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THE NORWEGIAN CIDER ROUTE - Western Norway

Western Norway, with Hardanger at the forefront, is home to many interesting cider producers.

From Rogaland and Ryfylke in the south, via Hardanger and Sogn, all the way to Møre and Romsdal, you will find charming apple farms that produce their own cider.

Most producers sell their products through Vinmonopolet, but you can also buy them directly from the farm shops. The farm shops sell both apple juice and cider,
but you can also experience the flavours through tastings offered at the farms.
Many farms also offer walks in the orchards and opportunities to experience food and cider combined.

It is possible to travel through the entire cider route, but it might be easier to stick to one or two regions.

We have divided the route into 4 regions:

ROGALAND/RYFYLKE

In Rogaland, fruit farming is expanding. Especially in Ryfylke, where much of the cider production happens. The climate of the fjord is well suited to growing fruit. The fruit was historically used to make wine, but today, cider is the main product.

Starting in Stavanger, you can travel to Randaberg and visit Sandalen Gård which produces a wide variety of ciders that you can buy in the farm shop. A drive of about 1 hour and 20 minutes will take you to Hjelmeland and the cider producers in Ryfylke. By contacting the company Smaken av Ryfylke (The Taste of Ryfylke), you can access accommodation and their restaurant at Hjelmeland. The restaurant is famous for its cuisine and for serving local ciders. Accommodation can also be booked here. Other places to stay in the area are Jelsa Hotell and Fossane Gard.

Visit Cider producers in Rogaland/Ryfylke:

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HARDANGER

Hardanger has a long history as a fruit district in Norway and is the home of many modern Norwegian ciders. From the establishment of Hardanger Saft og Siderfabrikk at Aga and Alsåker at Utne, over 100 years ago to today's well-known producers such as Alde, Edel and many, many more. Hardanger has a great diversity of products, and the producers are located on both sides of Sørfjorden, in Ulvik and the Kvam/Øystese area.

Some exciting places to stay when travelling along the Cider Route are Utne Hotel and Ullensvang Hotel on opposite sides of Sørfjorden, Brakanes in Ulvik and Hardangerfjord Hotel in Øystese.

If you are looking for interesting places to eat that offer a good selection of local ciders from Hardanger, we would recommend Siderhuset Ola K in Nå, Buer Restaurant, Aga Brasserie in Odda and Gløyp in Kinsarvik.

I Hardanger har du også mulighet til å reise på fjordencruise med NORLED boat, which starts at Norheimsund every morning during the summer season. This boat visits Utne, Lofthus, Kinsarvik, Ulvik and Eidfjord. It is also possible to get around by bus at low prices. Use the EnTur-appen to plan your journey.

An exciting destination in the area is Trolltunga, which is accessible from Tyssedal and Dronningstien up from Kinsarvik and down to Lofthus. On the way down to the fjord, you can visit the cider farms at Lofthus.

Visit Cider producers in Hardanger:

SOGN

Sogn is one of the most famous historical fruit and berry districts in Norway. Sogn has had an increasing number of exciting cider producers in recent years. One of the pioneers among Norwegian producers can be found in beautiful Balestrand. Balholm and their Cider House (Ciderhuset) are located there. They offer highly acclaimed tours, tastings and a great dining experience.

If you follow the Sognefjord until you reach Leikanger, you will find the historic farm Henjatunet which offers group tours and tastings of their cider.

Two of the newest producers, located a bit further into the fjord, are Odelsgut on Fimreite and Ølmheim on Slinde. Both offer cider tastings, and you can get to Odelsgut by boat or electric bike from the centre of Sogndal.

Amble Farm, near historic Kaupanger, produces cider that can be bought in the farm shop, rents out several holiday homes and offers camping by the fjord.

Some exciting places to stay when travelling along the Cider Route are Dragsvik Hotell not far from Balestrand, and Fjærland Fjordstove Hotell in beautiful Fjærland. Another exciting place to spend the night, further in the fjord, is Eple Bed & Apple, as the name implies, you can get both accommodation and apples that they grow themselves.

At the very heart of Lustrafjorden Sogn, you will find a Skjolden Sideri at Bolstad Neverdal fruit farm.

If you are looking for interesting places to eat that offer a good selection of local ciders, Sogn has plenty to offer.

Sogn is full of beautiful nature and cultural experiences. One of the world's best is Urnes Stave Church.

Travelling by boat from Bergen to Sogn is a wonderful journey. You can find out more on NORLED

Visit Cider producers in Sogn (Nordfjord):

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MØRE OG ROMSDAL

Møre & Romsdal is the northernmost part of the Cider Route in western Norway. The producers in this county are all relatively recently established. Inside Storfjorden at Stranda and Linge, you will find Skarbø Gard, one of the longest-established producers. They produce various types of cider and award-winning cheeses. Lingebakken is a producer of fruit and cider a little further into the traditional fruit and juice areas of Linge and Valldal.

The producers Reina fruit farm and Skogheim farm, under the brand name Fjordsider, are both located along the Fannefjord, a short distance from Molde. And even further north, on Strupstad farm, you will find Tingvoll Sider.

A great place to stop to for local products and eat lunch is Stolt mat på Sjøholt If you want to stay overnight, you can book a room at the lovely Storfjord Hotel or the traditional Nilsgardstunet.

 

Visit Cider producers in Møre and Romsdal:

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The Norwegian Cider route is presented by: