Contents
Our Norway Road Trip – the best so far!
Norway is rightfully renowned for its stunning natural beauty.
Majestic Fjords, mountainous snowy peaks, literally thousands of beautiful waterfalls, lush green vegetation, crystal clear blue waters with virtually zero pollution, unspoiled islands, beaches are all wondrous sites you can experience in this amazing country.
Once you get out of the main cities, Norway’s natural assets exist on a grand scale everywhere you look. You don’t need to be a skilled photographer to capture great images, as it is actually quite hard to take a bad photo in the majority of places you visit!
There are different options for getting around this long and fairly narrow country, famous for its cruises to fjords, rail travel through unbelievably scenic terrain, long road trips to reach more remote locations, or to fly over some impressive landscapes. My fiancé and I were so lucky to experience Norway by all these modes: cruising, rail, air, and road trip. However, if I had to recommend just one mode of transport that would provide you with the most exposure to this fabulous place, it would be the road trip.
The best way to do a Norway road trip from our research and experience is to do this by traveling up the beautiful west coast and diverting inland to various iconic spots along the way. This article outlines the route we took and the main highlights of our journey.
Our Journey
We planned our road journey to start and finish in Bergen. Situated on Norway’s west coast, Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city after Oslo and has a wide range of rental car companies to choose from. Reservations for our car were made and confirmed well in advance of arriving in Norway to ensure all would be ready when we got there.
We arrived in Bergen aboard the Bergensbanen Train having completed the well-known 7-hour beautiful rail journey from Oslo, something we really wanted to do after visiting the lovely region of Stavanger further south along the coast.
The pre-planned route of our Norway road trip was to take us from Bergen all the way up past the Arctic Circle, up to Bodø, then out to the Lofoten Islands and as far north on the mainland as the city of Narvik, before returning southward to again end up in Bergen to return our rental car and depart Norway. We are talking a total drive distance where we ended up doing some 3,680 Klms or 2,287 miles.
Along the way, we would stop and enjoy accommodation at (in order of our itinerary): Bergen, Kristiansund, Bodø, Lofoten Islands, Narvik, Trondheim, Ålesund, and then Bergen again. We chose to stay at Airbnb properties on this trip to experience a more localized and personal experience. Each town we stayed in was so picturesque and I am delighted to say that all our hosts were just so nice, helpful, and welcoming.
Our Transportation
The car James and I rented was a Volkswagon GTI. Neither of us had ever driven this make and model before but it was the best deal at the time and was more than adequate for our needs. In fact, it drove and handled extremely well, not giving us any trouble at all.
A real asset in the car (aside from a great heater!) was its GPS system. This was incredibly useful and accurate. We never had any issues with finding our way (especially with the long Norwegian names of places) and it worked equally well in cities as well as out on the highways and backroads. It even tracked us moving across fjords and rivers when we were on ferries! Another useful feature was that it always displayed the speed limit relevant to your current location.
Our first leg of our trip
The first segment we drove was some 650klms (404 miles) from Bergen to Kristiansund. This particular drive is featured in the popular book by Lonely Planet ‘Epic Drives of the World’.
There is little wonder that they included this drive in their collection as not only is it so beautiful, it also takes in some fabulous and famous tourist icons along the way.
You drive past the pretty village of Voss, famous for the water they export around the world. Voss is surrounded by imposing peaks, waterfalls, and the rail that comes through here. Flåm is also another famous spot in this region, located at the inner end of the Aurlandsfjorden, a branch of Sognefjorden known for its tourist railway to this low and flat town nearby the fjord.
We also drove through the village of Stranda, which happened to have the Sapphire Princess cruise ship docked there. Seeing this brought back some memories of a previous trip we had taken on this ship within South East Asia and the South China Sea. Stranda is a lovely center situated on the waterfront surrounded by mountains. A great place to stop for refreshments which we did at a lovely cafe overlooking the water.
Leaving Stranda, we climbed high into the mountains where even in summer the area is covered in snow and ice. Proceeding along the E39, we took take a turnoff to that will lead us down to sea level again toward the town of Geiranger – a stretch of road that actually won a prize at the 1924 World Expo in Paris.
Geirangerfjord
This UNESCO listed site is arguably the most famous of Norway’s Fjords and something you really should allow time to explore. We booked tickets well in advance to take the ferry along this stunning fjord to the village of Hellesylt and arrived early to ensure we didn’t miss it. While waiting for the ferry we enjoyed exploring this lovely town of Geiranger.
This is just a place I would strongly recommend you not miss and you can read more about Geirangerfjord here.
Trollstigen
For motoring enthusiasts who love natural beauty, Trollstigen is a stretch of winding road going up/down a high valley with stunning waterfalls and views as far as you can see.
11 hairpin turns at quite a steep gradient on a quite narrow road keeps drivers on their toes, negotiating their way through this engineering marvel.
It is a place where many stop at the center here to visit the viewing platform looking down on this road which translates as ‘Troll’s Ladder’ and to take in the scenery beyond.
The Atlantic Road
Another highlight of the first leg of our Norway road trip was the final approach heading north to Kristiansund, made by taking the stretch of highway known as the Atlantic Road.
At only 8 km (5 miles) in length, this is not a long road by any means, although it has been described as ‘the most beautiful journey in the world’.
The role of the pancreas viagra tablets in diabetes is well known. The Lakers were one place up to third order levitra online with Kobe Bryant leading the league in scoring again. For this reason, you can buy propecia online without cheapest viagra no prescription prescription. This applies cheapest cialis professional to both teachers and to students.
The bridges along the road connect a series of islands just off the mainland and is the site where many car commercials and other films and photographic features have been done, due to its stunning scenery.
Many people go out of their way to drive this stretch, while others come to hike or fish. Aside from its physical beauty here, the Atlantic Road is another impressive engineering feat worth visiting.
Heading north to the Arctic Circle
There is just so much to see north of the arctic circle on a Norway road trip, covered in-depth in a separate article.
You begin by entering the Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park, one of the largest parks in Norway. This area is dominated by mountain ranges and glaciers and has a large variety of arctic animals and birds. A fair amount of hiking, hunting and fishing occurs in the region of the park and there is also a lot of accommodation options including cabins, camping and caravan/motorhome parks.
An interesting place worth a visit is the Arctic Circle Centre which is pretty much a mandatory stop for all tourists heading along the E6 highway. The centre has an information area, restaurant and retail shop full of souvenirs from the region, including certificates to say you have officially crossed the arctic circle.
We continued on from the arctic circle centre, up north to the city of Bodø which was our next stopover. While there we explored the mountain plateau of Keiservarden which provided fabulous views of arctic mountains inland as well as the coastal city of Bodø and out to the Norwegian Sea where the Lofoten Islands are situated.
The Midnight Sun
Once you are north of the arctic circle in summer, the further north you travel, the more you will experience the phenomenon known as the midnight sun.
This was a fascinating natural phenomenon that saw the landscape around us in the areas of Bodø, Lofoten Islands and Narvik bathed in bright golden light all through the middle of the night. In these places north of the arctic circle, it never became dark and it was something that made you feel wide awake all the time.
We were so struck by this and the feeling of being around this beautiful sight that we took so many photos and, in the process, got much less sleep than we should have!
Lofoten Islands
Although not a cheap exercise, we opted to catch the Hurtigruten Cruise Ship over to the Lofoten Islands. The ship was able to carry our car in its hold while we relaxed, enjoying the cruise with the other passengers in beautiful waters overlooking so many islands on our way.
The Lofoten Islands are just legendary for their immense beauty, forming an archipelago, the main islands of which are connected back to the mainland. This is somewhere where you really should spend as much time as possible. It is truly an arctic island paradise, the likes of which I don’t think can be rivaled by anywhere else across Europe. Do check out the dedicated post on the Natural Beauty of the Lofoten Islands for so much more.
Narvik
After our stay in the Lofoten Islands, we drove back to the mainland and stayed in Narvik, the northernmost point of the arctic circle we reached before heading back south.
Narvik is known for its spectacular arctic scenery with dramatic World War II history and the Arctic Ofoten railway.
By driving to Narvik, we were able to take a different route through many lovely inland towns and villages, enjoying all new scenery as we continued to head back south until we were back on the main E6 again passing by the arctic circle centre.
Multiple Ferry Crossings
Situated all along Norway’s west coast are so many massive glacial fjords that create huge gaps across the coastland. This natural landscape prevents any highway from heading along the coast without interruption.
Many of these gaps are also too numerous and too wide to effectively build bridges across for vehicles. Bridging these distances between various sections of highways are ferry services that continually run all day long to move cars across wide and deep bodies of water.
While this obviously adds cost and time to your trip, there are some plus sides to this. It forces you to take a break from driving which is good from a safety perspective. It also provides some fresh air as you enjoy the stunning views of the waterways as you cross the fjords and rivers.
The ferries we went on were all very modern and kept exceptionally clean. They all had lovely large lounges for passengers to relax and watch out the windows if they didn’t want to wander on deck. They also offer hot and cold drinks and snacks that you can consume on board or take with you in your car.
Multiple Tunnels
All the way through the west coast and inland motorways, you are surrounded by mountains. As is the case with the huge waterways that cut through the land, there is no way around this for highways.
The result has been the creation of some extremely impressive engineering to build so many sizeable tunnels through this landscape. None of these have road tolls like other countries and it is truly amazing to think about the logistics behind building so many tunnels to allow the national highway system to traverse this area.
All the tunnels have been in operation for some time and look extremely safe. They have ventilation and huge fans to deal with the carbon monoxide produced by vehicles. Although many are also very well lit, it is always best practice to leave your headlights on for oncoming traffic. For a relatively small resident population, it does amaze me how well Norway has developed their transport infrastructure to allow access across some pretty remote places.
Things worth noting
In undertaking a Norway road journey following the route we took; it is best to visit during summer as there are many roads that are closed during the winter months to places like Geiranger and Trollstigen as well as it being somewhat dangerous depending on the location and conditions.
Doing a Norway road trip is comparatively very expensive. Car rental is extremely expensive, not to mention car insurance, road assistance, ferry rides, and fuel (don’t expect that because Norway is an oil-producing country that fuel is cheap!). These expenses added to the cost of accommodation and food means a road trip is far more expensive than most other countries. Airbnb is well represented here in most centres and it is always best to book as far ahead as possible, especially during the peak summer period.
For the vast majority of routes that you could possibly take on a Norway road trip, you will not need a 4WD, especially during summer. Norway has very good quality roads although they are quite narrow in places.
The national speed limit most of the way is 80klms (49.7 mph), but in many places you will not even be able to travel this fast. You definitely need to take this into account when planning your route and the days you need to cover the distances. I would recommend you purchase a detailed road map of Norway while you are still in the planning phase. By doing this, we were able to be more realistic about how far we could travel in any one day.
Conclusion
If you love unspoiled nature on a grand scale, Norway would just have to be on your travel bucket list.
Traveling by vehicle on a Norway land trip along the Atlantic west coast really does cover so much in the way of seeing so many of their iconic sites.
Even if you are not able to do the full route we did, I would suggest that visiting Norway is still worth doing to the locations above that appeal to you the most. If you are able to stay longer and do more, then so much the better.
What are your thoughts about completing a Norway road trip? Is this something that appeals to you? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below and as always, thanks so much for reading.
Outdoor adventure enthusiast that loves nature having travelled locations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Passionate Travel Writer, Blogger and Influencer.
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
- Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
What an amazing experience. The scenery looks very calm and beautiful. Norway is stunning with lots of adventure to experience.
Thank you very much, Sonia. It is easily one of my most favorite countries for its immense beauty.
Norway is certainly my favorite country till date. But we visited during the summer. It would be great to replicate a trip just like yours. The waterfall looks beautiful and so does the ice all around.Lofoten islands would be fun to visit as I have read quite a lot about it.
We visited in the summer as well, but of course, up in the arctic circle and high in the mountain areas, there is still lots of snow and ice. Lofoten Islands are a definite highlight. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts and experience.
Norway must be incredibly beautiful – and your fantastic pictures are a simply mesmerizing proof of it. I only wish it wasn’t so pricey – it’s one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Nevertheless, I hope to be able to visit there soon – therefore, I’m bookmarking your wonderfully written post.
There’s no doubting that Norway is a very expensive destination, Renata, compared to others in Europe. We did know that as part of doing our research and planned accordingly. We just did not want to miss seeing the beauty that this country is renowned for firsthand. From that perspective, we were definitely not disappointed. I hope you will feel the same way when you go. Thank you so much for leaving such a lovely comment.
Your pictures are just mesmerizing, and I can definitely imagine myself doing a trip like this. I’ve never been to Norway, but it’s on my bucket list!
Thank you so much, Kat. Once it’s safe to travel again, I hope you get to tick this off your bucket list soon.
Absolutely loving all those pics, the scenery looks beautiful! You definitely had one awesome trip and hopefully, we can take a road trip in Norway someday as well.
I hope so too, Lyanna, as I’m sure you would love it also.
That bit about the tunnel is impressive!
Sigh, your photos are so great, I don’t think I wanna go near that raging river in voss, though. Looks strong.
There’s no way I would be jumping in that river either, May! Aside from the raging nature of it, it would be totally freezing! Thanks for reading and sharing your impressions.
Norway is absolutely breathtaking! I really want to do a slow travel trip there and take in all the beautiful fjords, mountains, and waterfalls! I’ve seen pics of the Trollstigen, is it just as impressive driving up as it is seeing it from above? Norway is on my travel bucket list and since I’m already in Europe, I think it will be ticked off sooner than later.
Trollstigen is impressive driving on as well as viewing from above, Lulu. They both provide different perspectives of the same magnificent area. Living in Europe definitely gives you a great advantage to plan a trip and gives you the option to break this up into a few shorter trips without having to travel that far. Hope you have a wonderful time there.
What a great trip. I love nature and I can’t wait to replicate this. I love the views. It looks amazing. Can’t wait after the pandemic.
Thanks very much, Emman. All the best to you in planning your future trip to enjoy getting into nature in Norway!
What a beautiful trip! I love that you were able to capture such beauty in each picture. And I was also amazed at how many tunnels you traveled through. My favorite was the Midnight sun.–Such a beautiful sight to see, and I’m sure it is even more beautiful experiencing that in person.
The Midnight Sun is absolutely is amazing when viewed in person, Stephanie. The tunnels and ferries taken on this route were indeed numerous and fascinating. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
This looks like a magical experience. It looks like it’s truly winter over there!
While it wasn’t winter when we visited, Lily, it can certainly look like that in some of the photos, especially when you get up into the mountains and/or head north of the arctic circle. It does have that ‘magical’ look to it in many places.
These photos are just stunning!
Norway looks gorgeous!
It’s always been a country I’ve wanted to explore.
Thanks so much, Melissa. Perhaps you will be able to plan a trip after it is safe to travel again.
Thank you for this comprehensive guide! I am hoping to visit Norway next summer as many of my students are interested in applying for college and grad school here, and I’ve never been! Will save these tips for my trip! It looks stunning.
You’re so welcome, Sara, I’m so pleased you liked it. All the best for your future trip to this beautiful country.
I have read and seen pictures of Norway a lot. And after reading your article, I feel that I have to soon plan for a trip. I am a travel freak and with the pandemic on I am unable to plan well with my family. Just waiting for things to be normal fast. The road trip described with the pictures is excellent
This trip is definitely suitable for a family, Kuntala. I would only suggest giving some careful thought to how much distance you are happy to travel per day and how many stops you should plan (depending on the ages of any children, space in the car, etc). Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts.
This looks like such an incredible trip! Norway is definitely on my bucket list!
It is definitely an unforgettable and enjoyable experience, Catherine. Hope you get to tick that off your bucket list soon. Thank you for reading and leaving your comment.
The fjords are so beautiful. I’ve always wanted to travel to Norway.
Thanks for reading and commenting Cinny. I hope you will visit one day soon.
Wow. Just Wow! When did you have this trip? If not because of Covid, I would have gone to snowy areas this December since I am living in a tropical country, and snow experience is such an awesome thing to me! <3 and I have to agree with you. Your pictures are all beautiful. I am not an expert photographer as well, but I think, people will assume I am if I’m gonna be here. haha! I love all your pictures. I'm mesmerized. Glad you have such a wonderful trip – a product of great research. 🙂
Thank you so much, Cha. I think the research and planning phase of a trip can be such a fun part of the whole experience. We did this trip the summer immediately prior to COVID and we loved every moment of it. The beauty is just immense and I am so happy you liked this post.
Norway is going to be our next European trip for sure. We’ve been to Europe a few times, and I don’t know why, but I never thought of visiting the country. I can’t believe how gorgeous it is!
Seeing so many beautiful photos of Norway before planning a trip is what got me excited about the above journey, Kathy. It is just a stunning country and I wasn’t disappointed at all when I got there. If you have enjoyed trips to Europe before, I am sure you will just love Norway.
Oh wow! Norway has just jumped all the way to the top of my travel list. I knew it was beautiful, but those photos really capture the majesty of the area. Every shot is just nothing but sweeping vistas and towering mountains.
Thanks so much, Brianne. I’m sure you would love it as much as I did.
I would love to see Norway one day. Those mountains and all that water and waterfalls are absolutely beautiful. You could make an entire trip of just staying in one town!
That is actually so true, Ben! We saw so many really beautiful spots where you could stay and base your whole vacation. Of course, many people do just that and have a wonderful and relaxing time in the process. So many idyllic, magical spots, and not enough time!
What an amazing road trip! I’ve always heard Norway is a beautiful country and your article shows that it is. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have the sun up all night, I would be like you and be out taking photos all night. 🙂
The sun being up all night definitely takes some getting used to, Vicki. It is a really different kind of light and you experience such a great sensation – being wide awake and not wanting to go to sleep at all. Thanks so much for reading and leaving such a lovely comment.
Road trip in Norway? Sign me up! I’d love to catch the midnight sun, and Norway is absolutely lovely in your photos !
Thanks so much, Joseph, so pleased you enjoyed this and would be keen on heading to Norway to see it all for yourself. All the best in planning your road trip.
What a lovely trip. I would love to visit Norway and I think the way that you did it is the way to go. If I only had 5 days, what would you say is the absolute must thing to see or do?
If I only had 5 days Nicole, I would suggest the train journey from Oslo to Bergen, followed by Geirangerfjord, then out to the Lofoten Islands. If you are able to stay longer, I would suggest it would certainly be really worthwhile. I would honestly shoot for a minimum of 2 weeks and go from there.
I’m so excited, I have a trip to Norway in May for a camping, hiking and kayaking trip. It just looks unbelievable. All this is giving me more ideas to add to the trip.
So pleased that you have your own trip planned Nicole, and that this post will be helpful in adding to your experience there. I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Alright You have convinced me to go to Norway haha. I have visited before but clearly missed a lot of highlights. Especially the Atlantic Road.. wow. How did you get that view of it is there a lookout point or did you use a drone?
Hi Jacqueline. Pleased you enjoyed the post and would consider returning based on what is shared here. The image you refer to is a professional marketing photo of the Atlantic Road which was published by Fjord Norway as stated in the caption. I would imagine this would have been taken via a drone or light aircraft. Thanks.
Norway looks like an amazing place to visit, especially via road trip, which I love! I am a huge fan of the great outdoors and nature, and your pictures certainly depict that is what I would see in Norway.
Thanks, Kat! Hope you will visit and enjoy this firsthand also in the future.
Norway is on my list of places to go for sure! Renting a 4×4 seems like a bonus and going in the summer sounds like a good idea as well but I am so curious about the winter! I would love to check it out!
The only way to know for sure, Molly, is of course to go and see it first hand. I would love to return to Norway again, but perhaps try winter next time with not so much driving this time due to road restrictions and safety. To head north during winter would be lovely.
My uncle went to Norway several years ago but I never saw pictures of it. It’s gorgeous there, and the aurora borealis and midnight sun are two things I very much want to see!
That would of course necessitate two trips, Heather – one in summer and the other in winter, to see both of those marvels in Norway. That sounds like a great idea to me!
This is so amazing and my kind of road trip. Norway is a beautiful place with so many things to see and do and the scenery is stunning x
That’s for sure Melanie! Thanks so much for reading and leaving your lovely comment.
I love the sound of a road trip in Norway as I have Norwegian ancestors and I am sure I am part Viking! It is on my list of places to visit when we can travel properly again. You have inspired me build my own road trip.
I’m so pleased to hear that Larch! Aside from the fun of planning a similar trip, I’m sure you could also have just as much joy in seeking out possible relatives at the same time. Best wishes for a wonderful time when we can travel safely again.
This is surely an epic trip. Norway is indeed the stuff that dreams are made of. The cruise seems amazing. And what lovely experiences you have had including the midnight sun. The Arctic Circle centre and the Seven Sisters waterfalls are other highlights of the lovely trip that had us awed.
What a wonderful comment, thank you so much. We were in awe of such beautiful sights while we were there and it was such a pleasure to recollect our time in this post. So pleased you liked this.
I’ve been following this road trip and it sure looks like a lot of fun! How cold is it? Winter does not like me so it’s one of the big factors in choosing my travel destination. I’ve never been to a lot of cold countries and this trip looks like something I’d like to do. Thanks for always sharing your genuine experiences. I love your storytelling! Xx
Thank you so much, Trisha. So long as you have a car with great heating and ensure your stops (whether using hotels, Airbnb, camping spots, or wild camping) will all keep you warm, then you really don’t have much to worry about. Just pack some warm clothes and go! It will be a trip to remember always.
Wow, this looks amazing – and makes me feel a little sad: We all had a place we were supposed to go this year but couldn’t make it. Well, mine was Norway – I already had my flight for Easter and then… After having read your post I feel a bit better since I had only four days planned – and if I want to see more than just a little of Oslo, that clearly wouldn’t have been enough.
The cancellation might end up being a bit of a blessing in disguise, Renata. I would suggest much more than 4 days and not to worry about Oslo that much, in order to see the wonders of the amazing country of Norway. Perhaps fly directly into Bergen instead and proceed north from there. Hope you end up having a wonderful trip.
When I visited Norway I sadly only had time to spend a few days in Oslo. I would love to go on a road trip like this though – the views everywhere look incredible. I would especially love to drive up to the arctic circle, what an amazing experience!
This is definitely worth you returning, Krista! We found Oslo to be a lovely city but ultimately it is still a city, and can’t offer what the rest of beautiful Norway can. Hopefully, you will be able to visit again soon and see and experience so much more. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here.
OMG! This looks so amazing- this is totally me. Actually we should have done a trip very similar to this in August but it ended up being cancelled – thanks 2020! Hadn’t thought about adding the Lofoten Islands, but I think I may just add them to my second attempt:.
The pandemic has put a stop to leisure travel for sure, Sarah, but you make a good point that you can now make additions to your future itinerary. I’m sure the Lofoten Islands would be such a wonderful add-on that you would not want to miss.
It’s so important to have a good GPS when on a road trip so it’s great that the Volkswagen came with one. That’s pretty cool too that you got to see the snowy mountains even during summer. I hear amazing things about Norway all the time and I”m convinced to visit now more than ever! Geirangerfjord is simply stunning. So is the Atlantic Road. No wonder it was a highlight for you!
That’s for sure, Jas! I’m so pleased you liked this and that it aligned really well with what you have heard about Norway. Hope you will visit to see and experience it all for yourself. I’m sure you would enjoy it as I did.
What an epic place for a road trip. That Troll Ladders road looks insane to drive on. I think I would get motion sick, but it is definitely a testament in engineering! Haha. The Atlantic Road connecting all the smaller islands also looks like such a unique and memorable experience!
Definitely, both of these were unforgettable highlights, Cecilia. Fortunately, we weren’t traveling fast enough to produce motion sickness as it would have been too dangerous at both places. Just as well, as by being safe, we were able to enjoy our surroundings that much longer.
This road trip along Atlantic west coast looks very scenic with beautiful sights of snow clad peaks, majestic fjords, lush green vegetations. Geirangerfjord looks very scenic and Hellesylt village too looks very cute and fairy tale types. Narvik with backdrop of Artic wilderness too looks very photogenic. I would love to take this trip.
There is no doubt that there is just so much scenic beauty across Norway, Yukti. So pleased you love this too and appreciate you sharing your impressions here.
You just took me back to 10 years ago when I crossed Norway hitch-hiking from Oslo to Bodo!! How incredible is this country right? Now, driving your own car is definitely a better idea…The Geirangerfjord is one of the most beautiful places there and that cruise seems so nice too. Did you see dolphins?
Your journey across Norway sure sounds quite epic in itself, Jenny! We loved both Geirangerfjord and the cruise, although no dolphins to be seen then. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
OMG! This is such a comprehensive guide!! Road trip in Norway has been in my bucket list since I was in 6th grade I think. Hopefully I get to do it soon, and I can tell you this for sure – your post is gonna come in handy for sure! Trollstrigen’s windy roads and Lofoten’s stunning sunsets – I loved the virtual tour through you blog! Oh and it is a relief to know 4WD is not a mandate for most of the areas, it would give us some time to get used to driving in Norway with a small compact car 🙂
So pleased you found this post to be of value for planning your road trip plan, Vaisakhi. For the main areas and natural attractions along the Atlantic west coast of Norway, a 4WD is really not necessary. Best wishes for your trip.
I really want to go to Norway and follow this road trip itinerary of yours. The Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road are just spectacular. All cities and small towns are exceptionally beautiful, although I don’t really like seeing the cruise ship docked in Stranda. But probably people of Norway don’t have problem with it because it means money to them.
Despite the growing tourism over the years, Umiko, the Norwegians have really done such an outstanding job of preserving the value of their natural assets. So while they have a number of cruise ports that benefit local jobs, this is managed very carefully to ensure a continued pristine environment. It is always a balance between economics and environmentalism and I think that Norway is doing a great job in this respect from all that I saw. Thanks so much for reading and sharing.
Our cruise through the Norway fjords definitely created a desire to go back and explore as a road trip. I really do understand that there would be natural beauty pretty much everywhere you looked. I love seeing the views you had as you travelled much the same route we did when we cruised from Bergen to Bodo. But there are many gems we missed – Voss, Sranda, Trollstigen, the Saltfellet-Svartissen National Park and out to the Loften Islands. We sure would love driving those hairpin roads! So many reasons to return.
Many reasons indeed, Linda, and I do hope you will get to do these things also. We loved combining driving with cruising and train travel to see this wonderful country. So pleased that you like this post and are considering a return.
Oh my goodness. Gorgeous!! I am so living vicariously through you right now. And thankful for it! ????????????
Thank you so much, Ashley, for such a lovely comment. I am so happy you enjoyed this post.
A friend of mine goes to Norway every year. He says it’s amazing. He goes with work because of the auroa borialis
Norway is certainly well known for seeing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), Lisa, aside from everything else this amazing country offers. Thanks for reading and sharing your comment.
I love Norway, and your road trip is so impressive!. I haven’t been to many of the places you described yet. Trollstigen is still on my bucket list. I want to visit Narvik, too. I like the idea of driving along the coast. 3680 km is an awe-inspiring road trip.
Thanks so much, Agnes. I think driving is such a great way to see a country like Norway as you can get so much closer to some very impressive and beautiful sights.
We went to Norway about 5 years ago and it remains one of my fav countries till date! The drive from Bergen to Kristiansund was something we came across in our research as well before we travelled and I agree, West Norway is gorgeous and the best way to see its scenic beauty is on a road trip. We didn’t make it to the Atlantic Road unfortunately, we only had enough time to make it to Geirangerfjord. I need to return someday to complete what we left last time!
That sounds like a great excuse to return one day to see a lot more, Medha! Norway is definitely worth spending more time exploring in my view. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and views.
These sceneries are just gorgeous
Thanks, Kimmy, pleased that you liked this.
Oh wow, you got some incredible pictures from this trip. I was absolutely blown away by the different waterfalls that you were able to see along the way. I’ve never been to Norway but I have to say, I’ve never seen a picture from anyone’s travels that didn’t make me want to go in the near future.
There is no doubt that great images can indeed be a powerful persuader in inspiring travel, Britt. I must admit the published images I saw on Norway made me look forward to visiting in a big way. Then when you are there, you feel the excitement all over again when you see it all firsthand. Norway has so much to see, including the waterfalls you have mentioned, that you really should consider staying for some time to see as much as possible.
This is what I love about Europe… It’s absolutely stunning. This made me miss it even more. (I’m from Holland but live in the US) Amazing how much more present nature is over there. So much more green.
Parts of Europe are certainly favorites with many nature lovers, Kimberly, especially for the greenery you refer to. I did love spending a bit of time in the Netherlands as well and I plan to publish posts on the natural beauty there soon. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on what we share here on this site.
Wow this is such a comprehensive guide! I wish I can be transported to Norway now, just by reading this! And by the way, great tip on getting a car for land travel. It also helps cover more ground too. 🙂
That’s for sure, Hazel. I’m so glad you liked this post and that perhaps you might be inspired to go and experience Norway yourself one day. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.
Wow such amazing landscapes and I am sure it would have been a treat road tripping in Norway. I have been to Tromso and I absolutely loved it. Even though I did not travel by car, I did take a bus tour and it was absolutely amazing. I would love to go back.
Tromso is certainly well known for the natural beauty surrounding it, Raksha, and I’m sure your bus tour would have revealed a lot of that. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and I agree that I would love to go back as well.
wow! looks absolutely dreamy! Norway always looks special but coast line takes my breath away
I know what you mean Lyosha. The Atlantic Road stretch is a favorite among many who take a road trip up the western side of Norway. Thanks for commenting.
Oh my, this place looks right out of a movie – or a nature documentary! Trollstigen looks TERRIFYING to drive on, but amazing to look at from far away. I love all the snow and waterfalls everywhere. There really is so much to see here!
What a lovely comment to make, Indya, thank you so much. Trollstigen is definitely not to be taken lightly when driving but the rest of the surrounding countryside is just so beautiful and unspoiled. The more you explore, the more beauty there is to be found and experienced. Thank you again.
This sounds like an amazing trip! The scenery is just amazing. I would love to be able to visit Norway some day.
Thanks, Marysa! Norway is just a favourite destination of mine for all the beauty it has and I hope you will also visit soon.
Road trip has always been my favourite, it is quite adventurous and enjoying road trip in a beautiful place like Norway means awesome. Hope, you had a great time.
Sure did, Puja. I agree that a road trip in a place like Norway really allows you to see so much more of the natural beauty that abounds. Thank you for reading and leaving your comment.
Everything in that country looks beautiful and I wish to visit Norway someday!
Thanks, Gervin. I hope that you do.
What an amazing experience!
Thanks, Loren. Happy that you liked this post.
Absolutely loved reading through your experience as I’ve been so keen to try a Norway road trip. I absolutely love that you managed to get all types of travel into the journey – rail and car really are lovely. It sounds like the best of all worlds! The details of the roads and the photos really told quite a story of the journey – between the Atlantic Road and Trollstigen, the latter would definitely intimidate me (even as an experienced driver).
The roads in Norway, while not that wide, are nevertheless in really good condition overall, Jamie. However, stretches like the Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road can get a little hairy at times and you do need to concentrate a bit more than usual to stay safe. My fiance James actually did the driving here (which did allow me to see more than if I had been at the wheel) and in these circumstances, he is very careful in his driving style. I do hope you go ahead with your Norway road trip, and please let me know how your trip goes. Best wishes.
Wow! All frozen and grey…what a landscape! Even summer is just as frozen as winter since it’s up near the Arctic. I’m sure it was a lovely experience; definitely once-in-a-lifetime.
There are some places in Norway that remain covered in ice and snow year-round, Kemi, and certainly this is more true the further north you travel. It is just so pristine and natural, and such a joy to experience.
Norway is such a beautiful country! How lucky are you to be able to do these road trips!! Incredible views!!
I truly love getting out to as many beautiful places on the planet that I can, Sacha, and sharing as much of this that I can. It means a lot to receive reader comments like yours that have enjoyed what I post. Thank you.
Your pictures are stunning! What an amazing trip this must have been! This is one road trip I would love to take!
Thank you, Sarah. As I said at the start, this was our best road trip so far and was very unique in many ways. Hope you will also get the chance to do the same after it is safe to travel once more.
So beautiful! A little cold but totally worth it for all of those experiences!
The further north you go, the colder it gets, even in summer! But I agree it is totally worth it, Bri. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
I would love to visit Norway! With the fjords, waterfalls, clean lakes, and midnight sun, it has so much to offer. I love your photos!
I did a fair amount of research before going to Norway, Lori, and I was so excited to see it all first hand. It’s so good to hear you loved what I shared here – such comments are really appreciated, thank you.
The whole country looks beautiful and like a perfect place to visit.
I couldn’t agree more, Samantha. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I chuckled when you mentioned it was actually hard to take a bad picture, but what a great way to describe the beauty of Norway. I especially love the photos of the Atlantic Road. The most beautiful journey in the world – how cool that you got to experience that!
The Atlantic Road is definitely a highlight within this trip, Chloe – it is just so unique and stunning at the same time. I loved your comment acknowledging my earlier statement about taking photos in Norway. Thank you so much for reading, enjoying, and sharing your thoughts above.
This sounds like a dream road trip to me! I have always wanted to see this part of the world, especially in winter (very ambitious for a Southeast Asian girl, I know). That waterfall looks particularly stunning.
Thank you so much for your comment Ummi. I am so happy you liked this post and that you would love to do a similar trip in the future. I really hope you do as I’m sure you would love it as well. The scenery there is just so beautiful.