Bike rental
Explore the inner part of Sognefjord on your own as part of an active holiday.
Embark on one of our recommended trips, or, join a local guide on a private tour.
Skjolden serves as a great and natural starting point from which to take biking trips to several attractions.
We are located at the entrance to the two valleys Mørkrid valley and Fortun valley, and the beginning of “The Romantic Road” which follows the side of the fjord towards Urnes. Further below are some suggestions for what we think are the nicest biking routes to take from Skjolden. Rent bicycles from us and explore on your own as part of an active holiday.
Choose between our different bicycle models
- City-bike: Robust and reliable with 7 gears, suitable on flat asphalt roads. Great for exploring Skjolden’s town center and it’s close vicinity. Front brake (left lever) and back pedal brake.
- Standard bike: Commonly called hybrid bikes for its excellent use case both on asphalt and gravel roads. Recommended for the trips mentioned in the article below. Models available: “Trek Zektor 3 and DBS Allround 8.
- E-bike: Well suitable for both asphalt and gravel roads. Recommended for the longest trips like to Urnes, or for those wanting a more relaxed trip with more energy to enjoy the view. Models available: Trek UM3+.
Children’s bike: 24″ terrain bike for kids from aprox. 8 years and older. Model available: DBS INTRUDER X3.
- NB: Additional bicycle lights are needed for trips on the Romantic Road. Ask upon receival for a light if planning on going this route. Starting point here.
Prices for 2024:
| Rentals: | Adult Price: | Children Price (8-14 years): |
| City-Bike, Day rental | 350 | 250 |
| City-Bike, 3 Hours | 250 | 200 |
| Standard Bike (Hybrid), Day rental | 525 | 315 |
| Standard Bike (Hybrid), 3 Hours | 350 | 275 |
| E-bike, Day rental | 950 | Not available |
| E-bike, 3 Hours | 650 | Not available |
25% VAT & 3,25% booking fee included.
The Mørkrid Valley
– The Gateway to Breheimen National Park
Known as the gateway to Breheimen National Park, the Mørkrid valley (Mørkridsdalen) has no shortage of beautiful sights to see. This valley is full of lush forests, great waterfalls and steep mountain walls on both sides. Along the road you will experience a traditional farm landscape where you might see sheep and cows grazing, and you can enjoy the peace and quiet while listening to all the birds that inhabit the area.
With a limited incline (2-3 small hills, rest is flat), it is a great place to cycle both for the younger and older members of the family. Ending at a dead-end and where the national park starts, there is very little traffic on the road, and no tunnels you need to go through.
Drivandefossen Waterfall – self-guided Bike&Hike
- 3-4h round trip
For those who want to explore a lush broadleaf forest and be rewarded with a close up view of the thundering Drivandefossen waterfall and a panoramic view of Mørkrid valley, this trip is a must. To get from our bike rental to Drivande waterfall you start by cycling through the town centre of Skjolden, and turn onto the Fv333 road (sign to Mørkrid). Follow this road for about 6 km until you reach a crossroads between two gravel roads. Choose the road to the left (pointing to Åsetevatnet) and continue on the gravel road for 500 metres before turning to the left into the hike’s parking area. Park your bike and prepare to hike up a moderately steep hill with 300m elevation gain before reaching Drivande Waterfall.
Link to google maps route from our bike rental to Drivande Waterfall parking area: https://goo.gl/maps/PkX3ocnBDHXbRVf76
Dulsete Summer Farm – A longer Bike&Hike alternative
- 5-6h round trip
If you seek a longer Bike&Hike experience from Skjolden, Dulsete Summer Farm in Breheimen National Park is a good option. For centuries, farmers in Skjolden have used their spring- and summer farms as a place to bring their livestock during the summer months. These farms played an important role in cultivating the area and producing Norwegian white- and brown cheese. The production of cheese on the summer farms ended in the fifties, but many cabins have been kept up, and a few new ones have been built and used for recreational purposes, and as shelter for farmers who are looking after their sheep. More than 2000 sheep and cattle enjoy their stay here in the summertime.
Start by cycling through the town centre of Skjolden, and turn onto the Fv333 road (sign to Mørkrid). Follow this road for about 6 km until you reach a crossroads between two gravel roads. Choose the road to the right (follow the river) and continue on the gravel road for 2,3 km before reaching the dead-end of the road and the hike’s parking area (called Hødnevollen/Hyrnavollen). Park your bike and prepare to hike into the valley. When you reach Storetjødni (-tjørna) ( tjørn= very small lake, tarn) you keep to the right along the shore. As you go on, you will find three more tarns called Djupetjødni (the deep one), Flåtjødni ( the shallow one) and Svinetjødni (the pigs’ tarn).
Distance hiking: Approx. 7 km one way on an uphill rocky trail. 500 m.a.s.l.
Link to Google Maps route from our bike rental to Dulsete parking area: https://goo.gl/maps/cPrvYfuXfQgpBmpaA
The Romantic Road
– A unique cycling experience in the heart of Norway
Receiving its name from the important role it played during the era of romanticism, the road between Skjolden and Urnes is full of beautiful fjord views that has inspired many of our nation’s painters. On this route you will come across historical buildings, traditional fruit orchards, and you can enjoy the view of the 218m tall waterfall Feigefossen.
The Romantic Road is an asphalt road shared with other traffic, however the main traffic is on the other side of the Lustrafjord, and you could expect to meet traffic every 5-10 minutes. There are in total three tunnels (300 m + 850 m + 350 m) with no lights, so it’s important you ask for a bike-light from us when picking up the bikes.
More detailed information about the road is found here: www.romanticroad.no
The Romantic Road – Green Route to Feigefossen Waterfall
- 2x16km
While being the shorter alternative on the Romantic Road, the green route to Feigefossen waterfall still contains nice nature sights and historical buildings to explore. Our recommendation is to make a stop halfway at the town of Sørheim. Sørheim today is known for its berry farms and as being the birthplace of Norway’s biggest jam and juice manufacturing company Lerum. The old production facility is still standing today and can be seen from the road. When arriving by Feigefossen you can choose to leave the bikes and hike up to get closer to the waterfall, or you can buy yourself a norwegian waffle and coffee at Feigesagi Café just by the road while enjoying the view of potentially norway’s most beautiful waterfall.
Navigating from our bike rental to Feigefossen Waterfall is very easy. Our bike rental lies just a few metres from the road Fv5637, which leads all the way to Feigefossen waterfall. Because of its geographical limitations with mountains on one side and the fjord on the other side of the road, there is only one road to follow until you reach the destination. On the way you will need to go through two tunnels without lights in them. Make sure to ask for lights if choosing this route.
The Romantic Road – Yellow Route to UNESCO Urnes Stave Church
- 2x30km
Would you like to visit the oldest of the few remaining stave churches in Norway? Choosing the yellow route will get you all the way to the town of Urnes where UNESCO Urnes Stave Church is located. There are daily guided tours inside the church that you can join to learn about the history of this very old wooden structure. On the road we recommend stopping by the town of Kroken where you can buy locally produced lemonade and look at the historical building Munthe-huset. Munthe-huset is known as being the hub for well known travelling artists that were looking for inspiration for their paintings in the 1800s.
To get to Urnes you continue where the green route stops and follow the same road Fv5637 until you reach the stave church.
The Fortun Valley – Fortunsdalen
The Fortun Valley is the second of the two valleys ending in Skjolden, and offers attractions such as Eidsvatnet Lake, Åsafossen Waterfall and Wittgenstein’s Cabin. Most of the cycling is alongside Road 55 (Fv 55), which includes more car traffic, and is the reason we often recommend trying out Mørkrid Valley and the Romantic Road before setting out into the Fortun Valley.
Eidsvatnet Lake: Starting from Skjolden Marina, you only need to bike around 1000 meters to reach the west end of Eidsvatnet Lake. The view-point offers a great view of the mountains and Åsafossen Waterfall in the distance. The lake is 1,4 km in length and 0,6 km wide, and is an important freshwater source for Skjolden. The Fortun River flows in the valley, and is a popular visit for fishermen seeking to catch Norwegian salmon and trout.
Wittgenstein’s Cabin: The Austrian, Ludwig Wittgenstein, is known as one of the most important philosophers after WW2. Coming to Norway for his first time in 1913, he seeked a suitable and peaceful place to stay and study. His choice fell on a tiny and remote mountain shelf above Eidsvatnet Lake, where he raised his small cabin. Here, he could sit isolated for days and hours to think and write, indulged by the amazing scenery and peacefulness surrounding him.
To get to the cabin, cross the suspension bridge across Fortun River, and follow the gravel road and signs towards Wittgenstein.
Åsafossen Waterfall: 3,1 km from Skjolden, you can experience the impressive Åsafossen Waterfall at close range – a popular and easy site to access from Skjolden. Next to the waterfall, you can enjoy a coffee, waffle or dinner at Vassbakken Kro & Camping.