If you are experienced and want to try something a bit more challenging, try Høgevarde - Le Grand Tour, which is 12.8 kilometres long, or Unionen, a complex, high-speed trail.
Turufjell has green, blue and red graded trails, as well as jumping lines. Slåttemyrrunden is a multipurpose trail of 2.2 kilometres that is slightly hilly and great for both biking and walking.
Cycling track in town centre
If you're interested in cycling that doesn't require preparations or transport, you can try the pump track in the centre of Flå. The cycling track is 900 square metres in size and features bumps, jumps and banked corners, offering good opportunities to practice basic mountain biking skills. If you want to explore more of what the town centre has to offer, you can spend time at Flå's Tuftepark (outdoor fitness park) and climb on the climbing boulder. It's also easy to combine a trip here with a lunch stop at one of the eateries in the town centre, as well as shopping at the Bjørneparken shopping centre.
To the top on skis
During the winter, Flå is a favourite destination for those who like to ski. Both Høgevarde and Turufjell have ski resorts and a number of nice summit trails. Here you’ll find everything from picturesque cross-country forest tracks to high peaks with long downhill slopes. You'll find several excellent summit tour options here and Ranten, Kristnatten, Vardefjell and Blåfjell are summits that can be reached with skis.
Cross-country tracks as far as the eye can see
Looking for freshly prepared tracks? You’ve come to the right place. At Høgevarde, you’ll find no fewer than 50 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails and you can choose whether you want to ski into the high mountains or go on a shorter outing around the cabin areas. Turufjell boasts a 65-kilometre trail network that is connected to the Adventure Trail. The trails winds their way into the mountains and if you enjoy a challenge, you can ski all the way to Hemsedal.
Museums and attractions
Historic stop at Gulsvik station
Gulsvik station opened in 1907, when the Bergen Line only went as far as Gulsvik. The Bergen Line, which runs between Oslo and Bergen, is said to be one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. The station at Gulsvik no longer offers passenger services, but has been transformed into a charming museum with an exhibition about the station, Bergen Line and boat traffic on the Krøderfjord.
Explore Hallingdal
As mentioned above, Flå is the gateway to Hallingdal from the south, making it a great starting point for visiting several of the most interesting destinations in the area. Nesbyen, Gol, Ål (where you can stay at Thon Hotel Hallingdal), Geilo and Hemsedal all offer lots of great nature experiences - whether hiking, skiing, dog sledding or cycling. You can also explore a number of museums and churches, mountain farms and zoos, climbing parks, water parks and factory outlets for popular products from Hallingdal - such as Skaugum cutlery. Speaking of cutlery... Hallingdal has rich culinary traditions, so make sure to taste some of the local delicacies. If you visit the cheesemaking town of Hol, for example, you can buy world-class cheese.
Food and drinks
Lavvoen at Høgevarde
Lavvoen is a unique eatery designed like a lavvo at 800 metres above sea level between Fisketjern and the ski lift at Høgevarde. Here you can enjoy great views and local, organic and delicious lunch and dinner. The menu features vegetables from Hemsedal, cheese from Hol, grass-fed lamb from Vats and bacon from Hønefoss. When it comes to beverages, you can choose between water kefir, juice, wine, beer and spirits - and more. The concept is the brainchild of the passionate duo Thea Aannestad and David Lindgårde, whose goal is to make Lavvoen the country’s best mountain restaurant. Stop by and judge for yourself!
Bjørnehiet Café
Bjørnehiet Café is part of both Bjørneparken shopping centre and Thon Hotel Bjørneparken. It serves traditional dishes made with quality ingredients and is open for both lunch and dinner. If you'd like something sweet with your coffee, they also sell delicious baked goods. And in the evening, you can relax in the lounge and bar.
Restaurant Rumi
Inspired by the story of the mysterious poet Rumi, Fariborz Minaei and his wife Leotina opened Restaurant Rumi in the centre of Flå. Specialities from Bulgarian cuisine are served for lunch and dinner. The couple also runs a carpet gallery at the same location, where they sell Persian carpets they have personally bought at markets in Fariborz’s home country of Iran.
Hallingporten Café & Bistro
Hallingporten Café & Bistro is a popular eatery that boasts 'the best of the best from several worlds', with a choice between Asian, Norwegian and Italian cuisine. Whichever you prefer, you can eat your meal while enjoying picturesque views of Krøderen. The eatery also has a take-away menu on the website, as well as a food cart in the town centre. This makes it easy to enjoy your meal in your hotel room or have a picnic outdoors.
Turutunet Café
Turutunet - a delightful café in the heart of Turufjell - opened in 2020. Here you can enjoy a light meal and pastries. You can also enjoy your food and drinks in a tipi with comfortable chairs and food service. The perfect stop during an outing!
Group activities
Learn about Norwegian predators
There are four predator centres around the country, one of which is located in Flå – more specifically inside Bjørneparken. Here you are welcomed by a nature guide and can experience taxidermied predators and learn more about Norwegian predators in an objective and exciting way. Test your reflexes compared to a lynx, compare your height to a bear, crawl into a wolverine den and learn about predator tracks and sounds. The visitor centre has the same opening hours as Bjørneparken, but also welcomes groups outside the park’s opening hours.
Family-friendly frisbee golf
Disc golf, or frisbee golf as it is also called, involves throwing a frisbee from A to B in as few throws as possible. It’s similar to regular golf, only you use a frisbee instead of a ball and there are baskets instead of holes. The course at Flå is great for families and those who have never tried the sport before. There are few obstacles and short distances to the baskets, which are often visible from the throwing point. The course consists of nine baskets and does not take very long - a round can easily be completed in less than an hour if there are not too many playing at the same time.
The discs used are specially adapted to the game and smaller, harder and heavier than regular frisbees. They can be bought at Sport1 and Sport Outlet and Thon Hotel Bjørneparken also has frisbees that hotel guests can borrow. A fun activity for young and old!
Cycling in breathtaking scenery
Mountain biking is a great group activity in Flå. Here you'll find everything from family-friendly gravel roads to more challenging trails, so there is something for every skill level. One of Europe’s largest networks of bike paths is being constructed at Høgevarde and many of the paths can already be used. The Forkbeard trail, for example, is 3.5 kilometres long and defined as an intermediate trail, but also has technical elements along the way for those who enjoy a challenge. Less experienced cyclists may only bike outside the advanced sections. Along the trail is a rest area and several viewpoints with spectacular views overlooking Vassfaret and Krøderen, among others. Alternatively, you can check out the Lavvostien, a shorter trail with some roots and rock rolls, a little drop and turns - but which should still be manageable for most riders.
