The Atlantic Coast (Eurovelo 1)
The Atlantic Coast (Eurovelo 1)
The coastline of Fjord Norway is something special with deep fjords to cross and remote islands to hop over. It’s a world away from mainland Europe giving you a feeling of space, freedom, and adventure. The route is signposted from Bergen to Sognefjorden and Ålesund to Kristiansund and it’s easy to navigate. The roads are almost all paved and the terrain varies between nice flat sections and some hilly areas but nothing too difficult.
There is one 500m climb that is required to bypass a long tunnel. Road 5 after Førde is perhaps the most uncomfortable part with several tunnels on a main road. However, overall the roads are quiet and the views are superb as you cycle along a coast where few tourists venture. Furthermore, there is plenty of time to rest and refuel on the numerous ferry crossings. If the weather turns bad or your legs need a rest you can also shorten the journey by taking local boats or the Hurtigruten coastal service.
We have given this a rating of 5/10. It’s certainly not the most difficult of routes and there are plenty of flat sections. The 500m climb bypassing a tunnel near Førde and the 400m climb about 70km from Trondheim are the toughest parts. There are also small hilly parts which will be tiring on long days. The wind from the coast could turn out to be the hardest part and thus you should reduce your kilometers on any tough headwind days.
On this map you’ll find timetables of ferries, supermarkets, some campsites and other points of interests
The route includes four major population areas, Bergen, Ålesund, Kristiansund, and Trondheim. All these cities are worth spending time at and soaking up life on the west coast of Norway. Between the towns, you cycle on peaceful country roads where you hardly meet anyone. There will be more sheep and cows than people in some places. With that said, there are plenty of shops, villages, and campsites to make the journey comfortable from a logistical point of view.
At just under 1000km this is a long journey. Although reasonably flat there may be long days on the bike as you ferry over islands and perhaps fight the elements coming from the North Atlantic. Unfortunately, this is one of the wettest areas of Europe so you should expect some rain. I got lucky and only had one wet day but it’s possible to experience more!
The Atlantic Ocean road is one of the highlights for many cyclists. “The Road across the Sea” is an iconic experience with bridges that arch between the islets and reefs along the rough Hustadvika Bay. But to be honest, there are countless other highlights that might stand out even more.
We would advise some small detours to the beaches and cliff that hug this coastline. The famous surf camp at Hoddevik and the spectacular Vestkapp rising 496m above the sea are two special places to visit.
Before Kristiansund is an impassable sea tunnel for cyclists. You will need to take a local bus through. There is one every hour or less. The stretch from Kristiansund to Trondheim is a hidden gem that passes some of the least traveled areas of Norway. Empty roads and beautiful lush countryside follow you to Trondheim.
All ferries are free to cyclists with the exception of the Ålesund – Hamnsund and possibly Florø – Smørhamn.
Note: Links to 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 and there are even some cyclists tunnels near the small town of Dale (which are very cool to cycle through).
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 has closed due to a rock fall. The alternative main tunnel (Kvernbergtunnelen) is currently prohibited from cycling through. You can either take an infrequent bus through the tunnel or cycle an alternative route which starts at Sognefjorden and is highlighted here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43287287?privacy_code=2XfBQPYXL9D87hsh
There is a section on gravel to bypass the E39. It is a bit rocky in places, but overall looks good.
Road 5: Connects Førde to Florø and is the only option in this area. It has cycle signs warning traffic of your presence. Unfortunately, supply trucks will be present and there are 6 tunnels on the road. Most are short but with traffic in the tunnels, this will be an unpleasant experience. Tip: If you can set off early on this road you will find it quiet and pleasant to cycle (spectacular views of the ocean).
E39: Near Trondheim, there is a short section on the main road. It doesn’t last long and traffic is usually light on this part of it.
Bergen, Ålesund, Kristiansund, Trondheim: There will be plenty of traffic as you enter the city areas. Luckily most have cycle paths and you should find it safe to get into the cities on designated cycle lanes.
When the weather is bad in this area 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.
My Journey from Ålesund to Trondheim can be seen here:
Ask further questions in our member’s forum or in the comment box below.
Norway is an expensive country and medical bills could be very high if you unexpectedly have an accident. You should take out travel insurance with at least €1m or preferably €5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. Check you’re covered for covid-19-related issues. An annual policy is usually the cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I use an annual worldwide policy.
Every country has its own travel insurance companies here are some suggestions:
?? https://www.columbusdirect.com/
?? https://www.travelguard.com/
?? https://www.bluecross.ca/travel-coverage/
??+ EEA https://www.globelink.eu/
Norway is a cashless society which makes life easy paying by card. However, banks often give a poor exchange rate, then charge a currency conversion fee as well. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate up to €500 per month. The balance goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards. And you can get a Curve card for free.
How it works:
1. Download the app for iPhone or Android.
2. Enter your details & they’ll send you a Curve MasterCard – they send to most European addresses.
3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app.
4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard.
Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
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. We advise that you check weather conditions along the route and look out for land/road closures. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course leave no trace. CYCLENORWAY.COM and its partners are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route.
If you discover any inaccuracies on this page please contact us at feedback@cyclenorway.com
© Copyright 2023 CYCLENORWAY.com / all designs, text, photos (unless stated), & articles are property of CYCLENORWAY.com
© Copyright 2023 CYCLENORWAY.com / all designs, text, photos (unless stated), & articles are property of CYCLENORWAY.com
Subscribe To Our Monthly Newsletter