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The Coastal Route of Northern Norway

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This tour is on request, please contact us for information and booking

Active vacation with cycling and boat trips along the Coastal Route between Bodø and Steinkjer. From the seat of your bike, you get close to the sights of steep mountains, elongated beaches, cultural landscapes and coastal communities. The trip follows large parts of the Norwegian Scenic Routes Helgelandskysten  southwards, with detours to some of the islands along the way. Saltstraumen, the world's strongest tidal current, is a mighty sight. On the island of Lovund you will experience a vibrant island community, with nice hiking opportunities and a large puffin colonia. From Sandnessjøen we cycle with the well-known Seven Sisters mountain range in sight, and on the island of Vega we visit the World Heritage Centre to learn how this archepelago gained its World Heritage status. The island Leka really stands out with its very special red and yellow mountains and different landscape, and is named Norway's geological national monument.

A tour guide and a follow car are never far away, so you are well taken care of, and get tips for detours and sights along the way. The stages are between 30 and 87 km, where you are free to use your own bike or rent a hybrid bike or electric bike from us. Ferries, and speedboats, as well as a bike-free day along the way provide good breathers to enjoy the surroundings.

NB! You will receive a new email from us when all accommodations are confirmed. This may take from a few hours up to 3 business days, depending on the supplier's. Please don't make any payments or book your flight until you have received an email confirmation from us. 

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Program

  • We transport your luggage from place to place and are never far away in our follow car if something unforseen occurs. A tour guide will cycle along with you on this tour and you will be part of a larger group traveling together.

    TOUR DATES 2023: 16 - 27 August

    NUMBER OF DAYS: 12

    LEVEL: Demanding due to the length of the daily stages. For people who are in generally good condition, and have previous cycling experience. Daily stages: 30-87 km. In bad weather with rain and/or wind, the trips become more strenuous.

    This tour is operated by Kystriksveien Reiseliv as

  • Day 1, Wednesday: Individual arrival Bodø. Bike to Saltstraumen, 30 km.

    You can arrive Bodø by plane, nortbound/southbound Coastal Express or train.

    The tour starts from Bodø Airport with departure at 15:00 (you may meet from 12:00).
    The first stage is short with some inclines.
    Saltstraumen is the world`s strongest maelstrom, an is a powerful sight.

    Dinner and accommodation in Saltstraumen.

  • Day 2, Thursday: Bus to Kjøpstad. Bike across the island Sandhornøy to Ørnes, 79 km.

    We start the day by bus transfer, before cycling around the island Sandhornøy, where mount Sandhornet (909m) rises above us. With a short detour we can go swimming on the beautiful, 2 km long beach, Langsanden.
    We visit Elias Blix`s home farm, which has been made into a museum and cafè for some baked goods, before taking the ferry to Sund. 
    The last part of todays stage takes us along the ocean, surrounded by mountains. We will also pass the viewpoint at Uredd Momorial rest area, offering magnificent views towards the ocean, the Lofoten Isles and the surrounding islands.

    Dinner and accommodation in Ørnes.

  • Day 3, Friday: Bike to Stokkvågen, 83 km. Ferry to Lovund island.

    We take the ferry to Vassdalsvik and cycle along the fjord Bjærangsfjorden, passing the sculpture Varde, which is part of the Cultural Heritage in the county. We take another ferry before cycling with the massive mount Blokktinden (1032m) in sight.
    Next we go on a 1-hour ferry journey, crossing the Arctic Circle. Then we head for Stokkvågen by biking through the beautiful strait Aldersundet and passing the coastal fort Grønsvik. The 2-hour ferry trip taking us out to the island Lovund, is an adventure in itself.

    Dinner and accommodation in Lovund.

  • Day 4, Saturday: Explore the island Lovund.

    Use the day to explore what Lovund has to offer.
    This island has a population of just over 500 inhabitants, and feed on the sea, mainly salmon farming. You will see that it is a viable island community, and a nice place for activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking and stand up paddling.
    The mountain Lovundfjellet (625m) rises above the island community, and if you climb it you will get a beautiful view of the surrounding areas. Beware of steep sections.
    Lovund is home to one of the largest puffin colonies in Norway. They usually arrive 14 April, named 'Lundkommardagen',  and stay until breeding season is over at the end of August. For birdwatching, bring binoculars.
    At the Coastal Cultural Centre you will find exhibitions on fisheries, wildlife and everyday life on the island. 

    Dinner and accommodation in Lovund.

  • Day 5, Sunday: Ferry to Stokkvågen. Bike to Sandnessjøen, 67 km.

    We take the ferry back to Stokkvågen and bike soutwards along the coastal route to Nesna. The express boat takes us to Sandnessjøen. If you wish to cycle the last 30 km to Sandnessjøen you must take the ferry to Levang before continuing on bike.

    Dinner and accommodation in Sandnessjøen.

  • Day 6, Monday: Ferry to Dønna. Bike to Herøy. Ferry to Sandnessjøen. Bike to Forvik, 60 km.

    Any bike ride along the coast of Helgeland needs to inlcude cycling on the islands Dønna and Herøy with a beautiful view towards the mountain range The Seven Sisters. We have lunch in the idyllic place Selløy, and visit the famous floral shop Etcetera before heading back to the mainland by ferry. 
    We bike towards Tjøtta. On the way you can visit The Petter Dass Museum, located on the countys millenium site, just south of Sandnessjøen. The museum is dedicated to the heritage of the priest and poet Petter Dass. On site you will find the old vicarage, a medieval chruch, and a modern museum building. The church, the cemetary and other buildings are protected by the Cultural Heritage. The museum has changing exhibitions and guided tours.
    When we arrive the old trading post Forvik, we devide ourselves into two different accommodations, and are served the traditional dish Boknafisk for dinner.

    Dinner and accommodation at Forvik/Vevelstad.

  • Day 7, Tuesday: Bike to Horn. Ferry to Vega Island. Express boat to Brønnøysund. Bike to Torghatten. Total of 73 km.

    Mostly flat cycling to Andalsvågen, from where we catch a ferry to Horn, and further out to the island Vega. This archepelago is on UNESCO's World Heritage List. We learn more about this unique cultural landscape and the interaction between man and nature, when we visit the Vega World Heritage Center.
    We walk the nearly 2000 steps up the Vega stairway to get a fantastic view of Søla and the entire Vega Archpelago World heritage area.
    In the afternoon we take the express boat to mainland Brønnøysund and cycle to Torghatten.

    Dinner and accommodation at Torgarhaugen.

  • Day 8, Wednesday: Bike to Vik in Sømna, 50 km.

    The day starts by hiking up to and through the hole in mount Torghatten, and further around the mountain.
    We cycle back to Brønnøysund where you will have time to explore the city and have lunch. We bike south towards Sømna.

    Dinner and accommodation in Sømna.

  • Day 9, Thursday: Bike to Gutvik, 87 km. Ferry to the island Leka.

    We bike uphill to the ferry quay in Vennesund. The ferry will take us to Holm where a new demanding stage of hills awaits towards the ferry quay in Gutvik. We see the mighty mount Heilhornet (1070m) in sight.
    The ferry takes us over to the last island on the trip. Leka is Norway`s geological national monument. The red serpentine and olivine mountains and the special geology make Leka stand out from the other islands along the coast. It is otherwise only found on the American side of the Atlantic. In the evening we cycle around the island to see the special landscape (26 km).

    Dinner and accommodation at Leka.

  • Day 10, Friday: Ferry to Gutvik. Bike to Rørvik, 80 km.

    After a ferry trip back to the mainland we continue our bike ride towards the coastal town Rørvik. The stage starts along a secondary road, and eventually we cycle across the bridge Nærøysundbrua, where the landscape opens up as we pass over the shipping lane.
    In Rørvik we find The Coastal Museum Norveg in a modern museum building designed like a sail. Here you will learn about the 10 000-year history, from when the first humans followed the ice northwards through to today`s challenges as one of the leading fishing nations.

    Dinner and accommodation in Rørvik.

  • Day 11, Saturday: Bike to Namsos, 82 km.

    We cycle further along the coast to Namsos, the city of rock. Along the way we take the ferry from Hofles to Lund. This stage has some steep hills, but can be shortened by taking the express boat all or parts of the route.
    In the same building as the hotel we find Rock City, a resource- and visitor center, where we become better acquainted with some of Norway's leading rock musicans through the ages.

    Dinner and accommodation in Namsos.

  • Day 12, Sunday: Bike to Steinkjer, 82 km.

    The last stage goes along the Coastal Route and a few secondary roads from Namsos to Steinkjer. About halfway we stop at Lensmannsgården for lunch. This is a creative oasis along the road, selling home-baked goods and food based on local and home-grown ingredients. 

    The trip ends in Steinkjer.
    From here you can travel by train to Trondheim Airport Værnes or to Trondheim.

Departures and prices

Tour dates 2023: 16 - 27 August
Number of days: 12 days/11 nights 

Price 2023:
Per person in double room: NOK 27 800.-
Single room supplement: NOK 6 400.- (on request)

Included in the package:
11  x accommodation including breakfast and self-packed lunch
11 dinners
Guide and follow car
Ferry and express boat transport being part of the bike tour
Water and snacks during the stages
Luggage transfer

Not included:
Travel and cancellation insurance
Alcoholic drinks/ soft drinks
Bike rental
Transfer to Bodø/ transfer from Steinkjer

Extra on request:
E-bike rental, 12 days: NOK 5 800.-
Hybrid bike rental, 12 days: 3 600.-

See more self-guided bicycle tours in Norway on www.discover-norway.no/bike

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