I have visited Norway twice on cycling trips and my favorite climb was from Voss to Dale. It was probably the most epic ride of my life. I enjoyed the entire day including the train ride back to Voss.
Love that area! Great place to ride. I have a video coming later this year that follows road 13 over the mountains to Voss. The scenery is out of this world!
Hi, could you please advise where is it possible to rent a bicycle for a couple of weeks? Is it expensive? Or maybe it's worth to come to Norway with my own bike? Thanks
@@grdev3066 It's very expensive to rent a bike for a few weeks. I would say minimum 400-500 Euros. Better to bring your own. Bike rental is only really worth paying for 2-3 day trips. You can also check this website out: www.spinlister.com/
I've personally driven 4 of these top 5 in our British camper van.We were on the wing suit skydiving tour. It was a few years of memorable experiences. Well worth it! Thanks for sharing your videos, Matthew.
Hi Matthew, Thank you for all these stunning images. I think it was your channel that was decisive in doing a bikepacking trip from my home in the Netherlands all the way to the North Cape. I started on July 19th and reached the endpoint 20 days later. Now that normal daily life has started again, all these beautiful (drone) shots bring back a lot of memories. On my way I learned what climbing really means because in the Netherlands everything is flat... and I got to experience Rallarvegen, Tyinvegen, Aurlandsfjellet, Geiranger (skipped Dalsnibba because of tiredness), Ørnevegen, Trollstigen, Vistdalsheia (detour around Aursjøvegen because of threatening dark skies up in the mountains). I have not mentioned one yet, and that is of course the very justified number one climb: Sognefjellet. I started in Ovre Ardal with already over 100 kilometers of cycling that day and only four hours of sleep that night. I had spent the night in a children's playhouse at a playground, so I was not fully rested. After 10 minutes of climbing, it started to rain, and it did not stop. With about 20 kg of luggage and the pouring rain, I think this is the most special experience on the bike for me that I have ever had. I have never felt so comfortable with the lack of comfort. It took me 5 hours and 23 minutes to reach the top, shivering with cold. "If this is the end, then so be it" was pretty much the (non-rational) thought I had on the way up. An experience for life. I made a short movie (photos with music) about my trip. This is of course nowhere near the quality videos you make, but if anyone reading this has already seen all your videos a number of times and still hasn't had enough of Norway (or Scandinavia), then you can watch it here: ua-cam.com/video/Nhn5ds_SHOU/v-deo.html Thanks again for all your inspiration. It really formed the foundation of the special summer I had. All the best, Bas Belder
Bas, what an experience! First of all doing Nordkapp from Holland in 20 days is some achievement especially with 20kg weight! But that journey you did up to Sognefjellet I really felt your pain and determination to push on! It sounds like you have a strong mentality which is required in them situations. Such a challenging climb and at the top it can be below zero even in summer! I tip my hat to you, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger 💪. And thanks for sharing your video I enjoyed it a lot 👍. Matthew
I ride motorcycles and ur video helps massively to plan my trip this July. Thanks a million for it buddy. I’ll wave at u if I see u on these stunning roads
Thanks I can start planning a route for next summer , I will be cheating a little as I am bringing my bike in a trailer behind my motorbike , going through your videos again will get me through the winter. Cheers.
One funny thing about Dalsnibba: You start at a fjord in western Norway, ride up a free road, cross the watershed at a lake which is part of the river system running east towards the Oslo Fjord, then turns back into the toll road which goes up the eastern side of Dalsnibba. At this point the watershed is extremely close to the fjords of western Norway.
I have cycled all except the Gaularfjellet, which I hadn't heard of. This makes a nice project for upcoming summer, combined with the Tusendmeteren and the Tindevegen in between, also missing in my collection. I still have to work out the 2 ends of the tour. I almost agree with your selection but would have ranked the Aurlandsfjellet higher than the Dalsnibba (which was full of bus tourists). Another epic climb is the old road from Eidfjord up to the top of the Vøringfossen. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Matthew, you are really inspiring me for the trip I am planning in june. I will go south from Trondheim all the way along the cost to sweden and back home to Jönköping. Wonderful filming you have done! Thanks again!!
Thank you so much for amazing and inspiring videos! I agree with Senja, it is so beautiful there in all its grandeur. It is beautiful almost everywhere in Norway. Drove a motorhome to the North Cape a few years ago. One thing that stood out to me is that they don't clean their sewage but it is discharged straight into the great important ocean. Shocking in my eyes, so unbelievable and sad. Ha det bra!
the sognetfjellet climb really had me done there. I was riding with a ski team training in summer and followed one from the bottom but I could barely keep up with him (imagine it's a lot harder than cycling up) after an hour. the climb was just never ending but truly epic
Wow, that sounds really tough! I saw the Norwegian ski team at the top training. They're some of the fittest people on the planet! Btw "never ending but truly epic" - should be on a sign at the bottom!
Agree with you Matthew, its difficult to rate them. There are so many breathtaking epic climbs/roads/mountain pass in Norway. However, I have the last 3 years focused on finding beautiful gravel roads/clims/passes and there is a lot of them and I have only been on some few. Looking forward to next summer:-)
Ep.3 Norway's Top 5 Gravel Roads coming in two week. Same here, next year I plan to film and explore the many gravel roads around Norway. I've done all the famous ones but there are many hidden gems out there. Any you recommend?
@@matthewnorway Looking forward to next episode:-) Your videos are great and very profesional. As I said, I have only been on some few and I see that you have been on some of the same but here are some of my favorit area/routes in random order: - Jotunheimveien (between Bygdin and Skåbu) - Murudalen - From Randsverk to Skåbu - you can also take a 12 km detour to Sikkilsdalen where the Royal Family traditionally celebrates Easter holiday. - Peer Gynt Veien (between Skåbu and Skeikampen) - Slettefjell (Between Beitostølen and Vangsmjøsa) - Gamle Strynefjellsvei - 1000-meteren between Øvre Årdal and Tyin (and also the road into Eidsbugaarden) - Grimsdalen (full round trip from Hjerkin-Dombås-Grimsdalen-Folldal and back. Gravel over Dovre mountain, approx. 140 km roundtrip) - Aursjøen (full roundtrip from Sundalsøra and down Eikesdalen to Eresfjord, Eidsvaag and back to Sundalsøra, approx 150km roundtrip) - Dovrefjell east. Rode up from Oppdal to Orkelsjøen and down Einungdalen to the main road. Up to Folldal and Dallykka. Back into the mountain heading toward Orkelsjøen again and back to Oppdal (approx 180km roundtrip) - Golsfjellet and Hemsedalsfjell - There is at least 1000 of kilometers with gravel roads all over. You can create so many different routes (roundtrips you want). Can mention Fanitullveien between Hemsedal and Ål for instance and around Bergsjø and Rødungen. I gonna explore more of these roads next summer:-) - This summer I also did a big roundtrip from Stryn. Started in Stryn and rode Gamle Strynefjellsvei to Grotli and up to Dalsnibba and took the ferry to Hellesylt. From Hellesylt heading South East over the mountain (approx 550 moh) to Floveien and down to Flo and back to Stryn. Approx. 160km. - Finally, this autumn (August) I had 4 days in Oslo cycling 600 km in Nordmarka, Vestmarka and Finnemarka. I'll be back in Oslo for more gravel biking. Thats for sure:-) I'm living in Kristiansand.
Agreed on Sognefjellsvegen - with some very interesting side roads - on nr 1. I would put rv258 in the top five too - Gamle Strynefjell. Glad you didn’t mention two of the best kept secrets. But, of course, that’s why they are a secret. And almost without tourists.
I'm looking forward to doing the interesting side roads next year :). Actually Gamle Strynefjell is coming up in another video 🤫. But I think it will always be a quiet road due to it's location. It's perhaps one of the greatest roads on the planet!
Right, when you are there you almost cannot imagine that a road can be more beautiful. But luckily, almost every big mountain range, from the Rockies to the Andes to the Himalaya, has some or many unpaved Gamle Strynefjell roads.
@@horizontaal I did that climb yesterday, we started all the way from hjelle to langvatnet, unfortunately the weather turned really bad during the night so we didn't go all the way to Grotli but the way back down was fun and wet even melted my brake pads
Lysevegen has a famous curvy narrow tunnel, impassable for 2 cars at the same time that turns 340 degrees before you emerge in the quiet town of Lysebotn.
Hi buddy I really enjoyed watching your review about cycling norway will make use your review for my visit soon . Please advise me if I can cycle from oslo airport to city center.
Hi Matthew, nice! Really inspiring! I am planning to ride the Lysevegen late spring around the May 31st from east to west as well. Hopefully it is open by then! I hope you do not mind, but I have a few questions on cycling in Norway: 1. Is there a site that I can check updates on this road opening? 2. Do I need to take a filter/tablets along to filter/desinfect the water or is this not required? 3. Where do you charge your electric gear and powerbank during your trips? Especially if you do wild camping ...
Most of these questions I have answered on my Live Q&A videos. Go check them out and use the time markers to find your question. Go onto my Facebook page and find the Oslo to Stavanger post. You will find a link to the road opening dates.
The hardest of those 5 is maybe Dalsnibba + 1500m and 21 km at 7% average and seems no resting - or is it Lyseveien with 10% at 9km? Being open roads the gradient has to be limited - I guess some of the older roads that are not open main roads has some even harder climbing.
Hi Matthew. I've been to Norway a few times skiing. But as a keen road cyclist, I'm desperate to do some road cycling there. Is there anywhere you would recommend for a week of road cycling. I'd bring my own bike, and stay based in 1 place for the whole trip. Just heading out each morning. I'm a keen climber so mountains are a must. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.
@@matthewnorway it’s on my list to. So I’m in if you are going :) I have only done the normal road Tyinvegen next to it on a day trip around Jotunheimen
@@eirikkristine Then we have a plan 🤝- we'll make a nice route closer to the time and of course ensure good weather! Late June or July should be good :)
Espectacular video, felicitaciones!! Una recomendación que te haría ganar muchas visualizaciones; has una versión con SUBTÍTULOS en ESPAÑOL. Saludos desde Zarcero, Costa Rica!!
Pretendo hacer un viaje mochilero éste verano, Dios primero, a Noruega y estoy detrás de toda la información posible. Tu vídeo me será de mucha utilidad!!👍💪
Many places of Norway are damaged due to those damn cruiseships….polluting the air, polluting the view, makes traffic jams, makes overfilled places with people so you cant force you through… Yes, there are still places to go….but…. Just look at the first shots from Geiranger… Right now i am in Molde…paid for hotel, but no places to park the car as busses occupy the road throug parking spaces, drive in not allowed. And i paid for a room with a fiord view…..but to what avail when the MSC cruise ship occupy the complete view just outside the hotel window …doooooh ! Last year i wasted hours on trollstigen due to those damn busses from cruiseships, blocking the road….!
I did the second one, trolstigen…. TODAY, very breathtaking. I loved it 🥰
I have visited Norway twice on cycling trips and my favorite climb was from Voss to Dale. It was probably the most epic ride of my life. I enjoyed the entire day including the train ride back to Voss.
Love that area! Great place to ride. I have a video coming later this year that follows road 13 over the mountains to Voss. The scenery is out of this world!
Hi, could you please advise where is it possible to rent a bicycle for a couple of weeks? Is it expensive? Or maybe it's worth to come to Norway with my own bike? Thanks
@@grdev3066 It's very expensive to rent a bike for a few weeks. I would say minimum 400-500 Euros. Better to bring your own. Bike rental is only really worth paying for 2-3 day trips. You can also check this website out: www.spinlister.com/
@@matthewnorway thank you very much!
I had goosebumps several times during this video. I'm just going keep replaying it to motivate me to get to these places. THANK YOU! Ha det bra
🤟
I've personally driven 4 of these top 5 in our British camper van.We were on the wing suit skydiving tour. It was a few years of memorable experiences. Well worth it! Thanks for sharing your videos, Matthew.
Unbeatable Video . There is no better advertising for Norway.
Gorgeous and breathtaking. Thanks Matthew1
Thanks Jaque 👍
Hi Matthew,
Thank you for all these stunning images. I think it was your channel that was decisive in doing a bikepacking trip from my home in the Netherlands all the way to the North Cape. I started on July 19th and reached the endpoint 20 days later. Now that normal daily life has started again, all these beautiful (drone) shots bring back a lot of memories.
On my way I learned what climbing really means because in the Netherlands everything is flat... and I got to experience Rallarvegen, Tyinvegen, Aurlandsfjellet, Geiranger (skipped Dalsnibba because of tiredness), Ørnevegen, Trollstigen, Vistdalsheia (detour around Aursjøvegen because of threatening dark skies up in the mountains).
I have not mentioned one yet, and that is of course the very justified number one climb: Sognefjellet. I started in Ovre Ardal with already over 100 kilometers of cycling that day and only four hours of sleep that night. I had spent the night in a children's playhouse at a playground, so I was not fully rested. After 10 minutes of climbing, it started to rain, and it did not stop. With about 20 kg of luggage and the pouring rain, I think this is the most special experience on the bike for me that I have ever had. I have never felt so comfortable with the lack of comfort. It took me 5 hours and 23 minutes to reach the top, shivering with cold. "If this is the end, then so be it" was pretty much the (non-rational) thought I had on the way up. An experience for life.
I made a short movie (photos with music) about my trip. This is of course nowhere near the quality videos you make, but if anyone reading this has already seen all your videos a number of times and still hasn't had enough of Norway (or Scandinavia), then you can watch it here: ua-cam.com/video/Nhn5ds_SHOU/v-deo.html
Thanks again for all your inspiration. It really formed the foundation of the special summer I had.
All the best,
Bas Belder
Bas, what an experience! First of all doing Nordkapp from Holland in 20 days is some achievement especially with 20kg weight! But that journey you did up to Sognefjellet I really felt your pain and determination to push on! It sounds like you have a strong mentality which is required in them situations. Such a challenging climb and at the top it can be below zero even in summer! I tip my hat to you, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger 💪. And thanks for sharing your video I enjoyed it a lot 👍. Matthew
incredible as always thanks Matt
Glad you enjoyed it!
I ride motorcycles and ur video helps massively to plan my trip this July. Thanks a million for it buddy. I’ll wave at u if I see u on these stunning roads
Thanks I can start planning a route for next summer , I will be cheating a little as I am bringing my bike in a trailer behind my motorbike , going through your videos again will get me through the winter. Cheers.
Thanks Norman, good luck with your planning!
One funny thing about Dalsnibba: You start at a fjord in western Norway, ride up a free road, cross the watershed at a lake which is part of the river system running east towards the Oslo Fjord, then turns back into the toll road which goes up the eastern side of Dalsnibba. At this point the watershed is extremely close to the fjords of western Norway.
I have cycled all except the Gaularfjellet, which I hadn't heard of. This makes a nice project for upcoming summer, combined with the Tusendmeteren and the Tindevegen in between, also missing in my collection. I still have to work out the 2 ends of the tour.
I almost agree with your selection but would have ranked the Aurlandsfjellet higher than the Dalsnibba (which was full of bus tourists).
Another epic climb is the old road from Eidfjord up to the top of the Vøringfossen.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Matthew, you are really inspiring me for the trip I am planning in june. I will go south from Trondheim all the way along the cost to sweden and back home to Jönköping. Wonderful filming you have done! Thanks again!!
Sounds like a great trip Ola! Good to hear the videos are inspiring your own two wheel adventures 🙂
Thank you so much for amazing and inspiring videos! I agree with Senja, it is so beautiful there in all its grandeur. It is beautiful almost everywhere in Norway. Drove a motorhome to the North Cape a few years ago. One thing that stood out to me is that they don't clean their sewage but it is discharged straight into the great important ocean. Shocking in my eyes, so unbelievable and sad. Ha det bra!
I have cycled 4 of these. No 1 on both sides. I have to go to Stavanger next summer. Beautiful 🌟
You must!
Hello Matthew, when will you cycle in Norway next time?
My number one would definately be Aursjøvegen, from Eikesdal to Sunndalsøra.
Good video!! THX!
🤟
the sognetfjellet climb really had me done there. I was riding with a ski team training in summer and followed one from the bottom but I could barely keep up with him (imagine it's a lot harder than cycling up) after an hour. the climb was just never ending but truly epic
Wow, that sounds really tough! I saw the Norwegian ski team at the top training. They're some of the fittest people on the planet! Btw "never ending but truly epic" - should be on a sign at the bottom!
What else can I say? Super awesome 😎🔥👍👌💪✌️
Thanks again!
Agree with you Matthew, its difficult to rate them. There are so many breathtaking epic climbs/roads/mountain pass in Norway. However, I have the last 3 years focused on finding beautiful gravel roads/clims/passes and there is a lot of them and I have only been on some few. Looking forward to next summer:-)
Ep.3 Norway's Top 5 Gravel Roads coming in two week.
Same here, next year I plan to film and explore the many gravel roads around Norway. I've done all the famous ones but there are many hidden gems out there. Any you recommend?
@@matthewnorway Looking forward to next episode:-) Your videos are great and very profesional. As I said, I have only been on some few and I see that you have been on some of the same but here are some of my favorit area/routes in random order:
- Jotunheimveien (between Bygdin and Skåbu)
- Murudalen - From Randsverk to Skåbu - you can also take a 12 km detour to Sikkilsdalen where the Royal Family traditionally celebrates Easter holiday.
- Peer Gynt Veien (between Skåbu and Skeikampen)
- Slettefjell (Between Beitostølen and Vangsmjøsa)
- Gamle Strynefjellsvei
- 1000-meteren between Øvre Årdal and Tyin (and also the road into Eidsbugaarden)
- Grimsdalen (full round trip from Hjerkin-Dombås-Grimsdalen-Folldal and back. Gravel over Dovre mountain, approx. 140 km roundtrip)
- Aursjøen (full roundtrip from Sundalsøra and down Eikesdalen to Eresfjord, Eidsvaag and back to Sundalsøra, approx 150km roundtrip)
- Dovrefjell east. Rode up from Oppdal to Orkelsjøen and down Einungdalen to the main road. Up to Folldal and Dallykka. Back into the mountain heading toward Orkelsjøen again and back to Oppdal (approx 180km roundtrip)
- Golsfjellet and Hemsedalsfjell - There is at least 1000 of kilometers with gravel roads all over. You can create so many different routes (roundtrips you want). Can mention Fanitullveien between Hemsedal and Ål for instance and around Bergsjø and Rødungen. I gonna explore more of these roads next summer:-)
- This summer I also did a big roundtrip from Stryn. Started in Stryn and rode Gamle Strynefjellsvei to Grotli and up to Dalsnibba and took the ferry to Hellesylt. From Hellesylt heading South East over the mountain (approx 550 moh) to Floveien and down to Flo and back to Stryn. Approx. 160km.
- Finally, this autumn (August) I had 4 days in Oslo cycling 600 km in Nordmarka, Vestmarka and Finnemarka. I'll be back in Oslo for more gravel biking. Thats for sure:-) I'm living in Kristiansand.
Agreed on Sognefjellsvegen - with some very interesting side roads - on nr 1. I would put rv258 in the top five too - Gamle Strynefjell.
Glad you didn’t mention two of the best kept secrets. But, of course, that’s why they are a secret. And almost without tourists.
I'm looking forward to doing the interesting side roads next year :). Actually Gamle Strynefjell is coming up in another video 🤫. But I think it will always be a quiet road due to it's location. It's perhaps one of the greatest roads on the planet!
Right, when you are there you almost cannot imagine that a road can be more beautiful. But luckily, almost every big mountain range, from the Rockies to the Andes to the Himalaya, has some or many unpaved Gamle Strynefjell roads.
@@horizontaal I did that climb yesterday, we started all the way from hjelle to langvatnet, unfortunately the weather turned really bad during the night so we didn't go all the way to Grotli but the way back down was fun and wet even melted my brake pads
I miss "Tindevegen", from Øvre Årdal to Turtagrø. that is an amazing road.
Plan to do it this summer (along with Juvasshytta)
Lysevegen has a famous curvy narrow tunnel, impassable for 2 cars at the same time that turns 340 degrees before you emerge in the quiet town of Lysebotn.
Hi buddy I really enjoyed watching your review about cycling norway will make use your review for my visit soon . Please advise me if I can cycle from oslo airport to city center.
Yes, there is a cycling route from the airport 👍
@@matthewnorway thanks buddy I'm looking forward to visit Norway and thanks to your review. Now I put all the routes in order to cycle
Hi Matthew, nice! Really inspiring! I am planning to ride the Lysevegen late spring around the May 31st from east to west as well. Hopefully it is open by then!
I hope you do not mind, but I have a few questions on cycling in Norway: 1. Is there a site that I can check updates on this road opening? 2. Do I need to take a filter/tablets along to filter/desinfect the water or is this not required? 3. Where do you charge your electric gear and powerbank during your trips? Especially if you do wild camping ...
Most of these questions I have answered on my Live Q&A videos. Go check them out and use the time markers to find your question. Go onto my Facebook page and find the Oslo to Stavanger post. You will find a link to the road opening dates.
The hardest of those 5 is maybe Dalsnibba + 1500m and 21 km at 7% average and seems no resting - or is it Lyseveien with 10% at 9km? Being open roads the gradient has to be limited - I guess some of the older roads that are not open main roads has some even harder climbing.
Dalsnibba is harder - it goes on forever! See here for the top 10 hardest: climbfinder.com/en/regions/norway
@@matthewnorway Thank you for that list. The worst Blåhø I have on my list "to do" - but need some more training and a few kg to go...
Hey Mathew , I was wondering what drone do you use? I’m looking for one to film myself cycling but it seems like yours has some type of active track
DJI Mavic Mini but it doesn't have active track. Everything you see is done manually.
Hi Matthew. I've been to Norway a few times skiing. But as a keen road cyclist, I'm desperate to do some road cycling there. Is there anywhere you would recommend for a week of road cycling. I'd bring my own bike, and stay based in 1 place for the whole trip. Just heading out each morning. I'm a keen climber so mountains are a must. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.
CycleNorway . com will be up and running next spring and will provide you with all the info you need to make a great trip to Norway.
Have you been to 1000-meteren next to øvre Årdal?
No, but it's on the to do list for next year (it looks seriously hard 😅)! Have you done it? We should ride it together in July 2022!
@@matthewnorway it’s on my list to. So I’m in if you are going :) I have only done the normal road Tyinvegen next to it on a day trip around Jotunheimen
@@eirikkristine Then we have a plan 🤝- we'll make a nice route closer to the time and of course ensure good weather! Late June or July should be good :)
If you haven`t tried Tindevegen between Øvre Årdal - Turtagrø ..
You should .. Just , out of this world.
Btw your videos/films is just amazing !!
Doing it next month! Looking forward to it! Thanks!
I miss the East of Norway, the border to Sweden, especially Rv 705 Røros to Trondheim.
There is a road between Nesna and Mo i Rana that is quite spectacular and not that touristy.
Thanks for the tip!
Espectacular video, felicitaciones!! Una recomendación que te haría ganar muchas visualizaciones; has una versión con SUBTÍTULOS en ESPAÑOL. Saludos desde Zarcero, Costa Rica!!
Pretendo hacer un viaje mochilero éste verano, Dios primero, a Noruega y estoy detrás de toda la información posible. Tu vídeo me será de mucha utilidad!!👍💪
Many places of Norway are damaged due to those damn cruiseships….polluting the air, polluting the view, makes traffic jams, makes overfilled places with people so you cant force you through… Yes, there are still places to go….but….
Just look at the first shots from Geiranger…
Right now i am in Molde…paid for hotel, but no places to park the car as busses occupy the road throug parking spaces, drive in not allowed. And i paid for a room with a fiord view…..but to what avail when the MSC cruise ship occupy the complete view just outside the hotel window …doooooh !
Last year i wasted hours on trollstigen due to those damn busses from cruiseships, blocking the road….!