13 scenic bike rides

Cycling holidays

You don’t have to be in peak condition to go on a cycling holiday in Norway, even though the country is both long and mountainous. The best thing about lengthy cycling trips is that you can decide exactly how long each stage should be and how often you want to stop.

We have compiled a list of long-distance cycle routes that can be shortened, or extended, depending on what kind of holiday you want. The tours are doable for most people, but if the road seems a little long and the luggage a bit too heavy, you can rent an electric bike to help you along. Why not go for a package with accommodation and meals, and maybe even luggage transport, included?

The Norwegian tour operator Discover Norway specialises in biking trips in Norway and offers several excellent packages with luggage transport.

1. Rallarvegen to Flåm

Season: mid-June to late September
Nearest train station: Geilo or Finse

The navvies’ road, called Rallarvegen in Norwegian, has been voted Norway’s most beautiful cycling route multiple times. More than 25,000 people cycle the gravel road from Haugastøl near Geilo in Eastern Norway to Flåm in Fjord Norway every year. The route follows the Bergen and Flåm railway lines, which makes perfect sense, as the road is named after the navvies who used it to carry materials when the tracks were first laid around 1900.

The most popular route is 82 kilometres long and starts in the mountains at Haugastøl, 1,000 metres above sea level. It winds its way past Finse, Hallingskeid, and Myrdal before ending in the charming village of Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord. Rallarvegen’s highest point is Fagernut at 1,310 meters above sea level. Fortunately, there is a café there that serves freshly made waffles with jam and sour cream!

You can cover the entire stretch in one day, but most people split it into two or three stages. You need to be in good shape to cycle Rallarvegen, as the terrain can be challenging in some places. To avoid the crowds, go outside the peak summer season, but check conditions first as there may be snow quite late in spring and early in autumn at such high elevations.

See where to rent bikes and where to stay during your trip:

Want to ride with the whole family? Book a family-friendly 5-day Rallarvegen bike tour!

2. Mjølkevegen in Valdres

Season: June to October
Nearest train station: Vinstra

One of the best areas in the country for cycling is Valdres in Eastern Norway. Here, you can cycle along hundreds of kilometres of marked routes that mostly run on low-traffic mountain roads. The 250-kilometre-long Mjølkevegen is the longest, but you don’t have to cycle the whole way all at once, of course – you can plan your own stages, whether you want them short and sweet or long and challenging. You can also stick to one base from which to embark on day trips.

The route between Vinstra in Gudbrandsdalen and Gol in Hallingdal is considered one of Norway’s most beautiful rides and is part of National Cycle Route 5. It is signposted in both directions and passes through an area of ​​summer mountain farms and lodges, where you can stop for a treat or stay overnight. There are also a few hotels along the road.

Two alternatives to the entire Mjølkevegen route are the route from Lemonsjø to Beitostølen (205 kilometres), and the shorter, more family-friendly route from Vaset to Storefjell (35 kilometres).

You can rent regular bikes and electric bikes in several places along the route, and tour operators offer bike packages that include accommodation, food, and luggage transport.

Find routes, tours and accommodation along Mjølkevegen:

Book a round trip in Golsfjellet mountain and Valdres here.

3. The Telemark Canal

Season: May to September
Nearest train station: Lunde or Bø

The Telemark Canal isn’t just for boats. From the canal, called the eighth wonder of the world when it first opened, bike paths branch out in every directions. The routes are signposted and marked with difficulty levels, and you can choose between asphalt roads, gravel trails, or a mix of both.

The 115-kilometre-long Canal Route takes you through wild and dramatic scenery in Telemark. It follows National Cycle Route 2 from Ulefoss to Dalen, and you should plan to spend at least two days on the trip. At Eidsfoss, you can cross the lock with your bike, and if you get tired, you can hitch a ride with one of the canal boats.

Along the way, you’ll find bike-friendly accommodation, like the fun sleeping boxes in Bandaksli and Fjågesund. If you don’t want to plan the whole trip yourself, you can buy packages that include accommodation, meals, and boat tickets.

The Canal Route is marked as challenging and not recommended for kids or inexperienced cyclists. However, many of the other trails are easier and suitable for the entire family. The little ones might even be happy to go a few extra kilometres to spend the day in the water theme park Bø Sommarland!

Find cool things to combine with your trip and check out bike-friendly accommodation:

4. Tour de Dovre

Season: early June to mid-October
Nearest train station: Dombås

Ride the Tour de Dovre and cycle through the three national parks Rondane, Dovre, and Dovrefjell, with fantastic views of mountains, fjords, and valleys.

There are numerous accommodation options along the way, so you can spend as many days as you want on the trip. Take the train to Dombås and rent a bike there, and take the Nasjonalparkveien road to Hjerkinn. The journey continues through Folldalen valley before you approach what many consider to be Norway’s most beautiful valley, Grimsdalen. From there, pedal back to Dovre and Dombås.

If you take the shortest route, the trip is about 125 kilometres long. But do plan for a few detours if you have a couple of days to spare! You can go on a musk oxen or moose safari, see art at Hjerkinn, make a detour to Viewpoint Snøhetta (1.5 kilometres to walk), and hike to the top of Mount Snøhetta.

The trip is considered demanding but is manageable if you divide it into shorter stages. If you need a push, you can rent an electric bicycle, and you’ll find enough delicious local food along the way to keep you content.

Find a place to rent bikes and explore accommodation options below:

For a smooth ride, book a Tour de Dovre cycling package here, which includes luggage transport.

5. The North Sea Cycle Route through Rogaland

Season: May to October
Nearest train station: Egersund or Sandnes

The North Sea Cycle Route is 6,000 kilometres long and goes through the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Since 2003, the route has held the Guinness world record as the world’s longest continuous signposted cycle route. But you don't need to ride 6,000 kilometres to enjoy beautiful Norwegian scenery. 

Choose one of the most beautiful stretches, between Egersund and Sola in Fjord Norway (also called Jærruta). You’ll cycle along the beaches of Jæren in a light that has inspired both painters, photographers, and writers. If you want a longer trip, you can continue north to Stavanger and Haugesund, or the opposite way towards Kristiansand in Southern Norway.

Spend the nights in hotels and small guest houses, lighthouses and cabins, or at campsites. You’ll find plenty of eateries along the way, many of which base their menus on local produce. And why not do as the locals do – buy a bag of prawns to peel and enjoy with bread, lemon, and mayo, while you dangle your legs off the pier. 

Get route suggestions:

6. The Helgeland coast

Season: May to October
Nearest airport: Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen or Bodø

The Helgeland coast in Northern Norway is a cycling gem without crowds. Here, you can ride along the Coastal Route, named one of the world’s most beautiful roads, with views of majestic mountains, white beaches, and thousands of islands and islets.

Ride the many ferries and speedboats for some island hopping, for example to the UNESCO-listed archipelago of Vega, beautiful Herøy and Dønna, and Træna, whose mighty 338-metre-high peaks suddenly appear on the horizon two and a half hours out to sea.

You may want to invest in a bike package to be sure that you don’t miss any of the highlights along the way (like Mount Torghatten!) You can also get your luggage transported to the next stop if you don’t want to carry the weight.

Combine cycling with hiking, and stay the night in idyllic surroundings:

Book a cycling tour for island hopping on the Helgeland coast here, and check out a cycling holiday on the Coastal Route between Bodø and Steinkjer here.