Geirangerfjord Cycling — Dalsnibba HC Climb & Stryn

When I rode this in August 2021, I started from the waterfront in Geiranger at sea level and the climbing began within the first kilometre. There is no warm-up here — the road tilts upward immediately and does not relent for 21 kilometres. The lower section follows the main road out of Geiranger before branching onto the Nibbevegen toll road. Cyclists pass the barrier without dismounting. The gradient on Nibbevegen reaches 12.3% in places and the hairpins are tight — I counted them to keep my mind off the effort.

At 1,500 metres the Geiranger Skywalk appeared through the clouds. The day I was here the visibility was perfect — the cruise ships in Geirangerfjord looked like bath toys far below. The cafe at the summit is excellent and I needed every calorie it offered. Dalsnibba is rated the fifth hardest climb in Norway by PJAMM, and after riding it I have no reason to argue.

The descent back from the summit is fast and the road surface is good, but temperatures dropped sharply — I was glad to have arm warmers. From the main road the route heads east and then south toward Grotli before turning onto Gamle Strynefjellsvegen. This historic mountain road was built by hand between 1881 and 1894, and it shows — the road is narrow, the surface rougher, and the scenery feels almost untouched. It climbs to over 1,100 metres before dropping through a series of dramatic switchbacks. This section was the surprise of the day. I had come for Dalsnibba but the old Strynefjell road was equally memorable.

The descent from the old road brings you to Hjelle, where Gamlebutikken is the perfect lunch stop — exactly where you need it after five hours of mountain roads. From Hjelle the route continues west through Stryn and along the fjord toward Hellesylt. This final stretch is mostly flat and fast, a welcome relief after over 2,500 metres of climbing.

The ride ends at the Hellesylt ferry quay. The boat back to Geiranger takes about an hour through the UNESCO-listed fjord, past the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls. Sitting on that ferry with empty legs and a cold drink, watching the same mountains I had ridden over slide past at water level — that was a fitting end to one of the best days I have ever had on a bike.