Sognefjorden - Norway’s King of the Fjords

Day 1: Bergen
Day 2: Discover Bergen. Travel to Vik by boat (3h, 30 min)
Day 3: Vik - Arnafjord - Vik, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 4: Vik - Balestrand, 15 mi. (24 km)
Day 5: Balestrand - Menes - Balestrand, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 6: Balestrand - Leikanger - Sogndal - Hafslo, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 7: Hafslo - Skjolden - Hafslo, 24 mi. (38 km) 
Day 8: Departure

Daily distances can easily be extended and extra overnights booked in any of the overnight towns during your itinerary.

Day 1: Bergen
You will have time to explore Bergen as you will overnight here. We recommend that you add an extra night or nights before or after the biking tour to have more time in Bergen and the surrounding area.

The vibrant and historic city of Bergen is Norway's second-largest and has much to offer. It is the gateway to the Fjords of Norway, a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture. The Hanseatic museum provides wonderful insight into the daily life of German merchants living and working here during the Hanseatic era. Norway's best-preserved fortresses, the Bergenhus is located quite close. 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, the old town, where you find fresh fish and seafood and several restaurants serving a large selection of local dishes. You can visit the Bergen Aquarium, stroll the Nordnes parc and the city center.  

If you would like to explore Bergen by bike tomorrow before departing for Vik, you can book your rental here. 

Accommodation:
Comfort Hotel Holberg or Hotel Havnekontoret (supplement)

Day 2: Discover Bergen. Travel to Vik by fast boat (3 1/2 hrs) 
After breakfast, you have the day to discover Bergen. If you have booked a rental bike, you will find the necessary route information for a 15 km ride in your road book. There is much to do and see and it is advised you do some research before you arrive and have your plan ready!

The famous pastel-colored wooden houses in the old town are a perfect start to your day. It is a beautiful entrance to one of Northern Europe’s oldest port cities.

The port for your afternoon departure is close to your hotel. You will first need to retrieve your luggage from the hotel and proceed to the port.

Boat departure is at 4:30 pm, and estimated arrival in Vik is at 8:10 pm.  You pass the western islands before entering the stunning Sognefjorden Glacier waters. Snow-covered majestic mountains are mirrored in the pristine waters and waterfalls cascade into the fjord. Your hotel in Vik is less than 100 meters from the quay.

Accommodation:
Blix Hotel: Located in the heart of tiny Vik, surrounded by cultural treasures, majestic mountains, and the fjord. Blix hotel is simple and family-owned and you will find small-town hospitality awaiting you. It is not possible to upgrade here as there are no other hotel options.

Day 3: Vik - Arnafjord - Vik, 32 mi. (52 km) 
Today, you will be met by our local representative for bike handoff, welcome meeting, and tour explanation. You then begin at Hotel Blix in Vik and pedal along Sognefjorden and Arnafjorden. You will bike close to the fjord the whole day surrounded by high mountains and thundering waterfalls. You ride back the same way as you came.
There is one tunnel (at 16,5 km) so you need your light. You will cycle through Eitrestrondi nature reserve which is known to have several unique plants. You will have several possibilities to go for a swim. The road ends in the small hamlet of Arnafjord, here you can enjoy your picnic lunch on the quai. Back in Vik, be sure to stop in the dairy café Ostebaren to tast the local delicassy "old cheese" made only in Vikl at the last remaining tradtional dairly outlet in Norway.

Accommodation:
Blix Hotel

Elevation gain: 127 m

Day 4: Vik - Vangsnes - Dragsvik - Balestrand, 15 mi. (24 km)
Your route today is a cultural and historical experience  know as the Sylvringen, named after a ring found in the old burial mounds that you will visit. Also included on your route are the ancient Hoppestad Stave Church and Hove Stone Church.

The Hoppestad stave church is one of the oldest stave churches in Norway, dating from 1130, and it hasn’t been changed since the 17th century. The church was restored in the period 1885 – 1891. Older parts have been found under the church floor and indicates that there have been another churches there before.

Moahaugane is one of the largest collections of burial mounds of its kind in the Nordic region, dating from the periord 3 - 500 AD and was used as tombs for the wealthy and prestigious farmers.

Hove Stone church is the oldest stone building in Sogn and probably one of the oldest in the country, dating from the 1100s.

Your cultural exploration also includes cycling among the small wooden houses, Vikøyri, by the fjord.

Continuing to Vangsnes, it is recommended to visit the big statue of “Fritjof” before crossing the fjord with the ferry to Dragsvik. From here you cycle the last 10 km to Balestrand. As early as the 18th century, Balestrand was a popular tourist destination in Europe. Wealthy and distinguished people and artists from other parts of the country and from abroad came to its shores and the special fjord landscape you find here.

You stay at Kvikne's Hotel (1877) with its imposing façade facing the fjord.  It is an excellent example of the Swiss style which was an extremely popular building style in this period. It is suggested to cycle along the fjord on what is now called King Bele's Road. A number of artists built their summer residences in the dragon style, another popular architectural style from the same period. Many of these houses are well preserved today. 

Accommodation:
Kviknes Hotel:  This historic establishment was constructed in 1752. The Kvikne family, which owns the hotel today, took over in 1877.  You have your choice here, to stay in the more modern part of the hotel or in the historical building (a supplement applies).  Either way, this establishment exudes old-world charm and atmosphere and is graced with an extensive collection of artworks and antiques, which give it its special style. Upgrade to the historic  part of the hotel is available.

Elevation gain: 63 m

Day 5: Balestrand - Dragsvik - Sværefjord - Vetlefjord -  Menes - Balestrand 37 mi. (59 km)
Ride to Esefjord and two other small "arms"  of Sognefjord, ending in tiny Menes with a population of only 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. The collection is not presented systematically according to family or genus, as is often the case in other Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, but after the geographical connection, such as Europe, Caucasus, Himalaya, China, Korea, Japan, etc. Make time for a refreshment and a bath at the nice recreation area by the fjord. You continue riding quiet roads, beside the fjord, the majesty of the mountains as your backdrop.  Picturesque farms and hamlets dot 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. For 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.

Accommodation:
Kviknes Hotel

Elevation gain: 53 m

Day 6: Balestrand - Leikanger - Sogndal - Hafslo, 24 mi. (39 km) or extend to 32 mi. (51 km)
Today you enter the inner part of Sognefjorden and take the ferry from Balestrand to Leikanger at 11:50. It is also possible to bike directly from Balestrand, cycling the Esefjorden again to Dragsvik, and then taking the ferry to Hella. From Hella to Leikanger it is an additional 12 km.

Sogn is the oldest fruit-growing area in Norway and if you visit in spring, all the fruit trees are in blossom, from August they will be ladened with red apples and purple plums. You will have to share the road with cars except for the last part entering Sogndal. Norwegian motorists are very accustomed to and respectful of cyclists.

As you pass through Sogndal, you follow a bike path by the fjord. Continuing on to Hafslo, you bike another 18 km, along the Barsnesfjorden. The route climbs here for 2 km but at the top of your ascent, you are afforded a lovely view of Lake Hafslo and the town. The last 2 km down to Hafslo is on a dedicated bike path. The hotel is up a steep dirt driveway but once there, you have an exquisite view of the surrounding countryside. 

Accommodation:
BesteBakken Boutique Hotel*: this unique hotel is an experience in and of itself. Once a small family farm, now completely restored and renovated, the establishment is located on a hilltop overlooking the lake. Each of the 15 rooms are different and eclectic, retaining the farmhouse feel but with a modern twist. The culinary experience is based on fresh local food and is a highlight of a stay here.

*Please note that this boutique hotel is small with limited capacity. If it is fully 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 (the best hotel along the entire fjord)
Villa Solvorn: also located in Solvorn, it is a small family-run guesthouse. There are 6 rooms which shared two bathrooms. This establishment is perfect for families.

Elevation gain: 224 m

Day 7: Hafslo - Solvorn - Skjolden - Hafslo,  24 mi. (38 km) 
After breakfast, you cycle the same bike path as yesterday to Galden before descending 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 art gallery. You will want to spend a little time here before you take the small ferry that leaves every hour from 10:00. The 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 to 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, but if it is closed, it is a lovely spot for a picnic.  The last stage to Skjolden has two tunnels and you will need your light. Arriving in Skjolden, at the far end of the Sognefjord, you can have a drink on the terrace of the hotel, in the café, or enjoy a swim on the public beach. You are picked up at the agreed time unless you want to cycle back to your hotel (+ 39 km ).

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

Accommodation:
BesteBakken Boutique Hotel

Elevation gain:  226 m

Day 8: Departure from Hafslo
There are a couple of options for this last official day for your onward travel. Your included departure transfers are to either Sogndal or Leikanger. Ferry departure time from Sogndal is at 7:05 am. The early departure from Leikanger is 7:30 am. There is also a later departure at 4:30 pm. Travel time is 4 hours 20 min.

If you want to extend your tour, one option is to cycle on this day to Sogndal (35 km) and overnight.. The ferry departure the next day is at 7:05 and is just a short walk from your hotel. 

Returning to Bergen

Extend/enhance your stay

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You will be accommodated in hotels that are rated three and four stars. Please keep in mind that sometimes, depending on your overnight town, options are limited. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel listed. If this cannot be confirmed, you will be informed accordingly and offered alternative accommodation. This may entail slight changes in your daily distances.

Bicycles

Touring Bike

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
• Pannier
• Lock
• Helmet

Electric Bike

Scott Sub Active eRide

• Alloy Frame
• Front suspension
• Shimano Alivio 3100 9 Speed
• Bosch Active, PowerTube 400Wh
• Shimano Disc Brakes
• Schwalbe Energizer Active Plus Tires
• Selle Royal Essenza saddle

Accessories

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