RALLARVEGEN – BIKING FROM THE HIGH MOUNTAINS TO FLÅM BY THE AURLANDSFJORD

One of the finest and most famous cycle roads in Norway is the 82-kilometer long Rallarvegen (the Navvie´s Road) running from Haugastøl via Finse to Flåm. The most popular part of the cycle route is from Finse, at 1222 meters above sea level, to Flåm down by the Sognefjord. Map to use: Rallarvegen Bicycle Map 1:50000.

Book bikes at Haugastøl, Finse or Myrdal, travel by the Bergen Railway (from Oslo or Bergen or other stations) to the starting destinations, and cycle down to Flåm. You can leave your bikes down at Flåm.

Visit Sognefjord

Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the Sognefjord area.

Hotels and accommodation in the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area

Overview of hotels and other places where you can spend the night in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.

FJORDS NORWAY - Beautiful autumn colors in beautiful Flåmsdalen.
Beautiful autumn colors in beautiful Flåm Valley.

About season and other important information

SEASON – Mid July to Mid September, these are approximate dates that depends on the weather, temperature and the amount of snow in the mountains. This is a landslide-prone area, always make your own evaluation about this danger before and during this tour. There is updated information about the road, conditions, season and about Rallarvegen on Haugastøl’s website. We recommend that you read this before you plan to cycle Rallarvegen.

SAFETY IN THE MOUNTAINS – You should follow the Norwegian Mountain Code when hiking in Norway. It can change from summer and sunny weather to winter and frost in minutes! Always check the Weather Forecast before you go hiking. For safety reasons it is recommended to avoid hiking in Thunderstorms, in fog, in bad weather and when it is snow and ice on the trail and in the mountain! Always bring good clothes and hiking shoes. And have enough food and water in your rucksack.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ROADS – Remember that many of the roads in western Norway are prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. Rallarvegen and Flåm Valley are two of these exposed roads.

External Link: Rallarvegen Bike Packages from Haugastøl.

Video: Cycling along the Flåm Valley

Haugastøl (1000 masl) to Finse (1222 masl) – 27 kilometers

Rallarvegen starts right at the Haugastøl Tourist Centre. You can rent bikes or bike-packages containing accommodation, meals and bike hire from here. Luggage can, if desired, be sent between the train stations at Haugastøl, Finse, Myrdal and Flåm. The cycle-road from Haugastøl to Finse have a rise of 222 meters and here you have beautiful scenery and many cultural relics from the time when the Bergen Railway was built.

Finse (1222 masl) to Hallingskeid (1110 masl) – 21 kilometers

Fjords Norway - Cycling Rallarvegen between Finse and Flåm
Rallarvegen between Finse and Flåm

Finse is the highest point on the Bergen Railway. Now you are in the high mountains and don´t be surprised if there is snow on parts of the road well into the autumn. 

At Finse you can also rent bikes and spend the night, either at the Hotel Finse 1222 or Finsehytta Mountain Lodge. You can also rent bikes from Rallarvegen Sykkelutleie, they rent out bikes at both Finse and Haugastøl.

From Finse, the cycle-road is rising up to Lake Fagervatnet (1343masl) which is the highest point on Rallarvegen. From here it is more or less downhill all the way to Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord. 

Be aware the road may be in poor condition in minor parts of the road so remember a repair kit and necessary equipment in case of a puncture. 

At Finse you can see the Hardangerjøkulen Glacier with its ice cap and icefalls. At Fagernut you can have a tour at the exhibition and taste rallarvafler (waffles) and sluskesuppe (soup). Hallingskeid is a self-service cabin, and here you can stay overnight if you want to spend several days in the mountains.

Hallingskeid (1110 masl) to Vatnahalsen (811 masl) – 17 kilometers

Soon you will be leaving the high mountain scenery. It becomes progressively wilder and steeper, and you realize that you are approaching the western part of the country. There may be some steep and narrow parts for short distances and at these points you may want to get off the bike and push it. Close to Myrdal you pass Vatnahalsen Mountain Hotel.

NOTE – From here it is a steep run down the 21 hairpin bends to the Flåmsdalen Valley that is the end of Rallarvegen. It is recommended to get off and push the bike at this part as it is extreme and the road is rocky and in poor condition in parts.

Vatnahalsen (811 masl) to Flåm ( 1 masl) – 17 kilometers

By bike along the Flåm Valley.
By bike along the Flåm Valley.

We are now at the upper part of the Flåmsdalen Valley and from here it is standard road down to Flåm. The road is narrow and winding, but nice to ride. It is important to be careful, there may be oncoming traffic.

The Flåm Valley is wonderful. This is Norwegian nature at its best. Steep mountains, vertical waterfalls, fast-flowing rivers and green valleys. Enjoy the ride, stop and look back, listen to the sounds of nature, drink the crystal clear water from the streams and breathe in the fresh, invigourating air. Soon you are down by the fjord where new adventures awaits you.

Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord – What to See and Do

The storm is on its way towards the Nærøyfjord. Gudvangen is just behind the headland.
The storm is on its way towards the Nærøyfjord. Gudvangen is just behind the headland.

Flåm, Aurland and Gudvangen are perfect starting points for experiences in and around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, two of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic fjords. On 14 July 2005, the Nærøyfjord together with the Geirangerfjord became part of our common UNESCO’s world heritage.

From Flåm you can take part in a fjord safari or a fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. You can take this fjord cruise as a round trip (both ways) or one way combined with bus between Flåm and Gudvangen. See the great view from Stegastein viewpoint, 650 meters above Aurland. Taste the local goat’s cheese in Undredal or in Skjerdal, two villages by the Aurlandsfjord.

Flåm Railway is the train journey from mountain to fjord, perhaps the most beautiful railway in the world. You can combine this train journey with cycling along Rallarvegen which goes from the high mountains via Flåmsdalen Valley to Flåm. Aurlandsdalen Valley is one of Norway’s most popular hikes. The lower part of Aurlandsdalen, which is also the most popular, starts from Østerbø and ends at Vassbygdi in Aurland.

Stegastein Viewpoint above Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord.
Stegastein Viewpoint above Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord.

The Flåm Valley is a beautiful adventure. The valley between Myrdal (866.8 masl) and Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord is 18 kilometer long. The valley is narrow and the mountains are steep, and there are waterfalls and rivers wherever you turn around. Flåm Valley is a great place for hiking and biking. Flåm Zipline sends you off at over 100 kilometers per hour, you are just hanging in a thin steel wire high above the valley.

By the Nærøyfjord, we have the small villages of Gudvangen, Bakka, Styvi and Dyrdal. Styvi is the only place without permanent inhabitants during the winter, and is together with Dyrdal without road connection. Gudvangen is one of two ports where the iconic ferry trip along the inner part of the Sognefjord departs and arrives. Visit the Viking village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the history and culture of the Viking Age.

The Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord are both part of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord which is located in the northern part of the county of Vestland, in the middle of Western Norway.

Hotels and accommodation in the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area

Overview of hotels and other places where you can spend the night in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.

Sakte – Stay and Explore the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord 



“Sakte” is a collaboration between companies that provide adventures, accommodation, dining and short-travelled food- and products. “Sakte” are located in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord and is an offer for those who want to contribute to a sustainable society in the world heritage area.

FJORDS NORWAY - Reis Sakte - Hiking towards Skjerdal and the Aurlandsfjord
Reis Sakte – Hiking towards Skjerdal and the Aurlandsfjord

How to travel to the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area

Many roads lead to the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area.
Many roads lead to the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area.

It is easy to travel to Flåm and Aurland, the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. Almost “all roads” go to Flåm and Aurland, and you can also travel there by train, bus and boat. It is only a short distance between the two neighboring villages of Flåm and Aurland.

You can start this fjord adventure by train from Oslo or Bergen to Myrdal station. Then you get to experience the Bergen Railway between Oslo and Bergen and Flåm Railway, one of Norway’s most spectacular railway lines, from Myrdal station to Flåm, which is located down by the Aurlandsfjord. If you take Flåm Railway, you get to experience the beautiful Flåmsdalen valley at the same time.

There are several daily bus departures between Oslo/Bergen and Flåm.

The nearest airport is Sogndal Airport at Haukåsen near Kaupanger. Most flights that go to and from Sogndal Airport come from and go to Oslo and Bergen. From the airport to Flåm, it is 70 kilometers by road, including a wonderful crossing of the Sognefjord by ferry.

 

Here you will find an overview of recommended HOTELS in addition to SPA & BATH HOTELS and OTHER ACCOMMODATION PLACES in Western Norway. The combination of beautiful nature, activities that you can do in all four seasons and a stay at a great accommodation is unique. A stay in one of these places will do you good, both for body and mind.

There are ten restaurants that have awarded Michelin stars and Michelin awards in Western Norway. Eight of the Michelin restaurants are in Stavanger and two in Bergen. Here you will find FJORDS MICHELIN, where you will also find a list of recommended hotels in Western Norway, recommended by Michelin.

USEFUL LINKS is a list of websites with great information on Norway and the Fjords. FAQ is an overview of articles that answer the most common questions you have when planning to visit the fjords in Western Norway.

Rallarvegen – Map Overview