Norway Hike & Bike

This tour is offered as either guided or self-guided. Please note the slight variations in itinerary as well as the differences in Included/Not included.

Day 1: Bergen
Day 2: Bergen by bike, 9 mi. (14 km).  Travel to Balestrand by coastal express boat (4 hours)
Day 3: Hiking to Raudmelen, 5 mi. (8.5 km)
Day 4: Biking Balestrand  -  Menes - Balestrand, 19 - 37 mi. (30 or 60 km)
Day 5: Balestrand - Hafslo and cycling Leikanger - Sogndal,  16 or 27 mi. (25 or 44 km)
Day 6: Hafslo. Hiking to Molden, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 7: Hafslo - Solvorn - Skjolden, Cycling, 24 mi. (38 km) & hiking, 2.5 mi. (4 km)
Day 8: Marifjøra - Jostedalen - Sogndal, hiking to the glacier, 3 mi. (5 km). Opportunity to cycle from the glacier back to the hotel, 19 mi. (30 km) 
Day 9: Departure

Day 1: Bergen
You will have time to explore Bergen as you will overnight here. We recommend that you add an extra night(s) before or after the biking tour to have more time in Bergen or Sognefjorden.

The vibrant and historic city of Bergen is Norway's second-largest and has much to offer. The Hanseatic museum provides wonderful insight into the daily life of German merchants living and working here during the Hanseatic era. Located beside this is Norway's best-preserved fortresses, the  Bergenhus. The oldest structure on-site, Håkon's Hall, dates to 1250 and was a royal residence during the Middle Ages. 

Suggestions: You can take the cable car to the top of the famous mount Fløyen and enjoy a bird's eye view 1049 feet above the city. Enjoy the lively fish market beside Bryggen, here you find fresh fish and seafood and several restaurants serving a large selection of local dishes. Or meet the sea lions, the creepy - but great crocodiles, fish and the fascinating snakes at Bergen Aquarium close to the Nordnes parc and the city center.  

Overnight: Bergen
Accommodation: Hotel Holberg

Day 2: Bergen by bike, 9 mi. (14 km).  Travel to Balestrand by coastal express boat (4 hours)
You will pick up your bikes at Bryggen and can then discover the city by bike. Bryggen is a historic harbor district in Bergen, one of North Europe’s oldest port cities on the west coast of Norway which was established as a center for trade by the 12th century. Though many recent fires have ravaged the old wooden houses, the rebuilding has remained faithful to the original. Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape. As you cycle, you have the opportunity to visit, many of the city’s attractions. You will leave your bike (s) at the pickup location. The port is very close to the bike rental shop and your tour hotel so after dropping the bikes, you will pick up your luggage, and walk to the boat.  Boat departure is at 16.30. You pass the western islands before entering Sognefjorden, whose glacier waters mirror snow-covered majestic mountains and waterfalls cascade into the fjord. Arrival in the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand ca 20.30. Dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Balestrand
Accommodation: Kviknes Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 3: Hiking to Raudmelen, 5 mi. (8.5 km)
Today’s hike starts from the hotel. You will walk to the Belehalli Sports Hall where the path begins and follow the well-marked red route to Raudmelen. After following the relatively steep path up through the woods, it is nice to take a break at Orrabenken (370 m). From here you get a wonderful view over Balestrand and the Sognefjord. From Orrabenken, you follow the path upwards to Buråsi at 575 m. You will enjoy a marvelous view of Sognefjord and Esefjella and can have your picnic lunch here. On one side you overlook the green slopes to Balestrand and on the other, dramatic rocky mountainsides towards Esedalen. You continue along the ridge towards the highest top, Raudmelen with wonderful views on both sides. There are plenty of options to take shorter routes in case of inclement weather. Recommended to experience Cidertasting and dinner at Ciderhuset (not included.)

Overnight: Balestrand
Accommodations: Kviknes Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & packed lunch (lunch not included in self-guided tour)
Elevation: 0 - 978 m

Day 4: Biking Balestrand  -  Menes - Balestrand, 19 - 37 mi. (30 or 60 km)
Ride to Esefjord and two other small "arms"  of Sognefjord, ending in Menes with a population of eight! The first stop is Esefjorden where you can admire the famous mountains that inspired so many artists. Just before Dragsvik, you can visit the Arboretum which covers an area of about five acres, stretching from the road to the fjord.  Today there are about 150 different varieties of trees and bushes from the entire world. You continue along quiet roads, beside the fjord, the mountains and some picturesque farms and hamlets along the way. You have wide and wonderful views over the fjord all the way with different mountains and valleys coming into view as you go along. The last 5 km you bike on a lovely little branch road to Menes.  A picnic lunch soaking in the panoramic view is the perfect break before you cycle back to Balestrand.

Mr Tor in Balestrand can take you and your bike in his boat on the fjord and let you off in Menes. The distance will then be 30 km cycling back to Menes. Boat transfer must be ordered in advance and cost will depend on the number of participants. 

Overnight: Balestrand
Accommodation: Kviknes Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (guided tour), & dinner

Day 5: Balestrand - Hafslo and cycling Leikanger - Sognal,  16 or 27 mi. (25 or 44 km)
Today you enter the inner part of Sognefjorden and take the boat from Balestrand to  Leikanger at 11:50. And you will cycle from the quay to Slinde. You can spend some time in Sogndal, the regional center, before driving (also possible to bike, + 19 km) to Hafslo and Bestebakken Hotel. In Sogndal,  you will find shops and cafes and a shopping center as well.

If you do decide to cycle from Sogndal, there is a bike path by the fjord. Continuing to Hafslo another 19 km, you cycle along Barsnesfjorden until the end. The route climbs here, for 2 km, until you see Hafslo, beautifully located by the lake. The last 2 km from Galden to Hafslo is a bike path and your hotel is up from the small center of Hafslo with a good view.

Overnight: Hafslo
Accommodation: BesteBakken boutique hotel
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch (guided tour), & dinner

Day 6: Hafslo. Hiking to Molden, 5 mi. (8 km)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the trailhead in Mollandsmarki. Today you will enjoy a good path and stunning views of the fjords and landscapes. Molden is also described as the finest viewpoint of the Sognefjord with the panoramic view of the fjord arms and the high mountains of Jotunheimen . You can enjoy your packed lunch on the mountaintop with these amazing views.  For a shorter walk it is possible to hike to Hongi with views to Veitastrond and Lake Veitastrond.

Overnight: Hafslo
Accommodation: BesteBakken boutique hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (guided tour), & dinner

Elevation: 1116 m

Day 7: Hafslo - Solvorn - Skolden, Cycling, 24 mi. (38 km) & hiking, 2.5 mi. (4 km)
After breakfast,  you cycle down to Solvorn. This idyllic small village with small, white wooden houses was built up when the fjord was the most important source of communication. Here the fjord is deep enough so larger boats could come to dock. Solvorn has a small grocery store and the hotel has a nice gallery. You will want to spend a little time here before you take the small ferry that leaves every hour from 10:00. Cost is NOK 42 (payable on arrival) and the crossing takes around 20 minutes. Upon arrival in Urnes, you should cycle up the 700 meters to Urnes stave church, a Unesco site. The stave churches are Norway’s most important contribution to European cultural heritage. You will have a great view of Solvorn from the church.

Leaving Urnes on the small roads along Lusterfjorden, the innermost arm of the Sognefjord. About halfway you pass the impressive 218-meter high Feigumfossen waterfall. A 40-minute hike will allow you to get up close and personal,  or you can admire the view of it from the road and have a swim in the fjord – or both! There is a small café by the fjord and a lovely spot for you to enjoy your picnic. You will arrive to  Marifjøra by transfer and to your accommodationsTørvis Hotel by the fjord.

Note: You need good shoes if you want to walk up to the waterfall, the ground can be very wet and slippery.

Overnight: Marifjøra
Accommodation: Tørvis Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (guided tour), & dinner

Day 8: Marifjøra - Jostedalen - Sogndal, hiking to the glacier, 3 mi. (5 km). Opportunity to cycle from the glacier back to the hotel, 19 mi. (30 km) 
After breakfast, you will be transported to  Jostedalen National Park and the Breheimsenter. The Breheimsenter is an authorized National Park Center for Breheimen and Jostedalsbreen National Parks. These two National Parks have 9 of the 30 largest glaciers in Norway, with Jostedalsbreen as the largest, at 474 km2.  Nigardsbreen is the most visited. The glacier is about a 45-minute walk. The Breheimsenter can be visited before or after you walk up to the glacier. (entrance not included).

If you would like ice grips for walking on the glacier, they must be ordered in advance.

The Breheimsenter has an interactive exhibition that covers Jostedalen, Jostedalsbreen, and  Breheimen National Parks and focuses on climate and glaciers. In addition, there is a cinema which takes you on a tour around the glaciers throughout the years. 

If you do not wish to walk to the glacier, another option would be to take a boat (Jostedalsrypa) over the lake toward the glacier. The boat travels back and forth over the lake each day between the hours of 10 am and 6pm. The cost is approx. 60 NOK per person.

After your visit, you will be transferred to  Sogndal for your last overnight at Hofslund Hotel or you can cycle back from the glacier to the hotel.

Overnight: Sogndal
Accommodations: Hofslund Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & packed lunch (guided tour)

Day 9: Departure from Sogndal
If you want to return to Bergen, the coastal express boat departs just a few meters walk from your hotel to Bergen. It is also possible to take the bus to Bergen or if you are returning to Oslo,  there are two buses that depart at 11:30 am arriving in Oslo at 6:20. Flåm railway can also be included, the biggest tourist attraction in Sogn. See details below.

Meals: Breakfast

More details on departure options:

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Please see each day’s details for the overnight accommodations. You will enjoy charming, historic hotels that showcase the area.