Day 7 – The main cycling route heading north now enters a stage of real beauty as you cycle around quiet fjords with calm and clear Arctic water. The day began by taking a ferry back onto the mainland and then heading over the famous Helgeland Bridge. The Helgeland Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that crosses the Leirfjorden between the mainland and the island of Alsta. It took 10 years to complete and spans over 1000m. It can be very windy crossing but luckily for me it was a calm day and the views are spectacular.

After another ferry crossing you come to a long fjord called Tomfjorden. There is no bridge or ferry across it and thus it requires a good 1.5 hours to cycle around. But trust me it’s worth it with views to keep you entertained the whole way.

The views don’t ease off as you pass through a long tunnel connecting Tomfjorden with the next fjord. The road is super quiet here and there is a great chance you will come across herds of reindeer. Three years ago I saw my first ever reindeer herd here and three years later the herd was waiting for our reunion. The beauty of cycling is you see so much more and can spot things that cars fly past. The herd was hiding behind some trees but I noticed some moments so stopped my bike and waited. After about 5 minutes they trotted into my sight and we had a little moment together as they all looked at me wondering if I was going to be a danger to them. I stood still and didn’t move. After a few moments, they continued walking past my position and our reunion was complete.

The last fjord before I reached my accommodation is one of my favorite in Norway, the views are spectacular. It’s called Gjervalen Fjord and you descend down toward it with magnificent snow-capped mountains all around. It always fills me with energy after a long day. I literally floated the last 10km to my accommodation and on arrival, I had reached the Arctic Circle. There is something very cool about sleeping on the Arctic Circle. It was too early for the midnight sun but it never went completely dark and the mountains had a beautiful golden hour at midnight. From Bergen to the Arctic in one week. That is what is possible with a little help from Hurtigruten!