Oslo to Bergen via Rallarvegen – Route planning

Tagged: bergen, oslo, rallarvegen

This topic has 7 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 2 months ago by Matthew Norway.

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June 2, 2023 at 4:34 am #11415
Anonymous
Hi there,

I am planning a bike tour in July, cycling from Oslo to Bergen via the Rallarvegen. I have been researching the specific route and it seems like there are a few different options. I have found routes for sections of the trip (e.g., the Hallingdal & Rallarvegen route on this website) but haven’t found a downloadable GPS file for the full trip. In particular, I am hoping to plan a route that will minimise the number of highway tunnels I have to ride through. I am coming from Canada on July 5, and spending a few days in Oslo with a friend before leaving on my bike (a gravel touring bike) circa July 10th or so.

I would be very grateful for any resources or suggestions regarding the specific route I choose. I am also hoping to get a better sense for how independent I should expect to be. For example, how much of the trip will be out of cell service, how easy it is to find water, pick up food, etc.

Thank you ahead of time for any and all suggestions! If it would be easier to chat on the phone or on video call about some of the details, that could work too.

-Emma
June 2, 2023 at 5:22 am #11416
Anonymous
I re-found the video that I had documenting the route I had in mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT8Zd0e9TS8

Ideally, I am looking for a GPS file for this route and would be grateful for any further tips re: ferries, highway tunnels, etc.
June 2, 2023 at 6:05 am #11417
Matthew Norway
Keymaster
Hi Emma,

You will find the route from the video here (red one). https://cyclenorway.com/routes/norse-all-road-series/overview/route-1-2/

There is a video that talks you through both options and what to expect.

The only area you will have limited phone coverage is over Rallarvegen.

There are plenty of shops along the way (every 50km or less usually) and you can buy food at small cafes along Rallarvegen. Remember Rallarvegen opens around mid July and patches of snow is usually on the tracks until August.
June 2, 2023 at 6:12 am #11418
Matthew Norway
Keymaster
Water is not a problem (plenty of options along the way) and the ferries over Hardanger go regularly (both free). There are no tunnels until you reach Hardanger. Then you have quite a few heading to Bergen. The section from Geilo to Haugastøl on road 7 is the only main road you need to cycle. It’s 25km and can be skipped with the train. You will find more of my thoughts and suggestions on the video I mentioned in the link above.
June 2, 2023 at 5:42 pm #11431
Anonymous
Hi Matthew – thank you so much for the advice and resources! That is super helpful. I feel lucky that my trip planning coincided with the launch of this website. 🙂

That is good to know re: opening timing for Rallarvegen. Is the opening a fixed date that I could plan around or is it seasonally dependent? If need be, I could delay my departure a few days.
June 4, 2023 at 7:08 pm #11435
Matthew Norway
Keymaster
Hi, is it seasonally dependent. Each year is different but you can take the train at Finse if there is too much snow on the highest points.
July 7, 2023 at 3:27 pm #11790
Anonymous
Hi Matthew,

Thank you for sharing your insight on the route – it has been so helpful and is much appreciated. I am in Oslo now, arrived yesterday, and spending a few days here before my trip. Unfortunately my bike got lost on the trip over from Canada (!) so I am waiting to hear from the airline… Fingers crossed it turns up soon. 🙂

In the meantime, I hope you don’t mind my following up with a few final trip Q’s:

1. Campsite planning – I am leaving my exact schedule fairly flexible with respect to how much I cycle each day and exactly where I end up. That said, I am hoping to have a rough sense of potential campsites along the way and options for spending the night. Do you have any particular spots you recommend? I don’t think you mentioned anything specific in your route video.

2. Cash – I assume it would be wise to bring some cash with me?

3. Food – My plan is to carry ~2 days of food with me from Oslo and restock as I go. Does that sound reasonable? I know you mentioned water was plentiful and it seems like there are a fair few small towns along the way.

4. Rallarvegen open? Do you have any information on whether the Rallarvegen section of the route has opened yet? Or a suggestion for where to check it’s status?

Thanks again for your help and resources.

-Emma
July 9, 2023 at 12:58 pm #11793
Matthew Norway
Keymaster
Hi Emma, I hope your bike turns up soon. If not, consider renting one with bags from Fara Cycling in Oslo.

1. I don’t have any particular campsites to recommend. There are so many in Norway and I usually only spend a night at one and move on in the morning. I use the app Norcamp (www.norcamp.de/en/camping.pitches.cabins.48.html) to find campsite close by and sometimes they have reviews and pictures.

2. Not much. Campsite sometimes requires 10kr coins to operate the showers. If your card stops working then I guess having cash will help you out. Sometimes there is a system to pay with Vipps which is a Norwegian payment system (not available to foreigners). In that case having cash may be beneficial.

3. You don’t need to start off with 2 days worth of food unless you begin on Sunday. You will pass Drammen and other towns after leaving Oslo. Keep your bags as light as possible and stock up only when required, e.g before the remote forest areas. There are more shops than you may think alone the way. Use google maps to search for them while on the road.

4. https://www.haugastol.no/en/rallarvegen-report

Safe travels!
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