The summit of the Gaularfjellet road stands at about 748 metres, which is not high by Norwegian standards, but the character of the place is that of high mountains: a bare, windswept plateau of rock, lakes and heather, with no trees and few buildings. The mountain divides the Sognefjord from the valleys of the Førde district, and the road crosses it in a series of long climbs and descents. On the plateau, lakes lie in every hollow, and in the evening they hold the colour of the sky. Sheep graze on the hills in summer, and a few mountain farms survive.
The two sides of the mountain are different. The western side, towards Førde, is gentle and green, with forest and farms, while the eastern side drops steeply toward the Sognefjord in tight bends and falls. From the top, the views over the ranges are huge, and you can see for many kilometres on a clear day. The plateau is also a place where weather arrives suddenly. Low cloud can wrap the summit in minutes, and fog is common. Visibility drops, the temperature falls, and the road feels lonely.
It is a good ride, with a lot of variety. The surface is generally fine, and the bends are well laid out, which makes for a smooth, rhythmic climb. Be careful on the descent to the fjord, where the corners are tight and the road is narrow in places. Watch for sheep and the odd tourist coach. Winter closes the road for months, and it is usually open from late spring to autumn, though that depends on the snow. Check before planning a trip in the shoulder months, as an early or late snowfall can shut it.
Fuel is a real concern. There is nothing at the summit, and the villages on either side, Balestrand, Høyanger and others, are small, so the safe course is to fill up at Sogndal or at a larger town before you set out. Take food and a hot drink, as services are few. In late summer, a handful of cloudberries or bilberries by the road make a free snack. The silence on the top, with the wind in the grass, is what the ride is about.