Fruit bike route through Sognefjord: cider, cheese and serpentines
On the sun-kissed southern slopes of Sognefjord, the sun stays longer than anywhere else in all of Norway – it's a sight to behold! It is here, between the mirror-like water and snow-capped peaks, that the country's "apple kitchen" really comes to life: old Gravenstein varieties are planted, delicious brown goat's cheese is made and cider is bottled, proudly bearing the label "Sider fra Norge".
The Fjord Taste Ride is an absolute blast! It's a unique blend of flavours and excitement, making it a truly unforgettable experience. An electric ferry will whisk your bike to the opposite shore in a flash, winding roads lead to viewing platforms, and every ten kilometres there is a farm — the perfect reason to slow down, try some delicious goat's brunnost, stock up on cider and photograph the fjord from a whole new angle.
🚴♀️ The Taste Ride Route — 2 Days / 85 km
| Day | Distance / Elevation | Main Points | Taste Stops | Hike Detour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42 km / ↑820 m | Balestrand → Fjærland Dragsvik → Hella ferry |
Ciderhuset (Balestrand) — cider tasting and IPA ale Ysteriet Fra Fjærland — goat's cheddar from local cheese factory |
Early loop on Raudmelen (6 km / +650 m) |
| 2 | 43 km / ↑950 m | Fjærland → Molden → Solvorn |
Mundal Book Café — "generational apple pie" FruktBlom (Solvorn) — cider from Aroma variety apples |
Ascent to Molden (4.2 km / +610 m) |
*All trails are marked with DNT signs and included in the Hiking Trails Norway collection.
Day 1. Balestrand → Fjærland
Morning taste break
Ciderhuset opens its doors at 10 a.m. Grab a tasting set (0.03 × 5) and a brown cheese sandwich — enough energy to last you until midday.
Ascent to Gaularfjellet view
Road 55 climbs a series of hairpin bends: an e-bike on "eco" mode climbs the 8% gradient without any jolts. At the viewpoint, it's like a freeze frame: the mirror-like Esefjord and white farmhouses.
Cheese spot in Fjærland
At the book town of Mundal, the asphalt ends with a bridge over a green river. On the left is the Ysteriet cheese factory. Ask for "geitost reserve" — aged for 18 months, with caramel notes, it goes perfectly with semi-dry cider.
Spend the night at the Fjærland Fjordstove campsite: Schuko sockets for charging e-bikes, showers with a panoramic view of the Bøyabreen glacier.
Day 2. Fjærland → Molden → Solvorn
Morning classic – book cake
Mundal Book Café sells a pie with an apple filling: sour s on top and thick cider jam inside. Stock up on a slice — it will come in handy at the top of Molden.
Serpentine road to Øygard
Take Highway 55, and after 9 km, you will see a sign for Molden. Leave your bike at the car park and swap your cycling shoes for trainers: a 4.2 km / +610 m trail leads to the summit, where Sognefjord stretches out for 200 degrees. This is the highlight of the entire route, named one of Norway's best national park hikes.
Finish with Aroma cider and the Solvorn → Urnes ferry
On the way down to Solvorn, turn towards the FruktBlom farm. Here you can try Aroma cider and light goat's milk. An electric ferry awaits at the pier — a 15-minute leisurely ride will take you to the oldest wooden church in Urnes, where you can complete the circle or continue your adventure through Norway's national parks.
📦 Tips on Logistics and Equipment
| Topic | Tips |
|---|---|
| Bicycle | An e-bike (250 W) with a 500 Wh battery is sufficient for 90 km in "eco" mode. Fjord Bikes rental services are available in Balestrand and Sogndal. |
| Transport | The Dragsvik–Hella and Solvorn–Urnes ferries include space for bicycles (0 NOK). |
| Luggage | A 20-litre cider backpack converts into bike shorts; keep the weight below 10 kg so that the motor doesn't die on Gaularfjellet. |
| Season | May – blossoming; July – raspberries on the roadside; September – apple picking and the Sogne Cider Week festival. |
| Leave No Trace | Washing your cider bottle with fjord water is fine, but don't throw the label on the grass. Please set an example for the next rider. |
The Fjord Taste Ride is a journey through a world of delicious smells, tastes and sounds. You'll catch the smell of brød cheese, the fizz of cider bubbles and the crunch of brake discs on the way to the water. In two days, you will experience a variety of sights, tastes and heights: from the apple orchards to the top of Molden and back to the fjord.
Plan your trip, book tastings, write down the location of your "tasty" spots and send them to us. We will work together to add to the outdoor adventures in Norway. Every calorie will be a new experience, and every turn in the road will be a reason to take a sip of something apple-flavoured while enjoying the view of the Sognefjord.
