Rallarvegen

Rallarvegen is Norway's Most Beautiful Cycling Route

Consistently acclaimed as the country's most stunning bike path, Rallarvegen offers a unique journey through majestic nature, cultural heritage, and history. Built as a construction road for the Bergen Railway in the late 1800s, it has preserved its originality without modernization or expansion. The original construction methods and maintenance practices remain, allowing visitors to admire the impressive early 20th-century stonework and bridges. Today, maintenance is done in the 'old-fashioned' way, keeping Rallarvegen as unique as it was 120 years ago. As a cultural monument, some parts of the route may have a lower standard than modern expectations.

Bike Rental on Rallarvegen

Haugastøl – Rent bikes starting from Haugastøl and return them either there, or at Finse, Myrdal, or Flåm. Helmets are not available for rent, so remember to bring your own or purchase one at Haugastøl.

Finse – Pick up pre-booked bikes or rent on-site. Finse also offers repair assistance and sells necessary equipment. Bikes rented at Finse can be returned in Myrdal or Flåm.

Tip! Always check train schedules before starting your trip, as there are few trains and they stop at only a few stations. If you bring your own bike, be sure to pre-book bike transport on the train due to limited space. Train tickets for the routes Haugastøl - Finse - Myrdal - Voss and Myrdal - Flåm can be booked at Vy.no.

How long is Rallarvegen?

Rallarvegen is a total of 82 kilometers long. It begins at Haugastøl and follows the Bergen Railway to Finse, Hallingskeid, and Myrdal, before continuing along the Flåm Railway and ending in Flåm.

Rallarvegen - Distances and Estimated Times

Here is information on the various sections and estimated times for each stage. You can ride the entire route from Haugastøl to Flåm, which is 82 km; some complete it in one day, while others prefer to divide it into stages with 1-2 overnight stays in the mountains.

Haugastøl - Finse: 27km (4 hours)

The route starts wide and firm. After about 13 km, it narrows and becomes a gravel path. This section is gently undulating until Oksabotnen, with a gradual climb to Finse. The ride is easy and family-friendly.

Finse - Haugastøl: 27km (3 hours)

From Finse to Oksabotnen, it is mostly downhill, with some steep turns to be cautious of. It then becomes slightly uneven on a gravel path before reaching a wider, firmer road. The ride is easy and suitable for children.

Finse - Hallingskeid: 21km (3 hours)

From Finse to Fagervatn involves a small climb of about 100 meters in altitude. This section passes the highest point of Rallarvegen. It then descends slightly to Hallingskeid. The ride is moderate.

Finse - Myrdal: 38km (5 hours)

This section features a generally easy terrain down to Kleivavatn, but be aware of hills and curves. The terrain can be challenging due to exposed surfaces.

Myrdal - Flåm: 20km (3 hours)

The ride starts with some steep hills and sharp turns but flattens out as it passes through a narrow valley and forest. The final stretch is on asphalt. The ride is moderate due to the sharp and steep turns.

When is the Best Time to Bike Rallarvegen?

The season for Rallarvegen is relatively short. The trail is usually accessible from early July through the end of September. For the latest updates and trail reports, check the "Rallarvegreport" page. August is often the best month to bike Rallarvegen, as the weather is more stable and the path is generally dry. Weekends tend to be busier, while weekdays are usually quieter.

Accommodation and Dining Along Rallarvegen

Haugastøl is an ideal starting point for cycling Rallarvegen. It offers modern apartments for accommodation and a restaurant with a varied menu. The café serves homemade baked goods, pastries, snacks, and drinks. Haugastøl provides ample parking, easy access from Highway 7, and is a short distance from the train station.

Haugastøl is a historic hotel with a stunning location between Hardangerjøkulen and Hallingskarvet. First opened in 1909, it was fully renovated in 2020 by Snøhetta. The hotel features modern rooms and a top-notch restaurant with majestic views. Located right next to Finse Train Station, Norway’s highest railway station, it’s also worth visiting the Rallar Museum in the eastern locomotive shed, which includes exhibits and Café Rotaren.

Fagernut Vokterbolig, situated along Rallarvegen at 1310 meters above sea level, is located between Finse and Hallingskeid. Here, you can find a rallarkafé, an exhibition, and information about the building's history as a residence for railway workers and tourists. The caretaker's lodge operates on a voluntary basis and is protected by the National Heritage Board. It is open from mid-July to the start of school and on weekends until mid-September.

Hallingskeid is a former engineer’s residence that now operates as a self-service tourist cabin run by DNT. You will need DNT membership to access the key. Originally built as a sick bay during the construction of the Bergen Line, Hallingskeid was later used as a mountain lodge and base for hiking. After a fire in 1963, it was not rebuilt until DNT took over its operation as a self-service cabin in 1972.

Café Rallaren is located at Myrdal Station, a hub between the Flåmsbana and Bergensbanen. The café offers both hot and cold meals. From the station, you can easily access the impressive Myrdalsfossen and the 21 hairpin turns down to Flåm.

Vatnahalsen Høyfjellshotell is a traditional hotel dating back to 1896, initially built as a sanatorium but converted into a hotel as the Bergen Line was being constructed. The hotel burned down in 1940 and reopened in 1954 after nearly 15 years. It offers accommodation, dining, and activities in beautiful natural surroundings.

Flåm offers various accommodation options and dining establishments. For detailed information, visit the Flåm website.

Camping along Rallarvegen is a great experience with many good spots along the route. Note that camping is prohibited between Haugastøl and Tunga, as well as in Finse town center, to respect the local cabin owners.

The History of Rallarvegen

In March 1894, the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) decided to build a railway connection between Oslo (then Christiania) and Bergen, known as the Bergensbanen. This route was to cross the high mountains via Haugastøl and Finse. Before construction could begin, access roads had to be established from Geilo, Flåm, and Voss to the planned route. At the time, this was one of the most challenging railway projects in Europe.

One of the first major tasks was to construct these access roads. Supplies and equipment had to be transported from surrounding villages up to the high mountains. Hundreds of horse-drawn carts carried materials and equipment daily into the mountains during the short summer season. By the early 1900s, around 2,400 workers were employed on the Bergensbanen. These workers, known as "Rallare," were often foreign laborers who worked on the railway in Norway. This is the origin of the name Rallarvegen for this transport route.

The Bergensbanen was officially opened on November 27, 1909, by King Haakon.

See the Tour Description of Rallarvegen