8–14 days / 1557 km / 6 ferries:
Our suggested journey comprises several National Tourist Routes, giving you a true taste of FjordNorway!
The extended scenic drive passes along sheltered fjord arms, across mountain passes, along raging rivers, and through charming fjordside and mountain villages. It’s especially beautiful in the late spring and in the autumn, but please note that snow closes some of the mountain passes in the winter.
Kristiansand-Egersund-Lysefjorden-Stavanger-Røldal-Voss-Sogndal-Stryn-Geiranger-Åndalsnes-Trondheim.
Kristiansand – Stavanger, 335 km, 10 hours, 1 ferry
Kristiansand is a bustling town that thrives on its good ferry connections with the continent, it has busy marinas and an attractive fishing harbour. Leave the main road at Flekkefjord and continue on Rv44, gradually the scenery changes from a gentle landscape to one that is more roughly hewn. This coastal route is a part of the North Sea Road, a scenic adventure that takes you past plunging cliffs and rugged fjords, as well as woodlands and rocky open stretches. Soon the road winds past the dramatic Jøssingfjord before reaching the tranquil village of Sogndalstrand, a well-preserved settlement with wooden houses from 1700 and 1800s. Thirty kilometres beyond Sogndalstrand lies the busy fishing port of Egersund.
From Egersund, one of the country’s most important fishing ports, head inland on Rv42, cut north on E39 and northeast on Rv503, through Gloppedalen valley. Gloppedalsura is a field of huge avalanche boulders, some as large as houses, piled a hundred metres thick on top of a moraine. Continue on through the valleys of Byrkjedal and Hunndalen, before turning onto the narrower scenic road toward Lysebotn (winter closed road). Be sure to stop at the viewpoints to peer out over the Lysefjord, before descending the 27 hairpin bends to the village at the head of the fjord.
Now you’re in for a treat! The ferry from Lysebotn sails the full length of the famous Lysefjord. Be sure to find a good place on deck, or a window seat, so you can peer up at the towering Kjerag on the southern shore, and the sheer 600-metre Pulpit Rock on the northern. The 45-minute ferry stops at Forsand. Then drive across the beautiful Lysefjord Bridge, and continue Rv13 to Stavanger.
Stavanger – Røldal, 227 km, 5 hours, 2 ferries
This leg takes you along the scenic Ryfylke Road, Rv13, letting you experience the varied natural magnificence of the Ryfylke region – the verdant countryside with its well-kept farms, rolling heathlands, mountains and waterfalls, and a myriad of Islands. However, you may already wish to stop after just 6 km, at Landa. This prehistoric village, reconstructed on the basis of archaeological finds, shows how people lived in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
The road takes you through Tau and Hjelmeland. Take the ferry to Nesvik, and drive on to Sand, stopping at its fascinating salmon studio. You can even take a salmon safari, seeing the salmon close up as you float down the river Suldalslågen! Then continue across the mountains to Røldal, a village with a stave church that merits a visit – for centuries it was a place of pilgrimage, thanks to a crucifix with healing powers.
Røldal – Voss, 145 km, 3 hours
From Røldal, Rv13 heads north, past the famous Låtefossen falls. Soon you reach the town of Odda, which lies at the southern tip of one of many arms of the beautiful Hardangefjord. The main route follows the eastern shore of the Sørfjord – a visit to the old Tyssedal power station is recommended – onward to Lofthus and Kinsarvik.
If you come in May, you might be lucky enough to see millions of fruit trees in blossom – competing with the beauty of the Folgefonna glacier and snow-capped mountains. After crossing the Hardanger Bridge, a detour to idyllic Ulvik is recommended.
Then the road climbs and gradually winds its way northwestwards to Voss, an inland town steeped in cultural traditions. A visit to Voss Folk Museum Mølstertunet or a Hardanger fiddle concert is sure to be rewarding. You will also find excellent adventure opportunities, from rafting and kayaking, to rock-climbing and paragliding – and at the end of June there’s a popular international Extreme Sport Festival.
Voss – Sogndal, 120 km, 3–4 hours, 1 ferry
Highway E16 takes you past Tvindefossen falls. Before Stalheim turn onto the old road, savouring a magnificent view from Stalheim Hotel, before slowly driving the 13 hairpin beds of Stalheimskleiva down into the tranquil river valley below and continuing to Gudvangen. From this village you should treat yourself to sightseeing by boat or ferry on the Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage attraction. It takes a couple of hours to Flam. There is also a longer car ferry to Kaupanger or Lærdal. If you choose the road simply drive through the Gudvangen–Flam tunnels
Reaching Flam, either by fjord cruise or car, you can stop for wilderness activities or a journey on the world-famous Flåmsbana Railway, before continuing along the fjord to Aurland. Those who are in a hurry may drive the world’s longest car tunnel (24.5 km) to Lærdal.
The most scenic route, the Aurland Road, climbs up to 1300 m onto the mountain plateau that forms the “roof” of this tunnel. Here the stark landscape of rock and snow has its own beauty. Do stop at the Stegastein viewpoint, 600 metres above the fjord.
After you descend, a short drive along the fjord leads to Lærdalsøyri, a wonderfully preserved old village that merits exploration on foot. One of the best known salmon rivers runs right through the village and the Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre is situated right on the banks of the river.
From Lærdal drive Rv5 through the tunnel, then take the Fodnes–Mannheller ferry. A stop at Sogn Folk Museum in Kaupanger is a must before you reach Sogndal. Also mandatory is Kaupanger stave church.
Sogndal – Stryn, 265 km, 5 hours
Now it’s time for another great scenic adventure! The route Rv55, the Sognefjell Road, a National Tourist Route, first goes to Gaupne, then along the beautiful Lustrafjord, before climbing up into Norway’s favourite mountains. Jotunheimen National Park, which has the country’s highest peaks, may well tempt hikers to explore.
Even driving you will appreciate amazing contrasts; low-lying farms yield to extensive forests, and then a barren alpine terrain, where grass and moss, occasional juniper and willow and stunted mountain birch, do little to cover up the landscape’s harsh scouring in the most recent Ice Age.
On the sky you may see eagles or other birds of prey, while you may spot herds of reindeer wandering in the distance. The Sognefjell Road is an old trade route, merely upgraded for modern means of travel. In past centuries, dried fish and salt from the west of Norway were traded for iron and tar and other supplies from the east.
At Lom village, turn northwest, following E15 to Grotly, before taking the scenic Old Strynefjell Road toward Stryn. Although a mere 27 km long, this National Scenic Road captures the tension of different landscapes – the rounded mountains of the east, and rough-hewn and more alpine mountains of the west. (Both scenic roads are closed in the winter.) However, there is a shorter year-round road across the Strynefjell.
Stryn – Geiranger, 100 km, 2 hours.
Follow the Old Stynefjell Road back to Grotli, or the year-round road. From Grotli take Rv63, passing many mountain lakes on your way to Geiranger (winter closed road). A unique photo opportunity can be enjoyed at Flydalsjuvet, a rock outcrop above this fjordside village
Geiranger – Trondheim, 365 km, 7 hours, 2 ferries
Further on Rv63 there is an even more spectacular viewpoint on Ørnevegen (the Eagle’s Road); from here you can fully appreciate why the Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Soon you can enjoy yet another national treasure: Trollstigen (the Troll Ladder). As you drive down the 11 hairpin bends, you will experience “mountaineering by car”. A stone bridge takes you across the 320 metre high Stigfossen falls. The valley of Isterdalen leads you down to Åndalsnes on the fjord.
Like most visitors to Norway, you’ve probably come to see the fjords. A coastal journey takes you along a series of fjords and fjord arms – on Rv64 and Rv660 to Åfarnes, Eresfjord and Eidsøra, and then Rv62 to Sunndalsøra. This village is situated at the head of its fjord. Anglers may wish to follow the river Driva upstream; it said to offer some of the best trout fishing in Europe.
Then head due north to Rykkjem, crossing by ferry to Kvanne, then continuing to Surnadal. You can choose between the main and secondary roads eastward to Rindal. Soon your route cuts north to Orkanger, and then follows the highway along a gentle fjord landscape to Trondheim, a city with many historical attractions
