Discover Vik

For a stay in Vik, you can plan around different focuses, including culture, hiking and seasonal excursions. Cultural and historical highlights include two churches of particular importance; Vikøyri reflects the character of a historic waterfront settlement. There is also the trail to Synshovden and RIB tours in the high season. The following places and activities offer practical starting points for planning your trip.

Stave Church and Stone Church

Hopperstad Stave Church is considered one of Norway’s oldest stave churches and was probably built around 1130. Its west portal is also noteworthy: it is among the outstanding examples of medieval Norwegian woodcarving. At Hopperstad, then, both the building’s long history and a specific detail of its craftsmanship are highlights.

You can see a different type of church at Hove Stone Church. It dates from around 1170 and is one of Norway’s oldest stone churches. A reconstruction of the Hove Madonna has stood in the church since 2022. The Madonna is considered one of Norway’s most significant medieval sculptures. Hopperstad and Hove thus offer two distinct cultural and historical points of interest: a stave church with its carved west portal, and a stone church housing the Madonna reconstruction.

Vikøyri and Getting Your Bearings

Vikøyri is a historic waterfront settlement characterized by small houses and boathouses. Vik’s tourist information office is located at the Kristianhus Boat and Motor Museum in Vikøyri. Both can help you plan your visit: the settlement reflects the historic character of the waterfront, while the tourist information office is located in the museum mentioned above.

Hiking and RIB Tours

The hike to Synshovden can start right in the center of Vik and reaches an elevation of 790 m. Check seasonal conditions before setting out. Another activity is a RIB tour with Vik Adventure: during the high season, daily trips are offered from Vik to Arnafjorden and Finnabotnen. As seasonal availability may vary, it is a good idea to check departure times before your trip.

In the wider Vik destination

The wider Vik destination also offers cultural and historical hikes. The cultural and historical walk starts in Vikøyri and takes in, among other places, Hopperstad Stave Church, the Moahaugane burial mounds and Hove Stone Church. It includes a tasting of Gamalost and raspberry juice. Check availability before booking. Gamalost has roots dating back to the Viking Age; locally produced raspberry juice and Gamalost are offered as specialties in Vik.

The hiking options described here differ in the ways noted: the trail to Synshovden reaches an elevation of 790 m. In the wider Vik destination, trails starting at Vikafjellet are often almost flat and offer panoramic views over the Sognefjord. The Finnafjord is part of Stølsheimen National Park; Vik also offers nearby access to Vikafjellet and the Stølsheimen protected landscape area.

For orientation in the wider Vik destination: the road over Vikafjellet connects Vik with Oslo, Bergen, Hardanger and inner Sogn. Road conditions vary by season. When planning your stay, you can choose between cultural and historical attractions, hiking trails and seasonal excursions.

For the broader travel overview: Vik.