National Cycle Route 1: The Coastal Route

The Norwegian coast from the North Cape to Svinesund

The Coastal Route runs along the entire coast of Norway on roads with little traffic and on some pedestrian and cycle paths. It crosses fiords and runs across islands. The route is just over 4,800 kilometres long and alternates between being easy and demanding to cycle. On your way along islands and skerries, through coastal and inland areas, you will see both rich nature and cultural landscapes.

The largest bridges on the route have pedestrian and cycle paths. Some places you have to cross fiords by ferry, express boat or bus. There are also tunnels along the route. Some you can cycle through, while the cycle route will run outside and around others.

It may be a good idea to check the route on a map and find out about departure times before you start.

From the North Cape to Bergen, the route coincides with EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast Route, and from Bergen to Svinesund with EuroVelo 12, the North Sea Cycle Route.

At Grense Jakobselv, 60km northeast of Kirkenes, by the Norwegian/Russian border EuroVelo 13, the Iron Curtain Trail, also has its starting point. EuroVelo 7, the Sun Route, and EuroVelo 11, the East Europe Route, also start at the North Cape. EuroVelo 7 and EuroVelo 11 run eastwards where the E69 meets the E6 and continue through Finland. The Routes 7, 11 and 13 are signposted at junctions.

See also:

•  EuroVelo 1, Atlantic Coast Route (eurovelo.com) 
•  EuroVelo 7, Sun Route (eurovelo.com) 
•  EuroVelo 11, East Europe Route (eurovelo.com) 
•  EuroVelo 12, North Sea Cycle Route (eurovelo.com) 
•  EuroVelo 13, Iron Curtain Trail (eurovelo.com) 

The North Cape is often the start or end point for a "Norway lengthwise" bike ride. The northernmost part of this ride is also the roughest, but in fine weather it is difficult to imagine a better place for a bike tour. In Alta you can visit the rock art that forms Northern Europe’s largest collection of rock carvings and that is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

On large parts of the 550-km-long route from the North Cape to Tromsø, there are beautiful views of fiords and mountains. Vegetation is sparse, especially in the north. Due to the large, open landscapes, it may be a good idea to check the speed and direction of the wind. Especially the mountain passes at Kvænangsfjellet and Sennalandet and the road along Porsangerfjorden in the north are exposed.

The entire section is paved, and it mainly follows the E6 and the E69, except in some places where it runs along peaceful county roads and on ferries through Lyngen. Some car traffic must be expected, especially near the urban areas along the route. You will also have to cycle through the 6.9-km-long North Cape Tunnel where the lowest point is 212 metres below sea level.

In some places on this section, the next opportunity to buy food may be quite far.

See also:

 Tourist information Northern Norway (nordnorge.com) 

This is a detour from the National Cycle Route. The route includes Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger, which is 160 km long.

The route is not signposted.

The route from Olderfjord to Hamningberg is about 450 kilometres long and crosses Finnmark from west to east – or vice versa. It mainly follows the northern coastline and is among the toughest routes you can cycle in Norway.

On large parts of the route, vegetation is sparse, but certain parts are more protected by forest along the road. On long distances you have a view of large, open landscapes, and you may get to see both reindeer and foxes.

The entire distance is paved. There is little traffic even though parts of the route run on the E6 and the E75. Before starting the ride, it may be a good idea to check the speed and direction of the wind. On parts of the route you may experience strong winds, especially on the two mountain passes of Børselvfjellet and Ifjordfjellet. The highest point on Ifjordfjellet is 370 metres above sea level, and here you will find the only major climb on this route.

Note that places that sell food may be far between. The only grocery shop between Lakselv and Tana Bru (210 kilometres) is located at Kunes.

See also:  Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger (nasjonaleturistveger.no) 

The 650 km long route from Tromsø to Bodø through Senja, Vesterålen and Lofoten is one of the most beautiful things Norway has to offer. The route is easy to cycle, and you will have great experiences every day.

The route is signposted.

Around Senja, the many mountain sides rise straight out of narrow fiords. Vesterålen is a little less dramatic, but also beautiful, while Lofoten offers magnificent and varied scenery. Both places you will cycle on almost flat roads. On Senja, you will have to be prepared for a few more ups and downs.

Several parts of the routes are included in the Norwegian Scenic Routes, with great rest areas and viewpoints. A bike ride in this part of the country is easy to combine with other activities and sightseeing, and there are many charming little villages and hamlets.

Senja and Vesterålen have fairly modest car traffic, while Lofoten has a lot more, especially during the summer high season. Most of the road network is paved.

The ferry service between Andøya and Gryllefjord on Senja is usually only operated in summer, normally from around mid-May to early September. Senja also has many tunnels, some of them poorly lit. A reflective vest is a must, along with lamps on your bike!

See also:

•  Norwegian Scenic Route Senja (nasjonaleturistveger.no) 
•  Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya (nasjonaleturistveger.no) 
•  Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten (nasjonaleturistveger.no) 

The more than 800-km-long road along the coast between Bodø and Trondheim is a route many touring cyclists appreciate very much. The route is perhaps better known as Kystriksveien, “the Coastal Road”. The northern half from Bodø to Brønnøysund is often described as particularly beautiful, with sandy beaches, magnificent views and steep mountains that are snow-capped until late summer.

The route is signposted.

The route includes many ferry and express boat connections, and you may want to check the timetables in advance. Some of them do not have frequent departure times. You can also shorten the distance you have to cycle by taking high-speed ferries and the Hurtigruten Coastal Express.

You can take detours and visit various islands along the entire route. In general, there is little car traffic on this route section. Most of the route runs on paved roads.

There are some long tunnels on this route section. They have little car traffic and are mostly well lit, but you should still wear a reflective vest and have lamps on your bike. Note that cycling is not permitted in the Svartisen Tunnel (Svartistunnelen). The route therefore runs around Bjærangfjorden and is signposted.

You will have to cycle up and down a few hills, but it is mostly quite easy to cycle along the coast in this part of the country.

Places that sell food may be far between.

See also:

•  Norwegian Scenic Route Helgeland (nasjonaleturistveger.no) 
•  Kystriksveien - the Coastal Road (visitnorway.no) 
•  Kystriksveien - the Coastal Road (kystriksveien.no) 

If you are going to cycle from Trondheim to Bergen, you have a number of routes to choose from. The 1,000-km-long route along the coast offers varied landscapes and a lot of beautiful scenery. Here you will find everything from the gentle fiords of Trøndelag to the wildest fiords of Western Norway. Most famous is probably Atlanterhavsveien - the Atlantic Road, winding its way from island to island on the many bridges between Kristiansund and Molde.

The route is signposted between Kristiansund and Ålesund and between Sognefjorden and Bergen.

One of the most fascinating things about cycling along the coast of Western Norway is the great variety of scenery. Open, flat cultural landscapes alternate with fiords and steep mountains. There are a lot of small towns and villages along the coast, and it is mostly not far to the next place where you can buy food or stay overnight.

The roads along the coast are mostly paved. The terrain varies from flat to hilly, and it becomes more hilly the further south you go. The many ferry connections will let you catch your breath, and you can also shorten the distance you have to cycle by taking high-speed ferries and the Hurtigruten Coastal Express. Around towns you will have to expect some car traffic, but most of the time you cycle on peaceful country roads where you hardly meet anyone.

See also:

•  Norwegian Scenic Route Atlanterhavsvegen (nasjonaleturistveger.no) 
•  The Atlantic Road – Norway’s most spectacular cycle route (fjordnorway.com) 

Lindesnes, Norway’s southernmost point, is often the start or end point for a "Norway lengthwise" bike ride. The route along the coast from Bergen to Lindesnes is just under 700 km long and offers great variety in the landscape and many great nature experiences.

The route is signposted, and most of it is paved.

From Bergen, the route runs southwards through Stord, Bømlo and Haugesund to Stavanger. There are several ferries along the way. South of Stavanger, you cycle across Jæren's open plains and can take detours out to the long sandy beaches. Then the route continues on a coastal road through Egersund, Flekkefjord, Farsund and finally Lindesnes.

The route is mostly flat, and it is easy to cycle from Bergen to Egersund. The part from Egersund to Lindesnes has rolling terrain with a lot of small hills. Although the uphill climbs are not that long, there are many of them and you should be prepared to spend a great deal of energy on this part of the route.

Towns and villages are many and close together along the coast in this part of the country. This makes it easy to find food and accommodation, and it is easy to combine nature experiences and town visits.

There is some traffic around the towns on this route, but you cycle on pedestrian and cycle paths with a safe distance to cars. Large parts of the route run on minor roads with modest traffic.

See also:  Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren 

The route between Lindesnes and Svinesund is just under 600 km long and easy to cycle. It is a great ride along the Skagerak coast and Oslofjorden, and it is pleasant to visit the small towns near the sea.

The route is signposted, and most of it is paved.

Towns and villages are many and close together on both sides of Oslofjorden. This makes it easy to find food and accommodation, and it is easy to combine the cycle ride with town visits. You cross Oslofjorden on the Horten–Moss ferry connection.

The route is long, but flat and easy to cycle, and there are almost no long uphill climbs. This makes the route particularly suitable for those who do not have a lot of cycling experience. On parts of the route you can also take the train.

There is some traffic around the towns on this route, but you cycle on pedestrian and cycle paths with a safe distance to cars. Large parts of the route run on minor roads with modest traffic.

See aslo:  The Telemark coast (visittelemark.no) 

This stage is about 200 kilometres long and covers the inner Oslo Fiord. It is suitable for a long weekend, and if you combine the bike ride with the ferries on the Svelvik–Verket and Moss–Horten connections, this is a great circular trip.

The route is not signposted.

Towns and villages are many and close together on both sides of Oslofjorden. This makes it easy to find food and accommodation, and it is easy to combine the cycle ride with town visits. In addition, the many different attractions along the route make this an exciting adventure.

There are many idyllic places along this route. You will be passing through coastal towns, visit Hurumlandet and Svelvik, and take the ferry across Svelvikstrømmen. Not least, you get to feel the pulse of Oslo and everything the city has to offer. On the east side of Oslofjorden, you cycle in a gently rolling landscape on roads with little traffic down towards Moss. Here the route coincides with National Cycle Route 7.

See also:

•  Cycling (visitnorway.no) 
•  Coastal gems along the Oslofjorden (visitnorway.no)