Photo: Paweł Kuźniar ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Fjords, ferries and the midnight sun.
North from Ålesund to the Lofoten Islands: Trollstigen with its eleven hairpins, the Geirangerfjord, the Atlantic Road on its eight bridges, then the coastal Fv17 with ferries across the Arctic Circle and finally islands where mountains rise straight out of the sea. A one-way route, with the bikes returned in Harstad. Plenty of water, few cars and light that never quite fades.
- Trollstigen and the Eagle Road above Geiranger
- The Atlantic Road and the Storseisundet bridge
- The Fv17 Kystriksveien and crossing the Arctic Circle
- Reine, Henningsvær and the E10 across Lofoten
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 50 km, warm-up
Ålesund, the Art Nouveau town
We meet in Ålesund, collect the bikes and climb to the Aksla viewpoint. A short ride out to the islands of Godøy and Giske, about 50 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Ålesund - DAY 2 · 190 km, Trollstigen
Trollstigen and Geiranger
Via Åndalsnes to Trollstigen: 11 hairpins, gradients of up to 9 per cent and the Stigfossen waterfall. Then the Valldal valley, the Eidsdal — Linge ferry and the Eagle Road with its 11 bends down to the Geirangerfjord. About 190 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Geiranger - DAY 3 · 250 km, eight bridges
The Atlantic Road
Back via Åndalsnes to Molde and onto the Rv64: the 8.3 km Atlantic Road across islets and eight bridges to Kristiansund. Wind and spray in bad weather are part of the experience. About 250 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Kristiansund - DAY 4 · 220 km, a ferry
Along the coast to Trondheim
The Halsa — Kanestraum ferry and the Rv70 to Orkanger, then into Trondheim. In the evening Nidaros cathedral and the old warehouses on the Nidelva. About 220 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Trondheim - DAY 5 · 330 km, the Kystriksveien
The start of the Fv17
Up the E6 to Steinkjer and onto the Fv17 Kystriksveien, Norway’s longest coastal road. Through Namsos to Rørvik with the Hofles — Lund ferry. About 330 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Rørvik - DAY 6 · 250 km, three ferries
The Seven Sisters and Torghatten
The Holm — Vennesund and Horn — Anddalsvågen ferries, the pierced mountain of Torghatten near Brønnøysund, then the Seven Sisters range above Sandnessjøen. About 250 km with three crossings.
Overnight: Hotel in Sandnessjøen - DAY 7 · 300 km, the Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle and Bodø
The Kilboghamn — Jektvik ferry crosses the Arctic Circle at 66°33’, and the Svartisen glacier is visible from the road. The Forøy — Ågskardet ferry and the Fv17 into Bodø. In the evening the Saltstraumen maelstrom. About 300 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Bodø - DAY 8 · 100 km and a 3.5-hour ferry
Ferry to Lofoten and Reine
The morning Bodø — Moskenes ferry, three and a half hours across the Vestfjord. The village of Å at the end of the E10, Reine and Hamnøy, then the road to Leknes and Haukland beach in the evening. About 100 km.
Overnight: Rorbu cabin in Reine - DAY 9 · 150 km, the islands
Henningsvær and Svolvær
Unstad beach, the Gimsøystraumen bridge, the fishing village of Henningsvær and Svolvær. Free time in the evening beneath the Svolværgeita. About 150 km.
Overnight: Rorbu cabin in Svolvær - DAY 10 · 200 km, bikes returned
Lofast and the finish in Harstad
Across Vesterålen on the E10 Lofast with its bridges and tunnels, then onto Hinnøya to Harstad. Bikes returned and a transfer to Evenes airport. About 200 km.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
One-way BMW R 1250 GS or F 850 GS hire with panniers
9 nights in hotels and fishermen’s rorbu cabins with breakfast
All ferries on the route, including Bodø — Moskenes
Lead rider and a support van carrying luggage
Road and tunnel tolls
Three dinners, including a fish dinner in Henningsvær
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel (around 250 euros for the tour in Norway)
Lunches and remaining dinners
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence and at least 8,000 km, including wet-weather riding. Ivan prepares the group for long days at modest speeds, working around ferry timetables and riding wet tunnels.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.