The best traffic-free bike rides around Bergen

Our guide features over 20 traffic-free gravel bike trails around Bergen, offering a variety of experiences for different skill levels. You'll find a good mix of easy, moderate, and challenging routes to explore.

Bergen, known as the 'Gateway to the Fjords,' offers incredibly diverse landscapes. You'll ride through areas surrounded by the city's seven mountains, offering panoramic views, and along serene lakes like Svartediket. The region is characterized by dramatic fjord scenery, forests, and sometimes even high plateaus, providing a truly Norwegian outdoor experience.

Yes, there are several options perfect for beginners and families. For instance, cycling along Svartediket lake offers a scenic and car-free gravel road that is relatively easy for about 3 km. Areas like Isdalen also provide flatter, accessible gravel paths. While our guide focuses on Bergen, you might also enjoy the North Sea Coast and Schagen Loop for a moderate, scenic ride.

For breathtaking views, consider routes that take you up Bergen's surrounding mountains, such as Fløyen or Ulriken, which offer extensive trail networks. The 'Vidden' trail connecting Ulriken and Fløyen is a popular, scenic option for experienced cyclists. Further afield, iconic routes like the Rallarvegen (accessible by train from Bergen) are renowned for their stunning views of snowy mountains and turquoise waters on entirely traffic-free paths.

The best time for gravel biking in Bergen is generally from late spring to early autumn (May to September). During these months, the weather is milder, snow has melted from higher elevations, and the natural scenery is at its most vibrant. Late spring also offers the spectacle of powerful cascading waterfalls due to melting snow.

Absolutely! Many routes offer access to stunning natural features. You can explore the Schoorl Dunes Nature Reserve, enjoy the tranquility of Zomerdel Lake, or spot Highland cattle in the Noordhollands Duinreservaat. Bergen's proximity to the fjords means you're often riding amidst dramatic landscapes.

The komoot community highly rates the gravel biking experience in Bergen, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Reviewers often praise the stunning natural beauty, the quiet and car-free nature of the trails, and the diverse terrain that caters to various fitness levels. The panoramic views from the mountains and the serene fjord landscapes are frequently highlighted as favorites.

Yes, many of the traffic-free gravel routes around Bergen can be enjoyed as circular loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. This is particularly true for trails within mountain areas or around lakes. For example, the Schoorl Sand Dunes – Schoorlse Duinen Forest Trail loop from Alkmaar is a great example of a moderate circular route.

Bergen has a good public transport network, and many trailheads, especially those closer to the city center or surrounding mountains like Fløyen and Ulriken, are accessible by bus, funicular, or cable car. For routes further afield, like the Rallarvegen, train services from Bergen can take you to the starting points, making it convenient to reach these traffic-free paths without a car.

While many routes are accessible, Bergen's mountainous terrain means you should be prepared for ascents and descents, even on traffic-free paths. Weather can change quickly, so packing layers and waterproof gear is advisable. Some higher elevation trails might have snow well into late spring. Always check local conditions before heading out.

For advanced riders seeking a challenge, the 'Vidden' trail connecting Mount Ulriken and Mount Fløyen offers a demanding, approximately 5-hour journey with significant elevation changes and stunning views, all on a popular hiking route that can be tackled by experienced cyclists. Some sections leading from Svartediket towards Tarlebøvannet, Rundemanen, and Fløyen also present more challenging climbs.