The coastal route 138 km

The Islands and Skerries Route 138 km The trip starts in varied coastal scenery on good-quality hilly roads and offers great impressions of the ocean, scenery and cultural landscape.

On this trip you visit Mosterhamn, which was an important centre in the Viking Age, and has exhibitions and a stone church from the 12th century. The trip described here starts either in Rubbestadneset or Mosterhamn.

There is an express boat from Stavanger to Mosterhamn, and there is also an express boat from Bergen to Rubbestadneset (www.norled.no).

Mosterhamn – Rubbestadneset 25 km
Follow the Rv 542 road northwards from Mosterhamn, footpaths make up part of this stretch. There is a good cycling alternative to the Stokkajuvet tunnel. Follow the signs towards Rubbestadneset. Rubbestadneset – Brandasund – Svortland roughly 40 km The distance from Rubbestadneset to Brandasund is 22 km. The route goes back 3 km along the road from Rubbestadneset, and then crosses the island to Svortland/Bremnes. The county road north to Brandasund is a varied, fun cycle and is narrow and hilly in parts. The road crosses several islands which are connected by bridges and there are great views of the islands and skerries. The idyllic old trading station and inn at Brandasund is situated right out at the edge of the ocean and has a shop and café. The route goes back on the same road to the municipal centre at Svortland/Bremnes. You can take a detour to Hiskjo with western Norway's most rugged and charming coastal landscape.

Svortland – Leirvik 37 km
From Svortland, cycle south towards Mælandsvåg and Sakseid (11km). The road is narrow and twisting and is hilly in parts, but makes for great cycling. After Sakseid, cycle east towards Håvik (6 km) and the Triangle Link. The Triangle Link’s bridges have good cycling paths, and are an experience in themselves. At Heiane industrial estate, follow cycle sign no. 1 towards the centre of Leirvik.

Leirvik – Fitjar roughly 30 km
Follow the cycling signs (national cycle route no. 1) from Leirvik to Heiane and Fitjar. You can take a detour from Sagvåg to Litlabø and visit a former mining community where iron pyrite was mined. There is now a museum. After Sagvåg, the rest of this part of the route is more hilly. At Storavatnet lake in Fitjar, the route runs along the western side of the lake and is slightly hilly with great views to the west. At the north end of the lake, there is a great bathing spot with a toilet. Follow the cycling sign (no. 1) towards Fitjar/Bergen to the centre of Fitjar.

Fitjar – Bekkjarvik – Hufthamar 31 km
The distance from the centre of Fitjar to the ferry quay at Sandvikvåg is 7 km. The ferry to Husavik takes 20 minutes. Follow the signs to the left towards Bekkjarvik. Bekkjarvik is an idyllic old trading station, which is a great place to take a break or spend the night. There is a fishing boat exhibition at Bekkjarvik Torg with boats from the 19th century up to the present day. Galleri Bekkjarvik has exhibitions of famous artists’ work in oils, water colours, graphic art and sculpture. From Bekkjarvik, you can take a detour and cycle across Selbjørn and across the bridges to Stolmen and Kvalvåg. Follow the Rv 546 road on the west side of Huftarøy north to Storebø. The municipal centre Storebø offers a number of services.

From Hufthamar, you can take a detour to Austevollshella and cycle right out to the west of the island to Store Kalsøy and Kalve. You also have the opportunity to conclude your trip and take the express boat to Bergen or Stavanger.