Road · Norway
Sandefjord – Larvik
A rolling 39 km road cycling loop from Virik, Vestfold through Hystad, Skallist and Østby, with 221 m of climbing. Most of it (21.9 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 3.8 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 38.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 221 m
- Riding time
- 2–2½ hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Virik
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 221 m
- 39 km
Route description
- Virik
- Hystad
- Skallist
- Østby
- Dreng
- Østre Halsen
- Hegdal
- Verningen
- Lasken
- Virik
The route begins in Sandefjord passing through Virik, Hystad and Hem. The road is mainly paved with 94% tarmac and includes 21.9 km on main roads without cycle lanes, with some parts on cycle paths or lanes. From Hem to Tjøllingvollen and beyond, the route runs on a mix of road types including main roads, minor roads, quiet streets and paths.
The elevation ranges from 4 m to 87 m, with two main climbs after Hegdal at km 20.4 for 1.7 km gaining 55 m at 3.2% average, and at km 26.8 for 1.8 km gaining 55 m at 3% average. Descents follow, including the longest descent of 2.3 km from km 35.5. The route passes many places such as Kaupang, Halsen, and Bommestad on the loop and returns to Sandefjord.
There are several places to refuel including cafés and supermarkets near the start and finish in Sandefjord, and shops at Tjøllingvollen and near 18 km. Drinking water and toilets are available near km 13.7. Notable services include two petrol stations close to km 29 and the finish, and bailout points with ferry and station options around km 18.5 and near the end.
Highlights
- Climb near Hegdal from km 20.4
- Climb near Verningen from km 26.8
- Loop route in Vestfold region
- Longest descent 2.3 km from km 35.5
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 20.4 km | 1.7 km · 55 m · 3.2 % · max 4.5 % | 61 m |
| Unnamed climb | 26.8 km | 1.8 km · 55 m · 3 % · max 4.8 % | 87 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 56% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 3.8 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 57% main road · 14% cycle path · 8% minor road · 7% quiet street · 14% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 21.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 3.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 8.1 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Haneholmveien (4 km), Syrristveien (4 km), Rauanveien (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 94% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved and 6% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 15% climbing · 16% descending · 69% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.5 km over 5%
- Longest descent
- 2.3 km from 35.5 km, dropping 63 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 28 cafés and restaurants, 23 shops, 1 water point, 6 petrol stations and 3 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 4.8 kmGokstad apotek Åsane · pharmacy · 690 m off route
- 9.6 kmCoop Prix Tjølling · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 13.7 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 13.7 kmToilets · on the route
- 18.1 kmMeny Gloppe · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 18.5 kmApotek 1 Øya · pharmacy · 280 m off route
- 28.7 kmBy The Way · restaurant · 30 m off route
- 28.8 kmSynergy · petrol station · on the route
- 37.2 kmApotek 1 Sandefjord helsepark · pharmacy · 50 m off route
- 37.7 kmBakgården Café · café · 40 m off route
- 37.8 kmJoker Tomta · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 38.1 kmCircle K Søeberg · petrol station · 30 m off route
- 38.3 kmToilets · 210 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 18.5 km — Ferjeterminal Revet (ferry), 1.1 km off route
- 37.6 km — Sandefjord (station), 510 m off route
Worth a stop
- 25.1 km — Grevens Vinkjeller (attraction)
- 33.2 km — Elgesem steinsetting (attraction)
- 37.3 km — Øvre Myra Husmannsplass (attraction)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Bakgården Café (370 m), Matlykke (340 m), Microbakeriet (510 m)
- Shops
- Joker Tomta (330 m), Mix Stanghjørnet (410 m)
Know before you go
- 21.9 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 3.8 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
- Longest stretch without café/shop/water 9.6 km from start to km 9.6
