A fjord without barriers: routes for wheelchairs and hand bikes
Cool Norway has long been ahead of the game when it comes to accessibility. Instead of the usual scattered stones, there are wooden walkways; instead of steep steps, there are roads with acceptable gradients; and wheelchair users can easily turn around in the Loen Skylift lift cabin. Great news for active travellers in wheelchairs or hand bikes: Norway's stunning national parks are now fully accessible, making exploration easier than ever before!
We are thrilled to present eight incredible "fjord-free" routes, taking you from the vibrant city of Tromsø in the north to the lush fruit orchards of Hardanger. Get ready for the experience of a lifetime, where smooth asphalt or boards meet breathtaking panoramas! Along the way, you'll discover charming cafés, well-appointed toilets, and convenient car parks marked with the Universal Access sign.
♿ 8 Accessible Fjords and Nearby Trails
| # | Location & Brief Profile | Why Visit (Community Says) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Loen Skylift → Hoven Plateau (Nordfjord, 1,015 m) A 5-min lift to 1 km circular boardwalk, gradient ≤ 4%, wheelchair toilet |
"Stand on the edge and see Lovatnet like a watercolour" — WheelMap 2025 |
| 2. | Stegastein Skywalk + Aurlandsfjellet Lift, wooden ramp, 800 m forest boardwalk |
Perfect for hand bikes: turning radius 2 m on platforms |
| 3. | Fløibanen + Stor Lungegård Promenade (Bergen) Funicular to 2.5 km flat alpine gravel + asphalt loop |
"The best view of the seaside park from your chair" — Bergen DNT Blog |
| 4. | Gudbrandsjuvet Sky Bridge (Geiranger) Glass ramp, slope 2–3%, ADA parking & toilet |
Accessible even in winter — anti-icing mats |
| 5. | Rallarvegen Easy Segment (Finse → Hallingskeid) 17 km gravel, slope <3%, stations with lifts |
Popular handbike sprint: ice clears mid-July |
| 6. | Hardanger Fruit Trail (Nå → Agatunet) 9 km asphalt/board, elevation +140 m |
Farm cafés with ramps; cider fountains = free refills |
| 7. | Tromsø Fjellheisen → Sherpa Loop 421 m lift + 900 m granite loop |
Watch midnight sun — railing height 95 cm |
| 8. | Saltstraumen Seaboard Walk (Bodø) 1.2 km concrete path, 4 disabled parking spots |
Fishing possible from lowered rails (80 cm) |
🧭 Two-day “Fjord Without Barriers” Plan
| Day | Morning | Day | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bergen → Flåm train (platform 118, ramp) | Future of the Fjords cruise → Stegastein Skywalk | Night at Aurland Fjordhytt (6% ramp, door 95 cm) |
| 2 | Flåm → Loen bus (low-floor Vy Express) | Loen Skylift + Hoven ring trail | Dinner at Lovatnet, return to Stranda |
✔ All slopes ≤ 5%, toilets: UNI-2 standard, surface: asphalt or boardwalk.
🔗 Useful Services and Documents
| Equipment | What it offers | Link / App |
|---|---|---|
| WheelMap | Verified access points throughout the fjords | wheelmap.org |
| Entur ADA filter | Ferries/buses with lifts and 90×140 cm spaces | entur.no |
| Statens Vegvesen "Turveg" | Layer "tilrettelagt" — boardwalks and gravel | norgeskart.no |
| DNT "Tilpasset" | List of huts with ramps and universal toilets | dnt.no |
Tips for hand bikes/wheelchair travellers
- Tyres 2.0″ + pressure 4 bar — optimal for the gravel on Rallarvegen.
- Charging: the lifts at Loen Skylift and Fløibanen provide 220 V / 10 A between trips.
- Brakes: disc brakes are fitted to almost all handbike models; secure the wheels with a strap on the cruise deck — even electric boats can list up to 5°.
- Weather: January's sub-zero temperatures can be dangerous due to slippery conditions; from November to March, choose Tromsø Fjellheisen — the trail is cleared by a special mini-tractor.
The fjords and national trails are getting wider — literally! Where there used to be steep steps, there are now handy boards, and instead of rocky scree, there is smooth granite polished for wheels. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime, because outdoor adventures in Norway are now accessible to everyone! Imagine yourself admiring the breathtaking view from the Hoven Plateau, riding a hand bike under the beautiful apple trees of Hardanger, or listening to the roar of Saltstraumen while sitting on a stable boat.
Come along, set off on new adventures and share your experiences with us! Every piece of feedback will improve the already-excellent national park hikes Norway catalogue, proving that "barrier-free" is not just a slogan, but a proven fact on the shores of the Norwegian fjords.
