Walking the Sognefjord

The Sognefjord is the world's deepest and longest fjord, and for this reason offers just slightly more dramatic scenery than the Hardangerfjord. Suitable for keen walkers looking for exhilarating and more rugged walks, with daily walks of between 3 and 6 hours and ascents of up to 900m. Overnight stays are in modern city hotels in Bergen and historic hotels in fjord-side locations, and travel is by boat and train.

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!

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.

We grade this tour as moderate. You will be walking for 3–6 hours per day, with a maximum ascent of around 900 m in one day. This trip is suited to keen walkers who are comfortable in hillier terrain.

Some walks include exposed sections. The walk to Mt Prest Summit has one exposed section towards the end and requires a good head for heights. The walk from Balestrand to Raudmelen follows a well-maintained trail and includes an open ridge with views on both sides. Despite this exposure, the walk is graded as moderate.

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 Sognefjord.

If our standard accommodation is unavailable, we’ll arrange your overnight at our preferred alternative. We’ll discuss any additional costs with you in advance and only proceed once you’re happy.

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 again a supplement is applicable.

Meals

7 breakfasts and 2 evening meals (Days 2 and 5) 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.

Norway has an excellent system for trail-marking and all of the paths you will be following will be well way-marked.

Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account. As this is a self guided walk you will be responsible for navigation, decision making and safety during your trip.

Our walks usually begin and end at a central point in town (such as a church, bus stop, etc.). Access routes to your accommodation are not included in our km daily figures. However, the Macs app will guide you to your accommodation.

Recommended Reading

Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:

• Aurland by Nordeca (map)
• Balestrand by Nordeca (map)

You can start this tour anytime between the beginning of June and end of August. This is the most pleasant time of the year to walk in the Sognefjord 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 at the end of June.

By Air - 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.

From Bergen, use any of the ways detailed above for your onward travel.

You will travel with your bags between destinations. On Day 2 when you walk between Myrdal and Flam, your bags will be transferred by train from Myrdal to Flam.