Norway by bike from Bergen to Sognefjord

Day 1: Bergen
Individual arrival in Bergen. Take the opportunity to explore this famous port located on the western coast of Norway, one of the oldest in Europe and a trading center since the early 12th century. Bergen is a lively historic city and the second largest in Norway. The city's most iconic spot is surely the Bryggen wharf, with its row of colorful wooden houses along the pier, offering a postcard view that harks back to the times when the city played a crucial role in the Hanseatic League. The Church of St. Mary, dating back to 1180, is the tallest and oldest building in the district, while the Hanseatic Museum provides an interesting retrospective on the daily life and work of the German merchants who resided here. Next to the museum is the Bergenhus fortress, one of the best-preserved in Norway, which includes Håkon's Hall, dating back to 1250 and used as a royal hall during the Middle Ages. A stone's throw from Bryggen wharf is another must-see in the city: the lively Fish Market, where you can also find vegetables, fresh fruit, and local crafts, as well as a range of restaurants offering a wide selection of Norwegian specialties. While in Bergen, it's also highly recommended to take an excursion to Mount Fløyen, which can be reached either on foot or by the panoramic funicular, from where you'll enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city. Alternatively, you can visit the Bergen Aquarium, situated close to Nordnes Park and the city center, home to sea lions, crocodiles, and fascinating snakes. Overnight stay in the city center. We recommend booking an extra night at the beginning or end of the tour to have more time to visit this magnificent city.

Day 2: Bergen by bike (14 km) | Bergen – Vik by boat (3h 30m)
After breakfast, you can pick up your rental bicycles at Bryggen. During the bike tour, you'll have the opportunity to visit many of the attractions described on the first day, a brief description of which you will find in the provided materials. At the end of the tour, return the bikes at the pick-up point. The port is very close to both the bike rental shop and your hotel, so after returning the bikes, you can retrieve your luggage and walk to the embarkation point. Boat departure time: 16:30, arrival in Vik scheduled for 20:10. Once on board, you will sail westward towards the islands before entering the Sognefjord, where you will see majestic snow-capped mountains reflected in its waters. From the boat, you can also admire the small villages nestled on the fjord's shores and waterfalls of every shape and size. Instead of the suggested boat trip, you can opt for another bike ride through the city of Bergen. Your hotel in Vik is located about a hundred meters from the disembarkation point.

Day 3: Vik – Arnafjord – Vik (52 km)
Welcome meeting and bike handover, which you will be using for the rest of the week. After breakfast, you will start cycling on small, quiet secondary roads, surrounded by mountains and spectacular waterfalls, until you reach the small village of Arnafjord. You will then pass through the Eitrestrondi Natural Park, a protected area due to its peculiar vegetation. The small grocery store in Framfjorden offers tables for a relaxing break, or alternatively, you can stop for a moment of relaxation or a swim at the public area with an attached beach along your route. After the break, you can leave the main road for a few kilometers to see the impressive Botnafossen waterfalls. You can finally have lunch on the fjord at Arnafjord before cycling back to Vik.

Day 4: Vik – Vangsnes – Balestrand (24 km)
In the morning, you will follow the famous Sylvringen trail, an idyllic cultural route that will take you to discover some surprising historical places and where you can taste Gamalost, a famous cheese produced exclusively in Vik. Continuing towards Vangsnes, you will come across the statue of Fritjof before crossing the fjord by ferry to Dragsvik. From here, it's another ten kilometers to Balestrand, a popular resort destination since the 18th century, frequented by prominent figures and famous artists from all over Norway and beyond, attracted by its splendid location on the fjord and the wonderful landscapes. You will stay at Kvikne's Hotel (1877), beautifully located in front of the fjord and a marvelous example of the so-called "Swiss style" or "Dragon style." Once in Balestrand, we recommend taking a bike ride along the fjord; on King Bele’s Road, you will find the highest concentration of Swiss-style buildings in Norway. These are summer residences built here by numerous artists, many of which are still in excellent condition and form a unique architectural landscape.

Day 5: Balestrand – Dragsvik – Menes – Balestrand (59 km)
Today, you will discover the scenic arms of the fjord. At Esefjorden, you can admire the famous mountains that inspired many artists, while just before Dragsvik, you can visit the Arboretum, which extends from the road towards the fjord and hosts about 150 varieties of trees and bushes from around the world. Inside, there's also a recreational area on the fjord, perfect for a refreshing break or a swim on the way back. Continue along the fjord on quiet roads, surrounded by mountains and picturesque villages you will encounter along the way. The typical geographic formation of the fjord's arms will offer you different landscapes at every turn. The last five kilometers will be on a secondary road, and you will arrive in Menes, where you can enjoy the silence and an outdoor lunch before heading back to Balestrand along the same route. Alternatively, you can decide to take the boat (not included, to be booked in advance) from Balestrand to Menes, taking your bikes with you, and return by bike from Menes to Balestrand (30 km).

Day 6: Balestrand – Leikanger – Sogndal – Solvorn (44 or 64 km)
Today you will venture into the innermost part of the Sognefjord; at 11:50 you will take a boat from Balestrand to Leikanger. Alternatively, for those who wish to cycle, it's possible to bike to Dragsvik, retracing Esefjord, then take the ferry to Hella; from there, it’s 12 km to Leikanger. The Sogn area is historically dedicated to fruit growing; if you visit in spring, you will find the trees in bloom, while from August the trees will be colored by the red of apples and the purple of plums. In Sogndal, the region’s center, you will take a bike path that runs along the fjord. The shops and cafes in the center also make it an ideal place for a break. You will then continue to the end of Barsnesfjord and reach Solvorn, wonderfully situated by the eponymous lake. The last 2 km are on a bike path, and your hotel is located on a hill in the center with a beautiful view.

Day 7: Solvorn/Hafslo – Skjolden – Sogndal (35 km)
In Solvorn, you will find a small cafe, and the hotel has a beautiful art gallery; we suggest spending some time there before boarding the small ferry that departs every hour starting at 10:00. The crossing takes about 20 minutes. Once you disembark in Urnes, a climb of about 700 meters will take you to Norway's oldest stave church (typical wooden churches), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the fjord. Leave Urnes cycling along the Lusterfjord, the innermost and naturally the most beautiful arm of the Sognefjord. The "Romantic Road" will then bring you to the spectacular Feigum waterfall, 218 meters high, where you can take a 100% natural shower or a swim. Remember, however, that to walk up to the waterfall (about 30 minutes, depending on how high you want to go), you need to wear shoes with good soles, as the ground is very damp and slippery. Alternatively, you can admire the waterfall from the road and take a dip in the fjord. Upon reaching Skjolden, at the fjord's end, you can choose to sip a drink on the hotel terrace or at the cafe or relax on the beach. We will pick you up at the agreed time in Luster to take you back to your hotel in Sogndal.

Day 8: Sogndal
After breakfast at the hotel, boat transfer from Sogndal at 07:05 to arrive in Flåm. Alternatively, you can first take the bus to Leikanger and then embark at 12:20. From Flåm, continue with the famous Flåmsbana railway to Myrdal and then by train to Bergen or Oslo.