Fjord Norway Road Trip and Route Guide

May 25, 2022   9 Comments »

I never really paid much attention to centerlines on roads, until we no longer had one. It’s one of those things you take for granted until it’s gone. The lack of a centerline wasn’t because it was a one-way street, the roads were all two-way streets, but they were so narrow there was no reason to have a centerline. In fact, our ‘roads’ on this Norway road trip sometimes felt more like little bike paths than roads for cars. When the bright yellow line reappeared back in our lives, we rejoiced; it was as if a long-lost friend had reappeared.

Most tourism boards wouldn’t encourage tourists to drive on the rural roads without a centerline unless you are in Norway. Norway has boldly taken its most scenic and nail-biting roads and turned them into National Tourist Routes. The National Tourist Routes initiative set out to combine Norwegian nature, architecture, and design to enhance and enable new experiences along these iconic routes.

When I travel, I find the cheapest rental car rates at RentalCars.com. Check out their prices for a Norwegian road trip!

“There are scenic highways elsewhere in the world. What makes this unique, is the use of spectacular architecture and art. No one else has done quite the same thing,” says Per Ritzler from The Norwegian Public Roads Administration.

As soon as I heard about this road trip and art combination I knew I had found my Norway road trip itinerary!

Norway Road Trip Itinerary and Map

The 18 routes are scattered throughout Norway, so you need to pick a region and focus on one area’s routes. 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!), and filled in the rest of our road trip itinerary to do a complete road trip of Fjord Norway.

I don’t like feeling rushed on my road trips. I like to stop wherever I feel like it and get sidetracked. In addition, the beauty of going slow through such a magnificent landscape means you really get to soak it in – and that’s what we did. Our route nearly took us in a complete circle – with only a 3-hour drive between our starting point in Kristiansund and ending point in Alesund, but somehow we managed to drag it out 7 days! As you can see on the map, it’s a winding ribbon of roads that switch back and forth.

When Is the Best Time to Do a Norway Road Trip?

We did this trip at the beginning of June, right when the Trollstigen Road opened up for the season. If you go much earlier than this some of the main roads and passes will be closed yet for winter conditions. You’ll see lots of snow yet in the video we shot – as well as primarily gray skies and rain. When you see pictures of Norway they are normally clad in blue skies and fluffy clouds depicting perfect weather and the perfect views, it’s a lie! I’m convinced that on the few blue-sky perfect days all of the photographers in the country race out with their cameras and shoot. I’m not sure what they do the other 25 days of the month.

It’s a moody weather country, but don’t let the fear of less-than-ideal weather stop you. I’d rather be in volatile weather than be engulfed in tourist crowds, so I found this to be the perfect time to be traveling there. The views are spectacular in gray skies, rain, or sun. And often the day’s weather would change drastically from hour to hour and fjord to fjord. Be prepared and bring layers and rain gear for sure.

Don’t Forget Your Rain Gear!

When I go to rainy environments, here’s what I take with me to stay dry and happy!

The end of May and the beginning of June is the shoulder season for Norway, but there was still a surprisingly large amount of tour buses and cruises in Fjord Norway, more than I cared for. I can’t imagine what it is like in the middle of the busy summer season. I suggest you have your lodging booked in advance – even in shoulder season. Regardless though, I love shoulder seasons because lodging is typically more available and cheaper, and I find the people you meet have more time to spend with you. It’s a better experience overall!

Marmot EVODry Torreys Jacket
$250.00

Great for a wind and rain barrier as a top layer for your adventures. EVODry Torreys Jacket offers the weather protection you need for unpredictable days and the lightweight breathability you want in a high-performance shell. I always have it with me in my pack.

Buy Now
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
GORE WEAR Womens Endure Jacket
$212.50

Great lightwieght fully waterproof jacket for cycling and can be used for hiking or travel. The Pac-lite material is very light and breathable - perfect for outdoor adventure.

Buy Now
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/27/2024 11:02 pm GMT
SealLine 18-Liter Minimalist Waterproof Dry Daypack
$124.95

Waterproof protection in a backpack! This is for the ultra rainy adventures such as my Iceland trip - it kept all of my day pack gear and camera gear completely dry while hiking to waterfalls or doing whale watching. In addition it's also great for expedition cruising and riding in splashy zodiacs. The backpack straps evenly dispurse weight making it much better than a regular dry bag.

Buy Now
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/05/2024 02:32 pm GMT
Oboz Women's Katabatic Waterproof Hiking Shoe
$119.98

A great light hiker that is full waterproof from my favorite shoe company - OBOZ. The Katabatic line is rather new but it's built for light, fast travel where you need to stay dry...perfect for Iceland! I used these to hike and chase waterfalls crossing streams to get the perfect shot!

Buy Now
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/05/2024 03:02 pm GMT

Drive to the Best Fjords and Towns on this 7 Day Norway Road Trip

See for yourself what a Norway road trip looks like!

Start Your Road Trip in Kristiansund

A cute, small town that is a great jumping-off point. You can fly here from Oslo easily and then rent a car from the airport and go! But before you race off, do spend some time in Kristiansund, it’s adorable! This is your first look into the fishing culture of the area. Plus there are some great local restaurants and exploration to do.

Norway Road Trip Kristinsund
Kristiansund

What to do: Take a Sunbaten Ferry to tour the harbor and surrounding islands. You can buy a ferry ticket at the harbor and then do a hop-on/hop-off tour. Walk around the islands and then get on the next ferry and head to the next one. There is also a klipfish (salted cod) museum that we ran out of time to see, and starting in June you can take a ferry to the fishing village of Grip. Sadly we were a day too early to go to Grip.

Where to Stay: There are several hotels in the city center within walking distance of the harbor.

Read reviews of Kristiansund hotels | Search and book hotels in Kristiansund

Where to Eat: Mætt & Go is a super restaurant and local market by the water. Stop in and try their blue cheeseburger and pick up local road trip snacks for the trip! They have dried fish, whale sticks, lefse, local beers, and more!

Read reviews of Mætt & Go | Check out Mætt & Go on Facebook

Include the Atlantic Ocean Road National Tourist Route

Called the Atlanterhavsvegen in Norwegian, this is one of the famous National Tourist Routes. In 2005, the road was voted Norway’s ‘Engineering Feat of the Century’ and is also known to be one of the world’s most beautiful drives. Hopscotch over the ocean as multiple bridges connect all the little islands. It was calm when we drove the road, however, if you hit it on a stormy day it’s a whole different and wet experience.

Atlantic Ocean Road Norway Road Trip
The famous Atlantic Ocean Road bridges

Håholmen Island

Before you get to the famous bridge, stop at Håholmen Island. This 18th-century fishing village is charming with its original wharves, traditional fishermen’s shacks, and bakery.

What to do:  There’s a little parking lot where you can catch a boat to Håholmen and have lunch there or simply explore the island and buildings. Do note you will need to arrange the boat ahead of time to pick you up. The village also has a hotel, so stay the night if you have the time!
Tips: Stop at the tourist information on the Atlantic road and walk out on the trail near the bridge. It’s a short trail and you’ll get spectacular views of the bridge and sea. And don’t be afraid to drive the bridge a few times! The route is very short, so you can easily turn around and do it multiple times.

Stay a Night in Molde Norway

A seaside town with a constant parade of ferries running in and out of the ports. The whole area reminded me of Alaska since it was surrounded by snow-capped peaks. We stayed one night here and got one of our best local tips to try the svele (Norwegian pancake) on the ferry the next day!

What to do: The drive from the Atlantic Road into Molde was beautiful; full of rolling hills and farmland. We took a few side roads to check out the farming culture and we also drove out to the fishing village of Bud.
Where to stay: The Scandic Alexandra Molde is a big hotel with a great view of the water.

Read reviews of Scandic Alexandra Molde | Check prices and availability for the Scandic Alexandra Molde | Search for other hotels in Molde

Drive to Åndalsnes – the Beginning of the Fjords

This is the day where we really started getting into the steeper fjords and it was spectacular. It started off rainy as we traveled to the Romsdal Fjord for fishing. But it didn’t take long for the skies to clear and reveal incredible mountains surrounding us. It was one of the most memorable moments of our trip. The drive to Åndalsnes just kept getting better and better with stunning landscapes. The town was also really cute with a lovely waterfront and new museum.

Norway Road Trip Romsdals Fjord
Taking in the views of Romsdal Fjord

What to do: Go fishing in the fjords, hike up the stairs/trail in Åndalsnes, and don’t miss the climbing museum!
Where to stay: The Grand Hotel – every room here has beautiful views! A large, old hotel that sits up on the hill overlooking the town.

Read reviews of the Grand Hotel | Check prices and availability for the Grand Hotel | Search for other hotels in Åndalsnes

Where to eat: Don’t miss Sødahlhuset Café. A local restaurant owned and run by 3 local women. The food is delicious and healthy, but the décor of the café is even better; beautifully designed in a shabby chic look. Sødahlhuset is much more than a restaurant. They also sell packaged local foods there as well as crafts and products the women produce! These are three wonder women – this is a must-stop on your road trip!

Read reviews of Sødahlhuset Café | Sødahlhuset Café website

Drive the Show Stopper – Trollstigen National Tourist Route

I hope you like hairpin turns and nail-biting driving because this is the ultimate mountain pass drive. With 11 hair-raising hairpin turns and a steep 9% gradient this drive is not for the meek – or motion sick prone!

We had a rainy, foggy day which made the whole thing even more exciting; not only did we have to dodge buses and waterfalls, but we also drove into a cloud at one point! Michaela and I did a lot of gasping as we climbed the pass. At the top, we stopped at the visitor center and it doesn’t end there. Keep going towards Geiranger Fjord and you’ll continue to have beautiful scenery to take in and likely snow to contend with!

What to do: Stop at the visitor center, it’s incredibly well designed. In addition to having all of the normal gift shop stuff and a café, the main draws are the scenic lookouts and paths. The architecture is jaw-dropping and will test your fear of heights, but it will give you spectacular views of what you just drove up! You can also hike from the visitor center higher up if you have the energy.
Tips: Get an early start and you have a better chance of meeting fewer buses and other traffic. Be prepared for slow going and coach buses that have to do 3-point turns around the switchbacks.

Rather not do the driving? Consider this Trollstigen sightseeing village and fjord tour from Ålesund

Stop at the End of the Road in Norddal Norway

The best things come in small packages, and that’s exactly what Norddal is – a small town package that you don’t want to miss! Plan at least one night in Norddal. It is nestled between mountains and fjords…and goats. We stopped at the one hotel/guest house in Norddal and they helped us set up activities to see the farms and taste the local foods. As you walk around this little community you’ll feel as if you are miles and miles away from civilization, however you are only a few miles off the main road!

Norway Road Trip norddal
Norddal Sunset

What to do: Visit farms, do a goat safari, taste local produce, and learn how to make brown cheese. Waterfall viewing, kayaking, and biking are also available and there is a bunch of hiking around the area too.
Where to stay: Besides a little campground, Petrines Guest House is one of the only places in town and it’s charming. It used to be the town’s old folks’ home but now it has been turned into a little guesthouse with incredible views of the fjords and it serves up some incredible meals highlighting the local farm-to-table dishes.
Where to eat: Petrines – has all local food and don’t be afraid to try the goat! I had a goat burger and dessert made out of goat cheese – it was delicious and changed my perspective on eating goats!

Read reviews of Petrines Guesthouse | Check prices and availability for Petrines Guesthouse | Search for other hotels in Norddal

Drive to Geiranger Fjord Instead of Cruising There

The views just keep getting better and better as you continue to drive Trollstigen road to Geiranger. As you come into Geiranger from Åndalsnes make sure you stop at the lookout with the glass waterfall. It’s your first jaw-dropping view of this spectacular narrow fjord. You’ll head down all the switchbacks and end up in the little town of Geiranger. This is a big cruise ship stop, and if you happen to hit the town when a few cruise ships are visiting, it can be quite busy. However, by the early evening, they are all gone and you have the place to yourself! A powerful waterfall runs through the middle of town and there is a walk with viewing platforms throughout.

Norway Road Trip geiranger
Geiranger Fjord

What to do: We got out on the water and went kayaking in Geiranger. It’s a great place to paddle since the fjord is so narrow – it provides a dramatic perspective that will make you feel small. Walk the stairs and path of the waterfall in town if you want a leg workout. There are a number of short hikes that you can do from town that will take you up to spectacular viewpoints. And if you’d like to relax after all of this adventure in Geiranger, then be sure to check out the spa at Hotel Union. It will shock your system with hot/cold therapy, but you’ll get a chance to experience a real Norweigan-style spa.
Where to stay: Hotel Union is a big hotel, but it’s beautifully positioned at the top of the waterfall with great balconies and incredible views.

Read reviews of Hotel Union | Search for other hotels in Geiranger

Where to eat: After the cruise crowds leave, head back down to the water and go to Brasserie Posten, a delicious little café with a beautiful design.

Read reviews of Brasserie Posten | Brasserie Posten on Facebook

Go to Great Heights in Loen Norway

The drive out of Geiranger towards Loen was full of more twists, turns, and high altitude passes. We were surrounded by snow for most of this drive – and it was June! One of our favorite parts of this drive was the tunnels. I’m pretty sure they were some of the longest tunnels through mountains I have ever experienced! The town of Loen is pretty simple and there’s not a lot there except for the newly opened skylift which is a must-do.

When I travel, I find the cheapest rental car rates at RentalCars.com. Check out their prices for a Norwegian road trip!

What to do: The Loen Skylift opened a few weeks before we arrived. This is a new modern engineering miracle taking you up 3,300 feet in 5 minutes. Once at the top you’ll have a whole new perspective on the region. There are some hikes you can do at the top and various viewing platforms.
Where to stay: Hotel Alexandra – really the only choice in town. It’s large and caters more to bigger tour groups.

Read reviews of Hotel Alexandra | Check prices and availability for Hotel Alexandra | Search for other hotels in Loen

Where to eat: Plan on having lunch or an early dinner at Hoven at the top of the Skylift. It’s the best view you’ve ever had at a restaurant! The food was good, and the views were even better.

Read reviews of the Hoven Restaurant | Hoven Restaurant website

A Final Norway Drive – Norangsdalen – “The Queen’s Route”

This is not a National Tourist Route – but it should be! This was our hidden gem and the big surprise of our road trip. We first visited Hellesylt and then took Highway 655 (aka The Queen’s Route) towards Alesund. This narrow valley is dotted with cows and remains of old summer farmhouses. But the best part was that the road was all ours – we barely met another car the whole time, and full of jaw-dropping scenery.

Norway Road Trip queens route
Driving the Queen’s highway

Where to stay and eat: We stopped at historic Hotel Union Oye for lunch and wished we would have booked it for the night! An old hotel full of antiques and stories nestled in the mountains, of course, you’d like to stay there! You do have to book early here as the hotel fills up fast.

A Charming Ending Point – Alesund Norway

Alesund is a charming seaside town and the largest in this region. The town is known for its Art Nouveau architecture due to its tragic history of fire and devastation. We enjoyed just wandering around the old buildings taking in all of the architectural details. There are tons of things to do in Alesund in the city and just slightly outside the city so consider staying a couple of nights here!

Norway Road Trip alesund
The view from the top of the stair climb in Alesund

What to do: Art Noveau Center is located in an old pharmacy and see reproductions of homes. Definitely head out to Alnes lighthouse and head to the top for some spectacular views. There’s also some hiking and a lovely beach out by the lighthouse so you can make a whole day of it! Get up early and walk up the 418 steps to the Aksla viewpoint. The morning sun lights up the city below for great photos and a view of the whole region!
Where to stay: We stayed at Scandic Parken Hotel which was in a nice location to walk to everything of interest.

Read reviews of Scandic Parken Hotel | Check prices and availability for Scandic Parken Hotel | Search for other hotels in Ålesund

Where to eat: For something more upscale try Sjobua Fish Restaurant on the waterfront.

Read reviews of the Sjobua Fish Restaurant | Sjobua Fish Restaurant website

Travel Essentials for your Norway Road Trip

  1. Klean Kanteen 16oz (w/ Café Cap)
    $32.95

    One of the things I like about Klean Kanteen is that they have a system where you really just need to purchase one insulated bottle and then use their interchangeable caps for your different needs; caps for sipping drinks, straws lids for cold drinks, or chug caps. One bottle is really all you need!

    Buy Now

    I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    03/06/2024 12:17 am GMT
  2. VIM & VIGR Compression Socks & Sleeves

    Compression socks are great for faster muscle recovery and to fight blood clots on long flights or long road trips.

    PLUS - use discount code OTT15 for 15% off orders!


    Shop Now
  3. Eagle Creek Packing Organizers

    Packing organizers are the key to packing happiness – they turn your bag into a piece of furniture. I use mine to organize my different types of clothes, just like I would a dresser; one has t-shits, one has pants, one has sweaters. You get the idea – it’s packing bliss. I use and love Eagle Creek packing solutions.

    Buy Now

    I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

  4. Wallaroo Hats

    I love all of their styles and normally always have at least 2 of their different hats with me on every trip I take! All of their styles offer superb sun protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the material of every Wallaroo hat with a UPF rating and a 3+ inch brim as an effective UV protectant. Plus - they have so many fashionable styles!

    Use my Discount code, OTTSWORLD20, for an extra 20% regular priced items!

    Buy Now

    I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

  5. Peak Design Tech Pouch
    $59.95

    I love this pouch - you can fit so much into it - it really is deceptive! Whether storing cables, everyday gear, or travel essentials, Tech Pouch offers unrivaled organization and ease of access. Origami-style pockets create enormous spatial efficiency, letting you pack more into a smaller space while keeping your items neatly organized and easy to find. This goes on every trip with me!

    Buy Now

    I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

More Norway articles for you to enjoy:

Walking St. Olav’s Way in Norway

Norway fjord fishing then & now

Norway Fjord 7-Day Road Trip and Route Guide

Now you are ready to hit the road in Norway to travel through the Fjords on the ultimate Norway Road Trip. And don’t panic if you don’t see any yellow centerlines!

Disclosure:

I was a guest of Visit Norway on this trip, however all opinions expressed here are my own!This post contains some affiliate links. If you choose to purchase items through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help reduce the costs of running this site.



9 Responses to "Fjord Norway Road Trip and Route Guide"

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


*


Back to Blog