Cycling the Nesttun–Os Line
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 km | 2 hours | Asphalt | Easy | Cycling |
The Nestun–Os Line between Nesttun and Kalandseid has been reconstructed to a bike path. You will pass several lakes and station buidlings as well as a railway museum.
Stend Station. Photo: Per Ivar Tautra
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Nesttun station
The trip starts at the former terminal station at Nesttun. This is where the trains on the Bergen Line stopped as well until the Ulriken Tunnel opened in 1964. The ticket office has been demolished, but the gods building and a milk shed remain.
Skjold halt
Follow the cycle path southwards, but keep right and do not cross the first bridge. This is actually a former railway bridge of the Bergen Line. Follow the Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen) corridor instead until you arrive Skjold. Turn slightly to the right along Skjoldvegen and turn left on the bridge passing over Bybanen. You're now following the Nesttun–Os Line corridor.
Sharp curves
The cycle path will pass through a residential area and along the lake Apeltunvatnet after 1.5 kilometres. This is an especially hilly area, but the narrow-gauged railway was built for sharp curves with no need for longer tunnels.
Rådal station
After a kilometre you will pass a red house. This was actually the station building of Rådal, and the small, beige house nearby was the freight shed. The wall along Fanavegen before you pass the house is what's left of a railway bridge. The corridor used to cross this road and continue on the other side of the house where the platform was situated.
Railway museum
The corridor continues along the west side of the mountain Stendafjellet. After a couple of kilometres you will see a railway track to the left. If you follow this you will pass Stend station. The red station building is today a railway museum with an exhibition of old railway items. The track ends in front of a rectangular shed, and inside you will find an old carriage from 1894.
Fana station
From Stend the Nesttun–Os Line keeps close to the lake Stendavatnet before it follows Kvernabekkvegen through a residential area. Turn left after a kilometre and follow Kvernabekkvegen eastwards when you pass a cemetery. The red house behind the fence was Fana station.
Spectacular part
After 600 metres you will pass an area with deep rock cuts. The corridor continues as a cycle path along the north side of the lake Klokkarvatnet. When you see two parallell roads and the signposted route to Sandven, keep right. After 500 metres the road continues as a cycle path in a spectacular area. Here you will get a great view of beautiful mountains and the lake Kalandsvatnet. The corridor will bend sharply to the right and end in Kismulvegen.
Kalandseid station
Kismulvegen will soon become a cycle path you need to follow a kilometre. When you arrive a large, open area, you have reached Kalandseid station. This was the highest point on the line, 75.5 metres above sea level. The yellow building to the left used to be the freight shed. From Kalandseid the corridor continued in a sharp bend before it ran southwards towards Osøyro. This part is less preserved, so you need a map to explore the rest of the line.
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How do I get there?
The Bergen Light Rail to Nesttun terminal. From Osøyro take bus 600 and from Arna bus 90.