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 – SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO EVERYWHERE:
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 on taking your children on trips
Family bike trip – a good idea?
Of course! However, it is advisable to take some precautions and plan ahead of your departure. Here are some tips before you set off.
Start by taking some trial runs
Try some shorter bike rides well before you travel. Then make some longer trips on weekends. Cheerful and pleasurable trips so that you and your children get used to being on longer trips together.
Be enthusiastic
In order to ensure a pleasurable trip that your children want to be part of, plan it with them and try to “sell” your idea to your children.
Find a level that suits you all
If you haven’t been on similar trips before, it might be a good idea to try a weekend of shorter stages instead of a week of long stages, for example. There is more than enough to do each day even if you don’t spend all day on your bike seat!
Nutritious food
Bring enough water and nutritious food that will provide you with enough energy on your trips. There are many places that you can fill your water bottle along the way. Not all of the stages provide good access to water and occasionally one must take precautions when drinking from certain small streams.
Magical chocolate stones and sweets growing from trees
Magical stones with chocolate and sweets inside are very age-dependent – but are a great way to make progress.
Motivation at the end of the stage
Find out what your children are looking forward to and plan by making the finish-line the motivating factor at the end of each day. For example, meeting the horses at Hjerkinn, or a swim in the pool at Toftemo...
A helping hand
Make sure you have the possibility to give your children a helping hand by pulling them along for certain parts of the stages if needed.
Try and make it fun
Something to remember can be anything from studying the moss and flowers – to the bike ride itself. Conversations and exploration in nature builds bonds and experiences between both children and adults.
Strategic breaks
Take into account that there might be a lot of breaks along the way – maybe more than you think. Try to take a break before your children get very tired, it makes it easier to keep your energy levels up.
Warm clothes and good footwear
A lot of the Tour de Dovre runs through the high mountains. The weather can take you by surprise, even in the summer. Bring woollen clothing, weatherproof clothes, hats and mittens/gloves, and extra warm clothes for when you take a break. Good footwear is also important, and test your equipment on shorter trips before going on a long one.
Plan well in advance
Plan your trip well in advance – and try to include your children in the planning process! Make sure you have the necessary equipment for children and adults, or that you rent what you need. Plan your route and book your accommodation and activities well in advance.