Explore nature in a lush mountain valley, enjoy the view from the mountains, and get up close to wild animals such as bears, lynx, and moose in Bjørneparken.
Approaching from the south, Flå is the gateway to the Hallingdal valley. The peaceful village in Eastern Norway is home to around 1,100 inhabitants and offers wild and beautiful Norwegian nature.
Flå’s main attraction is the Bjørneparken Wildlife Park, where you can experience wild animals such as bears, lynx, foxes, wolves, and moose in their natural habitat. The park also has a big crocodile area where you can see snakes, alligators, and crocodiles, as well as two Amur leopards – the world’s rarest feline!
With several play areas, a centre for predators with interactive exhibitions, an obstacle course, and a separate water playground, Bjørneparken is a sure winner for adventurous families with children.
In winter, Flå is a paradise for cross-country skiers. The rest of the year, you can fish, hike, and enjoy the view from the top of Mount Høgevarde, which is in a league of its own.
The vast, forested mountain valley Vassfaret is full of lakes, waterfalls, steep slopes, and mountain peaks. From Lake Øyvatn there is a 16-kilometre long nature and culture trail, which is well suited for the whole family.
Find more inspiration on Flå’s official website (in Norwegian only).
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Things to do | Where to stay | Food and drink | Getting here and around
Top attractions in Flå
FlåVassfaret, Flå - 10 Iconic Walks
Follow the marked nature trail through Vassfaret's protected landscape area (820-1020 masl), where you can discover traces of forestry and mountain farm operations as well as old settlements. 20 information boards and 38 signs describe Vassfaret's natural history, geology and plant life. Distance: 16 km Duration: 6 hrs. Difficulty: Average
NoresundHøgevarde - 10 Iconic Walks
Norefjell is located less than 2 hours from Oslo, and from the top of Høgevarde, there is a view over large parts of Eastern Norway. There are marked trails to Quality Spa & Resort, so your trip can end with welldeserved rest and relaxation in the spa department. Distance: 13 km Duration: 4.5 hrs. Degree of difficulty: Average
FlåThe large carnivore information centre
The mandate of the centre is to spread neutral and factual knowledge to the public through the visitor centre and educational activities aimed at schools and communities. The large carnivore information centre is newly established and is one out of three governmental authorized information centres for large carnivores in Norway. High numbers of free-ranging domestic animals (mostly sheep) and increasing populations of carnivores challenges a sustainable management, and the conflict level is high. Our mandate is to mitigate conflicts and promote coexistence with large carnivores. The visitor centre has an educational exhibition providing unbiased and objective information covering all parts of the large carnivore subject: biology, research, management, conservation and conflicts. Learn how to behave if you meet a bear. Compare the size of the carnivores, fur, foot prints, claws and cranium. Test your skills placing the right carnivore to tracks, cadavers, sounds and traces. What is the opinion of different stakeholder organizations, and what is yours? The exhibition is modern and interactive to make it interesting for all generations and it is continuously updated. The location inside a zoo with live carnivores gives visitors at the zoo the possibility to learn about all aspects of the large carnivores.
FlåSauvallsvingen bike ride
A machine-built "trail trail" with large doses and various jumps and b-lines. The trail is wide and kind for the little ones, and works well for everyone regardless of age and cycling experience. The first half is a nice and in some places hike through fantastic high mountain terrain, before the second half brings more speed and flow. There are fantastic views of the Gulsvik trees and the Høgevarde area, as well as several picnic areas along the way. If you want a little more excitement then you can include a top trip to Hesteleinnattan, or find a nice singletrail down from Sauvallnatten in the northern direction. You must cycle / walk to the starting point. You can park along Gulsviksetervegen, and then cycle the same road to end where the starting point of the trail is. Alternatively, you can park at the end of Fjellseterhaugen, and thus get a small shortcut (must be ripped off by the less experienced cyclists).
FlåBjørneparken Shopping Mall
Bjørneparken Shopping Mall is directly connected to Thon Hotell Bjørneparken and has everything you need. Here you can find two restaurants and 16 shops, including pharmacy, clothing and a convenience store. The center has 350 free parking lots and charging station for electric cars. Opening hours Mandag – onsdag 10-18 Torsdag – fredag 10-20 Lørdag 10-18 Søndag 12-18 Open from 09.00 June, July and August. Some stores have divergent opening hours.
FlåBear Park
Get up close and personal with bears, elk, lynx and other exotic animals! In Bjørneparken our presenters will give free animal talks and escort you to animal encounters, every hour, every day. The animals include a variety of Norwegian predators and wild animals, as well as familiar domestic farm animals. We also have the largest crocodile exhibition in Norway, with 30 crocodiles, snakes and tortoises. Our animals are housed in large natural enclosures. You can watch the animals up close and learn about them from our dedicated presenters. We have loads for the kids to explore and do in our play areas, like obstacle courses, zip-line, rollercoaster, outdoor and indoor playgrounds, and several restaurants. Bjørneparken is full of unforgettable experiences for the whole family. Welcome to Bjørneparken! For more information: www.bjorneparken.no.
Where to stay
From comfy hotels to cosy cabins. Find your home away from home in Flå.
FlåThon Hotel Bjørneparken
Thon Hotel Bjørneparken is situated in the middle of Flå centre, directly connected to Bjørneparken Shopping Mall. The hotel has 56 light and modern rooms and 30 furnished apartments. They also have a nice restaurant attached – "Bjørnehiet". The hotel has conference facilities with capacity for up to 150 people. You are welcome to rent the premises for birthdays, weddings or confirmation. Only five minutes from the hotel, you will find the Bearpark and the Hunting and Angling center.
FlåStavn Camping and Cabins
Between the mountain and the river, 8 kilometers Northeast from Flå centre, you will find Stavn Camping. The pleasant campsite is situated in a woodland setting, 350 meters from the highway. You are welcome to enjoy the nature and a relaxing vacation with canoeing, swimming or fishing in the Hallingdal River, or to hike in peaceful surroundings. The camping site has pleasant areas for motorhomes, caravans and tents, in addition to ten well-equipped cottages. There are sanitary facilities with shower, cooking area for guest without cooking facilities, a barbecue area and dishwashing area. In the reception, they have a small selection of groceries. In addition to this, the campsite has wireless internet. Stavn Camping is good starting point for fishing, cycling, canoeing, swimming, climbing and hiking. The campsite also offers a nice playground and a swimming pool. A ten-minute drive from Stavn Camping you will find Flå centre with its Bearpark, Hunting and Angling Center and shopping mall.
Food and drink
From local food gems to classic restaurants. Get a taste of what Flå offers.
FlåRestaurant Rumi
The story of Rumi begins in the ancient kingdoms of the Middle East, where the Ottoman-Turkish and Persian cultures of the Middle Ages meet - in the story of the legendary poet, mystic and sage Rumi! After many years in Norway, I wanted, Fariborz Minaei, to bring the legacy of Rumi, from my native country of Iran, into my first restaurant and my first carpet gallery of the same name, in Hønefoss. After many years of work and creativity in creating a unique restaurant at Søndre Torv in Hønefoss, we handed over the original Cafe and Restaurant Rumi to new owners, and together with my Bulgarian wife Leotina we continued the well-established concept of specialties from the Bulgarian kitchen to the newly established Rumi Restaurant and Cafe in Flå, opened in spring 2019. The restaurant is fully planned, designed and decorated by ourselves - it is shaped in our picture and is inspired by the story of Rumi! We have also opened carpet gallery in the same place, where we sell Persian rugs that I have bought myself from markets, private collections and villages in Iran.- Flå
Thon Hotel Bjørneparken
Thon Hotel Bjørneparken is situated in the middle of Flå centre, directly connected to Bjørneparken Shopping Mall. The hotel has 56 light and modern rooms and 30 furnished apartments. They also have a nice restaurant attached – "Bjørnehiet". The hotel has conference facilities with capacity for up to 150 people. You are welcome to rent the premises for birthdays, weddings or confirmation. Only five minutes from the hotel, you will find the Bearpark and the Hunting and Angling center.
Getting to Flå
Plan your trip to Flå with Entur.
By train
Contact the conductor or train operator if you are travelling between Oslo and Bergen and wish to stop at Flå station. There are several daily departures.
By road
Express buses from Oslo stops in Flå, and local buses take you between destinations in Hallingdal.
If you’re driving from Oslo or Bergen, take the Rv7 through Hallingdal to Nesbyen.
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The nearest international airport is Oslo Airport Gardermoen.
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