You could do day rides from anywhere in Norway. However, the popular places are coastal cities where most people live or visit. We have chosen the cities we feel have the best opportunities for day rides. Unlike many other European cities getting out of a Norwegian city is usually quick and easy. Traffic is rarely a problem with cycle lanes covering the busy roads. Many of the routes are designed for experienced cyclists who can cycle 60-150km a day. If this seems too far you could break it up and spend a night on the road and return the next day. There are also some shorter routes for casual rides. Nearly all of these routes are paved.
Some of the routes may seem very long but ones with ferry journeys distort the total distance. If you’re short on time or don’t fancy cycling 100km use local ferries or trains to get out of the city’s boundaries. This helps reduce the overall distance of your ride without you missing out on anything.
Over the past decade, Norwegian cities have spent a lot of money on cycling infrastructure. If you fanny only cycling around the cities and stopping for coffee and cake you will find it reasonably easy and safe. But it’s very easy to get lost in a city and end up on the wrong road with trams and buses. Try to plan your route in advance by following cycling lanes and known routes. If you are in Bergen a must is the new 3km cycling tunnel
Here you will find cycling maps for each city (except Tromsø) – Norwegian only
You may pass through a number of Norwegian cities whilst cycling a long-distance route. Spending a few days relaxing and exploring a city is certainly worth doing. But you could also use these routes to explore the surrounding areas as an add-on to your main journey. Being able to leave your bags at a hotel or campsite and enjoy a light and perhaps faster ride is a worthwhile option to consider. I have done this many times before. A good example is Tromsø, there is so much to see in this region. Cycle to and from some of the remote islands/peninsular that most cyclists miss out on as they pass by.
You’ll find many routes out of the cities relatively flat in places. Some cities offer a mixture of easy and challenging environments. For example, south of Stavanger is very similar to Denmark with roaming flat agricultural land However, take a boat down Lysefjorden and a 9% average gradient 10km climb with 27 switchbacks awaits! Oslo has plenty of flat routes around the fjord but if you head toward the forest the roads get considerably more challenging. Hopefully, you’ll find a route or two that fits your level. Most of the routes are on quiet roads. However, be aware, on one or two you have a main road to navigate when there are no alternatives.
You will find plenty of cycling signs pointing up out of the city and some on the routes. However, most of these routes have been created by cyclists and are not part of any official route. We recommend following your gpx map to ensure you get back without losing your way. A word of warning: cycle lanes leading out of Norwegian cities give a false sense of security. I remember following one out of Trondheim and after 10km it ended and joined the busy E6 main road (I had to turn around and find an alternative). Be aware of how long they last and where they end (use Google Maps). Sometimes there are better options to take and that is what we have tried to do with these routes.
There are obviously many options to get out or back into cities. Trains, boats, or buses will run along or close to many routes listed here. I have had mechanical problems on one or two routes over the years. Although it’s embarrassing hopping onto a bus with your bike it’s better than walking 50km! As I mentioned in another section use public transport if it helps you to get out of the city or if you want to call it quits and get back quicker. Overall most local trains, buses, and boats will allow bikes at the cost of a child’s fare. Download the local transport app to buy a ticket.
Public Transport Info
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© Copyright 2023 CYCLENORWAY.com / all designs, text, photos (unless stated), & articles are property of CYCLENORWAY.com