Bicycling along the Sognefjord

Text: Frederik Amundsen

The bike ride

We are in Solvorn, a cosy small village with small, white wooden houses, in the inner part of the Sognefjord. After a fulfilling lunch at Walaker Hotel, with only the best of local ingredients, we meet up with a group of bicyclists at the dock. A small ferry takes us across the fjord, and we are ready to hit the road.

Lien Vermassen and Jo De Vleechhouwer (25) have been to Norway before, and they wanted to come back this summer to experience more of the fjords.

- We stay in a tent at Eplet Bed & Apple in Solvorn and do different activities every day. This part of Norway is like a fairytale in the summer months and we have considered moving here, says Lien Vermassen (26) from Gent, Belgium.

The ferry ride is about five minutes, and we are ready to hit the road.

- Because we walked for ten hours on the Nigardsbreen Glacier yesterday, we have chosen an easy bike ride called the Romantic Road Asphalt Bike ride today, says Vermassen.

Along the way, we pass a tunnel, where it is recommended to take the bikes along the old road outside the tunnel. About half way, there is possible to have a break and rent kayaks for a trip on the fjord, but we have to pass this time.

Feigefossen Waterfall

After 13 kilometres you reach the Feigefossen Waterfall, which is Norway’s second longest, with a 281 metre free fall. Here you can park your bikes and walk to the waterfall, or just enjoy it from the road.

Urnes stave church

We cycle the same way back to Solvorn, but before we get on the ferry, we bike up the mountainside to visit Urnes stave church, which is protected by UNESCO. The stave churches in are Norway’s most important contribution to European cultural heritage.

- The Urnes stave church is the main reason we came to Norway. It is sad for us that the church is being renovated at the moment, but it is still a great experience, says De Vleechhouwer.

When to travel

he spring and summer months, from May to September, is the best time to go biking and kayaking in the Sognefjord area.

Price

Guests staying at Eplet Bed & Apple can borrow bikes. If you don’t stay here, talk to the people working there to get a price for rental.

Who can join

The terrain on this ride is flat, and the tours I recommendable for everyone who can ride a bicycle.

Getting here and around

Travelling to the Sognefjord area by bus or car is a two to three-hour drive from Bergen, four to five hours from Oslo and five to six hours from Trondheim. There are several boats and ferries on the Sognefjord and there is an airport in Sogndal. Find detailed travel information.

Where to stay

The cheap option is Eplet Bed & Apple, where you can rent a simple room or stay in your tent. The luxurious options are Walaker Hotel, or Tørvis Hotel a further bit into the fjord.