A tour like this starts with animals and ends with views. On the Lands of Steim Farm in Vik, you get a guided hike that mixes farm life, traditional and modern farming, and photo-friendly forest paths—without feeling rushed.

I love how the animal time is built into the start and the wrap-up, so you’re not just snapping photos and moving on. I also like the way the hike connects you to real day-to-day farming around Vik. One thing to consider: you need moderate physical fitness, and the whole experience requires good weather.

You’ll also enjoy the practical payoff. The guided route gives you quick orientation for Vik, including an overview of Vikøyri and a chance to see Hove Stone Church (dating to around 1170) if you’re doing it the drop-off way. A possible drawback: if you’re hoping for a long, rugged hike, this is more of a gentle-to-moderate walk with stops and animal viewing, not a hardcore trek.

Key points at a glance

• Up-close farm animals: alpacas, goats, ducks, and sheep, with time at the farm before and after the walk
• Forest-trail hiking with photo moments: you’re outside in fresh air, but you’re also stopping for context
• Traditional hut snack platter: you eat local cheeses, jam, and more while looking over Vik and the fjord
• Farm practices, explained: you’ll hear about traditional and modern farming in the same area
• Town + history add-ons: Vik centre/old town views, plus optional drop-off at Hove Stone Church
• Private group feel: only your group participates, which makes it easier to ask questions

Steim Farm start: animals first, then a guided hike with purpose

This is a smart way to begin a Vik day. You get picked up at Vik Tourist Information (or at Vik port if you requested pickup) and then drive the short distance to Steim Farm. The timing matters because you’re fresh when you arrive, and that’s when animals are usually most manageable to watch up close.

At the farm, you’ll see alpacas, goats, ducks, sheep, and other animals. It’s not just a quick look either—you get enough time to slow down. If alpacas make you nervous because they seem a little shy, you’ll be in good shape here; the vibe is calm, and people tend to notice that the alpacas often warm up as the tour moves along. Goats are commonly more social, and they make great subjects if you like cheeky, close-up moments.

Then the hike begins. You’ll head out on a guided tour around the farm area, and the walk is designed to connect you to what you’re seeing. Instead of random trail wandering, you’ll visit spots tied to traditional and modern farming. That blend is a big part of the value: you’re learning how a working farm functions today while also seeing how the land was used before.

What the walking feels like

This is billed as moderate physical fitness. So expect a hike you can do comfortably if you’re used to walking on uneven ground—especially if you pack good shoes. You’re out on a forest trail, and the goal is views and good timing, not grinding uphill the whole way.

The forest trail: Vik’s farming area on foot, with views that keep showing up

The heart of the experience is the guided forest trail hike. You’ll go through areas that let you see both farm structures and the natural edges around them. This is where you’ll get some of the best photo opportunities, because the route gives you angles on the fjord-facing region and the surrounding mountains—without requiring you to hike far from the farm base.

One of my favorite parts of this style of tour is the pacing. You get movement and exercise right away, but you’re also getting context at the same time. That makes the hike feel like something you learned from, not just something you survived.

You’ll also notice the tour keeps pulling you back into the theme of land use. When you’re watching animals and then stepping into the walking route, it becomes easier to understand why certain areas are managed one way and others another way. It turns the farm into a story you can follow.

If you like asking questions, this is the sweet spot. The guide’s job is to translate what’s happening out there into words you can actually use back home: how people manage farm life day to day, and what changes with modern methods.

A small “bonus” that comes up

Some groups have had the chance to pick strawberries during the farm-side part of the day, depending on what’s available. If you love tasting fresh local produce as part of the experience, keep that possibility in mind and don’t over-plan a picnic for afterward—you may already be fed.

Vik centre and Vikøyri: a quick overview that helps everything else make sense

After the farm hike and the meal, you’ll return by transport toward the centre. One of the stops includes Vik centre, with its picturesque old town vibe. Even if you’re not spending hours wandering on your own, this stop has value: it gives you a grounding point.

You’ll also learn about Vikøyri, the administrative center of the municipality of Vik in Vestland county. The location details are useful because they connect geography to what you’ll see around town—Vikøyri sits at the mouth of the Vikja river on the south shore of the Sognefjorden, roughly near the midpoint of Norway’s longest fjord. That’s the kind of information that turns a pretty shoreline view into something with bearings.

From the farm, you’ll get a broad overview of the village too. That’s great because the “big picture” from higher ground helps you understand the layout when you’re later in town.

Who this helps most

If you only have a short time in Vik, this stop can save you effort. You won’t leave feeling like you just walked past buildings—you’ll have a mental map of where Vikøyri fits into the larger fjord region.

Hove Stone Church: why this 12th-century stop is worth your time

One more stop focuses on Hove Stone Church, one of the oldest stone churches in Norway, dated to around 1170. Even from a farm overview, you can get glimpses, and the tour can also arrange transport that drops you off by the church instead of the tourist information, if you want that option.

This works especially well if your trip includes other church or heritage stops. It’s not just a photo stop; the age helps you appreciate the region’s long timeline—stone church history reaching back centuries, placed in a working agricultural area.

If you’re the type who likes seeing how history and daily life coexist in Norway, this add-on is a good match. Just note the tour is weather-dependent, so you’ll want the day to be clear enough for both walking and enjoying the view from the meal hut.

Snack platter in a traditional hut: local food with fjord-and-mountain views

This tour doesn’t send you back to town hungry. One of the best payoff moments is a platter of local snacks served in a traditional hut with views over Vik, the fjord, and the surrounding mountains.

Food stops like this matter because they turn the hike into a full experience, not just movement. And the “local” part is practical: you’re tasting things that fit the area, like local cheeses and jam. In at least one experience, people also noted trying local cheeses and jam, and that strawberry picking (when available) made the day feel hands-on.

The setting helps too. If you’re used to eating lunch in a car or at a generic cafe, this is different. You’re seated with the outdoors around you, and the views make the meal feel like a reward that matches the effort of the trail.

What to bring

Nothing fancy is required, but it helps to wear layers. Norway weather can shift fast, and you’ll be outside for walking and then outside-facing for the hut views. Comfortable shoes also matter because the forest trail can be uneven.

Pickup, timing, and private-group feel: small details that affect your comfort

The timing is about 2 hours 30 minutes. That’s long enough to feel like a real excursion, but short enough that it doesn’t eat your entire day in Vik. It’s also useful if you’re pairing it with other fjord activities.

This is offered in English and comes with a mobile ticket. It’s also a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. For me, that’s a quiet quality upgrade: it tends to make Q&A easier, and it also keeps the pace comfortable for everyone in your party.

If you requested pick-up, you meet in Vik port in front of the tourist information. Otherwise, the standard meeting point is the Vik Tourist Information at Rv13 57, 6893 Vik i Sogn, Norway. The activity ends back at the meeting point, though dropping off at Hove Stone Church is possible if you want that route.

You’re also traveling in a context where animals and weather both matter. Service animals are allowed, and the tour requires good weather—if conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Value and who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

At $110.12 per person, this isn’t a bargain-basement walking tour. But it’s priced like an experience with multiple components: guided farm hiking, time with animals, a local snack platter, and additional town/history stops. You’re also getting private-group attention, which is a real factor in value.

This tour is a great fit if:

• you like animals and want more than a quick glance
• you want a guided walk that includes farming context
• you want a quick orientation to Vik centre/Vikøyri
• you enjoy eating local food in a scenic setting
• you prefer a moderate hike over a long, strenuous trek

You might want to choose something else if:

• you’re looking for a very long or very technical hike
• you hate weather dependence and want an activity that runs no matter what
• you’re visiting only for a church photo and don’t care about farm life or trail time

Should you book the Lands of Steim Farm hiking tour?

If you’re doing Vik as a short fjord stop and you want your time to feel meaningful, I think this is an easy yes. The combination of farm animals, a guided walk through traditional and modern farming areas, and that snack-platter break with big views is exactly the kind of “practical Norway” day that turns into a story you actually remember.

Book it if you want a moderate hike with real texture: animals, food, and the land behind the scenery. Pass if your idea of fun is only long distances or you’re determined to avoid weather risk.

FAQ

How long is the guided hiking tour on the Lands of Steim Farm?

It lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Vik Tourist Information, Rv13 57, 6893 Vik i Sogn, Norway.

Is pickup offered?

Yes. If you request pickup, you meet in Vik port in front of the tourist information.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is this a group tour or private?

It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What kind of fitness level do I need?

The tour is for travelers with a moderate physical fitness level.

Will I see animals during the tour?

Yes. You’ll have time at Steim Farm to see alpacas, goats, ducks, sheep, and other animals.

Does the tour depend on weather?

Yes. It requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I be dropped off somewhere besides the tourist information?

Yes. If you want transport dropped off by Hove Stone Church instead of at the tourist information, this is possible.