Norwegian Fjords Hike & Bike

Arrive in Oslo and make your own way using the express airport train (19 mins) to your central hotel in the heart of Oslo. The Norwegian capital has a great deal to offer for the discerning traveller. If you arrive early, we can recommend a walk around the centre of town to view the Parliament, the Castle & the Harbour area.

Discover the new area of Bjorvika with the new Opera House and Munch Museum and then explore the charming shopping streets, cosy cafés and exciting eateries of Grünerløkka. After going shopping at numerous design boutiques, vintage shops and flea markets, head to the Mathallen food hall for local specialties. Lastly, visit the new National Museum of Norway down by the harbour before finding a spot in one of the local fish restaurants for dinner.

Free day to discover this modern and green city. We recommend visiting some of the Oslo highlights including the Kontiki & Fram museums, the Vigeland Sculpture Park, Ekerbergeparken and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Museum.

Discover the new area of Bjorvika with the new Opera House and Munch Museum and then explore the charming shopping streets, cosy cafés and exciting eateries of Grünerløkka. After going shopping at numerous design boutiques, vintage shops and flea markets, head to the Mathallen food hall for local specialties. Lastly, visit the new National Museum of Norway down by the harbour before finding a spot in one of the local fish restaurants for dinner.

Depart Oslo by train to the highest point on the Bergensbanen (Oslo to Bergen railway) at Finse; 1222 meters above sea level. At Finse you will disembark the train and stay at the mountain lodge for the night. If you take the morning train from Oslo you have time to enjoy Finse for local walks in the area. Finse is situated on the edge of Hardangervidda (the Hardanger Mountain Plateau) and offers great views of the Hardangerjøkulen (glacier).

Hardangervidda is one of Norway's most popular walking and trekking areas, and if you are an active walker we recommend to extend your stay at Finse for more extended walks in the area.

Overnight in Finse with Breakfast and Dinner

Finse is the place for variety of nature-based experiences and depending on your preferences you could spend the day hiking on the Hardangerjøkulen glacier with an experienced guide, or go for an independent hike in the area. The hikes vary from routes suited to families to strenuous all-day hikes straight from your mountain lodge. Activities are self guided. Overnight in Finse with Breakfast and Dinner.

After breakfast, you will pick up your bicycle at Finse and start the cycling trip along the railway construction road (Rallarvegen) to Myrdal and on to Flåm. The trip follows a well-maintained gravel road through the Hardangervidda. Take your time to enjoy the fabulous scenery, and if you are lucky you might even spot wild reindeer in the area. You will pass by the Fagervatn Lake, which is the highest point of Rallarvegen at 1310m. In the summertime, a café is run in the Fagernut Dwelling, where you can buy freshly made waffles and coffee. Your luggage will be transferred down to Flåm and will be waiting for you at the hotel.

The terrain is reasonably flat with some up and down between Finse and Myrdal (38km). Then at Myrdal you will take off towards Flåm and follow the very steep downhill switchback path to the bottom of the Flåm Valley. These last 20km from Myrdal to Flåm offer stunning views down the valley following the Flåm Railway. Doing the trip by bike allows you to plan a leisurely trip with lots of photo opportunities that those travelling by train will miss.

On reaching Flåm you will check into your local hotel. Make sure you keep your bikes for the afternoon in Flåm to do local bike rides.

IT IS POSSIBLE to hire an Electric bike for today at an additional cost.

Alternative walking itinerary

If you are more of a walker than a cyclist you can chose to take the train between Finse and Myrdal, and then walk from Myrdal down the Flåm Valley to Flåm (20km) instead of biking.

Travelling with different activity levels

If you travel as a party of 2 or more, and only one (or a few) of you want to do the active Norway in a Nutshell version, then we are more than happy to arrange those who do not want to bike to do the ’standard’ Norway in a Nutshell version of the itinerary. You will still be staying at the same hotels each night, and follow the same general itinerary, just using different modes of transport. Just ask us for details.

Accommodation and dinner at Flåmsbrygga.

After breakfast, join a fjord-safari through the stunning Aurlandsfjord and be prepared for an active day with light hiking and lunch at a local goat farm. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant and have a beer at the local microbrewery. Overnight and dinner at Flåmsbrygga.

The hike to the goat farm is only possible on ceratin days of the week.

Enjoy a free morning exploring Flam before leaving by ferry to Balestrand.

In Balestrand you will stay at the historical Kvikne's hotel where the Kvikne family have been the hosts since 1877. Now a modern hotel with all the comforts, the hotel still holds on to its special old-time character and also hosts an extensive collection of artworks and antiques worth a look. Dinner and overnight at the Kvikne's hotel.

After breakfast, join a cruise on the Fjaerland fjord, also known as "the green fjord" to Fjaerland passing tiny villages, waterfalls and steep mountains along the journey. From Fjaerland it is only a short bus drive to the Boyabreen glacier and the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Entry to the museum is included. After, return back to Balestrand and take the opportunity to explore the village and its surrounding by foot or by bike. Dinner and overnight at the Kvikne's hotel.

Take the morning or afternoon express boat out of the Sognefjord and south towards Bergen. With 5 - 6 hours on the water, you have plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere and the fresh air. There is a cafe on board with simple options. You can sit out on the deck on the upper floor with room to move. The boat moves pretty quickly and there are several stops along the way. Precipitous mountains, thunderous waterfalls and small homesteads that cling to the mountain sides are the framework of this boat tour.

Bergen is known as the "The Gateway to the Fjords of Norway" and it is a lively town with small-town charm and international feel. We recommend a walking tour via the famous fish market and along the Bryggen, the old Hanseatic wharf which is architecturally unique and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Also worth a visit is the Fløibanen funicular which will take you to Mount Fløyen for the best views over the town. Overnight Bergen Børs Hotel or similar with breakfast.

After breakfast, continue your journey onwards or home, or enjoy a relaxing stay in Bergen. Ask us for ideas if you want to extend your tour.