The Norse explorers likely reached North America by sailing across the North Atlantic Ocean. They used long, narrow ships called longships, which were well-suited for navigating the rough seas of the North Atlantic. The Norse navigators used the stars and the sun to guide them, and they also relied on their knowledge of the currents and winds of the ocean.
The Norse settlements in North America were relatively short-lived. They lasted for about 500 years, but they were eventually abandoned due to a number of factors, including climate change, conflict with the native peoples, and the decline of the Norse civilization in Europe. However, the Norse explorers left behind a lasting legacy in North America, including the introduction of new technologies and ideas, and the establishment of the first European settlements in the New World.