Norway Hike & Bike

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: Balestrand - Leikanger by fast boat,  Leikanger - Hafslo, by bike, 27 or 41 mi. (44 or 66 km)
Day 5: Hafslo. Hiking to Molden, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 6: Hafslo - Solvorn - Skjolden, Cycling, 24 mi. (38 km) & hiking, 2.5 mi. (4 km)
Day 7: 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 8: Departure

This tour can also be booked as a 7 day guided tour. Ask us for details and availability. Please note the slight variations in the itinerary as well as the differences in what is included/not included in the two different versions.

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 your 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.  

Other highlights:

• St. Mary's Church, Bryggen's tallest and oldest structure
• The Hanseatic Museum and the Bergenhus Fortress gives you a glimpse into the Hanseatic era
• The oldest structure on-site, Håkon's Hall, dates from 1250 and was a royal residence during the Middle Ages

If you have time and have booked at least two extra days:

Hike from Mount Ulriken to Mount Fløyen, 9 mi. (15 km)
The Ulriken Express bus from the city center takes you to the Ulriken Cable car to transport you up to Mount Ulriken, the highest of Bergen’s seven mountains. (Tickets for the Ulriken643 cable can be booked online.) From the summit, you can enjoy magnificent views of Bergen, the sea, the islands, and fjords, with the surrounding mountains standing guard.

The ensuing hike is a journey through varied nature with incredible views and exciting sights along the route. From the top of Mount Fløyen, you can enjoy a bird's eye view at 1049 feet above the city. To return to the city, you can hike back down or travel by cable car.

This walk will take an entire day.

If you prefer a guided walk, this is possible.   Advanced booking is required. Just ask.

Elevation: 20 - 662 meters (5 hours)

Overnight: Bergen
Accommodation: Hotel Holberg

Day 2: Bergen by bike, 9 mi. (14 km) or hike.  Travel to Balestrand by coastal express boat (4 hours)
After breakfast, you are free to discover Bergen the way you prefer. You will be provided recommended routes for both biking and hiking.

If cycling, you will pick up your bikes at Bryggen (not included) and can then discover the city by bike.  You can also book a 2 1/2 hour guided bike tour which begins at 11 am and costs €50 per person. Bryggen is the historic harbor district in Bergen, one of North Europe’s oldest port cities. 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. 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 for the 4:30 pm departure.

If hiking, guided tours can easily be booked in advance in Bergen including city tours or guided hiking to/on Ulriken or Fløyen. 

Boat departure is at 4:30 pm. 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 approx. 8:30 pm. 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: Balestrand - Leikanger by fast boat,  Leikanger - Hafslo, by bike, 27 or 41 mi. (44 or 66 km)
You take the fast boat from Balestrand to Leikanger at 11:50 (ticket not included) or if you prefer, you can bike here as well (22 km). From Leikanger, you begin to cycle from the quay to Sogndal. Spend as much time as you like here in the regional center, before cycling to Hafslo and Bestebakken Hotel.

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

Please note that this boutique hotel is small with limited capacity. If it is booked there are other options:

Hotel Eikum: located in Hafslo. Discount will apply.
Hotel Walaker: this establishment is located in Solvorn which is just a few miles from Hafslo (best hotel along the entire fjord and quite expensive.
Villa Solvorn: also located in Solvorn, it is a small family-run guesthouse. There are 6 rooms which share two bathrooms.

Day 5: 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. There are many possibilities for shorter hikes.

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

Elevation: 1116 m

*Please note that this boutique hotel is small with limited capacity. If it is booked there are other options:

Hotel Eikum: located in Hafslo. Discount will apply.
Hotel Walaker: this establishment is located in Solvorn which is just a few miles from Hafslo (best hotel along the entire fjord and quite expensive.
Villa Solvorn: also located in Solvorn, it is a small family-run guesthouse. There are 6 rooms which share two bathrooms.

Day 6: 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 50 (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 at Marifjøra by transfer and to your accommodationTørvis 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 7: 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 can take a bus 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 6 pm. 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 8: 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.

Bicycles

Hybrid bikes

Scott Sub Cross

• Men or women's alloy frame
• Sportier riding position
• Sub Cross EVO saddle
• Hydraulic lockout front suspension
• Shimano Alivio 8 x 3 gearing
• Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
• Felmin flat pedals
• 29-inch rims
• Approx. weight 30 lbs. (13.64 kg)

Accessories

• Mudguards
• Bottle holder
• Rear rack
• Panniers
• Lock
• Helme