Walking the Hardangerfjord

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.9 Read 9 reviews

Walking Hardangerfjord, the orchard of Norway
The World Heritage City of Bergen
Hiking to the 4 waterfalls of the Husedalen Valley
Climb the historical 'Monk Steps', 616 stone steps used by monks to access the Hardangervidda
Travel on scenic ferries, buses and trains

Easily accessed from Bergen and with the most gentle but still spectacular landscapes of the Norwegian Fjords, this week long walking holiday is the perfect introduction to Fjord Norway. Enjoy overnight stays in the fjord-side villages of Ulvik, Kinsarvik and Lofthus, and daily walks around the ’Orchard of Norway’. After a night in the historic city of Bergen, head into the heart of the Hardangerfjord. Wander through fruit orchards tasting delicious local cider, walk to summits with panoramic fjord views, and hike along a valley filled with cascading waterfalls. A couple of ferry journeys with time to relax and take in the views complete your experience.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

If you want to get there quickly but also experience those classic fjord landscapes, Hardangerfjord is the trip for you. Suitable for keen walkers used to walking in hillier terrain, with walks of between 3 and 8 hours a day and up to 1000m ascent. Stay overnight in traditional fjord-side hotels in Hardangerfjord and a modern city hotel in Bergen, and travel on the excellent train, bus & ferry network.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Grade & Terrain

We grade this tour as moderate. You will be walking for between 3 and 8 hours per day, and the maximum ascent in one day is just over 1100m. There are two days which would be graded more as moderate-strenuous which are Days 3 and 5. However, both walks are optional. This trip is suited to keen walkers who are used to walking long days in hillier terrain.

Navigation

Norway has an excellent system for trail-marking and all of the paths you will be following will be well way-marked. We also provide comprehensive route notes and access to our App so you will not have any problems finding your way.

Accommodation Information

7 nights hand-picked accommodation is included in your trip. 2 nights are in a good quality, 3-star standard modern city centre hotel in Bergen. 5 nights are in traditional hotels in idyllic fjord-side locations of a 3-star standard. They offer modern rooms with fantastic views, great service, good restaurants and terraces on which you can sit out and relax and look over the beautiful Hardanger Fjord. The accommodation we normally use is detailed below, however is subject to availability and therefore alternatives of an equal standard may be offered.

Accommodation Location

We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in your itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability, there is the option to be accommodated at an alternative location. In the unlikely event that we have to accommodate you elsewhere we will advise you of this before confirming your booking.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is not available to solo walkers. Single rooms are also available and a supplement is applicable.

Meals

7 breakfasts and 5 evening meals (Days 2, 4, 5 and 6) are included. Packed lunches are available from your accommodation (order the night before) or you can stop on the way. Drinks are not included but available at all overnight accommodation.

Included

7 Nights in 3-star standard hotels
7 Breakfasts
5 Dinners
Ferry journeys as per itinerary
Train from Bergen to Voss
Bus from Voss to Ulvik on Day 2
Detailed maps, route notes, pre-departure information pack, GPX tracks and access to our navigation app
24-7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to and from Bergen
Local buses or taxis
Bus from Norheimsund to Bergen on Day 7
Lunches
Dinners (other than those mentioned)
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the trip

When To Go

You can start this tour anytime between the middle of June and middle of September. This is the most pleasant time of the year to walk in the Hardangfjord area with lots of hours of daylight and warm daytime temperatures. Please note that depending on weather and the previous winter, there can still be some snow on the higher trails (Kvasshovden) at the end of June.

Getting to the Start

You can fly direct to Bergen from a number of central destinations in Europe like Amsterdam (1h 30m), Copenhagen (1h 30m) London (2h), and Paris (2h). You can also fly via Oslo (55m), with up to 20 flights per day between Oslo and Bergen. By Rail - The Bergen Railway stretches between Oslo and Bergen and is a lovely way to travel into Bergen. There are up to 4 departures daily from Oslo to Bergen. The journey passes through some beautiful landscapes and takes approx 7 hours in total. By Road - It is approx a 7 hour drive from Oslo to Bergen via the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. This route is partly on the National Tourist Route. There are several other routes to Bergen from Oslo by car, via either Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord or Hemsedal. All take between 7-8 hours. By Ferry - There are a couple of different ways to travel to Bergen by ferry or boat. The famous Hurtigruten cruise line stops there. You can also arrive by one of the high-speed ferries which travel up and down the Norwegian coast with Norled. Or you can catch the ferry from Stavanger with Fjord Line.

Getting from the End

Your tour finishes in Bergen. Use any of the options mentioned above for your onward travel. If you would like additional nights in Bergen, let us know.

Baggage Transfer

You will travel with your bags between destinations.

General Information

2022 Season - Our local accommodation in Kinsarvik is hosting Ukrainian refugees during the 2022 season and not taking bookings for the general public. We have therefore had to slightly change the itinerary for 2022. You will now spend three nights in Lofthus (instead of 2 nights in Kinsarvik and one night in Lofthus). As the accommodation in Lofthus is of a higher standard the price for the tour has also increased in line with this change. All walks remain unchanged.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How far in advance do I need to book?

How fit do I need to be?

What equipment do I need?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Bergen Day 2 By train and bus to Ulvik, Short Walk Around Ulvik 6 miles / 10 km Day 3 Walk to the Summit of Kvasshovden 8 miles / 13 km Day 4 Loop Walk to Solsaevatnet Lake. Afternoon Ferry to Lofthus 11 miles / 18 km Day 5 Rest Day / Choice of walks from Lofthus

Today, you can take it easy and have a rest day in the fabulous Hotel Ullensvang or instead choose one of two mountain walks taking you high above Lofthus or nearby waterfalls. We provide route notes for both options, and you can take your pick depending on how energetic you feel!

Huesdalen Waterfall Walk (14km - Ascent/Descent: 665m): Start the day by taking a short bus journey or taxi from Lofthus to Kinsarvik (paid locally) and enjoy one of the most beautiful walks in Norway, following a succession of four cascading waterfalls, through the Husedalen valley from Kinsarvik to the Hardangervidda, Europe’s most extensive mountain plateau.

Nosi Viewpoint and the Monk Steps Trail (10.4km - Ascent/Descent: 965m): A steep trail on an easy to follow path offering beautiful views of the fjord, a striking waterfall and the town of Lofthus. You will also be walking up the historical Monk Steps, a series of 616 stone steps built by 13th Century monks as a way to access the Hardangervidda mountain plateau easily.

Overnight Lofthus

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Ullensvang | Hotel

Hotel Ullensvang is a beautiful historic hotel which has been run by five generations of the Utne family dating back to 1846. First thing you will probably notice is its breathtaking views upwards towards the Hardangervidda mountain plain and the Folgefonna glacier, and down to the Hardangerfjord. Ensure you make the most of your stay in the wonderful Ullensvang Bath, a spa and wellness centre with an 88-meter long swimming channel stretching from the swimming pool indoors to an infinity pool outdoors, it also has a jacuzzi, sauna’s and a Japanese massage creek (this is all inclusive in the cost of your trip). You will taste the flavours of Hardanger in the hotel restaurant, where dishes are made from the best local produce available. Squash, rowing boats, ten-pin bowling, playroom and tennis are only a few of the activities on offer – Just ask at reception for more details!

Day 6 Rest Day / Choice of walks from Lofthus

Overnight Lofthus

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Ullensvang | Hotel

Day 7 Fruit Trail and River Valley Walk from Lofthus 5 miles / 8.5 km Day 8 Onward Travel

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