THE NORWEGIAN CIDER ROUTE - Western Norway
Norway and in particular the western part of Norway, with Hardanger at the forefront, have a lot of exciting Cider producers.
From Rogaland and Ryfylke in the south, via Hardanger and Sogn, all the way to Møre and Romsdal, you can now find inviting fruit and apple farms with cider production.
Most producers sell their products at Vinmonopolet, but the products can also be bought at the farm shops.
In the farm shops you can buy both eplemost (apple juice) and sider (cider),
and also enjoy the pure flavors through various tastings the farm offers.
Many farms also offer a walk in the orchard and the opportunity to experience food and cider in combination.
It is clearly possible to travel the entire Cider route along the whole of western Norway,
but if you want to stick to one or two regions,
it is perhaps simpler. We have divided the route into 4 regions:
ROGALAND/RYFYLKE
In Rogaland, fruit cultivation is growing. Not least in Ryfylke, where much of the cider production also takes place. The climate within the fjord is well suited to growing fruit
and historically fruit wine was made from it.
But today it is various types of cider that are produced.
From Stavanger you can travel to Randaberg and visit Sandalen Gård which produces a large variety of cider. They have a farm shop with many unique ciders. A drive of about 1 hour and 20 minutes will take you to Hjelmeland and the cider producer in Ryfylke. By contacting the company "The Taste of Ryfylke" you get access to both accommodation and their restaurant at Hjelmeland. The restaurant is known for its cuisine and for having local cider on the drinks menu. Accommodation can also be booked through them. Another place to stay in the area is Jelsa Hotell or Fossane Gard.
Visit Cider producers in Rogaland/Ryfylke:
HARDANGER
Hardanger has a long tradition as a fruit district in Norway and is the heart 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. Because the diversity is great in Hardanger and the producers are located on both sides of the Sørfjorden, in Ulvik and the Kvam/Øystese area.
Exciting places to stay that meet your expectations you have when traveling on a Cider route, can be 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 cider from Hardanger, we would recommend Siderhuset Ola K in Nå, Buer restaurant, Aga brasserie in Odda and Gløyp in Kinsarvik
In Hardanger, you also have the opportunity to travel on a cider cruise with Fjordtours between the many cider farms in Sørfjorden. It is also possible to travel on a fjord cruise with NORLED the boat leaves from Norheimsund every morning in season. This boat visits Utne, Lofthus, Kinsarvik, Ulvik and Eidfjord. It is also possible to get around cheaply by bus. Use EnTur-appen to plan.
Exciting destinations are, of course, Trolltunga accessible from Tyssedal and Dronningstien up from Kinsarvik and down to Lofthus, on the way down to the fjord you have the opportunity to visit the Cider producers 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 more and more exciting cider producers in recent years. One of the pioneers among Norwegian producers can be found in beautiful Balestrand. Balholm and their Ciderhuset is located there. They offer highly acclaimed tours, tastings and a great dining experience.
If you follow the Sognefjord inwards, you will find the historic farm in Leikanger, Henjatunet which offers both tours and tastings of their farm cider, for groups.
Two of the newest producers are located a little further into the fjord, Odelsgut on Fimreite and Ølmheim on Slinde, the former offering cider tasting and a boat/electric bike tour, round trip to the center of Sogndal.
Amble Farm, near historic Kaupanger, produces cider that can be bought in the farm shop and rents out several holiday homes and offers camping by the fjord.
Exiting places to spend the night that meet the expectations one has, when traveling on a cider route, can be 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.
Reaching Sogn by boat from Bergen is a wonderful journey. You can find more information about this service at NORLED
Visit Cider producers in Sogn (Nordfjord):
MØRE OG ROMSDAL
Møre & Romsdal is the northernmost part of the Cider route in western Norway. The producers in this county are all fairly newly established. Inside Storfjorden at Stranda and Linge, you will find Skarbø Gard, one of the longest-established producers. They produce both various types of cider and award-winning cheeses. Lingebakken is a producer of both fruit and cider a little further into the tradition-rich fruit and juice areas of Linge and Valldal.
The producers, Reina fruktgård and Skogheim gård under the brand name Fjordsider, are both located along the Fannefjorden a short distance from Molde. And even further north, on the farm Strupstad, 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 great Storfjord Hotel or the traditional Nilsgardstunet.