The village is known as Norway’s extreme sports capital and has in addition achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is sustainable, it does mean that it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive ripple effects.
Tvindefossen waterfall in Voss
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Photo:
Paul Edmundson
Tvindefossen waterfall in Voss
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Photo:
Paul Edmundson
Feel the adrenaline rush as you paddle down one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in Europe …
Rafting in Voss
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Photo:
Visit Voss
Rafting in Voss
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Photo:
Visit Voss
… race across mountains on two wheels …
Mountain biking in Voss
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Photo:
Outdoor Norway
Mountain biking in Voss
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Photo:
Outdoor Norway
… or go skydiving 4,000 metres above the ground.
Skydiving in Voss
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Photo:
Visit Voss
Skydiving in Voss
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Photo:
Visit Voss
Want to fly without the jumping out of a plane bit? Take your five-year-old and granny to the wind tunnel at VossVind.
Indoor skydiving at VossVind in Voss
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Photo:
Sverre Hjørnevik
Indoor skydiving at VossVind in Voss
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Photo:
Sverre Hjørnevik
There’s plenty to do in Voss on ground level as well.
During the winter months, Voss is transformed into a skiing Mecca, with both alpine slopes and cross-country skiing tracks for the whole family.
Together, the two ski resorts Myrkdalen Mountain Resort and Voss Resort have 70 kilometres of slopes and 20 ski lifts as well as excellent areas for off-piste skiing.
Alpine skiing in Voss
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Photo:
Hunnalvatn Media
Alpine skiing in Voss
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Photo:
Hunnalvatn Media
The Voss Gondola takes you from Voss station to Mount Hanguren (820 metres above sea level) in less than nine minutes all year round.
Once at the top, the ride rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view of the village, hiking trails for all difficulty levels and delicious local food in the largest restaurant in Voss.
Voss Gondol
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Photo:
Hunnalvatn Media
Voss Gondol
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Photo:
Hunnalvatn Media
The region is known for its traditional Norwegian cuisine.
Visit the 18th-century farm Smalahovetunet to taste some of the local specialities. Like “rømmegrøt”, a porridge made from sour cream, cured meat, and “pinnekjøtt”, which is steamed lamb ribs.
And you just have to try the farm’s signature dish: smalahove is a sheep’s head that has been salt-cured, smoked and cooked. Delicious!
Are you brave enough to eat the tastiest part – the eye?
Smalahovetunet in Voss
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Photo:
Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com
Smalahovetunet in Voss
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Photo:
Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com
Voss has been a traditional farming community for centuries. Visit Mølstertunet at Voss Folk Museum to get an insight into daily life in the area from 1500 to 1927.
Mølstertunet in Voss
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Photo:
Svein Ulvund
Mølstertunet in Voss
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Photo:
Svein Ulvund
Local history and tradition are also preserved in the prestigious boutique hotel Store Ringheim, which lies in idyllic surroundings on an old farmyard.
Store Ringheim Hotel in Voss
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Photo:
Darius Adomaitis
Store Ringheim Hotel in Voss
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Photo:
Darius Adomaitis
Although Voss is a small village with only 15,000 inhabitants, it has produced some of Norway’s greatest athletes.
With a total of 98 medals from world championships and Olympic Games, Voss has more medals per capita than any other place in the world!
Ekstremsportveko extreme sport festival in Voss
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Photo:
Erik Østlie
Ekstremsportveko extreme sport festival in Voss
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Photo:
Erik Østlie
Voss also hosts the world’s largest extreme sports festival, Ekstremsportveko – and the extremely popular music festival Vossa Jazz.
Ekstremsportveko extreme sport festival in Voss
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Photo:
Erik Østlie
Ekstremsportveko extreme sport festival in Voss
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Photo:
Erik Østlie
But be warned: the Voss experience can be addictive. Extremely addictive.