Celebrating 10 years of Outdoor Norway and the journey behind it
On March 7th, 2016, Outdoor Norway officially became a registered company in Voss. Ten years later, it has grown into one of Fjord Norway’s most unique outdoor adventure operators. Behind the company is a story shaped by exploration, endurance sports, and a deep belief in the power of nature.
Growing up in a big city and discovering nature
Outdoor Norway’s founder, Marcio Franco, grew up in São Paulo, Brazil one of the largest cities in the world. But weekends were different. Camping trips with his parents created a deep connection with nature. Those moments outdoors showed him something powerful: time in nature brings clarity, joy, and balance. That belief later became the foundation of Outdoor Norway.
Competing as an adventure racing athlete
Marcio later became a competitive adventure racing athlete, winning races for Brazil and competing internationally. One of the defining moments of his athletic career came when he won the Land Rover G4 Challenge selection, representing Brazil in the competition that brought elite athletes to Mongolia and later to the finals in England. Adventure racing requires endurance, navigation skills, and the ability to explore remote terrain. Competitors move across mountains, rivers, forests, and wilderness areas where navigation and decision-making are critical. These years of exploration shaped Marcio’s understanding of landscapes and routes skills that later helped define Outdoor Norway’s unique adventures.
Discovering Norway and the opportunity in Voss
In 2010, Marcio arrived in Norway and quickly fell in love with the landscapes around Voss. Working as a rafting guide, ski patroller, and tandem paragliding pilot allowed him to experience the region deeply. Guests often finished an activity and asked: "What should we do next? "The region had endless outdoor potential but there was no central place where travelers could easily discover and book multiple adventures. That realization became the beginning of Outdoor Norway.
Exploring beyond the obvious locations
Because of his background in endurance sports and navigation, Marcio spent years exploring trails, rivers, and mountain routes around Voss. Many of the locations Outdoor Norway uses today were discovered during that exploration. Guests are often taken to unique places that feel wild and untouched locations that many locals may not even know. This sense of discovery has become one of the defining strengths of Outdoor Norway’s tours.
Adventure that builds awareness
Outdoor Norway was built on a simple idea. Adventure should inspire people to care about nature. By bringing people into the mountains, rivers, and fjords, guests experience firsthand how powerful and fragile these landscapes are. Guides manage pace, movement, and group behaviour carefully to ensure guests explore responsibly and respectfully. Because when people truly connect with nature, they understand why it must be protected especially in a world facing climate change and environmental pressure.
Ten years of Outdoor Norway
Over the past decade, Outdoor Norway has welcomed thousands of guests from around the world. From kayaking and rafting to mountain biking and backcountry skiing, the mission has always been the same: To create unforgettable outdoor adventures that leave people feeling empowered, inspired, and connected to nature. And this journey is only just beginning.