The Swim Guide
Voss is full of good spots where you can go for a swim during summer (and winter, if you like)! Find your next swimming spot, with our top recommendations:
Warning! The river changes from day to day. Make your own assessment of what the lake looks like, where the current goes and how fast it goes. You should only swim in the river when the water level is low - do not jump in if you are unsure.
Do not swim alone. Swimming is at your own risk.
Show consideration for permanent residents, especially with regards to parking, rubbish, and toilet visits. Do not block a road or park in front of the tractor/car of the local farmer. Ask before parking on private property.
Lakes and fjords:
Voss is surrounded by lakes that can reach quite comfortable temperatures in summer! Perfect if you want a relaxing day in beautiful surroundings.
Lake Vangsvatnet
About the spot:
This is without a doubt the most accessible place to go swimming, in the town centre of Voss – only a five-minute walk from the shopping streets. The beach stretches all around the bay and is mostly shallow, except for at the far end. Behind it is an outdoor recreational area and a great park with an outdoor gym, a pump track, and a concrete skate park.
How to get there:
Drive or go by foot to Voss Camping.
Along the fjord in Granvin
About the spot:
In Granvin you can swim in the fjord. You can find many swimming spots along the road, but in the center of Granvin there is a great spotm with a beach, pier, playground and barbecue areas. Here you get a beautiful view and a nice swimming spot for young and old.
How to get there:
Drive about 25km from Voss, towards Granvin. In Granvin you come to the fjord. From here you can drive along the fjord and there is a good spot at almost evert turn. So many good places to choose from.
Lake at Haugsvik
About the spot:
In Haugsvik you will find a swimming spot with a nice beach. This spot gets extra points for great views and a floating jumping tower!
How to get there:
By car: Drive from Voss towards Oslo on E16. After about half an hour (in the 60 kph zone towards the end of the lake) you reach a sign towards Vasstrondi to the right. Exit here and follow the road a few hundred metres to the beach. You will also find a few parking spots along the road.
By bus: Take bus number 950 or 4500 to Haugsvik. Follow the instructions above and walk to the beach (about 10 minutes).
Lake Vetlavatnet
About the spot:
Vetlavatnet is almost always the warmest body of water in Voss, in the summer. The area is very cozy and perfect for families, it has a tiny beach, some rocks you can lie on, and a bench. You also get a fantastic view of both Gråsida and Lønahorgi!
How to get there:
By car: Drive from Voss towards Oslo on E16 until you reach Tvindefossen. Exit to the right towards Nesheim and the golf course and drive approximately 1 kilometre. Make a right onto a gravel road that leads to a small parking lot. Follow the trail down to the lake.
By bus: Take bus number 950, 970 or 4500 to Tvinno. Follow the instructions above and go by foot to the beach (about 20 minutes).
Valbergstjørni
About the spot:
A beautiful smal mountain lake by the Red Cross cabin on mount Hangur. This is the perfect spot if you want to combine both hiking and swimming. From the top station at the gondola there is a marked trail that goes to the lake. From the lake, you have a beautiful view of mount Lønahorgi!
How to get there:
Get the gondola to Hangurstoppen, or hike from Bavallen or Voss folk museum. If you go by foot you must take into consideration that it will take you about an hour to get to the top.
Demmo/Monsvatnet
About the spot:
Great swimming spot just by Flatlandsmo Camping that offers something for everyone. The beach and pier, just by the cabins, are perfect for families with kids. A five-minute walk out you will find the jumping tower, where the bravest can try jumping from both 7 and 12 metres. On the other side of the lake there is a slide. To get to the slide you have to park by the industrial area in Istadmyrane.
How to get there:
By car: Drive on Rv13 from Voss towards Granvin for about 15 minutes until you see signs towards Flatlandsmo Camping. Park at the camping site (20 NOK).
By bus: Get bus number 925 or 990 to Flatlandsmo. Walk through the camping site down to the beach.
Evangervatnet
About the spot:
Evanger is a charming village in Voss county, just 15 minutes outside Voss town centre by car. And of course, they also have a lake you can swim in! This spot is perfect if you are on a small excursion outside the centre of Voss. The Evanger lake has several swimming spots. In the photo above we have chosen a small beach on the south side of the lake. In Evanger you can find Evanger Landhandleri (small shop), Rongahuset Café and pub, lots of benches and a beach.
How to get there:
By car: Drive on E16 from Voss towards Bergen for about 20 minutes until you reach Evanger. Take a left towards Evanger station on E16. Drive past the train station, and follow the road (parallel to E16) for a few hundred metres until you reach a parking pocket on the right side of the road. Here you will find a small beach down by the lake.
By train: Get the local train from Voss towards Bergen, and disembark the train at Evanger. Follow the instructions above and go to the swimming spot by foot (about 15 minutes).
Tangen, Bolstad
About the spot:
Tangen outdoor recreation area in Bolstad has a volleyball court, frisbee golf, mini-ball pit and not a beach!
How to get here:
Take the train to Bolstad station, from Voss or Bergen. Walk along Naustvegen in a westward direction (in the opposite direction of the bridge). After a short distance the road splits into two. Follow the road that goes up along E16, before it turns down towards the fjord again.
Bakka, Gudvangen
About the spot:
In Bakka, Wild Sauna Norway has opened a lovely sauna, right next to the church. The sauna is located on the pier and right next to a small beach - here you can either jump in the fjord or take a leisurely walk.
How to get here:
Follow E16 towards Oslo, all the way to Gudvangen (about 50 min). Just before you get to Gudvangen and the Viking Village, exit towards Bakka, on the Fv241. Drive about 10 min towards Bakka, until you reach the church. Walk along the road, towards the fjord, here you will see the sauna and the beach.
Bordalsgjelet Gorge
About the spot:
Below the river by the popular natural attraction Bordalsgjelet there is a pool perfect for swimming if the water levels are low. This spot is for the toughest swimmers, that are keen to experience a nice nature experience in refreshing cold water.
How to get there:
The swimming spot is located below the road, to the right before you reach the bridge over the gorge. There is a trail down to a viewpoint. To the right of this viewpoint, you can climb down to the pool. Only for the more adventures!
Raundalen river, Mjølfjell
About the spot:
This spot har the cutest nickname “The Smiling Pool”. This is a gorgeous natural pool in the river Raundalselva with crystal clear water, and it is easily accessible from the road. The rocks on the side are great to jump from. If water levels are especially low you can climb up the river, under the bridge. We recommend spending a nigth at Kårdal Mountain Lodge to give yourself enough time to explore the area. Mjølfjell is a great place to enjoy the Norwegian mountains, hikes and swimming. If you are unsure about where to start - contact Wild Voss to get your own guide!
How to get there:
Train: Take the train from Voss to Mjølfjell. This is the easiest and best alternative as the road is quite narrow and old.
Car: Drive from Voss and up Raundalsvegen towards Mjølfjell. After approximately 30 kilometres you will reach a sign towards “Mjølfjell station”. Drive past this sign and continue on a few kilometres until you reach a large parking lot on the left side of the road (where the trails to Ljosnadalen begin). The pool is below the road, under the bridge.
