When you’re somebody who thrives on out of doors journey, loves tenting in gorgeous distant places, and seeks the joys of climbing dramatic landscapes, this 10-day highway journey via Western Norway goes to blow your thoughts. Daring declare I do know, however critically. I’ve carried out many a highway journey in my life thus far however this one has gone proper up there to probably the greatest i’ve ever carried out.
‘Why?’ I hear you ask.
The views, the drives, the dramatic panorama shifts in a seemingly brief distance, the hikes, the spacious and considerable tenting choices. The effectively maintained public amenities, the humbling backdrops behind each nook you flip. Norway is a vacation spot constructed for highway journeys AND the locals welcomed us with a smile (not regular, IYKYK).
With locations to park up in abundance, you may really highway journey spontaneously (versus planning and reserving all campsites) which simply go away a lot room in your journey for magic to easily unfold alongside the way in which.
Western Norway itself is thought for its fjord-carved landscapes and for iconic spots like Trolltunga and Geirangerfjord. There may be actually although, wild, uncooked magnificence round each nook you flip. Whether or not you’re dreaming of climbing cliff edges, kayaking via crystal-clear fjords, or stress-free in a lakeside sauna, Western Norway delivers all of it time and time once more. That is the place out of doors journey meets wellness at it’s absolute best.
When you’re right here and contemplating a Norway highway journey, get your be aware pad and pen on the prepared. On this Norway highway journey itinerary weblog publish I’m going to share the ten day fjord safari that I simply received again from and persuade you that it has a deserving spot on the prime of your bucket record.
Prepared?
Getting To Western Norway
The easiest way to succeed in Western Norway to begin your Norway highway journey itinerary is by flying into Bergen Airport (BGO), which is called the “Gateway to the Fjords”.
Worldwide flights join via main hubs similar to Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam however should you’re flying from London you may fly direct to Bergen similar to we did (1hr 55 flight time). Bergen is the most effective place so that you can then spend a day or two earlier than selecting up a automotive or a motorhome for some off the overwhelmed monitor journey!
Renting a campervan in your Norway highway journey
We employed our campervan from Roadsurfer, a effectively famend firm which have 75 decide up places throughout 17 nations!! In Norway, you might have the choice to select up in Oslo or Bergen. We knew we wished to be deep within the fjords for our Norway highway journey and so we went with the least driving time and picked up from Bergen (a 5 minute Uber from the airport itself).
Driving via Norway’s wilderness with a campervan permits a lot freedom. You may take your time to discover distant areas, keep nearer to climbing trails, and get up to views of waterfalls and fjord views. A few of our park up views are ones that i’ll keep in mind for a lifetime. While a automotive and resort mixture may be stunning, a campervan offers you an unrivalled and far deeper connection to Norway’s wild aspect. I personally suppose doing Norway with a campervan is one of the simplest ways to see it!
Travelling with a campervan additionally means fewer time constraints, as you may alter your plans on the go with out worrying about check-in instances or availability. You may keep so long as you want and actually customise the journey to your hearts wishes!
Roadsurfer presents well-equipped campervans with all of the necessities you want for an epic time on the highway. I cherished their consideration to element within the van we had (Roadhouse mannequin) and actually can’t fault the expertise. They know their viewers and offered all the additional to make it comfortable, sensible and ease-filled.
Check out the Roadsurfer places and vans accessible right here.
Additionally, till 28/10/24 you should use MOLLIE24 at checkout for £75 off your reserving!
Let’s tuck into the Norway highway journey itinerary, lets?
When to Go to Western Norway
In case your focus for out of doors exercise is climbing and tenting, the summer time months from June to August are going to be perfect. These months have delicate temperatures and lengthy daytime. The additional north you go – the extra daylight you might have in the summertime!
Spring and early fall are additionally nice for fewer crowds, emptier park up spots and maybe a extra spontaneous itinerary. You can even get cheaper charges on accommodations, actions and campervan leases!
Nevertheless, as you may think about, the climate is a bit more unpredictable within the shoulder months of April / Might / Sept / Oct. We visited for the primary 2 weeks of September and we had 2/3 days of rain, 3/4 cloudy days after which 2/3 full solar days. It didn’t have an effect on the enjoyment of our journey in any respect because the temperature was so delicate and gratifying even with cloud however in fact, there are some hikes and viewpoints you’ll naturally wish to time with the clearer, excessive visibility days. That was the one means the climate affected our journey. So should you do go for shoulder months, preserve your itinerary versatile! We pushed again our Trolltunga hike 2 days to attend for the sunshine!
On the wet days we took to fishing, saunas on the fjord entrance and card video games within the van with tea and biscuits on lockdown. A Norway highway journey shouldn’t be in need of journey!!
Midnight solar climbing
The midnight solar is a pure phenomenon that happens in Norway throughout the summer time when the solar stays above the horizon for a number of months. The impact is attributable to the Earth’s tilt and rotation, which causes the northern hemisphere to tilt nearer to the solar as summer time arrives. The additional north you go, the longer the midnight solar lasts.
The Proper To Roam coverage
One of many distinctive facets of touring in Norway is the Allemannsretten, or the “proper to roam” coverage. This regulation grants everybody free entry to nature, that means you may camp virtually wherever in uncultivated areas, together with forests, mountains, and alongside the fjords, so long as you respect non-public property and the atmosphere (I believe it’s a 200m really helpful distance).
The coverage is such a praise in your Norway highway journey itinerary, particularly for these touring by campervan, because it lets you park and camp in distant, stunning places for as much as two nights at a time with out having to depend on campsites. When you go forward and profit from these freedoms like we did, please be sure to go away no hint and comply with native pointers on hearth security and wildlife safety. This freedom to roam makes Norway a wonderful vacation spot for out of doors lovers searching for an off-the-grid expertise, let’s preserve it that means!
Day 1 + 2: Bergen – The Gateway to the Fjords
Drive Time: 0 hours (Beginning Level)
You’ve landed right here so you might as effectively start your Norway highway journey adventures in Bergen, an enthralling metropolis surrounded by mountains and fjords on west coast of Norway.. You’ll discover cruise ships pulling in right here and a little bit extra hustle and bustle than you’ll expertise for the remainder of your journey.
I’d positively advocate trying out or eating on the Fish Market and wandering across the vibrant wood homes alongside the Bryggen Wharf (UNESCO World Heritage Website). One other widespread factor to do is take the funicular as much as Mount Fløyen for panoramic views throughout Bergen, should you’re feeling energetic you may take the path and stroll again down afterwards or, head again down on the funicular.
Different issues I’d advocate are… baked items from Godt Brød, brunch at Løvetann Café & Bistro and a sauna at Heit Sauna Bergen.
When you’d like entry to all my favorite finds, espresso and brunch spots and extra, you may get lifetime entry to my Norway Google Map Legend right here.
Day 3: Hardangerfjord
Drive Time: 2 hours from Bergen to Odda
On the second day of your Norway highway journey itinerary, head southeast towards Hardangerfjord, one among Norway’s most scenic fjords and put together to get straight into the guts of the views. The primary city on this area is Odda, the place you may base your self should you’re trying to tuck straight into the enduring Trolltunga hike the next day.
We had rain upon arrival in Odda and so we pushed our hike again a day and as a substitute went on a waterfall tour to see Tjørnadalsfossen waterfall and some others within the space. There are some nice locations to prime up your journey wardrobe / fishing package in Odda. We headed to the Sports activities Outlet and received some nice offers on waterproofs and lures!
We parked up proper on the fjord for our second night and my parter was solely fishing for 10 minutes and caught 4 recent mackerel for our breakfast! Heaven. Contemporary fish cooked up in our house on wheels apart from some of the spectacular fjord views I’ve ever seen – we have been off to an incredible begin.
It’s a really scenic hike simply driving alongside the principle highway that passes the Hardangerfjord so be sure to catch some in daylight.
If in case you have further time like we did while ready for the climate to select up, I’d extremely advocate heading to Lofthus, parking right here and taking the hike as much as the Hoven cabin (a free public cabin, pictured under). It was INCREDIBLE.
On the way in which again down we drove previous so many ripe and blushed apples calling our title, we stopped on the Lofthus Cideri to strive a few of the native produce. I might extremely advocate stopping by, they’ve a wide range of apple ciders and apple juices so that you can quench your thirst with after your hike.
P.s. I discovered some fairly epic mushroom selecting spots on this hike, I’ve pinned them together with my actual tenting spots and fishing spots onto the Norway Google Map right here.
Day 4: Trolltunga – The Iconic Hike
Drive Time: 0.5 hours from Odda to Trolltunga trailhead
Put together your self for some of the iconic hikes in Norway. It was so price ready round for the clear skies!
The round-trip hike for this hike is difficult however so rewarding, and is the right day hike in Norway should you’re energetic and prepared for a problem. The space provides as much as about 22 km (14 miles) in complete however your complete strolling distance really relies on the place you stroll from (there are just a few beginning factors). When you’re doing this hike as a part of your highway journey and you’ve got a motorhome, your solely possibility for parking is P1 – Tyssedal. If in case you have a automotive you may head as much as P2 – Skjeggedal.
Right here’s what I learnt and didn’t know beforehand should you’re coming by campervan:
- You’ll must park at P1 (NOK 300 for the day, no in a single day sleeping allowed)
- You’ll then must e-book a return ticket on the shuttle bus to P2 (NOK 200) – e-book right here
- From P2 you may both stroll (4km steep uphill) or get one other shuttle bus as much as P3 for NOK 150 (the place the hike really begins)
The remainder of it’s then free and straightforward to comply with and the view from the Troll’s Tongue (the rock jutting out 700 meters above Ringedalsvatnet Lake) is price each step and penny!
It value us slightly below £100 for the 2 of us with all prices thought-about! Sure it appears steep however they’ve an excellent operation operating right here for the quantity of tourism it attracts and it was a fairly seamless expertise!
Prime Suggestions:
- Begin early (earlier than 7 AM) to keep away from the crowds and catch dawn.
- Be sure you have comfortable footwear on
- Convey layers, technical in case you have them as your temperature will fluctuate
- Pack loads of snacks, your lunch and many water.
Day 5: Flåm – The Well-known Scenic Practice Trip
Drive Time: 1.5 hours from Trolltunga to Flåm
After an epic day climbing at Trolltunga, your legs is perhaps a little bit drained however the journey continues!
I’d advocate what we did which was to move to Flåm, a really picturesque little spot nestled alongside Aurlandsfjord. The world-famous Flåmsbana practice experience begins right here which weaves up via the mountains to Myrdal, providing essentially the most breathtaking views of waterfalls and rivers alongside the way in which. The practice experience itself is about 40/50 minutes and the views are on each side.
In case your legs aren’t too drained (or in the event that they want loosening after the hike) you may e-book the practice and bike possibility the place, when you get to Myrdal, you decide up a motorcycle on the prime and cycle all the way in which again all the way down to Flåm. It’s a 17km bike experience in distance nevertheless it’s just about down hill so it’s quicker and rather a lot simpler than you might first suppose. The views are insane.
In all probability essentially the most stunning bike experience i’ve ever carried out. I additionally cherished that on the way in which again down, should you go for the bikes, you might have the choice to cease and absorb the surroundings for so long as you want! I’d advocate taking some snacks and drinks with you to make a day of it!
Day 6: Skei – Sauna on the water
Drive Time: 2.5 hours from Flåm to Skei
Okay, should you haven’t gotten in a fjord-front sauna by day 6, it’s now your time. You’ve gotten two choices on this space that i’d advocate.
The primary is Fyrig Sauna in Skei. While you e-book a public spot you get a 1.5 hour slot and you may alternate between lake dips and sauna steams – all while searching over the fjords. Actually heaven in your physique and thoughts.
The opposite one which can also be close by and has insane views is the Velte Dampen floating sauna. It was closed the day we have been passing via however my gosh, discuss a sauna with a view! Go and inform me all about it please!
Oh and in your means via, remember to cease off for images at Bøyabreen Glacier.
When you’d like entry to all my favorite finds, espresso and brunch spots and extra alongside our route, you may get lifetime entry to my Norway Google Map Legend right here. Actually the most effective useful resource to have on the highway.
Day 7: Loen – Skylift & Mountain climbing Journey
Drive Time: 45 minutes from Olden to Loen
As you drive from Skei to Loen you’ll arrive to the water once more and take the scenic drive round Innvikfjorden which can also be known as ‘Mom Nature’s Wonderland’. You may think about why. It simply will get higher and higher on a Norway highway journey, you received’t consider your eyes!!
Innvikfjorden is likely one of the most discuss and best-known fjords in Norway due to how gorgeous the scenes are right here. You understand… crystal waters, emerald-green forests, snow-capped mountain backdrop, and a number of cascading waterfalls offering the white noise. It’s foolish stunning. This fjord stretches throughout 4.5 kilometres, and each Olden and Loen sit on the shores right here.
Among the finest adventures to go on in Loen is the Through Ferrata Loen which I did a few years in the past. Actually, should you love energetic journey, this is likely one of the most scenic, exhilarating climbs i’ve ever carried out. See all my photos and my full evaluate right here. When you do the Through Feratta expertise you’ll climb to the highest after which take the Loen skylift again down (included within the value).
When you’re searching for a extra mellow journey or just to dine with a view throughout this gorgeous fjordland, I like to recommend taking Loen Skylift, which takes you 1,011 meters above sea degree in simply 5 minutes. It’s a little bit dear nevertheless it’s the one means up should you’re not climbing and the views are actually spectacular.
When you arrive on the skylift to the highest of Mount Hoven, you may go to Hoven restaurant and chill out with a view OR take one of many climbing paths on the prime.
They’re very well sculpted out and also you don’t want a information to get pleasure from them!
We did the longer hike as much as Staurinibba, which stands at 1379 asl. It’s a reasonably difficult trek that elevates you an extra 379m over 5.4km (spherical journey). Depart 3-4 hours for this and take layers! We have been heat on the backside of the skylift and we have been glad for further thermals and raincoats on the prime!
Each instances I’ve been to Loen I’ve skilled all seasons in a day!
Day 8: Hjelle + Glomnesfossen
Drive Time: 1 hour from Loen to Hjelle
Hjelle is a quiet village alongside Lake Oppstrynsvatnet that gives glacier and waterfall views, customary.
After our Loen hike day we wished to search out someplace to tug up, fish and chill out with a view. This spot was completely excellent. We wild camped on the lake entrance, cooked up dinner and did all of the healthful belongings you do while on a highway journey. That is pretty much as good because it will get.
There are just a few hikes from Hjelle however after placing the drone up and exploring from a birds eye view, we observed Glomnesfossen, a beautiful lesser-known waterfall tucked away within the forest. So after a blissful sleep and a cup of espresso the next morning – we walked as much as discover and take an icy dip within the glacial waters!
Watch out!
When swimming in rivers, lake or waterfalls, keep supervised and watch the currents earlier than you get in. There are some actually sturdy currents in Norway and no picture is price getting your self right into a harmful state of affairs.
Day 9: Geirangerfjord – Norway’s Most Well-known Fjord
Drive Time: 1.5 hours from Hjelle to Geiranger
Individuals had advised us about Geirangerfjord however they hadn’t advised us in regards to the drive there. WOW. Simply take a look at that view.
You’ll be wanting to tug over many instances on this route so go away time and should you can, go away time to prepare dinner up / get pleasure from your lunch right here too!
When you’ve weaved your means via the scenic roads down and into to Geiranger itself, you arrive to the crown jewel of Norwegian fjords, a UNESCO World Heritage Website know for spots just like the Seven Sisters waterfall and the Skagefla hike. There are just a few campsites right here however not many locations to wild camp. Totally free camp spots you’ll be higher heading again as much as the scenic drive in. We selected to remain at Geirangerfjorden Feriesenter which was proper on the waterfront.
We cherished our keep right here, the amenities have been very clear and trendy. You pay 320KR for a pitch (plus 40KR for every grownup) after which you may pay 50KR moreover for electrical hook up and 25KR for a 6 minute sizzling bathe. I believe it’s one other 150KR if you need a spot on the very entrance.
It’s an incredible alternative for a vanlife pitstop as you too can dump gray water, rest room and refill with recent water!
We solely had someday right here and we woke to FULL mist and no visibility. We couldn’t consider it as getting out on the fjord was our ultimate Norway highway journey dream and we had no extra days to play with.
We determined to attend the morning out to see if it would clear. It didn’t look hopeful after which at round 11am the clouds began to half a little bit and we took an opportunity and rented a ship from Geirangerfjorden Feriesenter (on the campsite).
To our delight, the skies cleared and we loved a 4 hour expertise on our little energy boat, catching 4 fish (Coal fish) and drifting previous many a waterfall as we went. Actually a bucket record expertise that was the right finish to our Norway highway journey.
When you’d like full entry to all my favorite finds, espresso, wild tenting spots and extra alongside our route, you may get lifetime entry to my Norway Google Map Legend right here. Actually the most effective useful resource to have on the highway.
Day 10: Scenic Drive & Return to Bergen
Drive Time: 6-7 hours from Geiranger to Bergen
When you select to take the identical route as us, the final day will imply you are taking the longest drive of your journey again to Bergen. When you rise early, you’ll cowl a part of your route once more (likelihood to cease for any extra images and souvenirs) after which at Skei you’ll take a unique route alongside Djupvatnet Lake and thru the excessive mountain passes again towards Bergen.
The roads in Norway are effectively maintained and I really feel just like the views are simply all the time so gorgeous the drive time passes so shortly. Simply after the ultimate ferry from Lavik, there have been loads of alternatives to cease by the water, type out the campervan able to return it and tuck into one final riverside picnic.
I discovered some actually nice spots to empty gray water, rest room waste and refill with recent water. I’ve pinned all of them in my Norway Google Map Legend right here. Actually the most effective useful resource to have on the highway.
Have you ever been on a Norway highway journey?
What are the most effective issues to do in Norway? Something you’d add to this Norway bucket record?
