Fjords, Norway
Norway Fjords Grand Tour
Seven days, five of them on the motorcycle, through the most spectacular corner of Norway. From Oslo, the route crosses Telemark and the mountains of Haukelifjell to the Hardangerfjord, follows waterfalls and fjord shores to the Sognefjord, climbs the high Aurlandsfjellet road and returns to Oslo through Hemsedal and Valdres.
The tour is designed for enjoyable riding rather than big distances: around 200–300 km a day, with time for coffee stops, a relaxed lunch, viewpoints and photo breaks, and arrival at the hotel in the late afternoon. A small group of 4 to 8 motorcycles with a professional motorcycle guide.
Tour overview
- Duration
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Riding days
- 5
- Start
- Oslo
- Finish
- Oslo
- Group size
- 4–8 motorcycles
- Tour type
- Guided motorcycle adventure
- Accommodation
- Hotels
- Motorcycle rental
- Available on request, subject to partner availability
Why ride Norway's fjords?
Southern and Western Norway pack deep fjords, thundering waterfalls, high mountain plateaus and some of Europe's most scenic roads into a few hundred kilometres. Every day brings a new landscape, from the forests of Telemark to the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord.
This tour focuses on the fjords and mountains of the south and west: no Nordkapp, no Lofoten. The riding is about curves, viewpoints and time to enjoy them, at the gentle pace that Norwegian roads call for.
Day by day
Proposed itinerary: distances and riding times are approximate, and the route will be finalised after reconnaissance. Roads, mountain passes and ferries depend on the season and the weather.
- Day 1
Arrival in Oslo
- Highlights:
- Arrive in Oslo at your own pace and check in at the hotel. In the evening, welcome meeting with your guide: the route, riding on Norwegian roads and the plan for the week.
- Overnight:
- Oslo
- Day 2
Oslo – Telemark – Rjukan
Oslo → RjukanDistance: approx. 210 kmRiding time: approx. 4 h 15
- Main roads:
- A short main-road exit from Oslo towards Kongsberg (E18 / E134), then quieter roads through Telemark via Notodden and Heddal, and secondary roads north through the Tuddal valley to Rjukan (to be confirmed during reconnaissance).
- Viewpoints:
- Views of Gaustatoppen (1,883 m) on the approach to Rjukan; the Vemork gorge.
- Coffee stop:
- Kongsberg
- Lunch:
- Heddal / Notodden
- Highlights:
- Heddal stave church, the largest stave church in Norway; the Rjukan–Notodden industrial heritage site (UNESCO World Heritage); Vemork and the story of the heavy-water sabotage.
- Overnight:
- Rjukan
- Day 3
Rjukan – Haukelifjell – Hardangerfjord
Rjukan → Lofthus (Sørfjord)Distance: approx. 265 kmRiding time: approx. 5 h
- Main roads:
- West past Lake Møsvatn to join the E134 near Åmot (exact road to be confirmed), the E134 across the Haukelifjell mountains to Røldal, then Rv13 down to Odda and along the Sørfjord, an arm of the Hardangerfjord.
- Viewpoints:
- High mountain scenery on Haukelifjell; Låtefossen twin waterfall right beside Rv13.
- Coffee stop:
- Vinje / Åmot area
- Lunch:
- Røldal
- Highlights:
- Mountain riding on the southern edge of Hardangervidda, Røldal stave church, Låtefossen and the fruit orchards along the Sørfjord.
- Overnight:
- Lofthus / Sørfjord area (to be confirmed)
- Day 4
Hardangerfjord – Vøringsfossen – Sognefjord
Lofthus → AurlandDistance: approx. 250 kmRiding time: approx. 5 h
- Main roads:
- Rv13 to Kinsarvik, Rv7 to Eidfjord and up the Måbødalen valley to Vøringsfossen, back across the Hardanger Bridge, Rv13 to Voss and E16 to Gudvangen, then through the tunnel to Flåm and Aurland.
- Viewpoints:
- Vøringsfossen waterfall (about 180 m drop) and its viewing platforms; the Hardanger Bridge; Stalheim above the Nærøy valley.
- Coffee stop:
- Eidfjord or Vøringsfossen (Fossli)
- Lunch:
- Voss
- Highlights:
- Eidfjord, Vøringsfossen, the Hardanger Bridge and the Nærøyfjord, part of the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Overnight:
- Aurland or Flåm
- Day 5
Aurlandsfjellet – Borgund – Hemsedal
Aurland → HemsedalDistance: approx. 160 kmRiding time: approx. 4 h
- Main roads:
- The Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route (Fv243, the “Snow Road”) from Aurland to Lærdal, E16 to Borgund, then Rv52 over Hemsedalsfjellet to Hemsedal.
- Viewpoints:
- Stegastein, about 650 m above the Aurlandsfjord; the high plateau of Aurlandsfjellet.
- Coffee stop:
- Stegastein viewpoint
- Lunch:
- Lærdal (old Lærdalsøyri)
- Highlights:
- A shorter riding day with time to enjoy Stegastein and Borgund stave church. Aurlandsfjellet is a seasonal mountain road, usually open in summer only: if it is closed, the route uses the Lærdal tunnel instead.
- Overnight:
- Hemsedal
- Day 6
Hemsedal – Valdres – Oslo
Hemsedal → OsloDistance: approx. 290 kmRiding time: approx. 5 h 30
- Main roads:
- Rv52 to Gol, a mountain road over Golsfjellet into Valdres (seasonal toll road, to be confirmed), then E16 via Fagernes and Hønefoss back to Oslo.
- Viewpoints:
- The open plateau of Golsfjellet; Tyrifjorden on the final approach to Oslo.
- Coffee stop:
- Gol
- Lunch:
- Fagernes (Valdres)
- Highlights:
- Mountain farms and summer pastures of Hallingdal and Valdres. The longest day of the tour, back in Oslo for a last evening together.
- Overnight:
- Oslo
- Day 7
Departure from Oslo
- Highlights:
- Breakfast and departure at your own pace. Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) is about 50 km north of the city centre.
Indicative route
Schematic map of the main stages and overnight stops. It is not a GPS track: the exact roads are confirmed after reconnaissance.
A typical riding day
- 08:30
- Departure from the hotel
- 09:45–10:15
- Coffee and scenic break
- 12:30–13:30
- Lunch
- 14:45–15:15
- Afternoon break
- 17:00–18:00
- Arrival at the hotel
Adapted on the day to road conditions, ferries, weather and longer stages.
Tour highlights
- Hardangerfjord and the orchards of the Sørfjord
- Vøringsfossen waterfall and the Hardanger Bridge
- Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord, arms of the Sognefjord
- Stegastein viewpoint on the Aurlandsfjellet mountain road
- Heddal and Borgund stave churches
- Mountain roads over Haukelifjell and Hemsedalsfjellet
Accommodation
Hotels are selected for each stage. A single-occupancy room for every paying rider is our preferred standard.
- Comfortable rooms
- A good location
- Motorcycle parking
- Breakfast available
- Easy access to the route
No hotel has been booked yet: hotels are confirmed when the tour opens for reservations.
Passengers Welcome
Passengers sharing a rider's motorcycle do not pay an additional guided tour package fee. Any applicable hotel double-occupancy and breakfast supplements will be confirmed before booking.
Small Groups. Better Adventures.
- Minimum: 4 motorcycles
- Maximum: 8 motorcycles
- Passengers do not count toward the minimum number of motorcycles
- Each departure is confirmed once the minimum group size and operational requirements are met
Practical details
Planned package
- 5 guided riding days with a professional motorcycle guide
- 6 hotel nights
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Route planning and daily briefings
Final package inclusions are subject to confirmation and will be set out in writing before any reservation.
Not included
- Flights and airport transfers
- Fuel, tolls and ferries
- Lunches, dinners and drinks
- Riding gear
- Motorcycle rental (available on request, subject to partner availability)
- Travel insurance and extra nights
Start, finish and arrival
- Start and finish in Oslo: arrival on day 1, departure on day 7.
- 5 riding days, from day 2 to day 6, with the last night back in Oslo.
- Nearest airport: Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL). Airport transfers are not included.
Riding and group
- Every riding day is guided.
- Small groups of 4 to 8 motorcycles; passengers ride with their rider.
- A departure is confirmed once the minimum group size and operational requirements are met.
- Requirements: at least 23 years old and a motorcycle licence held for at least 2 years.
Good to know before riding in Norway
Weather
Norwegian mountain weather can change quickly, even in summer: sunshine in a fjord can turn into rain, wind or cold on a mountain pass within the same day. Pack warm and waterproof layers.
Riding season
The best period for motorcycle touring is usually from late spring to early autumn, depending on road and weather conditions. Some mountain roads open only in summer, and we cannot guarantee that every pass will be open.
Road conditions
Norwegian roads are often narrow and winding, with occasional steep sections, tunnels and hairpins. Speed limits are low and strictly enforced.
Ferries
Some variants of the route may include ferry crossings. Any crossings and their timing are confirmed with the final itinerary.
Motorcycle rental
Motorcycle rental in Oslo may be arranged through local partners, subject to availability. You are also welcome to ride your own motorcycle.
Experience level
Suitable for riders who are comfortable with several consecutive days of riding on winding mountain roads.