A ten-day Norway Fjords highway journey itinerary

In case you’re somebody who thrives on outside journey, loves tenting in gorgeous distant areas, and seeks the joys of mountain climbing dramatic landscapes, this 10-day highway journey by means of Western Norway goes to blow your thoughts. Daring declare I do know, however significantly. I’ve finished many a highway journey in my life to this point however this one has gone proper up there to among the finest i’ve ever finished.

‘Why?’ I hear you ask.

The views, the drives, the dramatic panorama shifts in a seemingly quick distance, the hikes, the spacious and considerable tenting choices. The nicely maintained public services, 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 possibly can truly highway journey spontaneously (versus planning and reserving all campsites) which simply depart a lot room in your journey for magic to easily unfold alongside the best way.

Western Norway itself is understood 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 mountain climbing cliff edges, kayaking by means of 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 outside journey meets wellness at it’s absolute best.

In case you’re right here and contemplating a Norway highway journey, get your notice pad and pen on the prepared. On this Norway highway journey itinerary weblog put up I’m going to share the ten day fjord safari that I simply bought again from and persuade you that it has a deserving spot on the high of your bucket checklist.

Prepared?

Getting To Western Norway

One of the simplest ways to achieve 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 by means of main hubs equivalent to Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam however when you’re flying from London you possibly can fly direct to Bergen similar to we did (1hr 55 flight time). Bergen is one of the best place so that you can then spend a day or two earlier than choosing up a automotive or a motorhome for some off the overwhelmed observe journey!

Renting a campervan on your Norway highway journey

We employed our campervan from Roadsurfer, a nicely famend firm which have 75 decide up areas throughout 17 international locations!! In Norway, you could have the choice to choose 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 by means of Norway’s wilderness with a campervan permits a lot freedom. You may take your time to discover distant areas, keep nearer to mountain 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 facet. I personally suppose doing Norway with a campervan is one of the best ways to see it!

Travelling with a campervan additionally means fewer time constraints, as you possibly can modify 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 needs!

Roadsurfer provides well-equipped campervans with all of the necessities you want for an epic time on the highway. I liked their consideration to element within the van we had (Roadhouse mannequin) and actually can not fault the expertise. They know their viewers and supplied all the additional to make it comfortable, sensible and ease-filled.

Check out the Roadsurfer areas and vans out there right here.

Additionally, till 28/10/24 you need to use MOLLIE24 at checkout for £75 off your reserving!

Let’s tuck into the Norway highway journey itinerary, we could?

When to Go to Western Norway

In case your focus for outside exercise is mountain climbing and tenting, the summer time months from June to August are going to be perfect. These months have gentle temperatures and lengthy sunlight hours. The additional north you go – the extra daylight you could 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 may as well get cheaper charges on motels, actions and campervan leases!

Nevertheless, as you possibly can 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 gentle and gratifying even with cloud however after all, there are some hikes and viewpoints you’ll naturally wish to time with the clearer, excessive visibility days. That was the one manner the climate affected our journey. So when 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 wanting journey!!

The Proper To Roam coverage

One of many distinctive points of touring in Norway is the Allemannsretten, or the “proper to roam” coverage. This regulation grants everybody free entry to nature, that means you possibly can camp virtually anyplace in uncultivated areas, together with forests, mountains, and alongside the fjords, so long as you respect non-public property and the atmosphere (I feel it’s a 200m beneficial distance).

The coverage is such a praise on your Norway highway journey itinerary, particularly for these touring by campervan, because it lets you park and camp in distant, stunning areas for as much as two nights at a time with out having to depend on campsites. In case you go forward and profit from these freedoms like we did, please be sure to depart no hint and observe native tips on hearth security and wildlife safety. This freedom to roam makes Norway a wonderful vacation spot for outside lovers searching for an off-the-grid expertise, let’s preserve it that manner!

Day 1 + 2: Bergen – The Gateway to the Fjords

Drive Time: 0 hours (Beginning Level)
You’ve landed right here so you might as nicely start your Norway highway journey adventures in Bergen, a captivating metropolis surrounded by mountains and fjords on west coast of Norway.. You’ll discover cruise ships pulling in right here and a bit extra hustle and bustle than you’ll expertise for the remainder of your journey.

I’d positively suggest 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 fashionable factor to do is take the funicular as much as Mount Fløyen for panoramic views throughout Bergen, when you’re feeling energetic you possibly can take the path and stroll again down afterwards or, head again down on the funicular.

Different issues I’d suggest are… baked items from Godt Brød, brunch at Løvetann Café & Bistro and a sauna at Heit Sauna Bergen.

In case 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 possibly can base your self when you’re seeking to tuck straight into the long-lasting 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 high up your journey wardrobe / fishing equipment in Odda. We headed to the Sports activities Outlet and bought 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 contemporary mackerel for our breakfast! Heaven. Contemporary fish cooked up in our residence on wheels moreover one of the crucial spectacular fjord views I’ve ever seen – we had been off to an ideal 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.

In case you have additional time like we did while ready for the climate to choose up, I’d extremely suggest 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 best way again down we drove previous so many ripe and blushed apples calling our identify, we stopped on the Lofthus Cideri to strive a number of the native produce. I might extremely suggest 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 choosing spots on this hike, I’ve pinned them together with my precise 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 one of the crucial 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 proper day hike in Norway when you’re energetic and prepared for a problem. The gap provides as much as about 22 km (14 miles) in complete however your complete strolling distance truly is determined by the place you stroll from (there are a couple of beginning factors). In case 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. In case you have a automotive you possibly can head as much as P2 – Skjeggedal.

Right here’s what I learnt and didn’t know beforehand when you’re coming by campervan:

• You’ll have to park at P1 (NOK 300 for the day, no in a single day sleeping allowed)
• You’ll then have to ebook a return ticket on the shuttle bus to P2 (NOK 200) – ebook right here
• From P2 you possibly can both stroll (4km steep uphill) or get one other shuttle bus as much as P3 for NOK 150 (the place the hike truly begins)

The remainder of it’s then free and straightforward to observe 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 of! Sure it appears steep however they’ve an excellent operation working right here for the quantity of tourism it attracts and it was a fairly seamless expertise!

High Ideas:

• Begin early (earlier than 7 AM) to keep away from the crowds and catch dawn.
• Be sure you have comfortable footwear on
• Carry 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 mountain climbing at Trolltunga, your legs is likely to be a bit drained however the journey continues!

I’d suggest what we did which was to go to Flåm, a really picturesque little spot nestled alongside Aurlandsfjord. The world-famous Flåmsbana prepare experience begins right here which weaves up by means of the mountains to Myrdal, providing essentially the most breathtaking views of waterfalls and rivers alongside the best way. The prepare 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 possibly can ebook the prepare and bike possibility the place, when you get to Myrdal, you decide up a motorbike on the high and cycle all the best way again right down to Flåm. It’s a 17km bike experience in distance but it surely’s just about down hill so it’s sooner and quite a bit simpler than you might first suppose. The views are insane.

Most likely essentially the most stunning bike experience i’ve ever finished. I additionally liked that on the best way again down, when you go for the bikes, you could have the choice to cease and absorb the surroundings for so long as you want! I’d suggest 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, when you haven’t gotten in a fjord-front sauna by day 6, it’s now your time. You might have two choices on this space that i’d suggest.

The primary is Fyrig Sauna in Skei. Once you ebook a public spot you get a 1.5 hour slot and you’ll alternate between lake dips and sauna steams – all while looking over the fjords. Really heaven on 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 had been passing by means of however my gosh, discuss a sauna with a view! Go and inform me all about it please!

Oh and in your manner by means of, you should definitely cease off for photographs at Bøyabreen Glacier.

In case 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 one of the best useful resource to have on the highway.

Day 7: Loen – Skylift & 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 gained’t imagine your eyes!!

Innvikfjorden is without doubt one of the most discuss and best-known fjords in Norway due to how gorgeous the scenes are right here. You realize… 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 By way of Ferrata Loen which I did a few years in the past. Actually, when you love energetic journey, this is without doubt one of the most scenic, exhilarating climbs i’ve ever finished. See all my photos and my full assessment right here. In case you do the By way of Feratta expertise you’ll climb to the highest after which take the Loen skylift again down (included within the worth).

In case 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 stage in simply 5 minutes. It’s a bit expensive but it surely’s the one manner up when you’re not mountain climbing and the views are actually spectacular.

When you arrive on the skylift to the highest of Mount Hoven, you possibly can go to Hoven restaurant and calm down with a view OR take one of many mountain climbing paths on the high.

They’re very well sculpted out and also you don’t want a information to take pleasure in 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). Go away 3-4 hours for this and take layers! We had been heat on the backside of the skylift and we had been glad for additional thermals and raincoats on the high!

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 drag up, fish and calm down with a view. This spot was completely excellent. We wild camped on the lake entrance, cooked up dinner and did all of the healthful stuff you do while on a highway journey. That is nearly as good because it will get.

There are a couple of 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!

Day 9: Geirangerfjord – Norway’s Most Well-known Fjord

Drive Time: 1.5 hours from Hjelle to Geiranger
Folks had instructed us about Geirangerfjord however they hadn’t instructed us in regards to the drive there. WOW. Simply take a look at that view.

You’ll be wanting to drag over many instances on this route so depart time and when you can, depart time to prepare dinner up / take pleasure in your lunch right here too!

When you’ve weaved your manner by means of 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 a couple of 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 liked our keep right here, the services had been very clear and trendy. You pay 320KR for a pitch (plus 40KR for every grownup) after which you possibly can pay 50KR moreover for electrical hook up and 25KR for a 6 minute scorching bathe. I feel it’s one other 150KR if you’d like a spot on the very entrance.

It’s an ideal alternative for a vanlife pitstop as you may as well dump gray water, bathroom and refill with contemporary water!

We solely had sooner or later right here and we woke to FULL mist and no visibility. We couldn’t imagine 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’d clear. It didn’t look hopeful after which at round 11am the clouds began to half a 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. Really a bucket checklist expertise that was the proper finish to our Norway highway journey.

In case 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 one of the best useful resource to have on the highway.

Day 10: Scenic Drive & Return to Bergen

Drive Time: 6-7 hours from Geiranger to Bergen
In case 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. In case you rise early, you’ll cowl a part of your route once more (likelihood to cease for any extra photographs and souvenirs) after which at Skei you’ll take a special route alongside Djupvatnet Lake and thru the excessive mountain passes again towards Bergen.

The roads in Norway are nicely 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, kind out the campervan able to return it and tuck into one final riverside picnic.

I discovered some actually nice spots to empty gray water, bathroom waste and refill with contemporary water. I’ve pinned all of them in my Norway Google Map Legend right here. Actually one of the best useful resource to have on the highway.

Have you ever been on a Norway highway journey?

What are one of the best issues to do in Norway? Something you’d add to this Norway bucket checklist?