Steim Farm Experience in Vik, Norway

Steim Farm gives you something many fjord excursions miss: a close look at everyday Norwegian farm life. In about 70 minutes, you walk through working fields, see how grass becomes animal feed, taste strawberries from the organic garden, and meet alpacas and Muscovy ducks. The animals are the stars, but the views over Vik add plenty.

I like the small group, limited to eight people, and the chance to speak with the people who run the farm, including Christina and Gaute. I also like the mix of old and new: Steim reaches back to the Viking age, yet you see real present-day work rather than a staged museum display.

The main consideration is the weather. This is an outdoor farm visit, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a refund. The tour is also fairly short, so you should choose it for a warm, personal farm visit rather than a full-day cultural outing.

Key points at a glance

• Feed and meet the alpacas and Muscovy ducks: Animal contact is a central part of the visit, and you may be able to feed and pet them.
• See a working Norwegian farm: Fields, stables, pasture, vegetable growing, and animal feed are part of the real operation.
• Taste strawberries from the organic garden: The garden adds a small but memorable local-food moment.
• Look down over Vikøyri and the Sognefjord: The farm offers a good view of Vik’s village and the river mouth.
• Catch glimpses of Hove Stone Church: The church dates to around 1170 and can be seen from the farm.
• Travel in a group of no more than eight: The small size suits families and anyone who prefers time for questions.

Why Steim Farm is different from a standard animal visit

At Steim, you are not simply led to a pen, handed a handful of feed, and sent on your way. The farm is still running, so the visit connects the animals with the work that supports them.

You walk across the fields and hear how green grass is turned into feed. That detail matters. It shows you the full cycle of a farm in western Norway, not just the photogenic parts. The barns, stables, pasture, garden, and animals all have a role.

The farm’s history reaches back to the Viking age, but the useful part of that story is how it links the place to the present. You see an old agricultural setting that still functions today. That makes the visit feel more personal than a recreated historical attraction.

The hosts, including Christina and Gaute, bring a welcoming human touch. The information provided does not promise a formal lecture, and that is probably a good fit here. You get a guided walk and conversation while moving through the farm, with room for the day’s animals and weather to shape the experience.

Walking the fields and seeing how the farm works

The first part of the visit takes you around Steim Farm. You learn about farm life in the past and now, then see the fields where the process begins.

The explanation about grass becoming animal feed is especially useful if you have little experience with Norwegian agriculture. Rather than treating the farm as a backdrop for photos, the guide explains what you are looking at and why it matters.

The farm is described as authentic, meaning you should expect a functioning agricultural property rather than a polished visitor center. That can be a strength. You may see ordinary work areas, stables, and fields instead of a carefully arranged display.

It can also mean the experience is less predictable. Animals have their own schedules, and farm conditions change. You may spend more time with one group of animals than another, depending on what is happening that day.

Wear shoes you can use outdoors, and expect to walk around the property. The tour lasts about an hour and ten minutes, so the route is not designed as a long hike. Still, practical footwear will make the visit easier, especially if the ground is wet.

The organic garden and a taste of local produce

The organic vegetable garden gives the tour a welcome change of pace. You are shown how the garden fits into farm life, and you may taste strawberries grown there.

That strawberry stop is a small detail, but it gives the farm visit a sense of place. You are not only looking at animals. You are seeing food production on a modest scale and tasting something connected to the soil you have just walked across.

The timing of the visit may affect what is available. The information specifically mentions strawberries, and one family noted the appeal of raspberry season as well. You should treat the garden tasting as a seasonal extra, not as a guaranteed meal or fixed tasting menu.

If you want more food, an optional picnic basket is available for 149 NOK per adult and 89 NOK per child. Snacks are not included in the basic price, so plan accordingly. The picnic option could make sense if you want to linger around the farm, but the standard visit itself is focused on the guided walk and animals.

Meeting alpacas, ducks, goats, sheep, and horses

The animal area is the part most likely to win over children, though adults will find it enjoyable too. Steim’s alpacas and Muscovy ducks are the animals you are expected to meet directly.

You may be able to feed and pet the animals. A visit in May included two very young alpacas, which made the encounter especially appealing. Baby animals are not guaranteed, but the possibility is one of the pleasures of visiting a working farm instead of a fixed animal park.

The ducks may be in the stable, and sometimes they are nesting there. That detail tells you to expect natural behavior rather than a performance. You might find the animals active and social, or you might catch them at a quieter moment.

Boar goats graze in the pastures above the farm. You may also see traditional long-wooled sheep and Norwegian Fjord horses on neighboring farms. These animals are not all necessarily part of the same close-contact portion of the tour, so keep your expectations realistic. The alpacas and ducks are the main meeting point. The goats, sheep, and horses add to the wider farm setting.

For families, this arrangement works well. A toddler can enjoy the animals without needing to manage a long excursion, while adults get an introduction to a real property and its work. An infant can come along too, though the farm setting means you should handle your own stroller and carrying needs with care.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. No special fitness level is stated, but this remains an outdoor visit with walking around the farm.

The view over Vikøyri and the Sognefjord

Steim Farm sits above Vik, giving you a useful view down toward Vikøyri, the village center. Vikøyri lies at the mouth of the Vikja River on the southern shore of the Sognefjord.

This view adds context to the farm visit. You can see the village as a compact settlement beside the water, then look back at the fields and animals that occupy the slopes above it. The farm is not isolated from Vik. It is part of the community’s setting.

The view is also one reason to avoid thinking of this as only an animal activity. The experience combines agriculture with a sense of where you are in the fjord region. If you are already in Vik, it gives you a different angle on the village than a walk through the center alone.

The information provided calls the location Skjolden, while the meeting point, village references, and transport details place the experience in Vik. For planning, use the stated meeting point at Vik Tourist Information, Rv13 57, 6893 Vik i Sogn, Norway, and check your confirmation carefully.

A glimpse of Hove Stone Church

From the farm, you can get a glimpse of Hove Stone Church. Built around 1170, it is one of Norway’s oldest stone churches.

The church is not presented as a full stop on the standard farm tour. You see it from Steim, which makes this a quick visual connection rather than a church visit with interior access or a detailed guided explanation.

There is one useful transport option. If you want transport, you may be dropped at the church instead of returning to the tourist information point. Confirm this arrangement when booking, since the included service is the guided farm visit and the standard end point is the original meeting point.

If Hove Church is a major priority, do not treat the farm tour as a substitute for visiting it properly. The farm gives you a view and possibly a convenient drop-off. The main purpose remains the farm.

Price, time, and what you receive

The listed price is $30.31 per person. For about 70 minutes, that is a reasonable price if you value personal contact, a small group, and a real working farm rather than a large commercial attraction.

The price includes the guided farm visit. It does not include snacks. The optional picnic basket costs 149 NOK for an adult and 89 NOK for a child.

I see the best value in the range of experiences packed into a short time. You get farm history, fields, feed production, an organic garden, a stable, animal encounters, and views over Vik. The visit is not long enough for a full rural day, but it can fit neatly into a day of sightseeing around the village.

The maximum group size is eight. That matters more here than it would on a coach tour. A small group gives you a better chance to ask about the animals, pause when something interesting happens, and keep children involved.

Pickup is offered, and the stated start point is Vik Tourist Information. A mobile ticket is available, and confirmation arrives when you book. The activity ends back at the meeting point unless a drop-off arrangement at Hove Stone Church has been made.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. Since the visit depends on good weather, the provider may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force a cancellation.

Who will enjoy this farm visit most

I would choose Steim Farm if you want a short, friendly activity that feels connected to local life. It suits families especially well, thanks to the animals, manageable duration, and small group size.

It also works for adults who want a break from fjord viewpoints and historic buildings. The farm gives you a simple way to see how people, animals, fields, and food fit together in the Vik area.

You should book it if you like the possibility of unplanned moments. A duck may be nesting in the stable. A baby alpaca may be present. Goats may be visible above the property. These details cannot be scheduled, but they are part of the appeal.

I would be less likely to choose it if you want a long riding or hiking experience, a substantial meal, or a formal history tour. The visit is short, outdoors, and centered on meeting animals and seeing the farm in use.

The weather point deserves attention. A sunny day will make the fields, garden, village, and fjord views more enjoyable. If the forecast looks poor, keep the cancellation terms in mind and avoid building your entire day around a fixed outdoor plan.

Should you book Steim Farm?

Book Steim Farm if you want an easy, personal look at Norwegian farm life near Vik, especially if you are traveling with children or enjoy animals. The alpacas, ducks, possible baby animals, strawberries, and views over Vikøyri give the visit plenty of character for its short length.

The $30.31 price is fair for a small group and a guided visit that includes more than animal feeding. Just remember that snacks cost extra, the weather can affect the schedule, and Hove Stone Church is only viewed from the farm unless you arrange a drop-off.

For a compact activity with genuine local flavor, I would add it to a Vik day.

FAQ

Where does the Steim Farm experience begin?

The meeting point is Vik Tourist Information at Rv13 57, 6893 Vik i Sogn, Norway.

How long does the farm visit last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

What animals can I see at Steim Farm?

You can meet alpacas and Muscovy ducks. You might also see boar goats, traditional long-wooled sheep, Norwegian Fjord horses, and baby animals.

Is food included in the tour?

No. Snacks are not included. An optional picnic basket costs 149 NOK per adult and 89 NOK per child.

Can I see Hove Stone Church during the experience?

You can get a glimpse of Hove Stone Church from the farm. If you want transport, you may be able to get dropped off at the church instead of the tourist information point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.