When
Late April - September
Written by
Matthew Tolley
Distance
995km
Days
6-15
High point
486m
Difficulty
5/10
Unpaved
<5%
Total Ascent
11513m
Ferries
11
Tunnels
20+
The coastline of Fjord Norway is truly one of a kind, a rugged stretch of deep fjords, scattered islands, and quiet coastal roads far removed from the bustle of mainland Europe. It offers a rare sense of freedom and open space, perfect for those who crave solitude and adventure. The route is clearly marked from Bergen to Sognefjorden and further north from Ålesund to Kristiansund, making navigation straightforward. Most of the journey follows smooth, paved roads, with terrain that alternates between gentle flats and rolling hills, rarely becoming too demanding.
One notable exception is a 500-metre climb required to avoid a long tunnel. The stretch of Road 5 after Førde can also feel uncomfortable at times due to a few busy tunnels. Still, these are brief interruptions on what is otherwise a peaceful ride through dramatic scenery where few tourists travel. Frequent ferry crossings offer ideal breaks to rest and refuel, and if the weather turns or your legs need a pause, you can easily shorten the route by hopping on a local ferry or the Hurtigruten coastal service.
The route passes through four of Norway’s great west-coast cities, Bergen, Ålesund, Kristiansund, and Trondheim — each with its own distinctive character and rhythm of life. From Bergen’s colourful wooden wharf to Ålesund’s art nouveau architecture and Kristiansund’s proud maritime traditions, these are places worth lingering in for a day or two. Trondheim, with its cathedral, cobbled streets, and student energy, marks a fitting end point or beginning to the journey.
Photo: Fjord Norway AS
Between these cities, the road quiets. You’ll spend long stretches cycling through open countryside where the air feels clean and still, and where the only movement might come from sheep grazing on the slopes or a lone farmer cutting grass for winter feed. It’s a peaceful rhythm broken only by the occasional ferry, village, or local café. Despite the sense of isolation, you’re never far from what you need. Small shops, campsites, and cabins appear at regular intervals, making it easy to plan food and accommodation as you go.
Florø – Visit FjordKysten og Sunnfjord
At just under 1,000 kilometres, this is a journey of endurance rather than intensity. The terrain is mostly gentle, but the combination of ferry crossings, shifting weather, and long distances can make for demanding days. This region is known as one of Europe’s wettest, and the weather often sweeps in straight from the North Atlantic. You might have glorious sunshine one moment and driving rain the next. I was lucky — only one wet day — but it’s wise to prepare for more.
If time allows, take a few detours from the main route. The west coast hides some extraordinary corners: the white sands of Hoddevik, a tiny surf village set between steep cliffs, or Vestkapp, where the land rises 496 metres straight out of the ocean. These are places where the raw spirit of Norway’s coast can truly be felt — vast, untamed, and unforgettable.
The Atlantic Ocean Road is, for many, the crown jewel of this route. Known as “The Road Across the Sea,” it’s a marvel of engineering — a series of sweeping bridges that leap from islet to islet over the storm-lashed Hustadvika Bay. Riding it on a calm day feels surreal; on a windy day, it’s a battle between man and nature, with waves crashing below and gulls cutting through the salt air above. It’s an experience that captures the wild, untamed spirit of coastal Norway.
Yet, to be honest, there are countless other sections that may linger in the memory even longer. For me, the stretch from Kristiansund to Trondheim was the real revelation — a quiet, little-known part of the country where few tourists venture. The landscape softens here: deep forests, tranquil lakes, and rolling farmland give the impression of a Norway untouched by time. The roads are near empty, the air heavy with pine and earth, and there’s a serenity that settles in after days of travel along the sea.
If the full 1,000 kilometres feel daunting, there are excellent shorter options that still deliver the essence of the journey. The section between Bergen and Ålesund (around 550 km) offers a perfect balance of fjords, ferries, and open coastline. From Ålesund, you can easily connect by bus to Åndalsnes and continue by train to Oslo, making for a seamless return trip. Alternatively, the famed Hurtigruten coastal express provides a more relaxed way to head back south to Bergen — a fitting end to a ride defined by water, wind, and the quiet rhythm of Norway’s western shore.
Some photos provided by Fjord Norway, VisitBergen, & Visit FjordKysten og Sunnfjord. Photographers: Thomas Green, Lillian Herland, Mathias Falcone
Here, you will find a comprehensive overview of points of interest along this route. There are plenty of food and accommodation options, making this journey comfortable.
When: June - September
If you're looking to see some of the famous inland areas of the fjords & mountains, this is a nice alternative that gives you the best of both worlds. Note that there are some long tunnels after Ålesund and a difficult mountain gravel section that make this route considerably harder.
You can skip Ålesund and reduce over 150km by taking the ferry from Hellesylt down Geiranger and cycling road 63 to Trollstigen. There is also the option to take part of the Fjord Norway route over Gamle Strynefjellsvegen and Dalsnibba to Geiranger.
The Stad peninsula (Stadlandet) is a spectacular detour with outstanding natural beauty along many of it's roads. The two main highlights are the roads leading to Vestkapp (a 450M climb onto a mountain plateau over looking the North Sea) and the winding road to the surf beach at Hoddevik.
Please take a look at the main map above for locations.
Cities & Towns
Roads, Bridges & Scenic Engineering
Culture & History (Expanded List)
All ferries are free to cyclists with the exception of the Ålesund – Hamnsund and Florø – Smørhamn.
Note: Links to the Car ferry timetable pages tend to change quickly. Not all web pages may be in operation.
There are over 20 tunnels on this route, which might sound like a lot, but considering the length, it’s only one every 50km. Many will give the opportunity to go around, but there are some whom you have no other option but to cycle. The road after the town of Førde heading North is the worst section with several unpleasant tunnels.
One to take extra care going through – Sundafjelltunnelen (1883m): The old road has fallen into the fjord, so this tunnel is compulsory. It is rather wide but busy and climbs from Floro to Forde.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: One tunnel side road near Førde was closed due to a rockfall for several years. In 2025, they finally fixed it with this beautiful blue container, which really fits with the natural environment!
2024
2025
When the weather is good this really is a slice of paradise. Nevertheless, when the weather is bad expect strong gusts of winds from the Atlantic, cold temperatures, and plenty of precipitation. You should be well prepared for all types of weather and plan your day’s travel accordingly. It can be frustrating cycling in bad weather and having a plan of action with different options to consider will allow you to mitigate the worst of the weather.
Finnmark too has a certain mystique. Being about the same distance from Oslo as Istanbul, in some ways, it’s basically the last stop before the North Pole. The undoubted highlight of the journey is simply cycling the wild expanse of Europe’s last great wilderness. It will feel very lonely up here but isn’t that a reason to cycle it? The cycling heat maps of the world are full of well-ridden roads. Here you will join a small group of cyclists seeking something extraordinary. Passing wild herds of reindeer and perhaps not seeing another human for many hours is why you came – right? The ride comes to an end in the town of Kirkenes which has Russian road signs. This will indicate you have reached the boundaries of the Western world!
Finnmark too has a certain mystique. Being about the same distance from Oslo as Istanbul, in some ways, it’s basically the last stop before the North Pole. The undoubted highlight of the journey is simply cycling the wild expanse of Europe’s last great wilderness. It will feel very lonely up here but isn’t that a reason to cycle it? The cycling heat maps of the world are full of well-ridden roads. Here you will join a small group of cyclists seeking something extraordinary. Passing wild herds of reindeer and perhaps not seeing another human for many hours is why you came – right? The ride comes to an end in the town of Kirkenes which has Russian road signs. This will indicate you have reached the boundaries of the Western world!
All cycling routes published on CYCLENORWAY.com are simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. All route guidelines were prepared under diligent research. However, we can never for certain insure the complete accuracy of the routes. Cycling in Norway is in general very safe. Nevertheless, should you choose to cycle this route you do so at your own risk.
Check out this helpful video to see how the routes can be uploaded onto your mobile device and cycling computer.
Cycling long distance is tough, and you should not attempt routes that are beyond your level.
If you discover any inaccuracies on this page, please let us know so we can correct them.
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