When
Mid June - Sept
Written by
Matthew Tolley
Distance
156km
Days
1-2
High point
1500m
Difficulty
7/10
Unpaved
20%
Total Ascent
2385m
Ferries
1
Tunnels
3
Touted as one of the world’s most remarkable day rides, this 150-kilometer route through Norway offers an experience few places on Earth can rival. On a clear day, cyclists are treated to an unforgettable journey, blending scenic beauty with exhilarating adventure. The route has it all: winding mountain roads, crystal-clear rivers, glacier-fed lakes, and valleys cloaked in mystery.
Midway, a challenging hike-and-bike section adds a thrilling twist, followed by a tranquil fjord cruise along Norway’s most iconic fjord. The day culminates in a stunning 1500-meter ascent on Norway’s famed fjord road, the highest of its kind, offering unparalleled vistas of the surrounding landscape and the inland sea below.
For cyclists seeking an extraordinary ride, this journey stands as an unparalleled experience, embodying the awe-inspiring spirit of Norway’s natural beauty and adventure.
Completing a day loop ride in Fjord Norway is no easy feat; the numerous mountains and fjords typically make it difficult to circle back to your starting point. However, this route is a rare exception. Here, a mix of paved roads, rugged gravel trails, and well-maintained hiking paths allows cyclists to traverse terrain usually reserved for hikers. Adding to the appeal is a scenic 20-kilometer ferry ride along Geiranger Fjord, which not only spares you a lengthy detour but also makes this stunning loop achievable for experienced cyclists within a single day.
We recommend you start the route in either Geiranger or Grotli Høyfjellshotell. The famous Geiranger town has plenty of accommodation options from camping to 5-star luxury. Grotli is a historic remote mountain cabin with modest rooms in a unique setting. We began at the latter, and 2 minutes from leaving the mountain cabin, you are on to Gamle Strynefjellsvegen one of Norway’s most scenic roads. The road has around 24km of hard packed gravel that can be easily cycled on a road bike if you miss the potholes!
Cycling along Gamle Strynefjellsvegen is a journey through Norway’s history and natural beauty. This old mountain road, dating back over a century, was once a vital link between the fjords and inland villages and remains an engineering marvel with its stone walls and rugged, narrow path. The ride offers a unique experience, winding through dramatic alpine landscapes filled with ancient glaciers and emerald-green mountain lakes.
Taking this route clockwise lets you skip the climbing, offering mostly flat cycling until the dramatic finale: an 800-meter descent from the plateau into the Stryne Valley below. This final stretch, a well-paved mountain road, serves as a link between the highlands and fjords, winding through a valley sculpted by the gods. The descent is steep, demanding focus as you tackle sharp turns and sweeping bends. With every corner, expansive views of Norway’s rugged landscapes reveal themselves, making this one of the most scenic and thrilling descents in Norway perhaps the world.
At the valley floor, you’ll arrive at Oppstrynsvatn, a beautiful glacier-fed lake. The route follows the lake’s edge, passing through small villages and campsites, until you reach the end. From there, you head onto an old road to the village of Flo on the other side of the lake. Here, the narrow and quiet road includes a few tunnels, which are often pitch dark, so bike lights are recommended.
From Flo, the climb begins, winding up between two farms on a steep, rugged gravel road. Many cyclists choose to hike their bikes for a few kilometers until the road levels out. Passing through a series of gates, you’ll eventually reach the top, rewarded by breathtaking views of a secluded mountain lake surrounded by high, dramatic peaks. The descent transitions into a hiking path, where you may encounter travelers coming from the opposite direction and may need to walk your bike briefly. The trail soon widens and becomes rideable, leading down to Hellesylt.
While Hellesylt itself is modest, the setting is stunning, with a large waterfall running through town and Geiranger Fjord nearby. Ferries depart every one to two hours to Geiranger, a 1-hour journey that costs 390 kr with a bike. The ferry ride is one of Norway’s finest, complete with guided commentary on the abandoned farms and waterfalls along the fjord.
In Geiranger, the adventure continues with a challenging 21-kilometer, 7% average gradient climb to the Dalsnibba summit at 1500 meters, overlooking the town and fjord. The climb is long and demanding, but the views are worth every turn. If the weather turns unfavourable, you can skip the last 4 kilometers to the summit and continue on Road 63 back to Grotli Mountain Cabin. The views on the way back are equally spectacular, making this loop one of the most rewarding rides in the world.
You can extend the ride and add the incredible Hjørundfjorden route to Ålesund and then take a ferry from Ålesund to Geiranger and continue the last part up to Dalsnibba.
If the weather is bad or you have a fully loaded touring bike, consider bypassing Flofjellet and take the paved roads around the mountain.
For those interested in adding a few extra kilometers and bypassing Ålesund, consider cycling part of Norway's Historic Post Road. Keep in mind there is a long tunnel along a main road to pass through, and heavy touring bikes are not recommended on the old post road.
Train: There are train stations along this route
Buses: There are direct buses running from Ålesund to Geiranger during the summer months. You also have buses running from Otta to Bismo which is 32km from Grotli. There is one long-distance bus VY146 from Oslo that passes through Grotli and Strynefjellet but no bikes are allowed onboard.
There are 3 tunnels on the quiet road to Flo village. You can bypass the long tunnels and take the old road around. The shorter tunnels are easy to navigate on a quiet road (but no lighting so ensure you have lights). There is also a tunnel just before the village of Hjelle on the main road 15. But there is a signposted detour around it (FV720), which is beautiful to take.
You are in the heart of Fjord Norway here and the weather can be wet and unpredictable at times. Areas above 500m will be cold on unsettled days and it can even snow on the summit of Dalsnibba and Gamle Styrnefjellsvegen in early or late Summer. You should consider not cycling over the Flofjellet gravel/hiking route in bad weather (go around the mountains on the paved road). Plan this route with the weather in mind and ensure you check the forecast before riding (see weather link below).
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.
Check out this helpful video to see how the routes can be uploaded onto your mobile device and cycling computer.
Cycling long distance is tough, and you should not attempt routes that are beyond your level.
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Cycle Norway is dedicated to making Norway, safer and more enjoyable to experience by bike and to inspire and inform a growing audience of the opportunities available.
Source: Climbfinder.com
