West Norwegian Fjords Bike Tour

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city. Clambering up the hillsides overlooking the North Sea, its colorful houses are a sight from a storybook. Meet us here the morning of Day 1. Board the Express Boat to begin your 3-hour journey along the magnificent Sognefjord. Norway’s deepest (over 4,000′ at some points) and longest, it’s often called the King of the Fjords. Lush green hillsides and waterfall-washed crags surround and protect its peaceful waters. Tiny villas cling to the slopes on either side. . After a bike fitting in Vik, we ride to Nese, have lunch, and then ride back along the idyllic shoreline to take the ferry to Balestrand. Stay at the Dragsvik Fjordhotell, right on the shore of the Sognefjord the next two nights.

This morning, pedal the Gaularfjellet National Tourist Route – a serene ride through protected lands studded with waterfalls, wild rapids, and glaciers. Jaw-dropping mountain views await! In the afternoon you are free to explore more of the area on your own. There are hiking options near the hotel. You can explore local arts and crafts. If you desire more cycling, we recommend a lovely route around the inlet back to Balestrand. See why Kaiser Wilhelm – who we are guessing had plenty of options – chose this as his favorite place to vacation in Europe.

Today, we begin with a short but spectacular ferry ride across to Hella (…but not back again!). Ride the waterfront through Nornes – the location of the Battle of Fimreite (1184), one of the most famous sea battles in Norway’s history. Continue along the coast to the Walaker Hotell, the oldest family-run hotel in Norway, set beside the fjord in the idyllic village of Solvorn. We will be here for two nights.

Pedal the “Dramatic Road”, from tiny Solvorn to the remote village of Veitastrond on the edge of the Jostedalsbreen National Park. Jostedalsbreen is almost half covered in glaciers and the location of the largest ice cap in Europe. Enjoy empty roads, diminutive farms, wildflowers, epic mountains, and views of Austerdalsbreen – an arm of the Jostedalen Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. Many guests call this their favorite ride of the tour! Stay another night at the Walaker.

Starting with a ferry ride across the fjord to visit the Urnes Stave Church, we bicycle the Romantic Route today. There is time to explore along the way, so you may want to stop for a hike (~1.5hr) for a closer view of Feigefossen waterfall – one of the highest in Europe. There are likewise several charming creek-side out and back rides along the way. At the head of the fjord, it’s time to climb (or hitch a ride in the van). Head uphill into alpine scenery, glacier views, tiny farms, and lots of wide-open spaces. Spend the night at the Turtagro Hotel.

Take the Tindevegen route up and over the mountains Ovre Ardal at the head of Lake Årdalsvatnet, then shuttle to Lærdal to start climbing the famous Aurlandsfjellet scenic route. Ride through incredible high mountain landscape and admire the view over the Aurlands fjord before enjoying a long downhill. Or you can choose to take the van and ride only the top and downhill part. Stay at Hotel Aurlandsfjord for two nights in a charming village on the shores of the Sognefjord.

Enjoy some self-guided bike exploration around Aurland this morning, stopping at museums and shops, or relax as you like. Lunch is on your own. In the afternoon we gather to take a fjord safari in a “RIB” boat (rigid inflatable boat). In addition to wildlife and local history, we will stop at a cheese farm in a remote village with far more goats than people. Celebrate our last night with dinner at a Viking-style brewery. Help us tackle the “Viking Plank,” a 5-course feast of local meats, seafood, and veggies, paired with beers brewed on-site.

Take the famous Flåm Railway into the mountains to Myrdal station –hailed by both National Geographic Traveler and Lonely Planet as one of the world’s most beautiful train rides! Disembark at Myrdal Station for a final bike ride – downhill! – to the town of Voss, known worldwide as the (literal) “jumping off point” for extreme sports in Norway. “Squirrel suit”, anyone? Celebrate with lunch by the lake, then re-board the train to Bergen (1hr) to finish the trip