Norway – Fjord Country Bike Tour

There are several options to get from the airport to the city centre and your hotel. The airport bus departs often and stops several places in the city center. Taxis are also available and private transportation can be booked in advance. See details under the Highlights tab.

The vibrant and historic city of Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and has a lot to offer. Most famous is Bryggen, the wooden buildings on Bergen’s iconic wharf, which are reflections of its history in the Hanseatic League. Visit the lively fish market, St. Mary’s Church, The Hanseatic Museum, Bergenhus and its oldest structure on site, Håkon’s Hall, which dates back to 1250 and was a royal residence during the Middle Ages.Take the cable car to the top of the famous Mount Fløyen and enjoy a bird’s eye view at 1049 feet above the city.

It is also possible to book a 2 hour guided city tour:
2 people: 700 NOK pp, 4 People: 350 NOK pp

Highlights: Bergen exploration
Overnight: Bergen

After breakfast, you will pick up your bikes at Bryggen. This famous harbour on the west coast of Norway is one of northern Europe’s oldest port cities, established as a centre for trade before the 12th century. Though many recent fires have ravaged the old wooden houses, the rebuilding has remained faithful to the original style. Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape. As you cycle, you will have the opportunity to visit, many of the city’s attractions. All of them shortly presented in the information you will receive.

Note about lodging: the base price includes a comfortable 3 star hotel. We recommend the upgrade package for superior experience and without substantial increase in price. The upgrade hotel offers larger rooms and waterfront views, as well an inclusive buffet that can suit as dinner.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 14 km / 9 miles
Highlights: Bergen exploration
Overnight: Bergen

Early start! Your hotel is close to the boat terminal and your trip will take 3.5 hours. The fast boat takes you among the islands of the western coast and the outer part of Sognefjorden. The boat takes you to the western islands before entering Sognefjorden, whose glacieal waters mirror snow covered majestic mountains. From here, you can admire small villages along the fjord and the many waterfalls, cascading down from the mountains. Disembark in Vik, where you will be met by your Norwegian hostess for an orientation and bike set up.

Option 1: This is a cycling cultural visit of some of the area’s important historical sites, dating to the age of the Vikings, including the pristine UNESCO Hopperstad Stave Church, the statue of Fritjof, King Bele’s Way and Scandinavia’s largest concentration of dragon style houses, many of which are well preserved.

Option 2: This longer option has you cycling peaceful back roads to the hamlet of Arnafjord, where high mountains and spectacular waterfalls surround you. Cross through the beautiful Eitrestrondi Natural Park, where you also pass a public area with a small beach suitable for a swim, if you like! Pass by the impressive Botnafossen Waterfall, which you can visit by leaving the main road for a few km. Enjoy a picnic lunch before cycling back to Vik.

Optional Add-On (must be booked in advance):
Guided visits include: guide, village tour, plus a delicious local cheese and fresh-from-the-farm raspberry juice tasting. We highly recommend this! 1.5 hours guided cultural visit from ~530 NOK per person for 2 people.

Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: 24 or 62 km / 15 or 39 mi
Highlights: high mountains, waterfalls, natural park & beach
Overnight: Balestrand – Historic Hotel Kviknes -ask about this hotel and its 2 parts! You stay in the historic part, and the upgrade package includes a Demi Suite with fjord views.

Today you will discover other small “arms” of the Sognefjord. Just before Dragsvik, you can visit the Arboretum which covers an area of about five acres, with about 150 different varieties of trees and bushes from all over entire world. Take time for a refreshment and a bath at the nice recreation area by the fjord; the views are stunning. As you continue along quiet roads, you will have wide and wonderful views over the fjord all of the way with different mountains and valleys coming into view as you go along. Enjoy your picnic lunch by the fjord before cycling back to Balestrand.

OPTION:
Cider tasting at 16.00, Mon-Fri, from 295Kr, up to 6 persons max. We highly recommend this experience – the location is stunning and the food and ciders are simply divine. Popular with the locals – must book in advance!!!

Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: 58 km / 36 miles
Highlights: Sognefjord exploration, Arboretum, picturesque views
Overnight: Balestrand

Today you take your bike on the boat from Balestrand to Leikanger. Sogn is the oldest fruit growing area in Norway and if you visit the area in spring, all of the fruit trees are in blossom. From August, they will be decorated with red apples and purple plums. Through Sogndal, there is a bike path by the fjord. Make a stop in Sogndal, if you wish to visit a cafe and then continue to Solvorn. You will reach Hafslo, which is beautifully placed on the sparkling Lake of Hafslo. Then you start a 3 km downhill ride to the town of Solvorn, on the shores of the fjord. Your hotel is one of the oldest in all of Norway; dating to the 1600’s and still run by the same founding family. A delicious dinner is included here tonight and will likely be a culinary highlight!
Note: Upgrade package includes the historic part of the hotel which is truly unique and very historic!

Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: 44 km / 27 mi
Highlights: boat then bike, fruit region, Sogndal exploration, Solvorn
Overnight: Solvorn

After breakfast, you can take your time before catching the ferry across to Urnes. The ferry leaves every hour and takes 20 minutes. Once here, cycle up the 700 meters that takes you to the UNESCO Urnes Stave Church. The stave churches are Norway’s most important contribution to European cultural heritage. Enjoy a great view to Solvorn from the nice wooden church, beautifully situated in the Norwegian fjord landscape.

Leaving Urnes, you will be on the small roads along Lusterfjorden, the innermost “arm” of the Sognefjord. About half way, you pass the impressive 218 meter high Feigumfossen Waterfall. It is around a 40 minute walk up to have a natural shower – or you can admire the view of it from the road and have a swim in the fjord – or both! You will use provided bike lights for 2 short and very lightly used car tunnels to arrive in Skjolden, the far end of the Sognefjord, you can have a drink on the terrace of the hotel, in the café, or enjoy a swim from the beach.

We pick you up for transfer back to Solvorn and the same hotel as last night at an agreed upon time. You have the option to ride 35km back the same way to get the ferry from Urnes over to Solvorn. (passing the 2 tunnels again)

OPTIONS:
Visit the inside of Urnes Church visit – 90Kr (Tickets cannot be booked in advance, you pay on arrival.)

Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: 35km one way / 22 miles
Highlights: Solvorn, Urnes Stave Church, Feigumfossen Waterfall, Skjolden
Overnight: Solvorn

The Fastboat leaves Sogndal today only 2 times to return to Bergen. 3.5- 4 hours travel time needed. A transfer to Sogndal boat dock is included and pickup time booked at least 24 hours in advance. The first boat departs at 7:05 am arriving Bergen at 11:50. A departure from Leikanger is possible at 4:40 pm arriving Bergen at 8:45 pm.

Meals: breakfast