Compared to Alpe d’Huez in France with its 21 serpentine turns, Gaularfjell is considered the «little brother», but offers none the less anexperience out of the ordinary with its 9 serpentines and its grandiosesurroundings. As the riders advance up the turns, the scenery typical of western Norway, displays itself.

The length of the track, from the bottom of the valley to the summit at 753 meters above sea level, is 7,5 kilometers and the climb averages at 8 %.

Plans for outlining the road began already in 1853, but many years would pass before it was ready for use. The road was only opened in 1938. Today the road has, with good reason, gained status as a National Tourist Road.

We started shooting at the ferry quay at Vangsnes. In the hills above the quay, an enormous statue soars, featuring the main character in «The Saga of Fridtjov the Fearless». The statue was gifted by the emperor Vilhelm II and was unveiled July 31st 1913. Word has it Vilhelm II was the undisputed superstar of his time, a media darling who loved posing for the press, as wellas being a great admirerer of Norway.

Crossing the worlds longest fjord, the Sognefjord, from Vangsnes to Dragsvik, an extraordinary scenery reveals itself. From Dragvik we continued shooting towards Vetlefjord, a fjord that served as a storage yard for some of the worlds largest tankers from 1975 – 1985.

Having put Vetlefjord behind us the road curves its way into the forest. However, after not long the woods open up again and we are now flanked by soaring stone walls. From here on and up we cycled intervalswith 2 minute breaks.

There is no doubt these slopes are far from plainsailing. The fact that the riders having to simulate break away, whilst also making sure the camera car gets into position, introduces an additional challenge.

A Big Thank you to the cyclists for their immense effortson on the bike!

Gaularfjellet Trailer