Last Updated on: May 26, 2024

Three days goes fast when you’re having fun. It’s not a whole lot of time for adventurous riding. But three days is better than none!

Mid-May 2024 the weather conditions in the southern, western and eastern parts Norway were pretty exceptional. The winter 2023-2024 have been long, cold. and with lots of snow. In May you don’t have to go neither far or high to hit on snow. And in the mountains there is/was a lot of snow. Which is why many roads, some of the best ones (for adventurous riding), normally opens in the first week of June.

As a result I prepared myself for low temperatures across the mountains. When you travel in Norway, especially on a motorcycle, always bring warm clothes, or layers to put on under the motorcycle dress or gear.

Three days west – day 1

I set out the morning of May 17th, with brass band music and lots of dressed up people in the streets. Which is quite typical on a Norwegian constitution day. The weather forecast bode astoundingly well for the next three days.

Packed and ready for the mini-adventure. The flag in the rear indicates the day.

Stayed on the E18 but till past Oslo. Then turned off and took small roads across the neighbouring municipality. I normally try to avoid main roads, motorways and freeways as much as possible. I’d much rather spend a little extra time unless there are real reasons to hurry.

Across Bærum, onto E16 over Sollihøgda in direction of Hønefoss. Passing this point, if you come from Oslo, already brings a sensation of being far away from the hustling and bustling of a larger metropolitan area. In Norway you normally don’t have to go far to get that feeling. Which is one of many things I appreciate about the homelands.

Coffee break at Hallingporten, Norway, at lake Krøderen

Outside Hønefoss took Rv7 in direction of Sokna and carried on along lake Krøderen to Gulsvik, a small place on the northern side of the lake. Stopped at Hallingporten. This place have had many owners over the last few years. I hope the current survives, because their offerings are good, and their standards high.

“The Clementine” parked outside Hallingporten, Gulsvik, Norway

I frequently ride offroad in the region during the motorcycle season. And Hallingporten is one place where I like to stop for a break, a bite, a coffee (or both).

Swiftly up and across the mountains

From Gulsvik I carried on along Rv7 through Hallingdal, past Nesbyen, which is the largest “town” in Hallingdal, in direction of Hagafoss. This is where Fv50 goes to Aurland across the mountains, or you can continue on Rv7 to Geilo. Rv7 will then take you north of Hardangervidda national park, to Øvre Eidfjord and Hardanger.

Parked outside Hol Cheese factory og and local produce store

I was going to Aurland, so onto Fv50 along Holsfjorden. Made a brief coffee stop at Hol, at Hol Cheese factory & local produce. Had a coffee and perhaps the best rhubarb cake I’ve tasted in my life. Anyhow,  from Hol to Aurland and Vassbygdi, which is around 85 kilometers worth of riding across the mountains.

But that is the beginning. As you approach Aurland you encounter many tunnels. The longest, and perhaps coldest, is Nesbøtunellen. It is 2.5 kilometers long and even in summer you can expect temperatures down to 7 or 8C. But the temperature in the tunnels, especially the long ones, is fairly constant across the seasons.

Descent to Aurland & Vassbygdi

Finally the descent began towards Aurland. It’s when you really feel you are done with tunnels. But you’re not. Some of the most windy and steepest remains, those that eventually will bring you down to Vassbygdi in Aurland.

I didn’t stop here for pictures this time around, the below image is from August 2023.

August 2023: past a series of tunnels, along road Fv50 towards Aurland

Further down Aurland opens up. Coming down through a sharp corner the view is simply too stunning not to stop. I never get tired of it. So here I had to stop. No sooner had I parked my motorcycle, I caught a familiar sight in the corner of my eye. My friend Truls-Erik had decided to join me, coming up from Bergen.

We had originally agreed to meet outside our accommodation in Vassbygdi. But he arrived earlier, and having followed me on Locatoweb, he knew exactly where I was. Locatoweb is an app service for live GPS tracking. You can get it for iOS or Android. We are many who uses it, and like it. Not the least for its simplicity.

May 2024. View of Aurland and lake Vassbygdivatnet, Norway, from road Fv50

Anyhow, we stayed for a little to marvel at the view. Then continued down through the last tunnels to our accommodation for two days. It would prove to be one of the better spring rides we’ve ever had. More about that later!

The route of the day