Touring among the mountains

3 nights and 4 days. A driving experience through the fjords of Western Norway, from Sandnes via Ryfylke and Hardanger to Voss, and on along the Sognefjord to Skjolden.

Did you know you can ride through three of Western Norway's most beautiful fjord landscapes on a single trip?

This route links Ryfylke, Hardanger and the Sognefjord, fjords that mirror steep mountains, waterfalls that plunge straight into the sea, and winding roads that cling to the water's edge. From the open Rogaland landscape around Sandnes the trip heads north, in among mountains and fjords, before it ends at the very head of the Sognefjord at the foot of the Jotunheimen mountains. We have linked three of our historic gems, so each day on the road ends with good food, warm hospitality and a bed with character.

This short break includes:

  • 3 nights at Kronen Gaard Hotell, Fleischer's Hotel and Skjolden Hotel
  • Breakfast at every hotel
  • Optional dinner at each hotel. You choose whether you want dinner included (half board) or room and breakfast only, hotel by hotel.

This trip is based on travel by your own car or motorcycle. The quoted "from" price covers room and breakfast, and dinner can be added per hotel at the time of booking. Some stages may include a ferry crossing, so check route information and departure times in advance.

FROM

Day 1: Welcome to Kronen Gaard

 

The adventure begins in the open, gentle Rogaland landscape at the stately Kronen Gaard Hotell just outside Sandnes. The historic manor is surrounded by nature, with an atmosphere of calm and tradition, a pleasant start before the days among the fjords. Check in, settle into the elegant surroundings, and enjoy a good dinner in the hotel restaurant if you wish. Tomorrow brings the trip's big day on the road, so recharge with a quiet evening in rural surroundings.

 

Tip along the way: if you arrive early, Stavanger and the beaches of Jæren are only a short trip away.

 

Day 2: Through Ryfylke and Hardanger to Voss (approx. 469 km)

 

This is the longest and most spectacular stage of the trip, so start early and set aside the whole day. From Sandnes the road heads north into Ryfylke, a realm of fjords with glassy waters, steep mountainsides and waterfalls, and one of Norway's great driving experiences.

 

The route then takes you over towards Hardanger, one of Norway's most famous fjord landscapes. Here you ride along the Sørfjord through orchards and past mighty waterfalls, with detours to gems such as the Rosendal Barony along the way. The fjord roads wind close to the water, and some sections may include a ferry, which is part of the charm of travelling in Western Norway.

 

In the afternoon you roll into Voss and the venerable Fleischer's Hotel. This family-run hotel in characteristic Swiss chalet style has welcomed travellers since 1864, beautifully set beside Lake Vangsvatnet and right by the Bergen Railway. Enjoy the view over the water and the calm of historic surroundings, and the evening can be rounded off with a good dinner in the hotel restaurant.

 

Tip along the way: plan ferry departures in advance and build in breaks. On a fjord day like this, the stops are as much of the experience as the riding.

 

Day 3: Fjord and mountain to Skjolden (approx. 219 km)

 

After breakfast comes a shorter but intense day of experiences. From Voss we recommend the road via Stalheim, with its dramatic view over the Nærøydalen valley, and on towards Gudvangen and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, one of the narrowest and most beautiful fjords in the world.

 

From here the trip continues towards Aurland, and we recommend the scenic detour over Aurlandsfjellet, known as "Snøvegen" (the Snow Road), with a stop at the Stegastein viewing platform, where you hover 650 metres above the Aurlandsfjord. Then it is down to Lærdal and north along the fjord towards your destination.

 

Skjolden Hotel lies at the very head of the Sognefjord, surrounded by some of Norway's highest mountains. The view alone is worth the trip, and the hotel is a favourite stop for motorcyclists and cyclists alike. Check in, breathe in the fjord air, and round off the day with a good, local dinner with the fjord as your backdrop if you wish.

 

Tip along the way: Stegastein is at its most beautiful in the afternoon light, and good timing can make the stop unforgettable.

 

Day 4: Check-out and new adventures

 

After a hearty breakfast at Skjolden, it is time to set your course onward. From here some of Norway's most powerful scenery opens up. Sognefjellet, the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe, takes you straight into Jotunheimen, and the Urnes stave church and the Feigefossen waterfall are a short distance away in Luster. Whether you finish here or let the trip continue over the mountains, you carry with you memories of a journey through three of Western Norway's most beautiful fjord landscapes, linked by historic hotels and roads you will not soon forget.