I recommend to rent a car in Norway through Discover Cars. They compare car rental prices, offer free cancellation and 24/7 support. This Google map points out all the locations included in this road trip ⤵
Day 1: OsloDay 2: Oslo to BergenDay 3: Bergen to ÅlesundDay 4: Atlantic Ocean Road and ÅndalsnesDay 5: Trollstigen and GeirangerDay 6: Oppstrynsvatnet, Loen, LovatnetDay 7: Hemsedal and back to Oslo
Start your day early and set the GPS on Aurlandsfjord. While on your way out of Oslo I recommend you to drive to Holmenkollen, the ski recreation area 588 meters above sea level just west of Oslo. From here you have a fantastic view of Oslo. Continue north-west to the Aurlandsfjord. Just before you reach Aurlandsfjord you will drive through the Lærdal Tunnel, Norway’s longest road tunnel at 24,51 kilometers. Maybe not a natural wonder, but still a really cool experience. Spend your evening in Bergen, the charming city surrounded by seven mountains. If you’re lucky enough to miss the rain you can take the Fløibanen funicular up to Mount Fløyen to experience Bergen from above. Another thing you shouldn’t miss while in Bergen is the UNESCO world heritage site Hansa harbor called Bryggen. This iconic harbor is well recognized for its colorful houses. On a calm day, you can see an almost identical reflection in the water. Today you are going to drive along the coast of Norway, from Bergen to Ålesund. This unique road (E39) connects Stavanger with Trondheim and takes you past several fjords and islands. Some parts are connected by bridges and some by car ferries. Driving from Bergen to Ålesund takes 7-7,5 hours and is an experience in itself. A must-do in Ålesund is to take the short, but steep, hike up to the centrally located mountain peak Aksla. From Aksla you have an amazing view of Ålesund. If you wish you extend your road trip, and spend some more time in Ålesund, you can explore the city’s special Art Nouveau architecture at the Art Nouveau Center or go on a Wildlife Sea Safari. Tip: Don’t want to spend so much money on food? We rented an Airbnb in Ålesund and cooked our own dinner. Eating at restaurants can be ridiculously expensive in Norway!
Atlantic Ocean Road
Set your GPS to Atlantic Ocean Road, one of the most scenic roads in Norway. The road runs through an archipelago, with bridges connecting the islands. On a windy day, the waves can hit the islands with such force that the water reaches meters high into the air. To get to Atlantic Ocean Road from Ålesund you need to take a car ferry. The drive should take around 2,5 hours, depending on whether you manage to time the ferry. Åndalsnes, also known as the mountain capital, is a small town located next to Romdalsfjorden. The area is surrounded by high mountains and sharp peaks and offers hiking opportunities all year round. Do this hike in the evening or early the next morning, before driving to your next destination. If you’re into hiking I recommend you extend your road trip and stay longer in this area.
Trollstigen
Today you have an unforgettable road trip experience ahead of you! Set the GPS to Trollstigen viewpoint, and you will drive along a fjord, through a valley and eventually reach the iconic hairpin road. This steep road twists through 11 hairpin bends as it climbs up the characteristic mountain Stigrøra, 858 metres above sea level. An impressive bridge carries the road across Stigfossen waterfall. The road is carved into the mountain and supported by stone walls. Another great way to explore Geiranger is to hike to Skageflå farm. The full hike is quite challening and takes around 5 hours. If you want to make it a little easier, you can book a boat trip at Geiranger fjordservice. For 450 NOK (45€) per person you get an hour fjord sightseeing, and can get dropped off closer to Skageflå. That way the hike up only takes 45 minutes. ➳ Get exact location on Google maps here. Note: The weather can change quickly in the Norwegian mountains. It can be sunny down in a valley, and rainstorm on a nearby mountain. Be prepared fo anything. Today you are going to drive past some of the most beautiful lakes in Norway. First up is Oppstrynsvatnet. Oppstrynsvatnet is located only 5 minutes from Folva. Set your GPS to Glomnes parking lot and you will arrive at a resting area with a jaw-dropping mountain view, where you can have a swim in the cold but beautifully clear blue water. Lovatnet has incredible turquoise ice-cold water. If you want to take a swim you can either ask the staff at the camping at the beginning of the lake or continue your drive until you reach a nice spot to jump in. The experience of swimming in the blue mountain water is really refreshing. Tip: If you want to see Loen and Lovatnet from above you can take Loen Skylift up to the top of Mt. Hoven. This cable car opened up in 2017 and takes you to an impressive height of 1011 meters above sea level in 5–7 minutes. A round-trip ticket will cost you 555 NOK (55€). Accommodation in Hemsedal: We stayed at an Airbnb, and got a whole cottage for a fair price. Before you drive back to Oslo, take a morning walk in the mountains of Hemsedal. Hemsedal is a popular ski resort but is just as beautiful in the summer. The drive from Hemsedal to Oslo takes around 3 hours. Spend the rest of the day wandering around the streets of Oslo, until it’s time to head back home.
Hike Pulpit Rock: Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen in Norwegian) is one of Norway’s most famous mountain hikes. This is an eight-kilometer moderately demanding hike that ends up at a mountain plateau 604 meters above sea level.Lofoten: Experience Norway above the arctic circle at one of the country’s most epic road trip routes. Lofoten is a series of islands in northern Norway that offer some of Norway’s most beautiful landscapes. I’d say summer is the best time to visit Lofoten, but if you want to see the northern lights then winter is your go-to season. Read my Complete Lofoten Islands Travel Guide to plan your trip.Hardangervidda National Park: Hike in the largest national park in Norway. Hardangervidda is located on a mountain plateau and offers a rugged Mars-like landscape.Jotunheimen National Park: Jotunheimen, meaning “The Giants home”, is home to many of Norway’s most impressive mountain peaks, including Galdhøpiggen – the highest mountain peak in Scandinavia. The most famous hike to do in Jotunheimen is Besseggen.
