Settle in and enjoy an immensely panoramic drive across the sparsely populated West Cape, an area little changed over the centuries. You will take in one spectacular view after another as you travel along the wild, rocky coastline to the westernmost point on mainland Norway. Its flat-topped seaside mountain provides stunning views in all directions, especially from the clifftops. The weather and seas there are notorious for changing at a moment’s notice. That’s the beauty of this pristine location; you never know what you will encounter or how long before the scenery dramatically changes. A bit further down the coast, you will find a cluster of homes overlooking Selja beach. This magical setting attracts surfers worldwide as the powerful seas often produce ideal waves.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Travel across the gorgeous West Cape, the westernmost point on Norway’s mainland.
• Take in the stunning views in every direction, especially from the seaside cliffs.
• Follow a snaking road down to the beach at Selja, a favorite site for surfing.
• Pass Selje, a village overlooking a sacred island that was Norway’s first pilgrimage site.

Gain an overall understanding of the Maloy area on a panoramic drive that will present its landmarks and haunting beauty. You will discover that it’s impossible to take a bad picture at Krakenes Lighthouse, as it rests on a jagged outcropping of rocks overlooking an incredibly photogenic setting. It is especially scenic when high seas pummel the rocks and spray the lighthouse with a fine mist. A carefree walk on Refviksanden beach will reveal its immense beauty and an unusual feature of the nearby houses. They are all built with one wall thicker than the others as a buffer from strong winds that blow down from the valley.Note: The tour is available to wheelchair guests who have a collapsible wheelchair, are able to make their own way on and off the vehicle and have an able-bodied companion to assist them. Weather appropriate clothing; sun cap; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable non-slip walking shoes are recommended.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a wonderfully scenic drive along Norway’s dramatically rugged west coast.
• Pause for photos of an iconic lighthouse.
• Enjoy a leisurely walk along gorgeous Refviksanden beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a spectacular hike up Mt. Brurahornet. The iconic formation of the two mountaintops, Veten and Brurahornet, adds a special touch to the landscape and provides a stunning backdrop to the charming city of Måløy. It's also an excellent playground for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational adventures. Mt. Brurahornet with its 556 meter above sea level is the target. The adventure will begin from gate 7 (street 7) and before long you will reach an altitude that will offer a sweeping view of town, nestled along the naturally beautiful coastline. As magnificent as that panorama will be, the sights become even more spectacular the higher you climb. The hike involves steep inclines, uneven terrain, and rocky sections but you can take plenty of breaks to relax and admire the scenery. The guide will point out and describe the most notable landmarks on the way to the summit, which soars more than 2,000 feet high. Depending on the weather conditions, you may see the Kråkenes lighthouse and Selje Island across the Stadhavet Sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike up Mt. Brurahornet, the formation of two mountain stops; Veten and Brurahornet.
• Pause whenever you wish to take in the scenery, which will be spectacular throughout
• Gain insight into the island's history as the guide describes the landmarks below.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Stroll through downtown Måløy, a flourishing fishing port that has developed into a remarkable cultural center. The city’s fishing heritage is beautifully and dramatically told through the colorful street art that adorns many of the most high-profile buildings. Most every mural features some combination of fish, fishermen and fishing boats – all oversized and boldly painted to capture your attention. While viewing the most emblematic murals, the guide will explain the significance of the figures, some of which may be symbolic. Not all of the artists are Norwegian, which adds an international flair to the paintings. A lovely walk through the town will also be conducted, filled with plenty of history and charm. As you wander its streets, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for Måløy’s unique blend of maritime tradition and artistic expression.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold Måløy’s most meaningful street art with a guide that will explain their significance.
• Gain insight into Måløy’s transformation into a well-known cultural center.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Interact with deer and llamas at a family-owned farm that is large enough to provide the animals with plenty of space to roam freely. Deer are abundant on Vågsøy Island and not endangered in any way as their natural habitat is mostly intact in this part of Norway. Seeing these large reddish-brown deer – which are related to elk – grazing and up close at the farm will be quite the thrill. As the owners will explain, the deer are used to being around humans and will typically approach so you can feed them, if you like. Besides encountering adult deer, you may see newborn fawns, which usually stay close to their mothers for several years. Although llamas aren’t native to Norway, they have adapted well to the environment after being introduced in the late 1990s. Llamas make a variety of noises, the most common being humming, which is how they communicate to each other.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a deer and llama farm with the owners and hear how they care for the animals.
• Take comfort in knowing that the farm is large enough for the animals to roam freely.
• Interact with the deer and llamas and feed them if you like.
• Learn unusual characteristics about the deer and llamas.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through some of the most photogenic fjords along Norway’s western coast while taking in the surrounding natural beauty. It won’t take long to reach the open water from Måløy as it is nestled along the southeastern tip of Vågsøy Island. This is fjord country, a landscape distinguished by long, narrow fingers of water that cut into the coastline. Over the eons, massive glaciation has carved out these deep-water fjords, whose steep rocky cliffs are stunning to behold. You will see Hornelen long before passing it as it is the highest sea cliff in all of Europe. This iconic mass of sandstone rises straight up more than 2,800 above the sea and if you look closely you may spot the silhouettes of intrepid hikers that have scaled its towering summit. You will also pass a number of lovely villages tucked the shores of the fjords wherever the land flattens out.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through the beautiful fjords that cut through this part of Norway.
• Pass dramatic Hornelen, the highest sea cliff in Europe.
• Gain an understanding of how massive glaciation created the fjords over eons.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Kayak off the southern coast of Vågsøy Island in a part of the fjord that several islets and reefs shelter. After a briefing to help maximize the kayaking experience, you will put in at Vågsberget, a former trading post that flourished in the 19th century from the rich fishing grounds nearby. As you paddle off, you can expect to be awed by the rugged forested shoreline, the ever-changing seascape and the serenity of the surroundings. With the sounds of nature as a backdrop, you will glide towards the fishing village of Vågsvåg in a deep cove that protects it from the wind. Later, on the way to the village of Holvik, you will paddle between the mainland and a slew of rocky reefs known as skerries. During World War II, the Germans occupied Holvik until Allied soldiers ousted them in 1941, a raid that persuaded Hitler to send more troops into Norway.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a kayak at a leisurely pace along the sheltered southern coast of Vågsøy Island.
• Enjoy the serenity and stunning natural beauty in every direction.
• Hear commentary about the area’s history as a prosperous fishing ground.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for an immensely scenic drive along the dramatic coast of Vågsøy Island, a landscape dotted with quintessential Norwegian villages. On the island’s western shore, you will stop at the bizarrely shaped Kannesteinen Rock, which perches atop a thin stem that gives the rock the appearance of a wine goblet or perhaps a mushroom. Or you may think that Kannesteinen looks like something totally different. Other highlights include the villages of Vågsvåg, Holvik and Torskangerpollen, which may be small but are big on natural beauty. You will get a genuine feel for coastal life while exploring Vågsberget, which was first developed as a 17th-century trading post. Being close to prime fishing grounds, the village thrived for centuries by processing and exporting cod in particular. When fishing fell off in the 1920s, Vågsberget fell on hard times. However, the village’s fishing heritage is still apparent as many of its historical buildings have been beautifully preserved.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow a winding road along the picturesque coast of Vågsøy Island.
• Pause for photos of an oddly shaped rock that the sea has eroded.
• Pass through colorful villages that developed around fishing.
• Browse the well-preserved, centuries-old buildings in Vågsberget, a once thriving fishing village.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise the waters off the island of Vågsøy in a Rigid Inflatable Boat more commonly known as a RIB, the ideal vessel for negotiating the Norwegian waters. As you cruise along the coast, you will see remote lighthouses perched on the rocky shores and distant Mount Veten – the highest point on Vågsøy – rising above the island’s interior. Farther north, you will pause at the island of Silda to explore an old fishing village and at the island of Selja to view its namesake monastery, which Benedictine monks built in the early 12th century. For a glimpse into the future of this area, you will stop at Selje to see where the world’s first ship tunnel is being built. This mile-long underground tunnel will allow ships to cruise straight across the Stad Peninsula and avoid the hazardous waters that surround the peninsula. Chances are, you will also see birds such as eagles and puffins.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise in an open-air Rigid Inflatable Boat or RIB that is designed for these waters.
• Stop at historical sites such as a 12th-century monastery and at an old fishing village.
• See the world’s first underground ship tunnel, an engineering marvel now under construction.
• Look for seabirds such as eagles, puffins and guillemots nesting in the cliffs.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the medieval monastery on Selja, a sacred island where Sunniva – Norway’s only female saint – lived in the 10th century. You will reach Selja on an extraordinarily scenic cruise through the Ulvesundet Strait, past a number of other barren islands and on to the stark monastery. Benedictine monks built this holy site, whose stone tower still remains, rising above the excavated ruins of the other structures. While wandering about the serene setting, you will hear the legend of Saint Sunniva, which is recorded in three differences sources, all more than a thousand years old. In essence, she was an Irish princess that fled an arranged marriage to a heathen Viking chief. Sunniva lived in a cave on Selja, where a miracle occurred resulting in her sainthood. If you climb the tower steps, you will be rewarded with an incredible view. You might also drink from a spring whose waters can supposedly heal.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to sacred Selja Island, a pilgrimage site with a medieval monastery.
• Hear the legend of Sunniva and the miracle that led to her being sainted.
• See the cave where Sunniva lived in the 10th century and explore the monastery.
• Take in the gorgeous views from the monastery tower and drink from a sacred spring.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the village of Ervik on the northwestern tip of the massive Stad peninsula and dine on fresh fish caught in the cold waters of the surrounding North Sea. A scenic drive up the peninsula will offer a hint of the natural beauty that lies ahead in Ervik, where life revolves around the water. The village boasts one of the finest surfing beaches in Norway and fishing has long fueled the economy. While visiting the free-standing Ervik Church, you will hear about the heroic efforts of the villagers that saved dozens of passengers from the SS Sanct Svithun, which Allied bombers sank during World War II. The ship’s bell – which is engraved with text commemorating that rescue – now serves as the bell for the church. Later, while dining at a landmark hotel on the Stad peninsula, you will enjoy a locally sourced fish dish that reflects the bounty of the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a scenic drive along the mountainous Stad Peninsula.
• Visit the memorial church in the village of Ervik on the peninsula’s northwestern tip.
• Hear how the villagers heroically rescued passengers from a ship sunk in World War II.
• Dine on locally sourced fish at a well-known hotel on the Stad Peninsula.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.