Cycling the Hardanger Line
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 km | 3 hours | Asphalt | Medium | Cycling |
The Hardanger Line has been reconstructed to a cycling route between Voss and Granvin. You will pass a short tunnel, a previous railway station and the spectacular water fall "Skjervsfossen" on your way.
Skjervsfossen. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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Palmafoss station
Start outside Voss station and follow Uttrågata eastwards until you cross the Voss river after one kilometre. The Hardanger Line will follow the road closely on your left. Continue on the cycle and footpath and take a right on the signposted road to Voss Handelspark after another kilometre. When you reach a hilltop, turn left towards the railway track. Cross the road through the underpass and continue eastwards. When you pass the freight terminal on your right you have arrived Palmafoss station.
Mønshaug station
You will get a great view over Bømoen and the surrounding mountains if you look left. The Hardanger Line used to follow the county road on the other side of the road, but from here the track has been dismantled. When you cross the road once again through another underpass, you are finally on track. You have now started on the steep part up to Dalsleited, so you will probably notice that it is harder to pedal for the next six kilometres. Luckily you will soon pass the old station area of Mønshaug, and here you will find benches where you can sit down and stretch your legs.
Highest point
The corridor will do a long bend to the right and continue southwards. After you have passed over a previous railway bridge, the cycle path will move away from the county road and pass through a rural area. When you finally reach the hilltop, you have arrived the station area of Dalsleitet. This was the highest point on the line, 259 metres above sea level.
Skjervet station
When the county road disappears into a tunnel, turn left and follow the cycle path along the old road. After you have passed over a railway bridge you will soon see the remains of Skjervet station. The platform and the loading ramp are well preserved. Just a stone's throw away you will find the first of the Hardanger Line's four tunnels. It's only 60 metres long, so you do not need a torch. The next one is considerable longer, but you are now allowed to enter this. From here you must follow the old road for the next kilometres.
Skjervsfossen waterfall
You should stop at the picnic area before you set off down the hairpin bends. From here you can get a bird's eye view of the Skjervsfossen waterfall from the top, which has a drop of 150 metres. Look right when you pass the first bend, and you will see a short part of the Hardanger Line between two tunnel openings. When you pass a bridge, you should take the short detour to the signposted "Dusjen" (en: The shower). Literally speaking you will get a real shower from the waterfall if you get close enough.
Nesheim station
The old road will end at the county road after four kilometres. Cross the underpass and continue on the narrow road towards Nesheim. You will soon cross the railway corridor under a partly dismantled railway bridge. From here the cycle path will follow the railway corridor. The yellow house you pass on your right used to be Nesheim station, which is actually the only remaining station building on the Hardanger Line. The freight shed and the platform are preserved as well.
Unsafe railway bridge
The corridor will pass through several rock cuts and continue closely along the Granvinsvatnet lake for the next five kilometres. This is especially a lovely part of the Hardanger Line. When you reach the southern end of the lake, you must turn left and follow the cycle and footpath on the other side of the river. You must not try to pass over the unsafe railway bridge. You can access the corridor again by taking a left just before the cycle path crosses the next river.
Granvin station
The last part of the Hardanger Line is mostly a gravel road. After you have crossed three rivers you will arrive the station area of Granvin, the last stop on the Hardanger Line. The station building is long gone, but there are remains of the old siding down to the quay of Eide. If you do not want to cycle all the way back to Voss, you can take your bike with you on the bus. Or spend the night over at Gjestgjevarstad hotel.
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How do I get there?
Vy regional train (Bergen–Voss–Myrdal) or the Bergen Line to Voss station.