There was not an exact match for the language you toggled to. You have been redirected to the nearest matching page within this section.
Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
Nordic Choice Hotels – a different hotel company
Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
Classic Norway Hotels – From distinctive hotels to authentic fisherman's cabins
Citybox – modern and affordable hotels in a central location
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway
Campcation – book camping all across Norway with Campcation
Campanyon - discover unique stays in nature
Vy – travelling by train has never been easier
SJ NORD – the adventure starts on the train
Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway
NOR-WAY Bussekspress – experience amazing scenery by bus
Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
DFDS – Europe’s leading ferry operator 2012-2021
AutoEurope – always a smooth car rental experience
Rent-A-Wreck – the smart car rental alternative
Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
Cabin Campers – your cottage on four wheels
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
Fjord Tours – Home of Norway in a nutshell® - Norway’s most popular tour
Authentic Scandinavia – Travel created by locals
Up Norway – Bespoke luxury tailored by insiders
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norrøna Hvitserk – expeditions and adventure holidays
Booknordics.com – hundreds of activities, tours and day cruises in Norway
Brim Explorer – silent fjord tours by electric catamaran
Fjord Travel – let us show you the beauty of Norway!
Go Fjords – tours and activities all over Norway
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
Stromma – Norwegian city sightseeing with bus and boat
My Nordic Travel – Do It Yourself, make your own itinerary
Ski holidays in Rauland – Go skiing in beautiful mountain nature
{{title}} {{:price}} - {{!preprice}} Price: {{?}} {{preprice}} {{/}} {{price}} {{:postprice}}{{postprice}}{{/}} {{?:pricing}} - {{pricing}} {{/pricing}}
What do you need to bring on a cycling trip and how do you plan the ultimate holiday on two wheels in Norway? Cycling expert Øyvind Wold shares his best planning tips.
Embark on an adventure and get close to Norwegian nature on a bike holiday. The fjords. The mountains. The charming coastal towns. Kilometre upon kilometre of gravel trails through an almost undisturbed wilderness await, especially in Eastern Norway.
Whether you choose to cruise down some of the most beautiful roads in Norway or follow a scenic cycling route, you still need to plan your trip. If there’s one person who truly knows how to do that, it’s Øyvind Wold. He works for the Norwegian Cyclists’ Association and has biked all over the country. In addition, he has written several books about cycling in Norway.
Here are his tips on how to plan and pack for your Norwegian cycling holiday.
From road cycling through lush valleys and winding roads along the fjords to mountain biking – Norway is a paradise for biking enthusiasts. And you don’t have to be as fit as the stars of the Tour de France to experience it.
“No, not at all! Several of the national cycling routes in Norway are suitable for everyone, including those who don’t have much experience with biking. The Numedal route and the Coastal route between Horten and Tønsberg are some examples,” says Øyvind.
Many of the most popular cycling routes can be enjoyed by everyone.
“If you want an easy trip, bike the famous Rallarvegen. Take the train to Finse and follow the road eastwards to Haugastøl. It’s thirty kilometres of mainly flat terrain and gentle hills.”
Many popular biking destinations in Norway offer bike rental and e-bikes as well, making scenic bike rides even more accessible. Just remember to book in advance.
“If you don’t have much experience and feel unsure about both distance and how much equipment you need, it’s a good idea to find a base and plan your biking trips from there. Your base could be a hotel or a cabin.”
Øyvind says this is a smart solution because you won’t need to bring that much stuff along on each ride. It’s also an excellent way to travel as a group.
“When you have a base, the group can split up. Some can go for a long trip, while others can choose an easier route. Then everyone can meet up again later in the day.”
If you want to spend a night or two in nature, you can still do that by bringing a tent or a hammock. Bike to a camping spot and sleep there for a night, then head back to your base the next day.
Øyvind is an experienced cyclist who works for the Norwegian Cyclists’ Association. He has written several books and is a freelance writer and photographer for several leading Norwegian cycling and wildlife magazines.
Cycling trips with children can be amazing. And with a bit of planning, the whole gang will have a great time.
“Go for an area that you know. That way, you’ll know where to find the charming roads, the top beaches, and the best camping spots,” Øyvind suggests.
That will also make it easier to find places that motivate the kids, like farms, lakes to fish in, or places that serve delicious food. Family-friendly nature adventures can spice up your trip, including paddling, glacier hikes, via ferrata climbing, and more.
Also make sure to include the little ones in the planning.
“If you tell them about the trip before you go, they get involved and know what to expect.”
Last but not least, have a plan B. Even though the grown-ups need to know basic bike repair, it’s nice to be prepared if something can’t be fixed. Or if the weather gets too bad.
Another option is to have 'micro-adventures'.
“It’s easy to be blinded by all the exotic destinations, but it might be just as exciting to bike to the nearest lake or forest," says Øyvind.
In Norway, long cycling trips can offer everything from the spectacular scenery in Northern Norway and Fjord Norway to popular routes in the mountains, like the Tour de Dovre and Mjølkevegen. But where should you go, and how far can you bike each day?
“The most important thing when planning a long trip is to know yourself and your bike. That way, you’ll be sure to have the right equipment, and it’s easier to calculate the distance for each leg.”
It’s also a good idea to take a closer look at the route and the hills along the way, as this will affect both speed and distance, which is crucial when deciding how long to bike each day.
Øyvind explains that if you exercise regularly, but aren’t used to biking, you shouldn’t aim for more than 30–45 kilometres per day. People who are quite fit can cover a stretch of around 70–90 kilometres in a day.
“But remember that this is just an estimate. How far you’re able to cycle each day will also depend on the surface, the number of hills (and how steep they are), the wind and weather, and whether you have a lot of luggage.”
Google Maps might come in handy as a trip planner since it shows you suggested routes, distances, altitude in metres, and approximately how long the journey will take.
People who exercise regularly, but are not used to biking: 30–45 km.
People who are fit and want a challenge: 70–90 km.
Children between the ages of 7 and 9: 15–20 km.
Children between the ages of 10 and 12: 20–30 km.
Remember that this is just an estimate. The distance you’re able to cover in a day will vary based on the road itself, hills, wind, and the weight of your luggage.
The Norwegian tour operation Discover Norway specialises in biking trips in Norway. It offers several incredible bike trips with luggage transport.
When cycling on the roads in Norway, the same rules and road signs apply to you as to cars and other vehicles:
• Keep to the right.
• Give way to those coming from your right.
• Don’t drink and bike.
You may cycle on the pavement, but adapt your speed.
Cycling on motorways and dual carriageways is prohibited.
Only children under the age of 10 may be carried as passengers.
Always wear a helmet when cycling. A high visibility vest is a good idea, especially on busy roads.
People who exercise regularly, but are not used to biking: 30–45 km.
People who are fit and want a challenge: 70–90 km.
Children between the ages of 7 and 9: 15–20 km.
Children between the ages of 10 and 12: 20–30 km.
Remember that this is just an estimate. The distance you’re able to cover in a day will vary based on the road itself, hills, wind, and the weight of your luggage.
In addition to the most obvious things, like toiletries and the necessary bike equipment, there are a few more essentials you should always take on a cycling trip, according to Øyvind.
“If we use a family trip as a basis, the number one priority is to bring enough food and drink. High-quality rain gear is also nice to have, since getting wet and cold can put a damper on the experience.”
Other things to pack for your cycling trip include:
Bicycle repair equipment is also a must on a longer trip, such as a patch kit and a spare inner tube. But that’s not all.
“Bring an inflatable pillow. It can do wonders for the quality of your sleep, which is very important on trips like this.”
The list of things to pack for your cycling trip does include quite a few things, so how do you bring everything without a car?
“You can use panniers to carry luggage on your bike in combination with a bicycle cargo trailer. You should avoid packing everything in a backpack.”
But one size does not fit all. When packing for a long cycling trip, people rarely get it right the first time, according to Øyvind. “You need to try and fail. That way you can figure out what worked and what didn’t – and learn something for the next trip. That’s half the fun when going on ‘expeditions’!”
When you’re planning a cycling holiday in Norway, it's important to know that the climate and temperature can vary a lot in the different parts of the country.
In Southern Norway, Eastern Norway, and Fjord Norway, spring usually arrives sometime in April or early May, and the cycling season stretches all the way into October. Temperatures vary from hot (25–30 degrees Celsius) to quite chilly (10–15 degrees Celsius).
Above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway, you may not experience true spring until late May or early June, but by then the long and bright summer days have already started. Here, you can cycle under the midnight sun until the end of July, and the season ends in September/October.
Note that both Northern Norway and mountainous regions are colder than the rest of the country. Make sure you bring warm clothes.
When cycling in Norway, you need to be prepared for rainy days, so do bring along rain gear.
Read more about the seasons and climate in Norway.
It is possible to bring your bike on public transport in Norway, such as buses, ferries and similar. You have to pay a fee, which is often the same as a ticket for children. Always check train departures in advance, as some departures have separate carriages for bikes, while others do not allow bikes onboard.
Avoid rush hour, as you might have to wait for a later departure if the bus is crowded and there is no room for your bike, for example.
You can also check your bike as special baggage on flights but note that this does not include e-bikes.
It is possible to bring your bike on public transport in Norway, such as buses, ferries and similar. You have to pay a fee, which is often the same as a ticket for children. Always check train departures in advance, as some departures have separate carriages for bikes, while others do not allow bikes onboard.
Avoid rush hour, as you might have to wait for a later departure if the bus is crowded and there is no room for your bike, for example.
You can also check your bike as special baggage on flights but note that this does not include e-bikes.
Book your next Norwegian cycling holiday now.
Self-guided bicycle tour in the mountains north of Lillehammer. Ride through ancient cultural landscapes in the kingdom of Peer Gynt, with incredible views of some of the tallest mountains in Norway. | Discover Norway
Discover the dramatic Arctic coast, sandy beaches, and traditional fishing villages. A self-guided bicycle tour from Tromsø to Svolvær in Northern Norway - a paradise for those who want a real bicycle adventure. | Discover Norway
A classic 5-day tour. Iconic mountains, idyllic cultural landscapes, and a beautiful valley with summer farms. Includes accommodation, food, luggage transfer, and more. | Discover Norway
8-day self-guided tour from Svolvær to Reine. Includes accommodation, meals, luggage transfer, a boat transfer, and more. A cycling vacation in Lofoten is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! | Discover Norway
6-day Norway activity tour including Oslo, the fjord region, Voss and Bergen. Experience activities like biking, RIB boat fjord safaris, and spectacular train journeys.| Authentic Scandinavia
6-day self-guided roundtrip from Bergen. Beautiful surroundings and delicious culinary experiences. Includes express boat, accommodation, meals, luggage transfer and more. | Discover Norway
Relax and enjoy quiet nature as you bike through varied, beautiful and exciting landscapes. A self-guided tour along stunning fjords and sea, impressive mountain peaks, colourful wetland, and lush cultural landscapes. | Discover Norway
Self-guided bicycle tour in an exciting landscape of fjords, mountains, waterfalls, and even a glacier. The tour starts and ends in Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage city and the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway. | Discover Norway