In case you’re somebody who thrives on outside journey, loves tenting in gorgeous distant places, and seeks the joys of mountain climbing dramatic landscapes, this 10-day street journey by means of Western Norway goes to blow your thoughts. Daring declare I do know, however severely. I’ve achieved many a street journey in my life thus far however this one has gone proper up there to top-of-the-line i’ve ever achieved.
‘Why?’ I hear you ask.
The views, the drives, the dramatic panorama shifts in a seemingly quick distance, the hikes, the spacious and ample tenting choices. The effectively maintained public services, the humbling backdrops behind each nook you flip. Norway is a vacation spot constructed for street journeys AND the locals welcomed us with a smile (not regular, IYKYK).
With locations to park up in abundance, you may truly street 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 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.
In case you’re right here and contemplating a Norway street journey, get your be aware pad and pen on the prepared. On this Norway street journey itinerary weblog put up I’m going to share the ten day fjord safari that I simply acquired 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 begin your Norway street 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 when you’re flying from London you may fly direct to Bergen identical 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 selecting up a automobile or a motorhome for some off the overwhelmed monitor journey!
Renting a campervan to your Norway street journey
We employed our campervan from Roadsurfer, a effectively famend firm which have 75 decide up places 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 street 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 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 automobile and lodge 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 the easiest way 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 street. I liked their consideration to element within the van we had (Roadhouse mannequin) and actually can’t fault the expertise. They know their viewers and supplied all the additional to make it comfortable, sensible and ease-filled.
Check out the Roadsurfer places and vans out there right here.
Additionally, till 28/10/24 you should utilize MOLLIE24 at checkout for £75 off your reserving!
Let’s tuck into the Norway street journey itinerary, we could?
When to Go to Western Norway
In case your focus for outside exercise is mountain climbing and tenting, the summer season months from June to August are going to be perfect. These months have gentle temperatures and lengthy daylight. 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 also 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 / Could / 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 pleasant even with cloud however in fact, there are some hikes and viewpoints you’ll naturally need 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, maintain 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 street journey just isn’t wanting journey!!
Midnight solar mountain climbing
The midnight solar is a pure phenomenon that happens in Norway through the summer season 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 season arrives. The additional north you go, the longer the midnight solar lasts.
The Proper To Roam coverage
One of many distinctive elements 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 nearly wherever in uncultivated areas, together with forests, mountains, and alongside the fjords, so long as you respect personal property and the setting (I feel it’s a 200m beneficial distance).
The coverage is such a praise to your Norway street journey itinerary, particularly for these touring by campervan, because it means that you can park and camp in distant, stunning places 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 pointers on hearth security and wildlife safety. This freedom to roam makes Norway a superb vacation spot for outside lovers in search of an off-the-grid expertise, let’s maintain it that manner!
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
Day 1 + 2: Bergen – The Gateway to the Fjords
Drive Time: 0 hours (Beginning Level)
You’ve landed right here so it’s possible you’ll as effectively start your Norway street 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 suggest testing or eating on the Fish Market and wandering across the vibrant picket homes alongside the Bryggen Wharf (UNESCO World Heritage Website). One other in style factor to do is take the funicular as much as Mount Fløyen for panoramic views throughout Bergen, when 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 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 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 street journey itinerary, head southeast towards Hardangerfjord, one in all 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 when 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 acquired 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 dwelling on wheels moreover probably the most spectacular fjord views I’ve ever seen – we had been off to a terrific begin.
It’s a really scenic hike simply driving alongside the primary street that passes the Hardangerfjord so be sure to catch some in daylight.
When you’ve got 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 beneath). 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 attempt among 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 selecting 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 probably the most iconic hikes in Norway. It was so value 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 relies on the place you stroll from (there are a number of beginning factors). In case you’re doing this hike as a part of your street journey and you’ve got a motorhome, your solely possibility for parking is P1 – Tyssedal. When you’ve got a automobile you may 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 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 observe and the view from the Troll’s Tongue (the rock jutting out 700 meters above Ringedalsvatnet Lake) is value each step and penny!
It price us just 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 reasonably 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 when you have them as your temperature will fluctuate
- Pack loads of snacks, your lunch and plenty of water.
Day 5: Flåm – The Well-known Scenic Practice Experience
Drive Time: 1.5 hours from Trolltunga to Flåm
After an epic day mountain climbing at Trolltunga, your legs is likely to be slightly drained however the journey continues!
I’d suggest what we did which was to move to Flåm, a really picturesque little spot nestled alongside Aurlandsfjord. The world-famous Flåmsbana prepare trip begins right here which weaves up by means of the mountains to Myrdal, providing probably the most breathtaking views of waterfalls and rivers alongside the best way. The prepare 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 ebook the prepare and bike possibility the place, when you get to Myrdal, you decide up a motorcycle on the prime and cycle all the best way again right down to Flåm. It’s a 17km bike trip in distance however it’s just about down hill so it’s sooner and loads simpler than it’s possible you’ll first suppose. The views are insane.
Most likely probably the most stunning bike trip i’ve ever achieved. I additionally liked that on the best way again down, when you go for the bikes, you could have the choice to cease and take in 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 may 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 searching over the fjords. Really 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, speak about a sauna with a view! Go and inform me all about it please!
Oh and in your manner by means of, make sure to cease off for images at Bøyabreen Glacier.
In case 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 one of the best useful resource to have on the street.
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
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 street journey, you received’t consider your eyes!!
Innvikfjorden is likely one of the most speak about 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.
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, when you love energetic journey, this is likely one of the most scenic, exhilarating climbs i’ve ever achieved. See all my pictures and my full evaluation right here. In case you do the Through Feratta expertise you’ll climb to the highest after which take the Loen skylift again down (included within the value).
In case you’re in search of 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 slightly expensive however it’s the one manner up when you’re not mountain climbing and the views are really spectacular.
When you arrive on the skylift to the highest of Mount Hoven, you may go to Hoven restaurant and calm down with a view OR take one of many mountain climbing paths on the prime.
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 additional 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 additional 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, normal.
After our Loen hike day we wished to seek out someplace to drag up, fish and calm down with a view. This spot was completely good. We wild camped on the lake entrance, cooked up dinner and did all of the healthful stuff you do while on a street journey. That is pretty much as good because it will get.
There are a number of hikes from Hjelle however after placing the drone up and exploring from a birds eye view, we seen 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 robust currents in Norway and no photograph is value getting your self right into a harmful scenario.
Day 9: Geirangerfjord – Norway’s Most Well-known Fjord
Drive Time: 1.5 hours from Hjelle to Geiranger
Folks had advised us about Geirangerfjord however they hadn’t advised us in regards to the drive there. WOW. Simply have a look at that view.
You’ll be wanting to drag over many occasions on this route so depart time and when you can, depart time to cook 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 number 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 may pay 50KR moreover for electrical hook up and 25KR for a 6 minute sizzling bathe. I feel it’s one other 150KR if you would like a spot on the very entrance.
It’s a terrific alternative for a vanlife pitstop as it’s also possible to 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 street 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. Really a bucket checklist expertise that was the proper finish to our Norway street journey.
In case 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 one of the best useful resource to have on the street.
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’re 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 (probability 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 at all times 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 refill with recent water. I’ve pinned all of them in my Norway Google Map Legend right here. Truthfully one of the best useful resource to have on the street.
Have you ever been on a Norway street journey?
What are one of the best issues to do in Norway? Something you’d add to this Norway bucket checklist?
Love as at all times and joyful adventuring…
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
