Day 1: Sunday
Sola - Stavanger (16 miles)
After fitting the bikes at the hotel, you'll head out on a comfortable ride through the northern part of the Jaeren Plain, the corn basket of the Fjord region. This fertile, slightly hilly landscape is favored with a mild climate and was already cultivated in the Bronze Age. Not long after leaving the hotel you’ll visit the "Sword in the Stone" monument, which is a memorial to the battle that led to the formation of a united Norwegian kingdom. In the early afternoon you'll arrive in Stavanger. Although this pulsing and thriving city lives mostly from offshore natural gas and petroleum drilling, it has managed to maintain it's historical old town center. In the afternoon, visit Gamle Stavanger a group of 173 white wooden houses, the only medieval Norwegian cathedral and the harbor with its old warehouses. To finish off the day you'll visit the Petroleum Museum. Tonight’s lodging is the "Victoria Hotel," a former sardine factory that is now one of the city's best hotels, located on the Vagen Harbor. Dinner in town. Day 2: Monday
Stavanger - Rosendal (18 miles)
To travel further into the northern fjord country, this morning you'll board the Flaggruten express ferry, which brings you across the Boknafjord, past Haugsund to Leivrik. The 2-1/2 hour trip through the hundreds of small islands and along the North Sea coast is an exceptional experience. In Leivrik you'll board a ferry to Sunde the gateway to the Hardanger Fjord. Here gentle forested hills and mountains characterize the Fjord landscape. Follow the south coast of the Norway's second longest Fjord (110 miles). In Rosendal you'll visit Scandinavia's smallest castle, the Baronie Rosendal built in the 17th Century. The modest castle, surrounded by a splendid Renaissance garden, is an artifact of Norway's former union with Denmark. The modern Rosendal Fjordhotel, built in the classic wooden style, is nestled onto the shore of the fjord (sauna). Day 3: Tuesday
Rosendal - Lofthus (33 miles)
Many world famous ships such as polar explorer Amundsen's "Gjøa" were built in Rosendal. The local shipbuilding museum, housed in a small warehouse, documents the long shipbuilding tradition in the region. The Hardanger Fjord, “Queen of the Norwegian fjords" will be a constant companion today. The fjord narrows until Sunndal, the mountains looming above are reflected in the water, wild waterfalls crash down into the valley, and the shore road hugs the cliffs. In Sunndal, at the base of the Bondus Glacier, which reaches deep into the valley, you'll switch to the bus for transport through the seven mile Folgefonna Tunnel and the ore-producing area of Odda. The afternoon route snakes along the eastern shore of the Sørfjord through orchards, blooming meadows and small settlements, leading to spectacular views of the Folgafonn Glacier. The luxurious "Hotel Ullensvang" is a successful combination of modern comfort and local tradition (swimming pool, sauna). Edvard Grieg first stayed here in 1877 and found inspiration for his compositions in the stunning panoramas. His simple hut still stands in the hotel garden. Day 4: Wednesday
Lofthus - Eidfjord (30 miles)
The mild and balanced microclimate of the narrow Sørfjord makes this area the center of northern Norway's fruit growing region. The Skredhaugen Museum, located a bit above Lofhus, is a collection of historic farmhouses that the writer couple Greves brought together. Further on, in the Viking era trading town of Kinsarvik, you'll see a beautiful Romanesque church. The cycling route follows the steeply walled shore of the Eidfjord, the eastern arm of the Hardangerfjord. The last few kilometers leading to Eidfjord have some traffic. In the afternoon you'll visit either the Sima Power Plant, located 2,000 feet deep inside a mountain or the Hardangervidda Nature Center. The elegant "Hotel Voringfoss" is located directly next to the pier. (On trips M2 and M4 possible lodging at the nearby Hotel Eidfjord.) Day 5: Thursday
Eidfjord - Flam (35 miles)
Today you can look forward to the most impressive leg of the trip. During breakfast you may already observe the docking maneuver of a cruise ship. In the morning the bus will bring you to the Hardangervidda, an expansive high altitude plateau. In Haugastøl both you and your bike will transfer to the train. From Finse, at 3,700 feet the highest point of the Bergen Railway and accessible only by train, you'll continue by bike along the Rallarvegan. This former construction and supply route of the Bergen Railway is perfect for cycling and exploring the Fjell Plateau. The raw and impressive mountain world above the timberline is a landscape of lakes, moors, rivers and streams with a unique tundra-like flora. After a slight ascent you'll enjoy a descent of over 4,000 vertical feet on a path that is good overall but slightly bumpy in a few spots, and includes a short stretch of steep switchbacks. Depending on the weather you may continue on the train for one or two extra stops. Today's destination lays at the end of the Aurland Fjord at sea level. The view from tonight's hotel, the comfortable "Hotel Fretheim," is unforgettable. The kitchen will spoil you with local products and specialties of the house. Day 6: Friday
Flam - Bergen (23 miles)
Today begins with a ride on one of Norway's most spectacular and panoramic railway routes. In 50 minutes the Flåms Railroad brings you up to 2,600 feet above sea level, which makes it the steepest rail stretch in Europe that isn't a cog railway. After passing through the Gravhals Tunnel by train you’ll bike down the painterly Raundalen Valley. Only 300 people are permanent residents of this 25-mile long valley. In Voss, beautifully situated on the shore of Lake Vangsvatnet and surrounded by forested mountains, you'll entrust your bike to the Rotalis support van and travel again by train one and a half hours to Bergen. On the walk from the train station to the hotel you'll already get an impression of the "Pearl of Norway." The dignified hotel "Havnekontoret" is centrally located near the old Hanseatic colony of Bryggen (sauna). Tonight, dine in a well-known restaurant in the city. Day 7: Saturday
Bergen - (0 miles)
In the morning, you’ll tour around the many attractions of this lively and culturally diverse "secret capital" of Norway. The city was actually the official capital for 77 years during the 13th Century. The traders of the northern German Hanseatic League lived in the well-maintained Bryggen neighborhood. Nearly all trade between Norway and Europe originated from here. To end the trip you'll ride the cable car up to the 1,000 feet high Fløyen and enjoy the spectacular view of the city, the seven surrounding hills, and islands. It's a 45-minute ride to the airport by bus with pick-up at the hotel. If you would like to stay a while longer in Bergen to further explore the city and surrounding area, your hotel offers Rotalis guests a preferential room rate (more details in the "Rotalis Travel Information Packet). Or you can reach the capital city of Oslo on fascinating seven-hour journey with the Bergen Railway that takes you through all the landscapes of Norway. Another attractive option is to spend a week exploring by sea on one of the Hurtigruten ships departing from Bergen. |
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