Two and a half hours can still feel like a full Norway day here, because you start with farm animals and end with views over Vik and the Sognefjord. The Lands of Steim Farm hike is a gentle way to get out of the village and see how farming looks in real life. I especially liked the hands-on animal time at Steim and the snack stop in a traditional hut with big fjord-and-mountain views. One thing to consider: you do need moderate physical fitness and the experience depends on good weather, so plan to dress for Norway’s changeable conditions.

What You Actually Do on This Hike

You’ll get picked up (if you request it) near central Vik, then driven to Steim Farm for a guided farm walk and forest-trail hike through areas of both traditional and modern farming. After time with the animals again, the tour brings you back toward Vik for a look at the picturesque old-town feel and a visit to the Hove Stone Church area. It’s private—just your group—so you can ask questions without a crowd dynamic.

Quick, Useful Highlights

• Steim Farm animal time: alpacas, goats, ducks, sheep, and more, with time to watch them up close.
• Forest-trail pasture walking: a guided hike through areas tied to everyday farming.
• Traditional hut snack platter: local cheeses, jam, and other bites served with views over Vik and the fjord.
• Vik orientation stop: a look at Vikøyri and the river-mouth setting near the Sognefjord.
• Hove Stone Church proximity: an early stone church dated around 1170, with a drop-off option if you want to end there.

Steim Farm: Where the Hike Starts (and the Goats Win)

The tour begins at the Vik Tourist Information on Rv13, and if you arrange pickup, you’ll meet the guide at Vik port in front of the tourist information. From there, you’re driven a short distance to Steim Farm, which is the heart of the whole experience. Think of it like the warm-up: you step into a working farm setting before you move out onto trails.

Once you arrive, the guide sets the tone right away—this isn’t just a scenic walk with a few photos. You get real time around the animals: alpacas, goats, ducks, sheep, and other farm residents. I liked that it’s not rushed. You can watch behavior change as the guide talks, and you start learning what the farm is like day-to-day before you ever leave the property.

If alpacas are your thing, here’s the vibe: they can be a little shy at first, then you’ll often see them settle and come a bit closer. Goats, on the other hand, tend to be more in-your-space energy. Either way, it’s a fun start that makes the later hike feel earned, not just scheduled.

Practical note: you’ll be outdoors and around animals, so wear closed shoes you don’t mind getting slightly dusty or muddy. Norway farm trails can be grippy one moment and damp the next.

Forest Trail Hiking Through Traditional and Modern Farming

After the farm introductions, you head out on a guided tour of the local area around Steim Farm. This is the part that turns animal viewing into a real sense of place. You walk through areas connected to both traditional and modern farming, which is a big deal in rural Norway where people keep adapting without losing roots.

The route includes a forest trail hike and visits to areas where animals are in their pastures. That means you’re not just strolling between viewpoints; you’re moving along paths that fit the way a farm works. The guide points out what you’re seeing and helps connect the landscape to daily routines—where animals are kept, what the farming looks like now, and how the older patterns show up alongside new approaches.

I also appreciated that this walk feels doable. The tour is listed for people with moderate physical fitness, and the total time is about 2 hours 30 minutes. That doesn’t mean it’s a couch-to-church stroll, but it also doesn’t sound like a long backcountry expedition. It’s a good match if you want exercise and views but not misery.

What you’ll want to bring:

• Layers you can adjust fast (temperatures can shift quickly by fjord and on trails).
• Waterproof outerwear if rain is likely.
• A small snack and water can be smart, even though you’ll get a snack platter later.

The Snack Stop: Local Cheese, Jam, and Fjord Views

The tour includes a break that turns the hike into a full experience: you enjoy a platter of local snacks served in a traditional hut with views of Vik, the fjord, and surrounding mountains. This is where you slow down and actually take in what the hike was earning.

From the included snack platter, you might see items like local cheeses and jam. One review also mentioned trying cheeses and jam and even picking strawberries, which suggests seasonal touches can happen depending on the time of year. If strawberries are in season, you may get a chance to pick them—so it’s worth keeping an open mind and asking your guide what’s currently possible.

Even if you aren’t chasing food like a hobby, this stop matters. In rural areas, a snack break isn’t just calories. It’s social space, conversation time, and a chance to ask questions about what you just walked through—how farming fits into life here, what challenges local farmers face, and what’s changing over time.

I love that the view isn’t tacked on after the fact. The hut stop is designed as a payoff: you see the fjord and mountains while you eat, so the scenery becomes part of the story.

Vik Centre and Vikøyri: Getting Your Bearings Fast

After the Steim Farm portion, the tour brings you back toward Vik with a stop in the centre. Vikøyri is the administrative center of the municipality of Vik in Vestland county, and it sits at the mouth of the Vikja river on the south shore of the Sognefjorden. In plain terms: this is where the fjord world and town life meet.

From the farm, you’ll get an overview of the village, and then this centre stop helps you translate what you saw into something more navigable. I found orientation stops like this to be worth it on a short trip. When you later wander on your own, streets and water stop feeling random.

You’ll get the chance to see the picturesque old-town feel of Vik centre. The tour doesn’t promise a long downtown detour, so don’t expect a full walking tour of streets. But as a guided orientation tied to the hike, it gives your day structure.

Hove Stone Church (Around 1170): A Quiet Time Capsule

One more major stop is Hove Stone Church in Vik, dated to around 1170 and described as one of the oldest stone churches in Norway. From the farm, you get a glimpse of it, and during the tour you also have a specific option to get dropped off near the church if you want to end closer to it instead of at the tourist information.

Even if you’re not a church-architecture superfan, this stop adds depth because it anchors the area in time. You’re spending part of the day with working farms and a modern-and-traditional mix, then you step toward a site that’s been part of community life for centuries. That contrast makes the day feel more complete than a simple animal outing.

For practical planning: wear footwear that works on uneven outdoor paths and steps. Stone churches and old village areas can be a little rough underfoot, especially if weather turns.

Pickup, Private Format, and How That Changes the Feel

This is a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. That changes the experience in a good way. In a small group, your guide can slow down where you want more detail, answer questions about animals or farming without repeating themselves, and adjust the pace if someone needs a breather after the forest-trail portion.

There’s also an option for pickup. If you request it, you’ll meet in Vik port in front of the tourist information. If you don’t request pickup, you start at Vik Tourist Information on Rv13. Either way, the “where do we meet” details are clear, and ending back at the meeting point keeps it simple.

One scheduling note that matters for value: on average, this tour gets booked about 61 days in advance. That’s a sign it’s popular enough that you shouldn’t wait until the last minute, especially if you’re visiting during peak season.

Price and Value: Why $110.12 Can Make Sense

The price is $110.12 per person for about 2 hours 30 minutes, and it includes a guided farm-to-hike-to-snack structure. On paper, that can sound like a lot for a short outing. In practice, you’re paying for multiple things working together:

• A guide for the farm orientation, animal viewing, and guided walking portion.
• Access to Steim Farm’s working-animal environment (not just a park with a few exhibits).
• A forest trail hike with narration that connects what you see to farming life.
• A platter of local snacks served in a traditional hut with fjord-and-mountain views.
• Plus the added orientation stops around Vik centre and the Hove Stone Church area.

When I think about value in Norway, the “small group + guide + included local food + scenic payoff” combo usually holds up better than one-off sights. Here, you’re not only ticking boxes—you’re getting a connected storyline: farm life, hiking, local taste, then historical and town context.

If you’re deciding between this and other short tours, I’d compare your travel style. If you like animals, outdoor time, and simple but meaningful local food, this looks like a strong fit.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This hike fits best if you like animals and want an outdoorsy morning or afternoon without committing to a long day. It also suits you if you want to learn how farming actually works here—traditional and modern—rather than just take photos of pretty views.

I’d be cautious if:

• You prefer fully flat walking, since the hike includes a forest trail.
• You’re traveling with limited weather flexibility, because it requires good weather.
• You want a long, deep museum-style history lecture. This is history-by-context, not a lecture tour.

For most people with moderate physical fitness, it hits a sweet spot: active enough to feel like exercise, easy enough to enjoy without feeling rushed.

Booking Tips Before You Go

If you book, do it with Norway in mind. Expect weather swings and dress for them. Since the experience requires good weather, plan to have flexibility in your schedule—or at least accept that the date may shift if conditions aren’t right.

Also, if you want the drop-off option near Hove Stone Church, plan that into how you’ll continue your day afterward. Ending near the church can be convenient if you want to keep exploring the old village area.

Should You Book It?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a short, guided day that blends farm life + a forest-trail hike + a snack break with real views. It’s not just a scenic walk, and it’s not just an animal visit either; the guide ties animals, pastures, and farming practices into one smooth outdoor experience.

Skip it (or consider another option) if you’re determined to avoid any hiking on trails, or if your trip dates are locked and you can’t handle the weather dependency. Otherwise, this is exactly the kind of hands-on local outing that makes Vik feel more personal.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Vik Tourist Information, Rv13 57, 6893 Vik i Sogn, Norway. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Do you offer pickup?

Yes. If you request pick-up, you will meet the guide in Vik port, in front of the tourist information.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group will participate.

What fitness level is needed?

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

What happens if the weather is bad or I cancel?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.