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5 days - An active twist on the classic - CYCLE THIS ROAD!
Take the less trodden path and experience the Norway in a Nutshell® the active way with a cycling trip along the famous Rallarvegen from Finse to Flåm. The construction route known as the ‘Rallarvegen’ is a 100-year-old man-built transport road designed for the conveyance of men and materials during the building phase of the most mountainous sector of the Oslo - Bergen Railway Line.
Note; due to snow conditions on the mountain plateau this itinerary can run in the late summer and early autumn months only from mid July until snowfall in mid September.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Train, bike, local bus and fjord ferry. Optional Flåmsbana trip.
International flights, lunches and dinners not detailed in the program and items of personal nature.
Optional activity: Flåm Zipline.
Arrive in Oslo, the beautiful Norwegian capital by the Oslofjord. Make your own way to your centrally located hotel in the heart of Oslo, an easy direct express train ride away from the airport. The Norwegian capital has a great deal to offer for the observant traveller. We can recommend a walk around the centre of town to view the Parliament, the Castle, and the Harbour area.
Discover the new area of Bjorvika with the new Opera House and Munch Museum and then explore the charming shopping streets, cosy cafés and exciting eateries of Grünerløkka. After going shopping at numerous design boutiques, vintage shops and flea markets, head to the Mathallen food hall for local specialties. Lastly, visit the new National Museum of Norway down by the harbour before finding a spot in one of the local fish restaurants for dinner.
Depart Oslo by train to the highest point on the Bergensbanen (Oslo to Bergen railway) at Finse; 1222 meters above sea level. At Finse you will disembark the train and stay at the mountain lodge for the night. If you take the morning train from Oslo you have time to enjoy Finse for local walks in the area. Finse is situated on the edge of Hardangervidda (the Hardanger Mountain Plateau) and offers great views of the Hardangerjøkulen (glacier).
Hardangervidda is one of Norway's most popular walking and trekking areas, and if you are an active walker we recommend to extend your stay at Finse for more extended walks in the area.
We have included a luggage service between Oslo and Bergen, meaning you do not have to bring your main luggage for the trip. Your luggage will be picked up from your hotel in Oslo and transferred to your hotel in Bergen. You will take an overnight rucksack only for your trip to Finse and Flåm.
After breakfast you will pick up your bicycle at Finse and start the cycling trip along the railway construction road (Rallarvegen) to Myrdal and on to Flåm. The trip follows a well maintained gravel road through the Hardangervidda. Take your time to enjoy the fabulous scenery, and if you are lucky you might even spot wild reindeer in the area. You will pass by the Fagervatn Lake, which is the highest point of Rallarvegen at 1310m. In the summertime, a café is run in the Fagernut Dwelling, where you can buy freshly made waffles and coffee.
The terrain is reasonably flat with some up and down between Finse and Myrdal (38km). Then at Myrdal you will take off towards Flåm and follow the very steep downhill switchback path to the bottom of the Flåm Valley. These last 20km from Myrdal to Flåm offer stunning views down the valley following the Flåm Railway. Doing the trip by bike allows you to plan a leisurely trip with lots of photo opportunities that those travelling by train will miss.
On reaching Flåm you will check into your local hotel. Make sure you keep your bikes for the afternoon in Flåm to do local bike rides.
Alternative walking itinerary
If you are more of a walker than a cyclist you can chose to take the train between Finse and Myrdal, and then walk from Myrdal down the Flåm Valley to Flåm (20km) instead of biking.
Travelling with different activity levels
If you travel as a party of 2 or more, and only one (or a few) of you want to do the active Norway in a Nutshell version, then we are more than happy to arrange those who do not want to bike to do the ’standard’ Norway in a Nutshell version of the itinerary. You will still be staying at the same hotels each night, and follow the same general itinerary, just using different modes of transport. Just ask us for details.
Lunch is a packed lunch.
Spend the morning at leisure in Flåm before taking the mid morning ferry along the Aurland and Nærøyfjords to Gudvangen. Once again many photo opportunities will present themselves with steep mountain sides on either side of the fjord and beautiful tumbling waterfalls.
In Gudvangen switch to a local bus taking you up the hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva and back up to the main Oslo to Bergen rail line at Voss. In Voss you have a few hours available to enjoy this village before boarding the train to Bergen. Arrive Bergen in the early afternoon and make your own way to your hotel.
Please note that you are able to add an optional visit to the Viking Village Gudvangen today, however, you will not arrive in Bergen until 20.40pm.
After breakfast, self transfer to the Bergen airport.
All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Prices are indicative.
If you are travelling with a partner, you can alternate your activities - for instance, one can ride down and the other train down (Flåmsbana) to the Flåm hotel.
Porter service offers safe and secure transportation of your luggage, allowing you to travel through the fjords between Oslo and Bergen with just an overnight bag. Please pack your overnight bag according to the number of nights you will be away from your main luggage. Bring any valuables and medications with you.
You leave the luggage at the hotel reception before 6:30AM and the Porter Service will pick it up and deliver it to your hotel in Bergen by 9:00PM that same day. It will be stored safely until you arrive in Bergen (up to three to four nights later as required).
Please note that 1 piece of luggage per person is included unless otherwise specified.
Optional Tour on Day 4: Upon arrival at Gudvangen, you can decide to enter the Viking Village Njardarheim for an afternoon of education and insights into the Viking way of life. You have 3-4 hours to enjoy lunch and then a tour of the village with one of the local Vikings. Activities such as axe throwing and blacksmithing differ each week and depend on the weather. If you decide to include this option, you will not arrive into Bergen until 20.40pm.
Our premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach represent a new style of travel: 2-12 independent travellers traverse exceptionally beautiful, yet hard-to-reach areas of Norway, thus experiencing something unique and authentic while contributing to more modest local economies.
Nordic capitals are well equipped for entertaining children & teenagers, with everything from interactive museums and nature-based playgrounds to outdoor adventures and family-friendly attractions.
Discover the allure of remote travel destinations in today's fast-paced world, where the quest for authenticity, tranquillity, and a deeper connection with nature has never been more profound. So venture beyond the ordinary and embark on a transformative journey that enriches the soul and expands horizons.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
Norway has a few items that typically surprise travellers when visiting Norway for the first time. Alcohol and luxury items are heavily taxed and therefore prices are higher than you might expect. On the other hand, necessities such as bread and milk, are taxed low and therefore are great value.
We recommend that you bring all the alcohol you’re allowed to bring into the country when you arrive. There are many lovely parks and balconies where you can enjoy your duty free. However, be sure not to bring more than you’re allowed!
As of May 2014, the allowances according to Visit Norway are:
Alcoholic beverages:
Minimum age: 18/ 20*
1 litre of beverages with more than 22% up to and including 60% alcohol per volume as well as 1½ litre with more than 2.5% up to and including 22% alcohol per volume or three litres with more than 2.5% up to and including 22% alcohol per volume
and
2 litres of beer with more than 2.5 % or other beverages with more than 2.5% up to and including 4.7% alcohol per volume.
This means that you may for example bring with you five litres of beer provided you do not have any other alcoholic beverages with you.
*For importing alcoholic beverages with more than 22% alcohol per volume the minimum age is 20.
It’s illegal to bring extra alcohol into Norway and can end up costing you. Another thing you should bring and not buy in Norway is razor blades. Good razor blades in Norway are expensive.
We include a porter service which offers a safe and secure transportation of your luggage between Oslo and Voss/Bergen (the Norway in the Nutshell component of the tour).
Please leave your luggage at the hotel reception before 6:30AM and the Porter service will then pick your luggage up and bring it to your destination hotel, where it will be available at 9:00PM the same day.
The luggage service allows you to travel between Oslo and Bergen with just a small day/overnight bag.
Please note that 1 piece of luggage per person is included unless otherwise specified.
