Bring your kids along for a great experience
Activities and excursions for the little ones
MEET ICELANDIC HORSES
You can greet horses, sheep or some of the other animals on the farm at Hjerkinn Fjellstue og Fjellridning.
Musk Ox safari
Meet the beast of Dovrefjell! A great break with a day’s walk into the realm of the musk ox. Skilled local guides from Furuhaugli lead the way into the high mountains.
Fishing
Make sure you have some time to explore the rivers and lakes with your fishing rod. There are lots of great mountain trout to catch. Remember to buy a fishing license!
Heated Pool
There is a heated outdoor swimming pool at Toftemo Turiststasjon. Perfect for those who think the river is just a bit too cold...
The Mountain Portal
It is worth stretching your legs at the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre at Hjerkinn. Fjellportalen offers a great historical reindeer trapping park which shows pitfall traps for wild reindeer, falcon trapping sites and much more.
MEET THE ANIMALS
There are grazing animals on the summer pasture farms at Grimsdalshytta and at Hjerkinn Fjellstue. Many of them are friendly and don’t mind you saying hello!
There are grazing animals in Kvitdalen and Grimsdalen during the summer that contribute to keeping the cultural landscape alive.
And perhaps the most fun thing to do…
Playing!
Stop and play in nature – let your children decide the pace of things. Try sledging in the heather, search for moose poo or find a yellow flower. There is so much to see along the way.
Tips for Taking Kids on a Trip
Family Bike Trip – A Good Idea?
Absolutely! But it’s wise to take some precautions and plan ahead before you set off. Here are a few tips before you start pedaling.
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Begin with shorter bike rides well before your trip. Longer rides on weekends are great. Enjoyable and positive rides will help both children and parents get used to spending longer time together on the road.
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To create a fun trip that the children will want to join, plan together with them and “sell” your idea to the kids.
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If you haven’t done similar trips before, it might be a good idea to try a weekend with shorter stages instead of, for example, a full week with long stages. Plan the trip at a level that allows everyone to feel successful. There’s plenty to fill the days without spending the entire time in the saddle!
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Bring enough water and nutritious food to fuel the rides. You can refill water at many points along the way. Access to water varies between stages, so sometimes you need to be cautious about drinking from small streams.
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Magic stones with chocolate and candy can be very age-dependent—but they’re a great way to keep the momentum going.
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Find out what the kids are looking forward to, and plan around that as the main motivation at the end of each stage. For example, meeting the horses at Hjerkinn or swimming in the pool at Toftemo...
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Make sure you have the option to pull your child during stages if needed. Bring a bungee cord, rope, or similar equipment to connect the bikes.
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Expect to take many breaks along the way—more than you might think. Take breaks before the kids get very tired, as it helps maintain their energy.
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Much of the Tour de Dovre takes place in the high mountains. Even in summer, the weather can surprise you. Bring wool clothing, windproof layers, hats and gloves, and extra warm clothes for breaks. Good footwear is also important—try out your gear on shorter trips before the long journey.
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Plan your trip well ahead—and include the kids in the planning! Check that you have all the necessary gear for both children and adults, or arrange to rent what you need. Plan your route, and book accommodation and activities well in advance.