Sognefjord cycling holiday

This famous harbour on the west coast of Norway is one of North Europe’s oldest port cities, established as a centre for trade before the 12th century. The vibrant and historic city of Bergen is Norway’s second largest and has a lot to offer. Most famous is Bryggen, the wooden buildings on Bergen's iconic wharf are reflections of its history in the Hanseatic League. Though many fires have ravaged the old wooden houses, the rebuilding has remained faithful to the original. From the top of the famous mount Fløyen you can enjoy a bird's eye view 1049 feet above the city. Enjoy the lively fish market and several restaurants serving a large selection of local dishes. 

After breakfast you have time to explore most of the attractions in Bergen. If you would like to explore the city by bike it is possible to book rental bikes for an additional fee. In the afternoon you pick up your luggage from the hotel and walk to the boat. Boat departure is at 16.30, arrival in Vik at 20.10. The boat takes you to the western islands before entering Sognefjorden, whose glacier waters mirror snow covered majestic mountains. Admire small communities along the fjord and the waterfalls in all sizes cascading into it. Your hotel in Vik is located only about 100m away from the harbour, dinner is included. 

Today you cycle on small, peaceful back roads to the hamlet of Arnafjord. High mountains and spectacular waterfalls are surrounding you. Crossing the Eitrestrondi nature park, preserved because of unique vegetation. The small grocery store in Framfjorden invites for a relaxing stop. You also pass a public area with a small beach suitable for a swim, also a perfect place for a picnic. Leave the main road for a few kilometres to see the impressive Botnafossen waterfall. Arriving on the quay in Arnafjord, Neset you can enjoy your lunch by the fjord before cycling back to Vik. Dinner at the hotel is included.

The idyllic culture path in Vik takes you around to discover some amazing historic places where you can also taste the famous cheese - only made in Vik. Continuing to Vangsnes you visit the big statue of “Fritjof” before crossing the fjord with the ferry to Dragsvik. From Dragsvik you cycle 10 km to Balestrand. As early as the 18th century Balestrand was known as a popular tourist destination in Europe. Wealthy and distinguished people and artists came to the shores of Balestrand, attracted to the special fjord landscape you find here. You stay at Kvikne's Hotel (1877) with its imposing façade facing the fjord is an excellent example of the so-called Swiss style, an extremely popular building style in this period. In Balestrand 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, forming a building environment that is unique, even in a national context and Scandinavias largest concentration of dragon style houses. Dinner at your hotel is included. 

Today you discover other small scenic arms of the Sognefjord. First 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. The Arboretum has a very nice recreation area by the fjord, perfect for a refreshment or/and a bath. You continue along quiet roads, beside the fjord, and can admire the mountains and some picturesque farms and hamlets along the way. The unique geography around the small fjord arms reveals a new landscape around every curve. The last 5 km you bike on a lovely little branch road to Menes. Arriving there you can enjoy silence and your lunch outside in the nature before heading back to Balestrand the same way you came.

Today you enter the inner part of Sognefjorden to take the boat from Balestrand to Leikanger at 11.50. Sogn is the oldest fruit growing area in Norway and if you visit the area in spring, all the fruit trees are in blossom, from august they will be decorated with red apples and purple plums. You will be cycling outside two big tunnels where you have to share the road with traffic, except the last part into Sogndal. Through Sogndal there is a bikingpath by the fjord. Plan a stop in Sogndal – the center of the region. You will find shops and cafees in old Sogndal and a shopping centre as well. Continuing to Hafslo, you cycle along Barsnesfjorden with 3 km uphill until you see Hafslo, beautifully placed by the lake of Hafslo. Dinner at your hotel is included.

After breakfast you return to Galden before you cycle down to Solvorn. This idyllic small village with small, white wooden houses was built when the fjord was the most important source of communication. Here the fjord is deep enough to allow big boats to dock. Solvorn has a small café and hotel with a nice gallery – spend some time there before you take the small ferry that leaves every hour from 10.00. The crossing takes around 20 minutes to Urnes. Leaving Urnes on the small roads along Lusterfjorden who is the innermost arm of the Sognefjord, and the finest, naturally! The romantic road takes you to the spectacular Feigum waterfall, falling 218 m from the mountain. Take a shower or a swim. To walk up to the waterfall (ca 30 min one way, depending on how high up you want to go) you need good shoes, the terrain is very humid due to all the water. The last part to Skjolden has two tunnels where you need your light. Arriving 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 on the public beach. Afterwards transfer to Sogndal and last overnight.

After breakfast your bike tour ends, we are happy to book extra nights for you. Otherwise return by express boat at 7:00 am to Bergen (not included).