A ten-day Norway Fjords highway journey itinerary

When you’re somebody who thrives on outside journey, loves tenting in gorgeous distant areas, and seeks the fun of climbing dramatic landscapes, this 10-day highway journey by means of Western Norway goes to blow your thoughts. Daring declare I do know, however severely. I’ve executed many a highway journey in my life up to now however this one has gone proper up there to probably the greatest i’ve ever executed.

‘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 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 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 way in which.

Western Norway itself is understood for its fjord-carved landscapes and for iconic spots like Trolltunga and Geirangerfjord. There may be truthfully although, wild, uncooked magnificence round each nook you flip. Whether or not you’re dreaming of climbing cliff edges, kayaking by means of crystal-clear fjords, or enjoyable 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 most interesting.

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 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 prime of your bucket checklist.

Prepared?

Getting To Western Norway

The easiest way to succeed in Western Norway to start out your Norway highway journey itinerary is by flying into Bergen Airport (BGO), which is named the “Gateway to the Fjords”.

Worldwide flights join by means of main hubs equivalent to Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam however for those who’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 choosing up a automobile or a motorhome for some off the crushed monitor journey!

Renting a campervan to your Norway highway journey

We employed our campervan from Roadsurfer, a nicely famend firm which have 75 choose up areas throughout 17 international locations!! In Norway, you may have the choice to choose up in Oslo or Bergen. We knew we needed 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 possibly can 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 automobile and resort mixture is also stunning, a campervan offers you an unrivalled and far deeper connection to Norway’s wild aspect. I personally assume 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 may modify your plans on the go with out worrying about check-in occasions or availability. You possibly can keep so long as you want and actually customise the journey to your hearts needs!

Roadsurfer affords 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 truthfully can not fault the expertise. They know their viewers and supplied all the additional to make it cozy, sensible and ease-filled.

Check out the Roadsurfer areas and vans obtainable right here.

Additionally, till 28/10/24 you should utilize 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 outside exercise is climbing and tenting, the summer season months from June to August are going to be preferrred. These months have gentle temperatures and lengthy sunlight hours. The additional north you go – the extra daylight you may 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 too get cheaper charges on lodges, 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 gentle and pleasurable 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 approach the climate affected our journey. So for those who do go for shoulder months, hold 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 will not be in need of journey!!

The Proper To Roam coverage

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

The coverage is such a praise to 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. When you go forward and profit from these freedoms like we did, please ensure you depart no hint and comply with native tips on fireplace security and wildlife safety. This freedom to roam makes Norway a superb vacation spot for outside lovers searching for an off-the-grid expertise, let’s hold it that approach!

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

Drive Time: 0 hours (Beginning Level)
You’ve landed right here so you could as nicely 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 slightly extra hustle and bustle than you’ll expertise for the remainder of your journey.

I’d undoubtedly advocate testing or eating on the Fish Market and wandering across the vibrant wood homes alongside the Bryggen Wharf (UNESCO World Heritage Website). One other common factor to do is take the funicular as much as Mount Fløyen for panoramic views throughout Bergen, for those who’re feeling lively 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 will 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, considered one of Norway’s most scenic fjords and put together to get straight into the center of the views. The primary city on this area is Odda, the place you may base your self for those who’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 an alternative 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 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 recent mackerel for our breakfast! Heaven. Recent fish cooked up in our residence on wheels apart from one of the crucial spectacular fjord views I’ve ever seen – we had been off to an excellent begin.

It’s a really scenic hike simply driving alongside the primary highway that passes the Hardangerfjord so ensure you catch some in daylight.

If in case you have further time like we did while ready for the climate to choose 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 beneath). It was INCREDIBLE.

On the way in which again down we drove previous so many ripe and blushed apples calling our identify, we stopped on the Lofthus Cideri to attempt among the native produce. I’d extremely advocate stopping by, they’ve quite a lot 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 right day hike in Norway for those who’re lively and prepared for a problem. The space provides as much as about 22 km (14 miles) in whole however your whole strolling distance truly is determined by the place you stroll from (there are a couple of 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 automobile you may head as much as P2 – Skjeggedal.

Right here’s what I learnt and didn’t know beforehand for those who’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 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 truly 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 price 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 reasonably seamless expertise!

Prime Ideas:

• Begin early (earlier than 7 AM) to keep away from the crowds and catch dawn.
• Be sure to have cozy footwear on
• Carry layers, technical if 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 Prepare Trip

Drive Time: 1.5 hours from Trolltunga to Flåm
After an epic day climbing at Trolltunga, your legs is perhaps slightly 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 trip 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 way in which. The practice trip 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 choose up a motorcycle on the prime and cycle all the way in which again right down to Flåm. It’s a 17km bike trip in distance but it surely’s just about down hill so it’s sooner and lots simpler than you could first assume. The views are insane.

In all probability essentially the most stunning bike trip i’ve ever executed. I additionally liked that on the way in which again down, for those who go for the bikes, you may 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, for those who 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 to 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 approach by means of, make sure to cease off for pictures at Bøyabreen Glacier.

When you’d like entry to all my favorite finds, espresso and brunch spots and extra alongside our route, you will get lifetime entry to my Norway Google Map Legend right here. Truthfully 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 possibly can think about why. It simply will get higher and higher on a Norway highway journey, you gained’t imagine 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. … 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.

Top-of-the-line adventures to go on in Loen is the Through Ferrata Loen which I did a few years in the past. Truthfully, for those who love lively journey, this is likely one of the most scenic, exhilarating climbs i’ve ever executed. See all my photos and my full assessment 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 stage in simply 5 minutes. It’s slightly expensive but it surely’s the one approach up for those who’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 loosen up with a view OR take one of many climbing paths on the prime.

They’re rather 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 had been heat on the backside of the skylift and we had been glad for further thermals and raincoats on the prime!

Each occasions 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 provides glacier and waterfall views, commonplace.

After our Loen hike day we needed to seek out someplace to tug up, fish and loosen up 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 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 stunning 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 concerning the drive there. WOW. Simply have a look at that view.

You’ll be wanting to tug over many occasions on this route so depart time and for those who can, depart time to prepare dinner up / get pleasure from your lunch right here too!

When you’ve weaved your approach 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. Without cost 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 amenities had 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 scorching bathe. I feel it’s one other 150KR if you’d like a spot on the very entrance.

It’s an excellent alternative for a vanlife pitstop as you can even dump gray water, rest room and replenish with recent water!

We solely had someday right here and we woke to FULL mist and no visibility. We couldn’t imagine it as getting out on the fjord was our last 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 slightly 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 checklist 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 will get lifetime entry to my Norway Google Map Legend right here. Truthfully 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 (probability to cease for any extra pictures and souvenirs) after which at Skei you’ll take a distinct 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 rapidly. 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 replenish with recent water. I’ve pinned all of them in my Norway Google Map Legend right here. Truthfully 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 checklist?