Our Top Tour Norway Picks for 2017!
Before you consider sun, sand and surf for your next holiday location – consider the mystical land of Norway! Norway is a once in a lifetime destination – the core of its appeal is remarkably simple: this is one of the most beautiful countries on earth. The drama of Norway’s natural beauty is difficult to overstate. At the top of our Norway picks is the impossibly steep-sided fjords which cut gashes from a jagged coastline and glaciers that snake down from icefields and rank among Europe’s largest.
Norway is a cycling nation in the making! While Norway’s natural splendours make it a great cycling destination, it has the additional benefit of good quality roads, many of which are refreshingly free from traffic, noise and pollution!
Global Cycling Adventures’ Quick And Fun Facts About Norway
- The Lærdal Tunnel is the world’s longest road tunnel at 15 miles (24.5 km). Please note that it’s forbidden to ride a bike in many of Norway’s tunnels.
- Norway has the highest gasoline prices in the world at US$9.79 per gallon, even though Norway is one the biggest exporters of oil in the world. Even more reason to ‘get on ya bike’!
- Modern skiing has its origins in the county of Telemark in the 19th century, but ancient rock carving shows that Norwegians used skis as far back as 4,000 years ago.
- The cheese slicer was invented in Norway in 1925 by Thor Bjørklund.
- Grandiosa frozen pizza is Norway’s unofficial national dish.
- Norway’s Hardangervidda Plateau is the biggest mountain plateau in Europe and home to the continent’s largest herd of wild reindeer.
- The Norwegians founded Dublin, Ireland, in A.D. 836.d
- According to the 2013 Global Peace Index, Norway is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, ranking 11th out of 162 countries.
- Norway boasts of a very famous hot chocolate factory, Freia, immortalized in Norwegian-American author Roald Dahl’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
- Norwegians are among the world’s biggest consumers of coffee per inhabitant.
Global Cycling Adventures’ – Our Norway Picks – Top 5 Must Sees
The 20 km trip along Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site must rank as one of the world’s loveliest ferry journey. Enjoy Geirangerfjord’s inner reaches from an open-air seat, make sure you’ve got your camera to capture Geirangerfjor’s beauty.
The Lofoten Islands with peaks stabbing at the sky or shrouded in swirling mist.
The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights is visible through the long nights of the Arctic winter dance across the sky in green or white curtains of light.
The high control of central Norway offers a premier summer hiking destination. There are numerous National Parks criss-crossed by well-maintained hiking trails. Jotunheimen National Park rises above all others.
The iconic Hurtigruten coastal ferry offers a spectacular coastal journey.
Accommodation Options
Some of Global Cycling Adventures’ top Norway picks:
Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz
in Oslo – A modern hotel in the heart of downtown Oslo, just a block away from Karl Johan Gate (“High Street” – a great place to stroll both day and evening. It runs from the Royal Palace at one end to the main train station at the other. There are lots of great restaurants and shopping with easy access to Aker Brygge, pier, shoreline and Opera House). The hotel’s emphasis in on quality and comfort.
Nyvågar Rorbuhotell in Kabelvag – Idyllically located at the Lofoten Sea in the historically important area called Storvågan. The accommodation is comfortable and spacious fishing huts of a hotel standard, and a restaurant in a squire style. The rooms are bright with large windows which provide unobstructed views of the magnificent scenery.
Hotel Geiranger in Geiranger – Hotel Geiranger makes our Norway picks because it is located in the heart of the world’s most beautiful fjord, and a short drive out of town. Rooms offer breath-taking and panoramic views, and are comfortable and well equipped. A choice of eateries offers both Norwegian specialties and international cuisine.
Gear You Must Not Forget
- Limit your baggage to one main piece of luggage per person other than a small day pack.
- If you’re bringing your own bike, bring spare parts.
- Cycling clothing and equipment.
- Leisure clothes – evening dress is smart-casual, bathing suit and towel. Day time temperatures are likely to be 10 to 16 Degrees celsius, so you should take warmer layers as well as some waterproof gear.
- Electrical adaptor (European type with 2 small round prongs).
- Camera and battery charger.
When To Go
High season runs June through August, early and late summer are generally good times to travel with mild clear weather and fewer crowds.
Mid May to mid-June is a good time to travel with mild, clear weather and fewer crowds.
Mid-June to mid-August – there are no guarantees with the weather, it can be warm and sunny or cool and rainy.
The Riding
This road cycling tour offers some of the best riding in the world. Daily cycling is around 60 km to 135 km per day on excellent tarmac roads offering dramatic views. Riding is almost always under 1500 m and is undulating. The trip is ideal for serious cyclists wanting to challenge themselves and recreational cyclists who prefer the daily option of a shorter ride which is accompanied by one of our support vehicles. However, consider the option of an e-Bike (available for hire) and enjoy the assisted climbs for even more enjoyment. Of course, non-riders are well catered for and are very welcome.
Total riding kms: approx. 945 km (9 days cycling). This tour is graded moderate to hard (cyclists can choose to cycle as little or as much as they prefer). A support vehicle accompanies cyclists at all times and is available for riders the choice of riding or traveling by bus.
Check out further details about Global Cycling Adventure’s Norway Road Cycling tour. Global Cycling Adventures is offering two 13 Day Road Cycling tours of Norway in 2017 departures are: 21st July and 2nd August – be quick, places are limited!
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