During five days on the bike, you will cover most of Ryfylke and its magnificent nature! The experiences and highlights will come on a conveyor belt as you meander through the steep and narrow valleys in Ryfylke. On the last day, you will combine cycling with a fantastic boat tour from Sauda to Stavanger.
Arrival and departure
Individual arrival at Stavanger International Airport, Sola alternatively by boat to Risavika or by bus or train to Sandnes or Stavanger. It would be best if you stayed at the Kronen Gaard Hotel the night before the first cycling day. Pickup and transport to Kronen Gaard Hotel by arrangement. One of our NBE staff members will meet you at the airport or another location by appointment and bring you to your hotel.
On the departure day, there will be arranged transport to Stavanger International Airport, Sola in the morning by Norway Bike Experience (NBE).
If you have booked additional activities like the Preikestolen tour the next day, the NBE guide will inform you where to meet and give you the necessary information.
Day 1 – Small villages
- Sandnes - Tau 60 km
- Height meters: +797 / -815
You will depart from the hotel after breakfast. The departure time must be set due to the ferry departure from Lauvvik. You ride the approx. 20 km long stage to Lauvvik, which runs over slightly hilly terrain on roads with little traffic, and which will give you a taste of what awaits you later on the tour.
You will take the ferry across the Høgsfjord to Oanes and get on the bike to start the stage towards Tau. You cycle along the Hesten nature reserve on the old main road between Forsand and Jørpeland. At Jørpeland, you are recommended to take a small detour to look at the sun mirror also called the "Norwegian Stonehenge". In the afternoon you arrive at Tau and check in at Lilland Brewery Hotel.
Day 2 – Fjords and mountains
- Tau - Hjelmeland 58 km
- Height meters: +874 / -876
Today Hjelmeland is your destination. You bike along the south side of Bjørheimsvatnet to Bjørheimsbygda where you will follow the main road for a short while before you hit the old road along Tysdalsvatnet which is closed for vehicles but open to cyclists. At the end of the water, you find yourself back on the main road again heading for Årdal where it is recommended to stop at Høiland gard. You continue along the route Ryfylkevegen while you are enjoying the beautiful view of Årdal on the left side. The route passes through Fister on the way to Hjelmeland. The landscape and scenery are dramatic and lovely at the same time, so there are plenty of opportunities for photo stops along the way.
In Hjelmeland, you can enjoy the sauna just outside the hotel, and if you want to cool down with a dip in the fjord, you are welcome. But a comfortable temperature is not guaranteed.
Day 3 – Norway in miniature
- Hjelmeland - Sand 56 km
- Height meters: +1 344 / -1 355
You will start with a 20-minute ferry ride from Hjelmeland to Nesvik. This ferry is powered by batteries, and you can hardly notice that you are on a boat as you silently sail across the fjord. From Nesvik, you cycle along the fjord until you take off towards Gullingen. From the fjord, you will climb up to approximately 600 meters above sea level. From Gullingen down to Sand, it is downhill. When you eventually arrive at Sand, you park the bike and check in at Ryfylke Fjordhotell. Here you can relax in the sauna located down by the beach or you can take part in alternative activities such as:
Salmon safari in Suldalslågen where you float in the river with a wetsuit and snorkel, tour of Mo salmon farm and farm brewery or a visit to Norway's first salmon studio.
Day 4 – Lysefjorden Scenery
- Sand - Nesflaten 49 km
- Height meters: -783 / -684
Say goodbye to Sand and set a course for Nesflaten. Today you will cycle along the beautiful lake Suldalsvatnet. Along the road, we recommend a detour up to Børkjene's farm, which is an old farm that takes us several hundred years back in time.
In today's stage, you will cycle through many tunnels. Most of these tunnels are between 150 - 500 meters and are relatively quick to cycle through. The longest tunnel is approximately 2,200 meters, there are also a couple of shorter tunnels of approximately 1,000 meters. Your safety is very important to Norway Bike Experience so details and information will be given to all guests about how to cycle in tunnels. They can also book alternative transport to avoid the longest tunnels on request. Headlight and taillight are of course mandatory.
At Nesflaten you check in at Energihotellet.
Day 5 – Wild nature
- Nesflaten - Sauda 67 km
- Height meters: + 1560 / -1 654
This is the day for the big climb! You start from Nesflaten and follow Brattlandsdalen towards Røldal in slightly uphill terrain. When you get to Røldal, turn off the main road and set the course for Røldalsfjellet. Now you will climb for 10 km to the top at 980 meters above sea level. Take your time and enjoy the view.
Sauda is a well-known place for those who like to be outdoor explorers, in summer and winter. Sauda holds both snow records and heat records, so here you can expect a bit of everything. Here you will be accommodated in the Kløver hotel. From the hotel, it is a short distance to Saudahallen, which has a large swimming pool and a sauna.
Day 6 – Urban biking
- Sauda - Stavanger (boat)
- Stavanger - Stavanger 49 km
- Height meters: +437 / -436
Today you will have to wake up early. The boat to Stavanger departs at 07:00. This boat tour is something to look forward to. Have your camera ready and enjoy the view! When you arrive in Stavanger after close to 3 hours on the boat, you can start sightseeing in and around Stavanger. It is recommended to start with a bike stroll along the harbour. Then pass the city bridge on the way to Hundvåg, an island belonging to Stavanger. Cross the same bridge going back but this time with the view over Stavanger. Continue along the Gandsfjord to Gausel and bike past the NATO Joint Warfare Centre on the way to Forus which houses most of the oil and gas companies in Norway. From Forus, you will bike on the only cycle highway in Norway, which opened in 2023. In Sørmarka you can try pedalling up the famous "Grisabakken" known from Tour of Norway which holds many of the best pro-cyclists in the world. At the top, you should have a photo stop at Ullandhaugtårnet before continuing to Swords in rock, a monument to commemorate the big Viking battle in the year 878. From Hafrsfjord, continue to Old Stavanger.
At the end of the day, you can check in at the Hotel Victoria. This is optional and not included in the price. Please notify Norway Bike Experience if you want to book a hotel for this day.
