Steim Farm Experience in Vik, Norway

Steim Farm offers a close look at working Norwegian farm life, not a staged animal park. You walk through fields, see how grass becomes animal feed, taste strawberries from the organic garden, and meet alpacas and Muscovy ducks. The small group, capped at eight, keeps the visit personal.

I like the direct contact with the animals and the chance to see a real farm in operation. I also like the setting, with views toward Vikøyri and Hove Stone Church. The main consideration is weather: this is an outdoor visit, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a refund.

The farm visit is a good choice if you want a short, gentle activity between fjord outings. It suits families particularly well, though you should expect walking around a working farm rather than a polished attraction with a fixed show schedule.

Key points to know before you go

• Feed alpacas and ducks: Animal contact is a central part of the visit, and you may be able to feed them by hand.
• See a working farm: Fields, barns, stables, gardens, and animal areas are part of the walk.
• Look for young animals: Baby alpacas or other young animals may be present, but this depends on the season.
• Enjoy views above Vik: From the farm, you can look toward Vikøyri and Hove Stone Church.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is eight people, which allows room for questions and a calmer pace.
• Optional picnic: A picnic basket costs 149 NOK for adults and 89 NOK for children.

A real farm visit above Vik

Steim Farm gives you something different from a standard sightseeing stop. The focus is not a performance, a museum display, or a quick photo with one animal. You walk around an active farm while your guide explains how the place works today and how farm life has changed over time.

The farm’s story reaches back to the Viking age, but the most useful part of the visit is the connection between the old ways and the work happening now. You see fields that produce green grass, then hear how that grass becomes feed for the animals. That simple link helps you understand the daily rhythm of a Norwegian farm better than a plaque or short talk ever could.

The setting adds plenty. Steim Farm sits above the village of Vik, giving you a good view toward Vikøyri, the administrative center at the mouth of the Vikja River. The village lies on the south shore of the Sognefjord, so the farm visit also gives you a helpful sense of where you are in the wider area.

You may also catch sight of Hove Stone Church, built around 1170 and counted among Norway’s oldest stone churches. You do not tour the church as part of the farm walk, but you can request transport to be dropped there instead of returning to the tourist information.

Meeting the alpacas and Muscovy ducks

The animals are the heart of the visit. Alpacas and Muscovy ducks live at Steim Farm, and you get time to see them at close range. Depending on the animals and the season, you may feed them, pet them, or simply watch their behavior.

The alpacas are likely to be the main draw for children and animal lovers. A visit in May included two newly born alpacas, so spring can bring the chance to see very young animals. That is not guaranteed, of course, but it is worth asking about when you book or arrive.

The ducks add a different kind of fun. They may be nesting in the stable, which gives the visit a more natural feel than a formal animal encounter. You are seeing animals in their normal home, and the guide can explain what they are doing and how they fit into the farm.

You may also spot friendly boar goats grazing in pastures above the farm. Neighboring farms have traditional long-wooled sheep and Norwegian Fjord horses, too. These animals are not presented as a guaranteed stop on the tour, so treat them as possible extras rather than promises.

For families, this mix works well. A toddler can enjoy the animals without needing to follow a long historical lecture, while adults get a better picture of farm work and local life. One family visit included four adults, a toddler, and an infant, with time to feed animals, walk around, and take in the views.

From the fields to the barn

The tour usually begins outdoors, walking through the farm and its fields. Your guide talks about the farm before and now, then points out how crops and grass support the animals. This is a practical lesson, not a technical farming course, and the short format keeps it easy to follow.

The organic vegetable garden is another pleasant stop. You may taste strawberries grown there, with the chance depending on what is ready. Raspberry season can also bring an extra seasonal touch, but the farm cannot promise fruit at every visit.

Next comes the barn and animal stables. This part gives you a closer look at the working side of the property, including the places where the animals are cared for. If ducks are nesting in the stable, you may see them settled in their chosen spot.

The visit lasts about one hour and ten minutes. That is long enough for a proper walk and animal encounter, but short enough to fit into a busy day in Vik. You will not get an all-day farm program, a long meal, or a large set of organized activities. The value comes from the quality of the contact and the sense of place.

Vikøyri and Hove Stone Church from the farm

The views are not just decoration. From Steim Farm, you can look down toward Vikøyri and see how the village sits beside the fjord. This helps put the local geography into focus, especially if you are visiting Vik as part of a longer journey through western Norway.

Vikøyri is the municipality’s administrative center and sits near the midpoint of the Sognefjord. From the farm, you see the village from above rather than from street level. That makes the visit a useful first stop if you want to get your bearings before exploring the village itself.

Hove Stone Church adds a strong historical detail to the view. Dating to around 1170, it is one of Norway’s oldest stone churches. You only get a glimpse from the farm unless you arrange transport to be dropped off there, but even that distant view adds another layer to the outing.

The optional church drop-off is worth considering if the timing works for you. The stated meeting point is Vik Tourist Information on Rv13 57, and the activity normally ends back there. The provider says transport may be arranged to take you to Hove Stone Church instead of the tourist information.

What the $30.31 price gets you

At $30.31 per person, the cost is reasonable for a guided visit lasting about 70 minutes, especially if you value direct animal contact and a small group. You are paying for the guide, access to the farm, the walk through the fields and buildings, and the chance to meet the animals.

The price makes the most sense for families, couples, and anyone who wants a local activity that does not take half a day. It is less compelling if you only want a quick alpaca photograph, since the experience also includes farm history, food production, the garden, the barn, and the views.

Snacks are not included. An optional picnic basket costs 149 NOK for an adult and 89 NOK for a child. That can make the visit more useful as part of a relaxed outing, but you should add the cost when comparing it with other activities.

The small maximum group of eight is an important part of the value. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and there should be more room to ask questions or let children take their time with the animals. The exact pace still depends on the group and the animals on the day.

Timing, pickup, and practical planning

You meet at Vik Tourist Information, at Rv13 57 in Vik i Sogn. Pickup is offered, and the farm also says transport can be arranged in connection with the visit. Confirm the exact pickup details when booking, particularly if you are staying outside the town center.

The experience is available with a mobile ticket, and confirmation is sent at booking. It is wise to plan ahead: the experience is booked an average of 123 days in advance. That does not mean every date sells out, but it does suggest that you should not leave a preferred summer day until the last minute.

The activity needs decent weather because much of it takes place outdoors. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Wear practical clothing for a farm walk. The provided information does not specify a dress code or exact walking surface, so plan for ordinary outdoor conditions rather than treating this like an indoor attraction. The farm allows service animals, and most people can participate.

Who will enjoy Steim Farm most

I would choose this visit if you want a personal activity with local character and a clear connection to everyday life. It is especially well suited to families with young children, animal lovers, and anyone looking for a calm break from driving, ferries, and fjord viewpoints.

It also works for adults who enjoy seeing how food and animals fit into a working property. The garden, grass fields, barn, stables, and neighboring animals give the visit enough variety to keep it from becoming only an alpaca stop.

The tour may not suit you if you want a long historical tour, a guaranteed sighting of every animal, or a fully covered activity for rainy weather. The baby animals, goats, sheep, horses, and ripe berries are seasonal or dependent on what is happening on the farm that day.

The family-friendly nature of the visit is clear, but adults should not dismiss it as only a children’s outing. The views toward Vikøyri, the old church, and the explanation of farm work give the experience a solid sense of place.

Should you book the Steim Farm visit?

Book it if you have about 70 minutes in Vik and want more than a quick viewpoint stop. You will get close to alpacas and ducks, walk through a genuine working farm, taste produce when available, and see Vik from a different angle.

I would be most likely to book in good weather, with time afterward to explore Vikøyri or visit Hove Stone Church. For families, the small group and animal contact make the price easy to justify. For solo visitors and couples, it is a good choice if you enjoy local life and do not need a packed schedule.

Skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed baby-animal encounter or a full church tour. Those details may be available, but they are not the main promise. The strongest reason to go is the simple combination of animals, farm work, friendly guidance, and views above Vik.

FAQ

Where does the Steim Farm experience start?

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

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Vik Tourist Information.

How long does the farm visit last?

The visit lasts approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $30.31 per person.

What animals can you see at Steim Farm?

You can meet alpacas and Muscovy ducks. You might also see boar goats, traditional long-wooled sheep, and Norwegian Fjord horses in nearby pastures and farms.

Is food included?

Snacks are not included. An optional picnic basket is available for 149 NOK per adult and 89 NOK per child.

Can I be dropped off at Hove Stone Church?

Transport may be arranged so you are dropped off at Hove Stone Church instead of the tourist information. Confirm this when arranging the visit.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.