A mountain farm with views worth the ride. The Ljøen Farm Tour takes you from Hellesylt to Øvre Ljøen for a quick, guided taste of hard mountain life and why this fjord country has people willing to stay put for centuries. I particularly like the three-fjord viewpoints from the farm, and I love the hands-on animal time, especially meeting and feeding the llamas with pellets. One drawback to consider, especially on a cruise day, is the schedule is tight, so you need to show up right on time to make the bus and fit everything into about an hour.

This is also a tour with a human tone. The farm is run by the Bonsaksens, with more than 400 years of mountain farming behind them, and the guide focuses on storytelling, not just photo stops. You’ll get coffee, tea, and Norwegian waffles too, which turns the visit into more than a quick walk, even though the stay is relatively short.

Key things I’d prioritize before you go

• World-class view timing from Øvre Ljøen, where the fjord scenery is the star of the show
• Llamas with personalities, and a simple way to interact using a handful of pellets
• Sheep on steep terrain, giving you a realistic sense of what mountain farming means
• Old-farm storytelling from a family operation, shaped by 400+ years of experience
• Food that fits the moment, with waffles and hot drinks served on-site

Three-fjord views are the main event at Øvre Ljøen

The big reason to book the Ljøen Farm Tour is the view. The farm sits up on a mountain cliff, overlooking the Geirangerfjord area, and the experience is built around seeing. You’re not just walking around for the sake of walking, you’re stepping into a viewpoint that makes you understand why people call this place special.

What makes it practical is that the viewpoint is accessible in a short visit. The guided portion is 45 minutes, so you get time to look, listen to the story of the farm, and still have a bit of breathing room to take photos. If you’re on a cruise or you want one focused excursion that hits both scenery and culture, this format is a good match.

I also like that the “best view” concept is tied to the day’s purpose. You’re at a real working mountain farm, so the view is not separate from the farming life. The guide connects what you see with why the land is farmed at all.

Getting there fast from Hellesylt, with a 1-hour tempo

Timing matters on fjord trips, and this one keeps it simple. Your meeting point is on the waterfront side of the gas station YX in Hellesylt, and you should plan to meet 30 minutes before departure. That buffer matters because the tour runs like a planned coach transfer, not a flexible drop-in walk.

From Hellesylt to the farm, you ride by bus for about 8 minutes. When you return, it’s about 7 minutes back to the meeting point. The entire experience is about 1 hour, with 45 minutes guided at the farm itself and the rest spent on transport.

This pacing is good value if you want to keep your day open for other parts of Hellesylt or Geirangerfjord sightseeing. It’s also a consideration if you tend to like long, slow tours. You will not have hours up on the cliff. You’ll have a focused slice of it, then you’re back down.

How 400+ years of mountain farming shapes the tour

The farm is operated by the Bonsaksens and has been in mountain farming for more than 400 years. That detail isn’t just trivia. It changes the tone of the visit. The guide’s storytelling is about trials and tribulations of living and working on steep ground, and why it takes a certain kind of stubborn patience to keep doing it generation after generation.

One thing I appreciate in this kind of farm tour is that it gives you a framework for reading the scenery. When you look out over the fjords, it’s easy to treat them like a postcard. When you hear about mountain farming there, the place becomes more than scenery. You start understanding how weather, terrain, and access all shape daily life.

This farm is also one of the oldest mountain farms along the UNESCO World Heritage fjord, the Geirangerfjord. That matters because it points to human history tied directly to the natural one. You’re not touring a theme park. You’re learning how people have adapted to a dramatic landscape and kept doing so.

Sheep and llamas up close, with pellets for a true interaction

Animal time is the heart of this tour, and it’s handled in a way that feels natural. You’ll get a meet-and-greet with the farm’s animals, and while the sheep are most likely out grazing in the steep mountains, you should still be able to see animals around the farm area during your visit.

The llamas are the fan favorite, and you should lean into that part of the experience. There are 15 llamas, and the tour highlights that they each have their own personality. If you want a close encounter, the simple tip is to grab a handful of pellets. They may want to eat right from your hand, which turns the interaction from distant viewing into a shared moment.

I like that this interaction has an easy “how” built in. You’re not guessing what to do, and you’re not stuck watching from afar. It also makes the tour land well with families. If you’re traveling with kids, the chance to feed llamas is one of the most memorable parts because it’s active, not just observational.

Practical note: you still should expect the llamas to behave like llamas. Sometimes they’ll come close, sometimes they’ll look at you from a few steps away. Your best strategy is calm, steady movements and using the pellets when offered.

Coffee, tea, and Norwegian waffles with a fjord view

The food part is small, but it’s smart. You’ll be served coffee, tea, and Norwegian waffles at the farm. In a short excursion, that kind of snack-and-sit time can make a big difference. It breaks the day up so you are not rushing from one viewpoint to the next without any comfort.

Also, waffles fit the mood here. You are on a mountain farm, so you’re not waiting for a restaurant meal with complicated ordering. It’s a warm drink and a sweet bite, and it gives you a reason to pause while you take in what’s around you.

The best part is the pairing. You’re eating while the farm’s view is right there, so the food feels connected to the experience. For value, that matters too, because $62 for a one-hour tour can feel like a lot if it’s only transportation plus a short walk. The included drink and waffles help make it feel like you actually stopped, not just passed through.

Price and value at $62 for a one-hour excursion

At $62 per person for about an hour total, this tour is priced for cruise-day efficiency and a fairly “complete” package: transport, a guided farm visit, animal interaction time, and included waffles and hot drinks. For many people, that bundle is the value. You pay once, you get a structured experience, and you don’t have to figure out how to reach a mountain farm on your own.

That said, I’d be honest about one value consideration. One family noted they were able to book locally at a price they felt was about half. That doesn’t mean this tour is overpriced in general, but it does suggest it can be worth comparing options at the port on your specific day if that’s possible.

My practical take: if you want the view plus animals plus a hosted story, $62 starts to make sense. If you are only chasing a viewpoint with minimal time in the farm setting, you might feel the price more sharply. Your best move is to decide what you want from this stop. If llamas and waffles are part of your travel wishlist, this is a strong match.

What the itinerary feels like on the ground

You can think of the visit as three stages: get there, meet the farm, and return.

First, you gather at YX in Hellesylt on the waterfront side. Plan to arrive early. Then you board the coach for a short ride that sets the expectation: you’re going up to a cliff farm, not into a flat village.

Next is Øvre Ljøen, where the guided tour runs about 45 minutes. This is where you’ll learn about mountain farming, see animals, and get the storytelling piece. The visit is paced for a small window, so you won’t wander for long stretches. Instead, you’ll be guided to the moments that matter most: the animals and the views.

Finally, you ride back about 7 minutes to the same meeting point. You’ll still have a complete excursion experience, but you will not feel like you lost the whole day getting there and back.

One more good sign for planning: the transport quality is rated highly, with 91% of reviewers giving perfect scores for transport. That matters because a smooth coach ride is what keeps an hour-long tour from feeling stressful.

Who should book Ljøen, and who might not love it

This tour fits best if you want a balanced dose of nature, animals, and people in a short time frame. I think it’s especially suitable for:

• Families who want hands-on time with llamas and an included snack
• Cruise travelers who need a straightforward excursion that starts near the port area
• View lovers who also care about context, not just photos

It might be less satisfying if you prefer long hikes, deep museum-style history, or a free-form, unstructured itinerary. Since the visit is about an hour total, you’re choosing efficiency over slow wandering.

Also, if you’re very sensitive to weather or you need a longer indoor break, keep in mind this is a farm setting with views, so conditions can change quickly. Dress for mountain air and plan on being outdoors for parts of the visit.

Should you book this farm tour?

Book it if you want one high-impact stop in Hellesylt that combines three-fjord views, real farm life, and a memorable animal encounter. The included waffles and hot drinks add comfort, and the storytelling about mountain farming gives the scenery meaning.

I’d only hesitate if you’re trying to maximize value strictly by price, especially for a larger group, because one note suggests you might find cheaper options locally on the day. If that matters to you, do a quick comparison when you’re at the port, then choose the option that best matches what you want most: view plus llamas and a guided farm story.

If those are on your list, this is a very tidy way to experience Geirangerfjord country without eating up your whole day.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Ljøen Farm Tour?

The tour lasts about 1 hour in total.

Where do I meet for the tour in Hellesylt?

You meet on the waterfront side of the gas station YX in Hellesylt.

How long is the guided part at the farm?

The guided tour at Øvre Ljøen is about 45 minutes.

Do I ride the bus to the farm and back?

Yes. A bus takes you to the farm and back, with short transfer times on both legs.

What animals can I expect to see?

You’ll see sheep and llamas. The llamas are a major highlight.

Can I feed the llamas?

Yes. If you want a close encounter, you can use pellets to feed the llamas.

What food and drinks are included?

Coffee, tea, and Norwegian waffles are included.

Is the tour guide in English?

Yes, the live tour guide is English.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $62 per person.

Is there a cancellation option?

Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.