A stone’s throw (thrown by the arm of Thor, that is) southwest of Vetle-Kroken lies the oldest wooden stave church in Norway.

The Urnes Stavkjyrke is recognized by UNESCO for its profound cultural significance. After basic instruction from your guide, you will paddle down shore eight kilometers and go back in time 850 years to the time of the church’s construction.

Your journey will take you past the Munthehus in Kroken as well as Europe’s largest contiguous elm forest surrounding the hamlet of Loi. Arrive at the beach at Urnes where you will leave your kayaks, and hike 20 minutes past raspberry and apple orchards to the church, to picnic on a hillside perch with history and the fjord in full view.

Your guide will retell tales of the old kings and the feudal age of the fjord. After lunch, you will join a guided tour of the church before paddling home to Vetle-Kroken.