King of the Fjords

Day 1: Bergen
Day 2: Bergen - Balestrand, 2.5 mi. (4 km)
Day 3: Hiking to Raudmelen, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 4: Hiking Årøy - Solvorn, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 5: Hiking Molden, 6 mi. (10 km)
Day 6: Hiking to the glacier; Jostedalsbreen
Day 7: Departure from Sogndal or extension

Day 1: Bergen
The vibrant and historic city of Bergen (Unesco World Heritage-listed) is Norway’s second-largest city. The old wharf area of the city, Bryggen, with its precarious and colorful wooden buildings, will enchant.  

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
• The lively fish market next to Bryggen, with several restaurants featuring local cuisine

Meals: None
Overnight: Bergen
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel Holberg or upgrade to the 4-star Hotel Havnekontoret (supplement applies)

Options for hiking or cycling in Bergen

Day 2: Bergen - Balestrand by express boat. Hike in the afternoon, 2.5 mi. (4 km)
The coastal express boat leaves Bergen at 8.00 am, taking you to the western islands before entering Sognefjorden, whose glacier waters mirror snow-covered majestic mountains. You can admire small villages along the fjord and the cascading waterfalls of all sizes. You will arrive at Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand at 11.50 am.  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, attracted to the special fjord landscape. You will want to walk along the fjord on what is now called King Bele's Road. A number of artists built their summer residences here, many preserved today, in the dragon style, a popular architectural style from the same period. 

One option for hiking today is the Pilgrim Hike which starts about 8 km from Balestrand. You can take a taxi to the trail. In total it is around 4.4 km to walk and you end in Kvamsøy, a small community by the fjord on the west side of Balestrand. In Kvamsøy there is a beautiful place by the fjord with tables for a picnic. It is also possible to visit the tiny church on the small island just a few meters away. You can request that this be booked for you on your arrival.

Overnight: Balestrand
Accommodations:  Kviknes Hotel. You can upgrade here to a demi suite in the historic building.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Day 3: Hiking to Raudmelen, 5 mi. (8 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 over Sognefjord and Esefjella. 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.

Overnight: Balestrand
Accommodations: Kviknes Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
Elevation: 0 - 978 m

Day 4: Hiking Årøy - Solvorn, 5 mi. (8 km)
Transfer from Balestrand to Årøy. This will be provided by the luggage transfer vehicle. A time will be agreed upon when you meet with our local representative in Balestrand. From Årøy at the end of Barsnesfjorden you pass the mighty Årøy River and start the hike at the other side of the bridge. You follow the same road that King Holy Olav took in 1023 with his men. On this path, they found fresh water from the source and thus the name Olav Source. The path goes up to Hafslo and Hafslo Lake and continues along the lake until Galden, where you hike down to picturesque Solvorn. Because of its location by the fjord, Solvorn was once a very important place for trade, travel, and business, which all took place here for several centuries. Nowadays, Solvorn is a small village but is quite busy in the summertime with its public beach, ferry to Urnes, and nice summer atmosphere. You will overnight in Solvorn and have two options for your accommodations.

You can spend the next two nights at the Villa Solvorn, a small family-run guesthouse in the center of the village, or at the historic Walaker Hotel. This establishment is over 370 years old and has been owned by the Nitter family since 1690. 

Overnight: Solvorn
Accommodations: Quaint Villa Solvorn or Historic Walaker Hotel
Meals:
Villa Solvorn: Breakfast and packed lunch
Walaker Hotel: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
Elevation: 240 m

Day 5: Hiking Moden, 6 mi. (10 km)
An included transfer will be provided to Molden (ca. 6 km) to reach the trailhead. The first few kilometers finds you following trails through the forest. From here, the path rises steeply and after a little climb, you reach Svarthiller, with its spectacular view over the fjord towards Ornes on the other side. Leaving Svarthiller, the path turns and winds its way past steep crags before leveling out. You reach the top of Molden, at 1116 m above sea level. The best view is to the east, over the innermost parts of Lusterfjorden with Nes and Høyheimsvik in the foreground. Molden provides the finest viewpoint of the Sognefjord, with a panoramic view of the fjord arms and the high mountains of Jotunheimen. Return to Solvorn to relax and have dinner.

Overnight: Solvorn
Accommodations: Villa Solvorn or  Walaker Hotel
Meals: 
Villa Solvorn: Breakfast and packed lunch
Walaker Hotel: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
Elevation: 1116 m

Day 6: Hiking the Jostedalsbreen glacier, 3.1 mi. (5 km)
After breakfast, you can take a  bus to Jostedalen National Park and the Breheimsenter.  The bus departs from the main road at 8:51 am. You will arrive at Breheimsenter at 9:55 am. 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. From where the bus will stop to the glacier is about a 45-minute walk. The Breheimsenter can be visited before or after you walk up to the glacier and features an interactive exhibition on 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. 

After your visit, you will take the bus to Sogndal (52 km) for your overnight at Hofslund Hotel. 

Overnight: Sogndal
Accommodations: Hofslund Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch

Day 7: 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 travel options

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You will be accommodated in charming 3 and 4-star establishments. Preferred hotels are Hotel Holberg in Bergen, Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, and in Solvorn, either the Villa Solvorn, a lovely bed and breakfast, or the Walaker Hotel, a historic establishment owned by the same family for nine generations. There is the option to upgrade your accommodations to the Hotel Havnekontoret (seaview) in Bergen, a demi suite in the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand with spectacular views of the Sognefjord, and in the historic building of the Walaker Hotel.