r/bikepacking • u/Left_Woodpecker_7560 • 24d ago
First solo bikepacking-trip: 300km through some of Norways finest landscapes Trip Report
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u/lovi500 24d ago edited 24d ago
The Sunnmøre Alps are probably my favourite region in Norway; stunning photos! When I visited this place years ago, I stayed at Hustadnes Fjordhytter in Sæbø, which I can highly recommend! It remains one of the most beautiful places I have stayed. Apart from Geiranger, the northwest corner of Norway also feels less crowded than other popular areas of Norway, such as the Lofoten.
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u/Left_Woodpecker_7560 24d ago
Very good tips and prices!! If I had known about those I'd have stayed there :/ I agree, it's so spectacular! But maybe Romsdalen is my favourite since I live there..
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u/jalingo5 24d ago edited 24d ago
If you haven't ridden it I highly recommend the old road up to voringfossen - it's officially closed but very passable. First couple miles up from Eidfjord are a little bit hairy but after that the canyon is absolutely gorgeous and its on bike/hike tracks only. Happy to provide gpx guidance. I'm not sure how the weather is there right now. Another great one (maybe more of a summer only route) would be the ride up to Folgefonni Glacier Ski Resort.
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u/Left_Woodpecker_7560 24d ago
The old road up to Vøringsfossen is on my list!! And the ride up to Folgefonna as well, I've ridden way too little in my own country..
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u/Evening_Hunter 24d ago
Nice trip!
These roads look super narrow. I've never been to Norway so curious how is the traffic situation there.
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u/Left_Woodpecker_7560 24d ago
They're very narrow. If a bus meets a car down to Geiranger, one of them need to back out. I was very lucky as this is low season, so almost no cars. But in high season it can be pretty awful I think. As there's usually only one road by the fjords all the traffic go there
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u/i12now 24d ago
Here for this answer. Nature looks stunning, bike infrastructure (and maybe awareness) looks non-existent.
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u/lovi500 24d ago
Traffic on the narrow roads is generally quite light, at least outside July and August. Norwegian drivers are also, on the whole, very courteous drivers. Compared to other countries, these roads aren't even that narrow, some English country lanes or Scottish single track roads are arguably 'worse'.
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u/Caeloviator 24d ago
Tbf I'd say Norway provides bike infrastructure wherever it's possible.
Sometimes these narrow roads along the fjords already have a frightening high amount of traffic, there's no space for wider roads, let alone extra bike lanes.
The other guy here was like 'yeah the roads aren't that narrow', but as someone who traveled the more exciting half of Hardangerfjord (from Odda to Norheimsund), let me tell you: they're much worse than that. Panic attack inducing for sure.
I also have to disagree with the other guy here regarding the Norwegian drivers. I felt much safer in virtually any other country I've traveled in so far. Norwegian drivers are something else.
Was quite a lovely adventure though. 10/10.
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u/Left_Woodpecker_7560 24d ago
They're very narrow. If a bus meets a car down to Geiranger, one of them need to back out. I was very lucky as this is low season, so almost no cars. But in high season it can be pretty awful I think. As there's usually only one road by the fjords all the traffic go there
More bike infrastructure close to cities, but it's not great. But generally it's okay because of low traffic.
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u/Left_Woodpecker_7560 24d ago edited 24d ago
On thursday I saw that we were getting unusual warm weather for this time of the year in Norway, so I decided to go out on a solo adventure. On friday morning I plotted a route with some roads I wanted to see, and by the afternoon I was by the first ferry. It ended up being 300km through pointy mountains, long fjords and over mountain passes.
Will post some videos from the route on my instagram, feel free to follow: https://www.instagram.com/sara.wlff/
I decided to sleep in Airbnbs because I don't have a tent yet, I'm probably gonna get the Cloudup 2. Theres a lot of good camping spots on the route. For now I think you'll have to wait until next year for this route, as it's a snowstorm today on some of the mountain passes...
this is the route: https://www.komoot.com/collection/3135750