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A Journey Through the Heart of Norway
The ride from Oslo to Bergen is no ordinary route, it’s a passage through the soul of the Norwegian landscape. In just under 600km, you travel from the capital’s urban fjords into deep forests, over legendary mountains, and down into the storied fjordlands. Leaving Oslo, the city slowly fades into quiet backroads and pine forests, where rural life carries on as it has for generations. After 150km of rolling gravel and tarmac, the true test begins: the crossing of the Scandinavian mountains and the Hardangervidda plateau.
Here, the journey touches myth, especially along the famous Rallarvegen, a historic construction road turned cycling icon. Riding this route is like tracing the spine of Norway itself, with vast views and weather that changes by the hour. The descent into the fjords is unforgettable. Waterfalls plunge beside the road, and every bend reveals a new, almost timeless vista. One final mountain pass brings you down into Bergen, a city famous for rainy days, history, and quiet charm.
In a few hundred kilometres, you cross landscapes so rich and distinct they could fill a novel. For anyone seeking a cycling journey with soul, this is as close as it gets.
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Both of these routes contain roads that don’t open until early to mid-June (Røldalsfjellet -Option 2) or July (Rallarvegen – Option 1). You can ride the southern route in May or earlier but this means riding through a 5km tunnel (or take a bus) on the E134. On the Northern route, if Rallarvegen is still closed, you could take a train through this area.
Both Oslo and Bergen have international airports, making it easy to begin your journey in either city. A scenic 8-hour train connects the two several times daily, complete with proper bike storage, so returning to your starting point is simple and stress-free.
There’s no clear advantage to starting in one city over the other—elevation gain is roughly the same in both directions. That said, Oslo-bound riders might catch more favourable tailwinds. If you’re flexible, let the weather decide. Choose your start point based on the forecast and enjoy the ride.
This is a remarkable journey, though not all of it follows the national cycling routes. It’s recommended for experienced cyclists, as some short stretches may involve roads with traffic or tunnels that can be uncomfortable to navigate.
Route Option 1:
– 20km Road 7 Geilo – Haugastøl (Main road with traffic, take train and bypass it if busy)
– Several tunnels to cycle through towards Bergen/fjord region (See POI map for more details)
– The road into Bergen (587) can be busy at the wrong time of the day and does not have a cycle lane in certain places.
– Can be extremely cold going over Rallarvegen/Hardangervidda Plateau
Route Option 2:
– If Røldalsfjellet (Opens latest mid-June) is closed, you will need to take a bus through the 5km tunnel on the E134. I don’t recommend cycling it. Phone Røldalsfjellet ski resort (POI map) to find out the road status.
– You will cross over the Hardangervidda mountain plateau on the E134. This is a main road that is usually quiet in this remote area. Most of the tunnels you can cycle around. Expect it to be very cold going over this barren area.
Oslo:
– Sorensen Sykler Oslo (Gravel)
– Oslo Velo (Gravel)
– Rouleurs of Oslo (Gravel)
– Oslo Bike Rental (MTB, Road, E-bike & Gravel)
Bergen
– Fløyen
– Norway Active (Max one 1 week rental)
Voss
Matthew, Founder of Cycle Norway
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.
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.
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