'Open-Air Living': Vesterheim Offers Norway Tours Focused On Outdoor Life

Be the reason future generations know what mattered in Decorah. Fund Decorah News today. DECORAH — A new tour opportunity from the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum invites travelers to experience Norway's philosophy of outdoor living. The "Hike, Bike and Paddle: Friluftsliv Tour," scheduled for two departures in August 2026, emphasizes movement, nature and immersion. "The idea came to me because 2025 in Norway was friluftslivet år, the year of outdoor life," said Rolf Svanoe, the museum's tour coordinator. "To my knowledge, this is our first tour with a more active focus." The Norwegian concept of "friluftsliv," which loosely translates to "open-air living," is the foundation of the experience. Among the highlights is a five-day trek along the Kongevegen, or King's Highway, a historic route crossing the Filefjell mountains that once connected eastern and western Norway. Travelers will also bike through the Flåm Valley, kayak on the Lærdalfjord and raft the Raundal River. For Svanoe, the tour is also personal. "My father grew up in Norway, so I have close family ties there," he said. "So many times I have wished to be able to stop the bus or the train and take a picture. Being on foot or on a bike gives you the opportunity to stop whenever you want and get that perfect photo." The program builds on Decorah's outdoor culture, which includes extensive bike trails and access to the Upper Iowa River. "I don't think the idea of friluftsliv is uniquely Norwegian," Svanoe said. "But Norway has elevated the concept into a national cultural value." Karla Brown, who has traveled to Norway previously, said the itinerary stood out immediately. "What made me decide the minute I saw it that I had to sign up was the mix of outdoor activities I love: kayaking, hiking, biking and even river rafting," Brown said. "I've gone to Norway twice in recent years but never on such an active trip." Brown also sees parallels between Norway and northeast Iowa. "The landscape in Decorah reminds me of Norway on a much smaller scale," she said. The tour is designed for participants in good physical condition, with a "medium" difficulty level that includes sustained hiking and elevation gain. Organizers emphasize that friluftsliv is not about extreme feats. "It doesn't need to be an extreme experience," Svanoe said. "It can be simply going for a walk." That philosophy extends to the tour's cultural component, said Maureen Larson, who will guide the summer trips. "Walking over the Filefjell mountains will embrace what it means to live and experience the life and nature of Norwegians and of Norway," Larson said. "Along with the physical aspects, the tour brings us closer to the landscape, culture, traditions and history of Norway." The concept has already expanded beyond summer programming. A winter version of the friluftsliv tour is planned for March 2028, focusing on cross-country skiing, which is deeply embedded in Norwegian identity. Duncan McLean, who will guide the winter trip, said the active nature of the experience is intentional. "My wife and I have always wrapped our trips around activities," he said. "Our daughter once observed at a very young age, 'Why does everyone else go on vacations and we always go on exer-cations?'" McLean said his connection to Norway developed through skiing rather than ancestry. "I 'became' Norwegian when I began Nordic skiing," he said. "From my first moments on skis, I wanted to know everything about it." A formative trip deepened that connection. "The pivotal event for me was winning a trip to Norway to ski in Birkebeinerrennet," he said. "I absorbed Norway, and it absorbed me." McLean said that experience shapes how he approaches the upcoming winter tour. "If we can inspire interest in any sort of outdoor activity in even one other person, we've done good work," he said. "We've enriched one life." He attributes Norway's strength in winter sports to its culture. "Because of their culture, Norway is a powerhouse in winter sports," he said. "It is fun and engagement before specialization and awards. It is looking toward a long horizon in training rather than immediate gain." For those considering the trip, McLean offered simple encouragement: "It's a cliché, but it's not your practice life." The winter itinerary will include eight days of skiing as well as visits to historic sites tied to the origins of modern skiing. Organizers acknowledge the cost and commitment of travel to Norway but emphasize the experience. "Norway is an expensive country to visit, no doubt about it," Svanoe said. "But the Norwegians are very friendly, and most speak excellent English." He added that rising summer temperatures in southern Europe are leading more travelers to seek cooler destinations. For many in the Decorah area with Norwegian ancestry, the appeal is even stronger. "If you have Norwegian ancestry, like many in the Decorah area do, a visit to Norway should be at the top of your bucket list," Svanoe said. "Find a tour that matches your interest and ability. You won't regret it." For more information on tours, visit vesterheim.org. Fresh stories, delivered! Sign up for the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.