Going on a bike ride? Read more about our National Cycle Routes and download maps you can use on GPS or mobile phone on your trip.
Map of the National Cycle Routes. Illustration: Statens vegvesen
There are currently nine National Cycle Routes in Norway. The routes touch on 14 of our 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes and make it possible to cycle from city to city on low-traffic roads along and across Norway. Since many of the routes are interconnected, you can also plan circular trips.
There will be a tenth route from the North Cape to Lindesnes.
The individual routes
In this section you will find links to more information about the individual cycle routes.
Select the cycle route you want more information about, from the list below.
The Coastal Route follows the entire coast of Norway and is divided into a number of sections. This route is part of EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast Route, which runs from the North Cape to Bergen and follows the Atlantic coast to Spain and Portugal. The section from Bergen through Lindesnes and along Oslofjorden to Svinesund is part of EuroVelo 12, the North Sea Cycle Route, which runs around the entire North Sea Basin. The Coastal Route touches on a number of Norwegian Scenic Routes.
The Canal Route has its core along the Telemark Canal. The route will be extended along the disused railway between Larvik and Porsgrunn and will continue through inner Telemark, via Rjukan to Numedal and Route 5, Medieval Valley and Mjølkevegen.
This route follows the valley of Setesdal from Kristiansand to Haukeli and continues to Røldal, and from there follows Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke to Stavanger. The newest stage of Route 3 has not been finally determined and may be adjusted. This runs in the inner parts of Vestland county and follows both Norwegian Scenic Route Hardanger and Norwegian Scenic Route Gaularfjellet for a while, before ending in Ålesund.
National Cycle Route 4 is divided into two parts. One runs from Drammen via Blaafarveværket to Hallingdal and Geilo. The other is Rallarvegen - “Navvy Road” - which runs via Norwegian Scenic Route Aurlandsfjell around Hallingskarvet.
National Cycle Route 5 has two parts. One runs from Larvik via Kongsberg and Geilo to Gol, the other from Gol over Golsfjellet to Beitostølen and via Jotunheimvegen and Fefor to Vinstra.
The Pilgrims’ Route runs from Trondheim (Nidaros) through Hamar and Oslo to Halden. This route is part of the international EuroVelo 3 Pilgrims Route, which continues through Europe to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
The Finnmark Route captures the fantastic areas from Alta through Kautokeino to Kirkenes, and gives you plenty of opportunity to experience the midnight sun.
The Wilderness Route is a cycle ride on roads with very little traffic near the Swedish border. It runs through the eastern Norwegian wilderness, from Halden through Finnskogen, Trysil, Røros and Tydal, before ending in Trondheim.
About half the combined distance of the route network is signposted, but it varies from area to area how much of the cycle route this applies to. We signpost the cycle routes on roads and cycle paths in cooperation with county authorities and municipalities. The signs are reddish brown with green numbers from 1 to 10.
Signage on the National Cycle Route network. Photo: Henrik Duus
Level of difficulty
Most of the routes run on roads with mixed traffic. Some sections are easy and suitable for all, while others are more demanding. On the more demanding ones, you should preferably be used to cycling and in good shape. Please note that these routes may be too hard for the youngest children.
Many routes run through tunnels. Therefore, it is important that you have effective lamps at the front and rear of your bike. You should also wear high-visibility clothing or a reflective vest on roads with car traffic.
Combine cycling with other means of transport
You can take the train, ferry or bus on parts of the route if you only wish to cycle parts of a National Cycle Route. If you plan to use other means of transport, we recommend that you check in advance if you can bring your bike.
On some of the routes you have to take the bus or train on a short distance, because cycling is not allowed. This mainly applies to tunnels. There are also ferry connections on many of the routes.
