Filefjell - Lærdalsøyri

Descend from the mountain at Filefjell and down to the beautiful Lærdalsøyri – a ride where you cycle through lush cultural landscapes and along rivers, stopping at bakery shops along the way. Along the way, you cycle on the old E16 and local county roads alongside the historic Kongevegen through lush Lærdal , by rushing rivers and past Borgund Stave Church, before rolling into old Lærdalsøyri. The old trading town – once a meeting place for trade between the mountain villages in the east and the fjord villages in the west – has preserved a holistic wooden house environment from the 18th and 19th centuries, with narrow streets and alleys. 

Tour description

The tour starts at Filefjellstuene, where you can rent a bike – electric or regular – at the hotel or at Intersport Filefjell. Download the route in the AllTrails app before you set off, and you’ll have it on your phone the whole way.

Stage 1 – Over the mountain (Filefjellstuene–Maristova)
From Filefjellstuene the journey goes up along Otrøvatnet and out onto the E16 after the Filefjelltunnelen. Here Kyrkjestølen B&B is located right by the road – a natural first stop, with an open café in the summer and homemade food. You then follow the E16 a short distance down to Maristova. A quiet and airy section with a mountain lake and plains around you.

Stage 2 – Down into the valley (Maristova–Borgund)
From here the route alternates between quiet side roads and stretches on the old E16 – including a great section where you cycle through a kind of canyon with the river close by. At Steinklepp, Borgund Vedovnsbakeri is located in the old school building, the first natural bakery stop, with lunch, pastries and coffee. NB: Check their Facebook page for updated opening hours.

Stage 3 – Along the Royal Road (Borgund–Galdane)
The route then takes you onto the old E16 towards Borgund Stave Church, past the church and visitor centre, and down the valley. You pass the parking lot for Sjurhaugfossen (toilet available) and follow the old E16 with Galdane and Lærdalselvi on your right. Here it is narrow, and you pass a couple of dark tunnels – the main traffic goes in the E16 tunnels, but some traffic from private cars and campers may occur.

Stage 4 – Through the valley floor (Galdane–Tønjum)
From there you follow partly the footpath and cycle path, partly the E16 further down the valley towards Ljøsne and Tønjum.

⚠️ Important: On the last stretch before the bridge at Tønjum, you must exit onto the E16. The stretch is narrow and at times heavily trafficked. Cycle/walk one after the other – not two abreast – and wear highly visible clothing.

Stage 5 – Into the fjord (Tønjum–Lærdalsøyri)
On the other side of the bridge, cross the E16 and follow county road 271 towards Lærdalsøyri, past Lærdal Hospital and over the bridge towards the city centre. If you want to cycle the last stretch along the river, take a slightly bumpy gravel path right after the bridge and follow the Lærdalselvi to the National Wild Animal Centre – here is the Laksen bakery & café, a nice stop before the finish line, with fresh baked goods, pizza and indoor and outdoor dining. From there, roll into old Lærdalsøyri and finish, for example, with a coffee and delicious pastries at the Fredag ​​& Fretland bakery. NB: Check opening hours on their website.

Return transport (July 1 – August 1): If you want to return to the starting point, you can take the Fjord & Fjellruta bus route. The bus leaves from Lærdal Town Hall at 3:23 PM and is back at Filefjellstuene at 4:04 PM. Remember to check the timetable and book tickets for both yourself and your bike.