CYCLING - RALLARVEGEN

80 km - Season: 10/7-30/9

Rallarvegen, the service road built for the construction of the Bergenline, has won a special status as a cycle track and is becoming more and more popular every year.
Rallarvegen Haugastøl - Flåm
In addition to the Haugastøl -Flåm stretch, there is a 43 km road further on the west of the Gravahals tunnel, from Upsete to Voss. Because of the altitude difference from Haugastøl, (988 m), round Taugevatn (1301m) to Flåm (2m), the majority of cyclists travel westwards. From St. Hans (Midsummer 23/24 June - Mid September), the Norwegian State Railways (NSB) adds a special cycle-train to/from Oslo-Voss.
Rallarvegen the Navvies'Road) is designated as a cultural monument and important part of Norwegian National Heritage. The road runs parallel with the Bergen railway, which opened in 1909, and passes by NSB-owned buildings, many of them old guard's houses. There are now listed buildings and all carry plaques showing the year in which they were built. Early in the season there is still a fair amount of snow on the ground, so during this period we advise you to take the cycle on the train from Finse to Hallingskeid.
The route is closed for vehicles approximately 15 km west of Haugastøl at Storurdivatnet (1140m), and it continues purely as a trail/cycle-track the rest of the way. The Storurdi guard's house offers refreshments and simple accommodation.
At 1222 metres above sea level, Finse is Norway's highest railway station. Located in Finse are the Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (DNT) Finsehytta, Finse 1222 (hotel) and the Rallar (Navvies') Museum. Further west, the road is somewhat rutted. The Rallar Museum uses the Fagernut guard's house (20 km west of Finse) as a refreshment shop (no accommodation).
Hallingskeid Station at 1110 m.a.s.l. is located 21 km from Finse and 15 km from the Myrdal road crossing. There is a DNT-self-service lodge at Hallingskeid. From here, the road gradually descends through fantatic West Norwegian countryside with many waterfalls. Be careful at Klevagjeldet- the track follow a narrow mountains ledge with nothing to stop you plunging down into the river below!
Meals & accommodation: Vatnahalsen Hotell (812m.a.s.l.) 2 km from Myrdal station.
Cafe Rallaren at Myrdal station.

The final 20 km goes through Flåmsdalen, a valley famous for its beauty and Norhtern Europe's most exciting railway journey. The line falls 865 m over the course of the valley. The upper section has 21 sharp curves, and at this part it is wise to get off your cycle and walk! At Flåm there is a wide choose of accommodation ranging from hotel, B & B, pension, hostel, cabins and camping.

TABLE OF DISTANCES:
Haugastøl -Finse= 26km/Finse-Myrdal=36km/Myrdal-Flåm=17km/Myrdal-Upsete tog (5 min.) Upsete-Voss=43km
ACCOMMODATION/MEALS:
HAUGASTØL : Haugastøl Turistsenter ph. 32 08 75 64 + bicycle rental
FINSE: Finsehytta (DNT) ph. 56 52 67 32 + bicyle rental
FINSE: 1222
ph. 56 52 71 00
VATNAHALSEN: Vatnahalsen Høyfjellshotell ph. 57 63 37 22
MYRDAL: Cafe Rallaren ph. 57 63 37 56

FLÅM/AURLAND: TOURISTOFFICE ph. 57 63 33 13 + bicyclerental Flåm ph.91 35 16 72

INFO RALLARVEGEN/ROADSITUATION:www.rallarveggen.com