Bergen - Hardanger

A culinary journey

Hardanger, Norway’s orchard, is just an hour and a half from Bergen. In spring, green pastures beckon and well-tended orchards present themselves in all their flowering glory. In autumn, the fruit trees are laden with fruit and the cider presses work overtime.

Bergen – Fyksesund, 97 km, about 1 hour 30 min.

The old Hanseatic city of Bergen is well worth a visit. You can stroll on historic ground at the old Bryggen wharf (on UNESCO’s World Heritage List), enjoy great walking up on Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken, see penguins at the Aquarium and taste local specialties at restaurants such as På Høyden and Cornelia.

You arrive at Fyksesund after a 1.5-hour s drive. We recommend a detour to Fykse farm and Gamlastovo, where farmer Arne offers an unforgettable gourmet experience. If you’re lucky, he will serve lamb with fruit for dessert. Remember to ask for cold apple juice to drink – it’s quality is first-class. And be sure to chat with sausage maker Kurt about the secret behind good German sausages.

Fyksesund – Ulvik, 60 km, about 1 hour

The drive from Fyksesund to Ulvik follows the stunning National Tourist Route hugging the north side of the Hardangerfjord. In Ulvik, you can learn all about apple juice and, not least, the art of cider making. The farms in Ulvik have long traditions for this, and the secret behind good cider has been passed down from generation to generation. Follow the fruit and cider route from Hakastad over Syse and on to the Lekve farm. Stop at tourist information for more information before starting. You won’t regret sampling the apple juice while standing in the middle of an apple orchard and gazing out over the Ulvikfjord.

Ulvik – Stalheim, 75 km, about 1 hour 15 min.

If you can, you really should take a tractor safari to one of the mountain pasture farms in Stalheim Landscape Park. The tractor safari starts in the village of Haugsvik. Just park your car and ask for Stalheim Oppleving. You will be guided through a fantastic cultural and natural landscape on a trailer with seats pulled by a tractor. Remember to book one or two days in advance.

Stalheim Landscape Park also features many great, marked paths of varying degrees of difficulty. Park the car at the Stalheim Hotel and follow the signs.

Stalheim – Voss, 37 km, about 35 min.

If you are not afraid of heights, you should take the trip down the Stalheimskleiva hairpin bends – Northern Europe’s steepest stretch of road – before heading for Voss.

Voss is a paradise for outdoor pursuits. It has great walking trails, rafting for beginners and families, and much more.

Voss – Bergen, 100 km, about 1 hour 40 min.

On the journey from Voss to Bergen, you should stop at Vossabia at Vethe farm at Bulken. It sells locally-produced honey and organic skincare products.

For presentation in German, click here.