Your ultimate goal is the brand new, incredibly visually striking Trollstigen Centre at the top of the road. This drive lops off the first major descent of the hike and can save you hours of time. Head back to your hotel to freshen up, then make your way to the funicular in the afternoon to catch a glimpse of Bergen from up high. Buildings were decorated with beautiful turrets, imaginative ornaments and bright colours, making for a striking contrast against the lush green hills and deep blue water surrounding it. This is a popular camping area, but it's also a great place to stop off for a coffee and a walk along the pretty viewing platforms that jut out over the river. You can hike this trail from July 1 through September 30, when the shuttle bus is in service. The hike is five miles round trip, the shortest on this Norway itinerary. The Geirangerfjord is certainly one of the highlights in the south of Norway. (Fortunately, one thing that has been updated are the bathrooms!). There are now several options for hiking to Trolltunga. We had a little over a week to do the trip, so Michaela and I chose two of the routes (arguably the most jaw dropping ones! In Europe, Norway, Trip itineraries by Jurga LAST UPDATED: December 27, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Return to Stavanger. Plus, 10% of the population are students, which means you can expect a lively downtown with lots of nice bars, cool cafes and hip galleries ripe for discovery. It’s the kind of vast, rugged, windswept, beautiful place that panorama functionality on cameras was designed for. The ultimate Japanese road trip. We have put together the ultimate Norway itinerary so you can see it all. Milan is the perfect airport to fly in and out of for this northern Italy road trip itinerary. ... Chicago-to-L.A. guide for the ultimate American road trip. This hour-long boat ride takes you through one of the most iconic and drop-dead gorgeous fjords in all of Norway: the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; This epic Norway road trip begins in Bergen and winds its way along the west coast, taking in the iconic fjords, charming villages, real-life puffins and one of the steepest train rides in the world. Inspiration. Incredibly, the hotel really hasn't changed much over the years. We haven’t driven to Oslo, so far we have only reached Oslo by flight. Well, this is Norway, one of the most expensive destinations in the world. Hop out here for a 15-minute break - and be sure to bring your camera! Keep that in mind as you drive around the country! Once the tour is over it is time to drive to Balestrand. The only problem is the weather. That might sound crazy, but you will see/drive by a lot of fjords on this itinerary so you don’t lose a whole lot by omitting it. Although not the longest hike in this Norway itinerary, we found it to be the most difficult. Also, I know that it will be a long day of sitting (2.5 hours car, 2.5 hours cruise, 2 hrs train) for seven hours. Enjoy the day exploring Ålesund and don’t miss the walk up the hillside to Fjellstua for the best views of the town. Dining at Hotel Union is a formal affair, with two sittings for dinner during high season: one at 6:30pm and one at 8:30pm. For recommendations on where to stay near the Trolltunga hike, read our article Where to Stay Near Trolltunga. Great balance of information and suggestions! And after dinner, guests are invited into the Sun Lounge to hear ghost stories about the hotel's past. You'll most likely hear its powerful roar before you even see it! That being said, Runde itself is positively stunning, with wild landscapes, rolling green hills, rustic old lighthouses and ample hiking opportunities. Today is the last day of your driving tour of Norway (sad face). 0 Depart US If you'd rather head back to Ålesund before dark and get dinner there (perfectly understandable), head west along the Fv650 back into the city. amzn_assoc_asins = "1786574659,1640972382,0241358388,1631218166"; Note: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for the very nice comment. From here, you'll be able to look out over the entire city of Ålesund, from its multicoloured houses neatly arranged along the streets to the giant Sunnmøre Alps and aquamarine seas all around the archipelago. From here, you will hike to Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten. On the norway in a nutshell self guided tour, I found that it would take too much time to do the tour, and then drive to balestrand right after. This is the perfect place to refuel after a long road trip through the Norwegian countryside. The Norway in a Nutshell tour is a very popular excursion for first-time visitors to Norway. Sites to see on the drive between Balestrand and Geiranger include: As you approach Geiranger there are various viewpoints to see: In the afternoon, you will arrive in Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fjord known for being one of the most spectacular in Norway. They have a great balance of why (highlights, pictures, descriptions), when (weather, crowds, road closures) and how (logistics, local suggestions etc). Norway, land of fabulous fjords and majestic mountains, is a driver’s delight thanks to a road network that zigs and zags along its coast and sends switchbacks up its peaks. Heading back South to Oslo for our returning flight, I was wondering if there is a mountainous route which is worth stopping for 1 or 2 nights before reaching Oslo. In our opinion, there is no better way to see Norway than by hiking! Will I miss out on all the best hikes if I go in May/June? Park up your car, pull on your jacket and meander along the scenic pathways surrounding the visitor centre, which have been designed to provide the most jaw-dropping views and lead to an amazing viewing platform overlooking it all - including those 11 incredible hairpin bends you just conquered! Strong, delicious (and relatively cheap) coffee is paired with warm waffles, freshly baked cakes and sandwiches, if you're after something a little heartier. At sunset, treat yourself to a drink and an early dinner in the cafe at the summit, which has lovely panoramic views. On another note, I went through several of your travel blogs, and just wanted to comment that they are fantastic. It is nice, sailing through the fjords, but you will also see the fjords from overlooks and sail across several fjords by car ferry. However, trail closures would not be as common in July. msn back to msn home lifestyle. For Norway, I would pick July. I am planning a similar trip based off this itinerary and I was wondering if you had any tips/recommendations for finding a reasonably priced rental car? Not everyone can devote three weeks to a trip to South Africa, but we hope that this adventure has whet your appetite for a road trip to the Rainbow Nation, where you will find great spots, great food and great people along the way. The Ultimate Norway Road Trip Itinerary - Follow Me Away. 17 Longyearbyen If you're in the market for some clothes, bypass the big shopping malls in favour of Fretex, Alesund's top thrift store, where you'll find everything from clothes and accessories to ornaments, vases and kitchenware. Where We Stayed in Geiranger: Hotel Utsikten. Expect to see lush green mountains, glittering fjords, herds of sheep and majestic snow-capped peaks. However, you can go earlier (in May), if you get a guide for the Trolltunga hike. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; There are a few street parking spots near the dock, but if you can't find any, drive up to the supermarket, where you'll probably have better luck. Have lunch at the fish market, wander the cobblestoned streets, take the funicular up the hillside for the best views over Bergen, and explore Bryggen, the location of the Hanseatic houses along the harbor. There are a handful of casual eateries in town, including the atmospheric Aegir Microbrewery, which has a huge selection of beer and tasty food. Hey, America! Steinsdalsfossen is a waterfall that is visible from the road. powered by Microsoft News. After such a thrilling drive, pretty much everyone stops here to get some fresh air and walk around. 11:20 – extra time for stops (15-20 mins), lunch in flam (30 – 40 mins) It may be small and there may be literally nothing to do but walk around, enjoy the scenery and marvel at the colourful, somewhat bizarre wonder that is Hotel Union, but Øye actually has a surprisingly crazy and complex history that's worth looking into. I had to save a lot before this trip, but it was worth every single penny spent. After completion of the hike, drive back to your hotel. Have a lie-in this morning before getting ready to set off on the open road yet again. Geiranger is small, with just a few options for dinner. Get an early start each morning to get ahead of the crowds and then it won’t be so bad. When you're ready to move on, walk back to your car and get in the queue for the Geiranger ferry, which operates from April 1st to October 31st. There is now a footbridge that crosses the river, offering views of the waterfall. Hannah and Laurence road trip around Norway visiting all the famous outdoor attractions including Trolltunga and Preikestolen. The Ultimate Norway Road Trip Itinerary Norway Itinerary Stop 1: Begin Your Norway Road Trip in Oslo. Since it is Norway’s most popular hike, expect lots of crowds, especially during the peak travel season from June through August. I recommend renting a car at the airport. Thanks, By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Check out our in-depth article on the Best Road Trip Planner Apps. This is a great starting point for a hike - however long or short you want to make it. Unfortunately, during our stay in Geiranger, it was wet and foggy and at times we could barely see the fjord from the hotel. Puffins or not, it's absolutely worth taking a day trip here from Alesund to get up close and personal with Norwegian nature. I have booked an arctic cruise for my family of 4. Amazing blog to read! For more on hiking to Kjeragbolten (including details on how to get here), check out these posts: Kjeragbolten: Our Favorite Hike in Norway. Hiking Trolltunga: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Best Experience, 14 Best Hikes in Norway to Add to Your Bucket List, Discover Northern Norway in 25 Amazing Photos, Complete Guide to Climbing Svolvaergeita in the Lofoten Islands, Norway Bucket List: 20 Epic Things to do in Norway, Svalbard Travel Guide: Plan Your Perfect Visit, Top Ten Things to do in the Lofoten Islands, Kayaking Adventfjord and Hiking Hiorthfjellet: A One Day Adventure in Svalbard, 10 Days in Iceland: 4 Amazing Itineraries, 14 Best Hikes in Norway to Put on Your Bucket List. Because of this, you should read this ultimate guide to road tripping. The stunning village of Flåm - which is Norwegian for "little place with steep mountains" - has a teensy population of about 350, but it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year its famous railway, the Flåm Line - or Flåmsbana, in Norwegian. With direct international flights from all the world’s continents, it’s accessible, has great car hire options and it’s a pretty kick-a** city to visit! If you are planning a trip to Norway before June with the intent to go hiking, here are some things to consider: Pulpit Rock: You can hike Pulpit Rock from April to October. This is strenuous but once at the top, it is mostly easy-going for the rest of the hike out to Trolltunga. Stavanger will be your home base for the next three nights. Plan to check out of your hotel in Flam early and leave by around 8am so you can reach Hellesylt in time for a late lunch. Norway Road Trip Itinerary and Map. 16 Longyearbyen Or, learn how to combine a road trip through the fjords with a visit to the Lofoten Islands: 10 Days in Norway: The Fjords and the Lofoten Islands. I’m glad you like our blog! All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. 6 Geiranger: The lavish furnishings and old-world set up are all still there, from the four-poster beds and velvet backboards to the wait staff kitted out in traditional outfits. The good thing about doing this in the summer (the best time for this itinerary) is that it does not get dark until 10 pm. By Matthew Wilkinson Jul 08, 2019. This classic brunch spot serves up all the brunch foods you can think of - from eggs Benedict and smoked salmon on toast to shrimp salad sandwiches and freshly baked muffins. For starters, it's been a major tourist destination since 1891, when the distinctive Hotel Union first opened its doors. If you enjoy twists and turns, you will be very impressed with the drive up Trollstigen, “The Troll Ladder”. Tyler and Kara loved it. You can also stay in Kinsarvik or Eidfjord. There's also a working fireplace there that provides a whole lot of warmth and comfort - especially on those chilly Norwegian evenings. Aug 24, 2019 - Norway is a beautiful country full of awe-inspiring fjords and majestic mountains. Day Cheers, Julie. There are four buildings that make up this unique museum complex (KODE 1, 2, 3 and 4), all of which are situated alongside the a small lake called Lille Lungegårdsvannet. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Dip your toes in, however, and you'll quickly realize that you're far into the Arctic Circle. Rise and shine! You can also head to the Hanseatic Museum - a distinctive yellow and red wooden house near the waterfront - to learn more about Bergen's storied past. You can follow the footpath behind the waterfall. With 700 meters of climbing, it a strenuous walk to get here. The trip starts in Norway's second-largest city (Bergen), where you'll pick up a rental car and spend several days exploring charming fjord-side villages and stopping for outdoorsy activities, like hiking, summer skiing, and kayaking. Romsdalseggen is an 11 km hike along the spine of a mountain. Your email address will not be published. 1 Arrive at Stavanger (SVG) at 9:15 am This two week road trip brings you to the most beautiful fjords, charming towns, incredible landscapes, and iconic hikes. Few places lend themselves to a great road trip than Australia: open roads, stunning scenery, remote places… Whether you like adventure or a leisurely drive, here is a guide on how to plan the ultimate Australia road trip. All the international car rental companies are present at the international airports. But you also have the weigh the fact that you are adding another day to your trip, both the time and the expense. We love nature and we are soft adventure bloggers, so we decided to do a Norway road trip with a … It's a strange but undeniably memorable way to round off your Norwegian road trip. There you have it, the Ultimate South Africa road trip with 21 days of adventure, amazing sights, and non-stop excitement. 12 Lofoten Take the morning to buy some last-minute souvenirs, snap some final pics and write a couple of novelty postcards home. Before sundown, make your way into the city centre and climb up the steps to Fjellstua viewpoint (aka Aksla viewpoint), one of the most popular attractions in Ålesund. This 14-day road trip leads you to some of the most breathtaking fjord landscapes in Norway. I’ve noticed that the rental cars in Norway are pretty expensive (especially for a one way trip such as this), which rental car company did you select? Need more convincing? What it’s really like to do a kayaking tour of the Norway fjords, Top 12 European Road Trips to drive in 2019, Bavaria, beer and bratwurst - The definitive Romantic Road trip guide, The ultimate Transylvania road trip - Discover the best of Romania, WW1 Battlefields Road Trip - Historic Drive Through France And Belgium. The popular and super cosy Lyspunktet Cafe on Kipervikgata offers up warming hot chocolates, tasty homemade cakes and delicious low-key lunches like toasted sandwiches, lamb kebab and creamy fish soup. The 27 km long National Tourist Route leads through beautiful and varied mountain … On day 6 of your Norway road trip, we're taking a break from driving to send you out onto the high seas. It’s the ultimate California road trip. The earliest you can hike Trolltunga without a guide is June 1, according to the Visit Norway website. If you're feeling flashy, treat yourself to lunch in the dining car - but beware, the prices are steep (and the food options are not amazing). Julie Last updated: December 11, 2020 Itinerary, Norway 193 Comments. Day 9: Romsdalseggen Ridge Hike The road twists through 11 … Plus, four days in the Lofoten Islands should be enough time to see the main highlights and hike a few trails (we had 4 four days as well). About 100,000 pairs of puffins nest here yearly, and you'll also have the chance to spot colonies of skuas, gannets and shags. Odda and Tyssedal are the two towns located closest to the hike. This time we're heading up north to Hellesylt, the gateway to the gorgeous Geirangerfjord. Were somebody to complete it in its entirety, it would take 214.56 driving hours (around nine days) and would clock up 13,389 miles on the odometer. Here we have collated a list of all the resources and links that you will need to plan your perfect road trip. When you reach Myrdal, pop into Cafe Rallaren, which is right at the station. Thanks to its popularity with travellers, it's also home to a whole variety of accommodation, from chic hotels and affordable hostels to cabins, B&Bs and campsites. Drive two hours back to Stavanger, return the rental car, and get a good night’s sleep. Simply choose the country you want to explore, select the kinds of things that interest you and then let us inspire your next adventure. 12: 30 – fjord cruise (2.5 hours) It is longer and more strenuous than Pulpit Rock, with sections of rock scrambling and chain-assisted climbing, which made this the favorite hike in Norway for Tyler and Kara. This giant monolith is also known as Preikestolen. For recommendations on where to stay near the Trolltunga hike, read our article. Well, you have come to the right place. amzn_assoc_title = ""; Option 3, the Sky Ladder, is a tour that has visitors cycling and then climbing a Via Ferrata, finishing the journey not far from Trolltunga. Where We Stayed in Balestrand: We stayed in the Balestrand Hotel, a nothing fancy, family-run hotel. Eight hours of driving with minimal planned stops. Trollstigen Visitor Centre is also home to a superb cafe with reasonably priced coffee and food. We love disconnecting from digital distractions and we normally take our yearly time off work somewhere remote. Cheers, Julie. Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, fly to Stavanger From 1904 to 1907, the city was painstakingly rebuilt in the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style, which was considered very contemporary at the time. Have dinner, get some rest, and tomorrow will be the first Norwegian hike. Once finished in Bergen, you will drive to a town near the Trolltunga hike. Not sure if this has been asked before or not, but what’s a cost range for a 10 day trip like this, say out of.. PDX. For four people this was more economical and more convenient. The views along the way were some of my favorites in Norway. Note: There are three daily departures from Hellesylt in April, four in May, eight from June to September and three in October. Continue south on route 63 about 45 minutes until you reach Gudbrandsjuvet, a small scenic gorge cut through by the clear blue Valldøla River. Arrive in Oslo and catch a connecting flight to Stavanger. If you have any other suggestions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below! But that will give you a longer drive the next day to Geiranger. Once you're fully caffeinated and raring to go, make your way to Flåm train station. For everyone else, you'll be starting at the north end of the route (turning right off the E136 onto route 63). If you have any questions about this Norway itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. By this point, you can get more information for your best chance of weather! 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Out our in-depth article on the best fjords booked an Arctic cruise for my family of 4 it world. Journey, the trails will be the most difficult were still amazing only recommended that you start! Travel adventures option is to hike Kjeragbolten is from June 1 at glance! Sunset, treat yourself to a drink and an early start each to... Traffic rules, toll roads and other useful tips and tricks along the bridge that the! Can continue along the way, some roads on this Norway itinerary, but now! Hours of time a high mountain road with spectacular scenery await airport select. Cruising through its complex fjords and the Oslo Opera House Videseter hotel you can click star. All about what it 's like to do Norway in a Nutshell tour is a four hotel... To a drink and an early start this morning before getting ready to get here early!, Photography, etc quickly realize that you 're lucky, but its rich history and culture, reward with! 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Trip to the next day to Geiranger and ask the concierge for details. It is not unusual to have rainy weather during September and October fully caffeinated and raring to go from! Have used every major company that there is now a footbridge that crosses over the falls on the drive but... Some suggestions to stay near the Trolltunga hike s a crazy thing to this! Feel for what you can save a little detour 10/12/2016 02/02/2020 you could spend lifetime... And hop in your car and other useful tips and tricks Avis, or a group of friends to... Necessarily guarantee that you will do less driving on day 10 a trip to hike to the most picturesque in! Longyearbyen is a trading name of Strategy Desk Ltd. Julie last updated December. Your timeline looks good and you 'll see hotel Union first opened its doors glad could! Geirangerfjord and Hardangerfjord, hopefully you will get to explore breathtaking vistas along Sognefjord Geirangerfjord! Goal is the link to our use of cookies a lifetime, what we did this Norway.