When
April - October
Written by
Matthew Tolley
Distance
587km
Days
3-8
High point
136m
Difficulty
3/10
Unpaved
10%
Total Ascent
4700
Ferries
4
Tunnels
4
The journey along Oslo Fjord and the Skagerak coast is relatively flat, with quiet roads and good cycle paths. It also offers a more stable and warmer climate than other areas of the country. As a result, the largest concentration of the population is located in this area, and thus, you will pass many beautiful towns, all with unique features and charm.
The route is signposted, and most of the stretch is paved. There are some detours to quiet beautiful islands and two charming old ferries that connect the roads you cycle. Many Norwegians love visiting this region in summer. If you’re an inexperienced bike tourist this is perhaps one of the best routes to introduce you to Norway.
The starting point from the Swedish border to the town of Moss is pretty straightforward, with a few small gravel sections. You pass the historic towns of Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad and cross the Glomma River on a quirky old boat. From Moss, you will bypass Oslo by crossing the fjord. There is a boat running all day every day, (every 30 mins 06:00-24:00) and it’s free for cyclists.
Once you reach Horten on the other side of Oslo fjord you will find modern cycling paths and quiet back roads that stick close to the fjord. It’s a nice flat ride and easy to navigate. You will pass Tønsberg (Norway’s oldest town), Sandefjord, and Larvik which are all pleasant places to stop and rest.
After Larvik, you say goodbye to the fjord as you reach the Skagerak southern coast. The towns along this coast are some of Norway’s prettiest with their iconic wooden buildings and quaint harbors.
There can be a lot of traffic around the towns (especially on weekends), but you cycle on footpaths and cycleways and keep a good distance from the cars. If you wish to skip parts of the route there is a train option in certain areas.
Kragerø, Risør, Tvedestrand, Arendal, Lillesand, and Kristiansand (the largest city on the south coast) are all places you should consider spending time exploring if you want to experience Norwegian culture and heritage.
Kristiansand to Lindesnes is around 100km and passes some nice bathing spots. Lindesnes, the most southern point in Norway, has a lighthouse with a small museum and cafe. You may bump into fellow cyclists who have made the long journey from Nordkapp or who are about to embark on it.
We have given this a rating of 3/10. There are no real climbs or scary descents, no long tunnels, and the routes follow cycle paths and quiet roads for most of the journey. It is, however, bumpy in many places (especially compared with Denmark) and thus will be tiring for inexperienced cyclists. Nevertheless, you will find many pretty coastal towns to stop and rest at and plenty of places to take a dip in the sea. Lastly, this is the sunniest and warmest area in Norway. It can be a welcome place to cycle after weeks in the mountains!
Jomfruland National Park was established on 16 December 2016 and covers an area of 117 km2(45 sq mi), including the islands of Jomfruland and Stråholmen. The largest island is Jomfruland, which you can visit in the summer and cycle around. It has many bathing spots and some accommodation options.
Verdens Ende, “The World’s End,” is located outside Tønsberg in Færder National Park. Five points on the planet are considered the “World’s Ends.” This is one of them, and from here, you get majestic views to the horizon. It's worth the detour if you have time.
The first two ferries are free to cyclists.
For the last two, a small price is charged for each (60-100kr) – These are very charming old boats.
If any of the ferries are not operating it’s easy to detour around and join back on the main route.
There are just 4 tunnels on the route and none of them are of any concern. Three have gravel tracks around them and the one you go through is just 212m on a quiet road.
None: I can’t recall any busy or dangerous roads to worry about on this route. This is a highly populated area and thus there are many minor roads which get little traffic. On the east side of Oslo Fjord are a few poorly maintain gravel sections through farmland and forest. They are fine to cycle but not in good condition.
As already mentioned, this is the driest and warmest part of Norway. The sea temperatures can be pleasant during summer and air temperatures can be well above 25 Celsius. Like anywhere in Norway rain can occur but you should find summer average temperatures comfortable. Always carry some warm clothing but hopefully, one or two layers are enough during the daytime in the summer. The wind however can be strong on the coast. West to East will on average have more tailwinds.
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.
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Cycling long distance is tough, and you should not attempt routes that are beyond your level.
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