Norway Road Trip Itinerary: The Ultimate Two Weeks In Norway
March 7, 2024
Norway
By guy yefet
Are you planning a trip for 2 weeks in Norway? This Norway road trip itinerary is for those who want to experience Norway in the best way!
Norway is considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and it's not for nothing that it has inspired hundreds of stories, legends, and sagas.
It's a large and diverse country, full of endless hiking trails, points of interest, and stunning landscape.
It's impossible to see everything that Norway offers in one trip.
Even if you travel to Norway for several months, which is impossible for most people (fate wanted - Norway is also one of the most expensive countries in the world).
Therefore, the first thing to do when planning a road trip to Norway is to choose the area you want to focus on depending on the amount of time you have to spend.
This Norway itinerary offers a comprehensive two-week road trip.
The Itinerary focuses on western fjords with tastings from eastern and southern Norway.
The Norway road trip starts in Oslo, passes through the fjord area, and returns to Oslo.
On this Norway road trip, I chose to look for the less crowded places, for example, instead of choosing to stay in a tourist town like Flam I chose to sleep in Aurlandsvangen, a small town that is close to Flam and no less impressive.
Also, this route passes by the small towns outside the tourist route like Urke and Oye. It's hard for me to understand how people miss these towns.
I met very few tourists in these towns, and I was able to connect with the amazing Norwegian nature perfectly.
You can start the road trip in Norway from other points (in Bergen, for example) and follow the recommendations accordingly.
On a trip to Norway, it is very worthwhile to maintain a certain amount of spontaneity. Let yourself randomly discover cute spots on the road and off the beaten path.
The Norway itinerary I have given here gives only the gist of things about the proposed route, In each of the places there is always much more to see and do, and it's always advisable to go into visitor centers to get more information about each one and find what suits you.
Remember that no matter how hard you try - you will not be able to see everything even in 2 weeks in Norway.
But no matter what you will see in Norway - for sure, it will be amazing!
*Amazing landscape
*Scenic routes
*Great Hiking Trails
*Beautiful Camping Spot
*Stunning Fjords
*Fascinating cities
For the first trip to Norway, I recommend visiting Norway in the summer season. From late June to September.
I find it less pleasant to travel when so many businesses are closed in the winter, and some of the museums are also closed.
Some people like the feeling of disconnection but pay attention to it.
In addition, at the end of June, early summer, and late spring, So many of the high peaks are covered in snow and a lot of green in the eyes which creates a spectacular spectacle.
I visited Norway in June.
During mid-June-mid-July, the sun does not set, and you can enjoy 24 hours of daylight because of the midnight sun phenomenon that occurs during this period in Norway.
The view is spectacular every season. Yet it is worth knowing that the combination of the benefits of summer and the remnants of snow from the past season takes place in June-July.
Norway is a perfect paradise for addicts for hiking, mountaineering, and rough terrain hiking.
Mostly hiking is not easy, for long distances without access to a car, and in changeable weather. And we are talking about hikes and trails only in the summer season.
In the peak season of tourism and hiking, you will find all of Norway's campsites, hostels, and hotels packed with travelers. Also Caravans driving on all roads in Norway.
Nature reserves, hiking trails, and attractions are bustling with activity, inviting tourists.
Cruise and cruise ships moor in each fjord. Tourists shop, chat and have fun, take pictures, eat, and continue their journey to the next fjord.
In summer in Norway, you will find the shuttles active.
The ferries are accessible and active, the glacier hikes active and bustling, and lots of colorful and wonderful blooms celebrating in the nature reserve trails, mountains, and northern tundra.
Pay attention! All summer tourism celebrations in Norway end gradually, from 22-Aug (the date students return to schools in Norway), until the end of the summer tourism season on 15-Sep, or earlier - depending on the snow conditions in Norway that year.
In conclusion, the best trekking and hiking season in Norway is from late June-September 15th.
Immediately after the short summer, which takes place in July and August only - autumn arrives, and with it comes and begins the snow in the high mountains, temperatures land, the ground freezes, daylight shortens, and conditions become extreme.
Weather and equipment
While the winter in Norway is cold and frozen. In the summer, the possible temperature range is very wide and it can vary drastically.
On a 2 weeks in Norway, you will experience cold and rain (and even snow!) And a few days after a temperature of 30 degrees.
You should remember that even when it is hot in Norway - at night it is always pleasant or cool.
On a trip over a week in Norway, it is almost impossible to avoid the rain. The rain will probably reach you for at least part of the trip.
The Norwegian Meteorological Service website is excellent and regularly updated. It is a must-have item for travelers in Norway.
Necessary clothes for a trip to Norway
A summer trip to Norway requires all types of clothing - warm and cold, long and short.
Fleece is a must-have item. As well as at least one thermal shirt and warm socks.
Rainwear (raincoat or soft shell) is also an essential item.
A good and comfortable solution is detachable pants that can be used for hot and cold days.
Good Shoes are an item that is well worth investing in.
Norway is a destination for hiking and climbing, even if you do not plan to go hiking.
Sneakers will also ruin your legs and ruin themselves, or at the very least get very dirty. Invest in good walking shoes.
The best way to travel around Norway is by car.
As mentioned, the Norway road trip I did was with a rental car, and I think this is the best way to travel around Norway, to reach all the little places in Norway and get lost among the roads in Norway that are some of the most beautiful in the world.
The shorter your trip, the option of renting a car in another country (Sweden for example) becomes a waste of unnecessary time.
I always find great deals on car hire in Norway through Rentalcars.com.
I have had a good experience with this company for some time and through them, I ordered the car I rented in Norway for the whole road trip.
Examine carefully all the options available to you and remember one important guiding rule - time is also money.
In general, driving in Norway is quite comfortable and straightforward.
Most roads are in good to excellent condition - even roads that have steep ascents or descents - driving them is easy, as long as you drive slowly and carefully.
A few points about the roads in Norway:
*A large part of the driving roads in Norway, especially when moving away from the cities - are single-lane or two-way roads with limited visibility of vehicles coming from the other side.
*Sometimes you will find yourself stuck for long minutes after a slow vehicle with no possibility of overtaking or even find yourself as part of a convoy, accept it with understanding and patience, do not try to make dangerous detours.
*Many roads are very narrow - and still full of trucks or the most common vehicle in Norway - camper vans.
*You will encounter many situations where you will have to stop or slow down to let the vehicle on the other side pass. The keyword is patience.
Read More: How to Plan the ultimate Norway road trip
The maximum driving speed in Norway is 110 kph, but on most roads in tourist areas, the speed limit is 60-80 kph.
Speed cameras are mostly scattered on multi-lane roads near large cities (but not only).
Not sure how many are real and how many are fake cameras.
Many people go over the speed limit, and I have not seen a single police car on the whole trip, not even in Oslo.
Anyway, You need to act with discretion.
We bought a tent suitable for rain (with outer cover) a 3-4 seasons tent.
Sleeping bag - a sleeping bag suitable for 0 degrees in extreme cold and 5 degrees in the normal cold.
Sleeping pad - You can settle for a simple outdoor mattress if you travel to Norway in the summer.
It is recommended to bring mosquito repellent that has 20% or more of DEET because in Norway it's expensive.
You don't need to eat outside in a restaurant every day in Norway, especially, because of the high prices. You can buy the groceries in the supermarket at reasonable prices and cook a meal for yourself.
It does not matter if you are cooking in a camping site or in the apartment where you staying.
For sure, this is a great way to travel in Norway on a budget.
For cooking, use a camping stove that is not located directly above the gas.
I'm using the Kovea spider camping stove for 5 years, connects to the gas with a tube from the side, and stands on its legs like a spider. It's good for the wind.
We bought a small pot, a small frying pan, a set of sum, a good knife, a bowl, and spices.
Note that camping sites and Airbnb almost always have all the cooking equipment, so there is nothing to worry about and no need to bring too many dishes.
It's recommended to bring a thermos.
You can fill hot water in places like camping, Airbnb apartments, and even just a sink in the supermarket because the hot water there - is really hot.
The hot water can be used to cook easily, instead of trying to boil cold water.
YR app - Great for weather, especially within 24 hours ahead.
We used to know if it was worth sleeping outside or if it was worth doing hiking, etc.
Download: Appstore | Google play
UT.NO app - belongs to DNT (responsible for many trails and cabins).
Lists all the hiking trails and cabins of the organization in Norway.
Works with GPS and is very useful for navigating routes.
In addition, very useful for planning - you can see the length of the route, how much up / down there is in it, and the exact starting point.
Download: Appstore | Google play
Mattilbud app - shows specials that supermarkets have.
Download: Appstore | Google play
NorCamp app - Norway free camping map. mapping of camping sites in Norway, with photos and other characteristics of the place.
Download: Appstore | Google play
RuterBillett app - To travel by public transport in Oslo you need to use the app.
Download: Appstore | Google play
This Norway road trip itinerary is based on the trip I made and the conclusions drawn during it.
I visited Norway in the summer in June, a circular Norway road trip from Oslo in a rented car.
This 2 week Norway itinerary also includes 3 of the most beautiful cities in Norway (Bergen, Stavanger, and Ålesund) and one-day hikes.
Most of the time I slept in my tent in camping sites or in wild camping.
In the big cities like Bergen or Stavanger, I booked accommodations in advance.
My main guiding principle for building the Norway itinerary was to avoid driving too long in one day, partly because I am not interested in overloading in one day, and I always like to enjoy the road itself and make stops at beautiful spots along the way.
Travelers who share a car and have no problem driving over 3-4 hours a day - may consider faster progress.
Do not overload yourself! Leave plenty of space to enjoy the road itself, because every road in Norway is stunning and you will want to stop every 10 minutes to take pictures.
On my road trip to Norway, I chose to go to places that are not necessarily the most touristy. I wanted to experience the wild spots in Norway and the peaceful places.
You will find that the Norway road trip itinerary offered here is busy and far from allowing the extraction of everything - there may be places that you will have to give up due to shortness of time or weather conditions.
It's important to understand that the roads and driving in Norway are part of the trip, no less than the hiking trails or the various attractions because everything around is so beautiful. It's a shame not to enjoy the road.
Welcome to Norway - the land of the fjords!
Oslo has been the capital of Norway since 1814 and is home to the Norwegian Parliament and the Royal Family.
The city is located between the fjord of Oslo and thousands of dunams of forested mountains (Marka Forest). It's a green city in many ways.
The compact city center is accessible for walking or cycling and an efficient public transport system makes the city accessible even without a car.
The city center is small and can be exhausted in one day, which also means that if not everything is enough, it can be completed on the way back at the end of the trip.
Oslo opera house - The building is located next to the harbor. Allows visitors to climb on the roof of the building and enjoy the view of Oslo and the fjord. The building itself has won design awards, hosts cultural performances in various fields, and offers guided tours.
Oslo Cathedral and Karl Johans Street - the main street in Oslo. Everything happens here. Shopping at luxury stores, festivals, and lots of vibrant nightlife.
The Royal Palace - The Royal Palace in Oslo is the official residence of the Norwegian royal family, and much ceremonial activity takes place here.
City Hall (Rådhuset) - is not an ordinary town hall. There are various art exhibitions here, a wall with beautiful paintings, and a spectacular view of the port of Oslo.
Akershus Fortress - The castle is located in the city center and was built in 1299 by King Håkon V. The fort stood under siege several times and served as the home of members of the royal family during the renaissance.
Akershus Castle is open all year round. In the summer, they have guided tours.
A little further from the city center but well worth a visit - the famous Vigelandsparken sculpture park - one of the most visited attractions in Norway with more than 200 bronze, granite, and iron sculptures.
Other attractions in Oslo: the Nobel Peace Center, the Munchmuseet, the Naturhistorisk museum, the Peanut Gardens, and the Viking Ship Museum.
Discover Oslo by guided tour
Rather than navigating by yourself, it can often be easier and more fun to join a tour.
You can join a walking tour or a bike tour that passes through the famous places in Oslo.
Oslo City Center Rooms - Located in Aker Brygge
I stayed there for one night, the perfect location, and the room was great.
After the flight and because it was my first day I preferred not to sleep in a tent so I booked this hotel in advance for one night and it was a good idea!
At to end of the day, we went to Angst bar.
A nice and cozy place to have a beer or a cocktail, a great atmosphere.
Although the beer cost 10 euros! (Which is the average price of beer in Norway in bars) but it was worth it.
Distance: 320 km
Driving time: 5.5 hours
The first day of the road trip in Norway begins, and it is also perhaps the longest day in terms of driving.
This is a day whose main purpose is to divide the long road from Oslo to Stavanger.
I have been debating whether to drive it in one day all the way or partway.
I chose to drive to Stavanger in 2 days, and because of it, we got to see beautiful places along the way.
We knew we were planning to sleep and cook to ourselves along the road trip in Norway to save costs.
So we did some shopping before leaving Oslo at Rema 1000, the most affordable and cheap super.
It's better to do some shopping in the big cities like Oslo because both the prices are more favorable and there is a wider range of products.
We stocked up on everything we needed and started driving to Dalen.
Today highlights:
Heddal stave church - It's a 45-minute drive west of Oslo, near the town of Notodden. Heddal stave church considered the largest wooden church. Established in 1240.
Eidsborg Tjønn - A perfect place for a lunch break
We discovered this place on the way to Dalen, a pastoral and quiet place that is a must-stop or at least make a shortstop.
We were there all alone in infinite silence in the middle of the road, a perfect experience.
This is the beauty in Norway. There are so many beautiful places to stop.
I realized from the first day that you should enjoy the road itself and not necessarily the destination of that day.
Next stop: Dalen
Dalen is a small and beautiful village located in the heart of Telemark and surrounded by many mountains and nature.
To get an impression of the landscape and the village it's recommended to take a short walk to Rui Old farm.
To get to Rui, you have to climb up the steep valley side from the village Dalen.
The trail is challenging as you ascend over two hundred meters in one kilometer. However, your hard work is rewarded when you arrive at Rui and can enjoy the views and tranquility of the small, quaint farm.
After the walk, you will be impressed by the unique hotel in Dalen - A beautiful hotel that has made many Royal connections over its long history.
The historic hotel building is made of wood and painted mustard yellow and is somewhat reminiscent of a church of wooden boards.
The structure is one of the largest wooden structures in Norway.
Outside of the hotel, in the courtyard stand several vehicles that symbolize beautiful days in the history of the hotel, which was very popular among the upper class of Europe.
If you really want to upgrade your trip and have the money, you can book a night at the hotel and enjoy a special experience, if you are not staying at a hotel at least come and be impressed by it.
From Dalen, you will driving on a beautiful road to a tiny place in the middle of the road - Suleskard.
I spent the night at Suleskard Campground mountain center.
This is the only place there, a tiny place in the middle of nowhere and suitable for a night stop.
I like these hidden places along the way, places that are far from everything, with only a handful of tourists and people coming to these places. There's something special about that, in my opinion.
You can stay in one of the cabins or private rooms they offer.
We chose to do wild camping right next to the river.
We found a nice spot for camping and set up the tent for the night.
distance: 37km
driving time: 1:10 hour + 1.5 hour ferry
Get up early in the morning because a wonderful day is waiting for you!
A spectacular drive during which you pass one of the most beautiful roads in Norway.
Lysefjord Norway road / Lysevegen road or fv500 is a Norway scenic road. The road is blocked in winter because of the huge amounts of snow that make it impossible to drive on it.
The road is only open during the summer and usually, the road is open for driving between May 20 and November 1. The road reaches a height of 900 meters.
The mountain peaks on both sides of the road reach up to over 1000 meters, and you will almost always find them covered in snow.
This way, you get to one of the coolest attractions in Norway - Mount Kjerag.
Mount Kjerag rises to an altitude of 1084 meters above sea level and is the highest point in the Lysefjord in Norway. Here you can enjoy the spectacular view of the stuck rock Kjeragbolten and understand why the place is popular with mountain climbers and base jumpers.
Mount Kjerag is reached by a circular walk of 11 km for 5-7 hours (round trip).
The hike requires good physical fitness because the route includes a climb of 800 meters.
In some places, help with ropes is required, and climbing is considered demanding even among experienced climbers.
The hike starts in the parking lot at Øygardstøl. We recommend consulting a staff member there. For example, regarding the current weather conditions, the degree of the slipperiness of the trail, and more.
In any case, if you are unsure about the route or inexperienced, it is highly recommended to join a guided tour.
Once you have completed the hike you will drive towards the small town Lysebotn which is right on the edge of the fjord.
The drive to Lysebotn is a continuation of the winding and impressive road we came from (fv500). Which is a road that is in itself an amazing tourist attraction. 7.5 km containing 28 sharp turns.
You need to drive this road with special care, especially if it is raining and the road is wet.
The views on the way down are stunning until you reach the edge of the fjord and to Lysebotn.
It's very important to start this day early to make it to the ferry departing from Lysebotn at 15:30 towards the Preikestolen(Pulpit rock).
There are a few companies that make this cruise towards Lysebotn a few times a day.
Only 2-3 times a day the ferry leaves. So you should start the day early.
On this ferry, the number of vehicles is limited, and the ferry must be booked in advance.
Take into account the times you will have to get there by 15:30 of that day.
The ferry is a bit of an expensive if you are with a car but definitely an amazing experience.
When you get off the ferry, drive about 15 minutes to where you will stay today.
Preikestolen Camping - Camping close to the Pulpit rock to start the hike early in the morning.
This campsite is one of the most organized campsites I have ever been to.
They have A large area that is suitable for caravans and tents.
The Cost is 220 NOK for a car + tent or caravan.
As a rule for all the famous hikes in Norway - It's advisable to start early as possible.
Take the time to enjoy the way and the hike and avoid the congestion of tourists who start later, especially in a popular attraction like Pulpit Rock.
distance: 39km
driving time: 45 minutes
Get up early in the morning to see one of the most famous attractions in Norway.
The Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is considered by many to be the highlight of the trip in Norway.
The hike is a 3-hour (an hour and a half in each direction) and at least an hour of staying on the cliff.
It's crowded with tourists, but not for nothing.
Pay attention: the hike is considered easy compared to Norway, but still is entirely an ascent that is sometimes steep.
The publications on the Norwegian sites may give a false impression that this is a super-light hike that suits everyone.
Anyone that has a problem with the leg or the back, takes this into account.
Preikestolen(Pulpit Rock) is one of the most spectacular cliffs in Norway and is considered one of the most popular tourist sites in the country.
An amazing hike.
The hike itself starts from a dirt path that exits the road at the entrance of the resort village (there is a lot of signage in the place and there is no chance of getting confused).
The hike starts with a fairly steep and slippery ascent from the rain that falls quite often.
At the end of the ascent, you can see the amazing view of the fjord from which you ascend, we took advantage of the view for a coffee break.
The trail is very well marked. anyway, most of the time there are a lot of people walking on the trail so the chances of making a mistake are nil.
The trail continues to pass through lakes, forests, and surprises time and time again with the amazing view that unfolds from it.
Finally, after about 1.5-2 hours of hiking, you reach the Preikestolen cliff.
The way back is from the same trail/ascent up the mountain and down a trail that is connected after about 2 km to the trail.
Some tips for hiking the pulpit rock:
*The trip is one day hike, so there is no need to take a lot of equipment - water, some food, and coffee are enough.
*As mentioned, Start the hike early in the morning - fewer people, and the weather is usually better in the morning.
*The weather in Norway is changeable - you should check the forecast before arriving in the area. You can check in the yr app.
After the hike, drive to Stavanger.
The drive is about 35 minutes, so you can enjoy an almost full day in Stavanger.
Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway.
The center of Stavanger is quite compact and from there you can access the variety of attractions quite easily.
Gamle Stavanger Gorway has a little less than 200 wooden houses, and they are considered to be the best preserved in Europe.
You can diversify your walk in the city at some of the city's many museums such as the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, the Stavanger Museum of Art, and the Norwegian Canning Museum.
The Old Stavanger is located on the western side of Vågen and has 173 18th-century wooden structures. Most of them are small, white cottages.
Stavanger has won several awards for its efforts to preserve the ancient part of the city, and the place is considered to be the most preserved in Europe.
Today Old Stavanger is a popular residential area with many galleries and boutique shops for handicrafts. This part of the city houses the Canning Museum and the Maritime Museum.
Stavanger has so much to see, and the most beautiful and best way is to discover the city on foot.
Join one of the offered guided tours (link to an organized tour) in the city center and enjoy the charm of the old town, the cobbled streets, and the small wooden houses.
The ups and downs in Stavanger will reveal to you the secrets of the city.
More than you can learn about the days of the herring canning industry and how the city developed over time and became the oil capital it is today.
On the tour, you will get to know some of the familiar symbols that have influenced the standard of living of today.
The tour passes through the Valberg Tower - which was formerly used as a guard tower, and the famous colorful street with cozy cafes and restaurants.
The walk continues to Market Square and the 12th-century Stavanger Cathedral.
If you have sunny and clear weather, you could take advantage of the time in Stavanger after you have wandered around the city a bit, and visit one of the beaches that are near Stavanger - Solastranda beach.
Norway has so much to offer. Amazing roads and great hikes and also beautiful beaches, although the water temperature is very cold (It's still Norway) but in summer you can definitely enjoy the beautiful beaches of Norway.
Stavanger Bed & Breakfast - simple and cheap accommodation in a good location with a cozy living room and a balcony.
The beautiful Verven 2A - Beautiful apartment in a nice neighborhood just outside of the centrum.
Mosvangen Camping Stavanger - Camping site next to a lake and near town (about 20 minutes walking).
Read More: 10 free things to do in Stavanger
Distance: 192 km
Travel time: 3:40 hours
Start the drive on e39 Road and then continue to e134 Road.
On the way to Odda, and in the town, there is plenty to see and do.
there are several beautiful waterfalls on the way, including -Låtefossen and Tjørnadalsfossen.
The recommended waterfall (a must-see) - is the huge Låtefossen.
For wooden church lovers - you can also pass by the Røldal stave church.
Both Odda itself and Tyssedal are beautiful villages where you can spend a few hours and have lunch.
You can find out about the visitor center in Odda and get several long or short routes in the area in the Folgefonna Nature Reserve.
Tip: Lilletopp - a beautiful viewpoint, the short hike starts from the lowest parking lot of Trolltunga (P1) in Tyssedal.
It's about an hour hike, but in fact, you can reach the starting point on foot from anywhere in the village.
Lilletopp is considered a light substitute for Trolltunga, is suitable for everyone, especially in the evening when the place is quiet and empty of tourists.
Highly recommended even if you plan to hike the Trolltunga.
From Odda, you can start one of the most beautiful hikes in Europe and perhaps among the most beautiful in the world - the Trolltunga hike.
I wanted to make the most of the hike to create the perfect experience. Therefore, I chose to hike the Trolltunga in a slightly different way.
Important information for the Trolltunga hike:
Usually, most people do the Trolltunga hike as a one-day hike.
Get up early in the morning and start the hike that takes 10-12 hours round trip.
I decided to split the hike into two days.
What does it mean?
Start hiking the Trolltunga at 2pm, set up a tent for the night, and camp near Trolltunga.
This way, we also spent more time in this beautiful place and also avoided the tourist load because once all the people finished the hike and came back, we had the Trolltunga to ourselves as much as we wanted.
It should be understood that when traveling in June and July, the big advantage is that there are light almost 24 hours a day!
So you can take advantage of this fact and go hiking even in the hours when we are not used to them like in the afternoon or evening.
In retrospect, it was the best decision I made, and I'm so happy about it.
For those who want to hike the Trolltunga in one day, stay overnight in Odda or Tyssedal, and the next morning start the hike as early as possible (6am).
Read more: The ultimate guide for hiking the Trolltunga
For those who choose to do the hike in one day, try to start the hike as early as possible (not after 6 in the morning), so you can enjoy the way itself with less hustle, and bustle.
For those who prefer a guided tour, there are several options.
There is also a guided tour to Trolltunga in two days, just like I did independently.
They take care of everything, food, tents, sleeping bags and you do not even have to carry anything.
It's highly recommended - for anyone who wants to experience the hike in the best way!
What is the Trolltunga hike?
"Trolltunga" is one of the most recognizable and iconic hikes Norway has to offer.
This is a long hike of a whole day - a very early departure in the morning, a challenging hike that is not suitable for everyone.
Most hikers start the route by parking at (P2 - Skjeggedal) - from there the hike is an 8-12 hours (round trip).
You can park there, but it is also better to take a bus because parking is very expensive.
For those who are interested, It's possible to shorten the time and save a significant part of the difficult ascent of the start by ordering another bus (more expensive).
From the lower parking lot (P2) to the upper parking lot (P3) at Mågelitopp.
Save you about an hour and a half to two hours from the hike.
All buses to Trolltunga are recommended to be booked in advance.
You will probably be tired and happy after you finish this beautiful hike, so come back to Odda for another night before continuing to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - Bergen.
Distance: 193 km
Driving time: 3 hours
Drive from Odda to Husedalen Valley and Vøringfossen waterfall.
From there you can reach the waterfall trail in the Husedalen Valley.
This is an amazing one-way route in a valley along which are 4 waterfalls.
Most of the route is uphill (of course) but it is not too difficult and can be done back and forth at any stage if you feel tired or exhausted.
Some hikers settle for 2 waterfalls.
The second waterfall on the Nyastølfossen road is the most impressive to me, so you can be content with walking up to it, but it is definitely recommended to see them all.
The full hike takes 5-6 hours (round trip).
Before continuing to Bergen, it's recommended to make a stop in another spectacular waterfall - Vøringfossen.
From there you can drive to Bergen for 2 nights in the city.
Read more: The Complete Guide to Bergen
A full day in Bergen - the second-largest city in Norway.
Bergen City-center sites include Bryggen Pier and the Fish Market.
The most famous and popular viewpoint in Bergen is the Fløyen (arriving by bus or on foot).
From there you can also go hiking in the mountains that surround Bergen. The city has a number of interesting museums, good restaurants and is a major destination for attractions and sailing in the fjords.
Kafé Special - a place visited mainly by locals and students at the University of Bergen.
A wide variety of satisfying food and beers at relatively reasonable prices.
It is important to know that the weather in Bergen is expected to be gloomy and rainy (about 300 rainy days a year), although the sun's rays can sometimes be surprising.
Read more: How to Spend 2 Days in Bergen
Distance: 175km
Driving time: 2:40 hrs
Drive in the morning from Bergen in the direction of Flåm.
On the way, you can stop at the shores of Lake Seimsvatnet - a beautiful spot for a coffee.
Everywhere in Norway, there is stunning scenery, and this is no exception! Beautiful lake - one of many! There's too much to see in this country that leaves you speechless. Perfect place to stop.
When you get to the area, there are options for sailing on the Nærøyfjorden from one of the villages (Gudvangen or Flåm).
One of the most popular attractions in the area is Norway in a nutshell (I didn't do it).
Tip: The village of Aurlandsvangen is the most beautiful in the area in my opinion.
There are far fewer tourists here than the busy Flåm. A quiet and stunning place located on the fjord.
You can also rent a kayak and paddle in the fjord.
You can go up to the Stegastein viewpoint (a road that goes up from Aurlandsvangen).
Close to Stegastein viewpoint hides a short and beautiful hike (Mt. Prest) that not many know about. I could not find much information about this hike.
The Mont Prest hike is a 1.5-2 hours.
The hike is not particularly difficult but has a stunning view overlooking Aurlandsvangen and the insane fjord.
a once in a lifetime view.
There is a great sense of accomplishment to reach the summit - a guest book will await you with the names of other hikers who have made the hike. You can write down your name and be a part of the people who made it.
As mentioned, I recommend not sleeping in the super touristy Flåm but whistling to stay in Aurlandsvangen, a small and charming village with a stunning and pastoral view.
Lunde Camping - I stayed to sleep in a super nice placeThere is a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and the flowing river.
The campsite offers accommodation cabins and places to camp with a tent or caravans.
distance: 206 km
driving time: 4:10 hrs
Drive from Aurland towards Lærdalsøyri via one of the most beautiful roads in Norway.
There are 2 ways to get from Aurland to Lærdalsøyri:
Lærdal Tunnel (e16 road) - a road that is basically a long tunnel all the way, One of the biggest tunnels in Norway.
Admittedly it shortens the road but whoever chooses this road misses all the spectacular scenery in the area!
Aurlandsfjellet (The Snow Road) - It's a beautiful mountain pass with superb views. After seeing the fantastic Stegastein lookout, I recommend heading to this national tourist road if you drive to Loen, avoiding the Aurland tunnel.
The Aurlandsfjellet road, especially at the beginning of the road, is narrow and a bit winding.
If you start early, you have the advantage of not crossing by car or bus! with lovely views of distant lakes and glaciers. For sure, one of the most beautiful roads in Norway!
Read More: 8 most scenic routes in norway
After you have finished the scenic road and a little after Lærdalsøyri, take the ferry from Fodnes to Mannheller - and drive to Loen. Again, a beautiful Norway road.
Recommendation for a stop on the way: The village Fjærland - a beautiful and quiet village in a spectacular location.
The village has a section of books scattered throughout the village.
Arrive by yourself and understand (you have to continue inside to get to the village itself, aim for Mundal).
For those who are interested, at the entrance to the village, on the road - there is also the Glacier Museum. Also down the road, you can stop for a few minutes at the Bøyabreen Glacier.
The Loen area with the stunning Lake Lovatnet, the glaciers, and the triangle of settlements. Loen, Olden and Stryn are some of the most beautiful and possibilities-laden areas in Norway, so I spent two days in this area.
I have listed some of the recommended options for the next day - but they are relevant for two days and can be divided as needed.
Helset Camping - A great campsite in a perfect location right on the shores of the beautiful Lovatnet Lake.
Loen has several hiking trails.
One of the better-known hikes is Mount Skåla - the highest mountain next to a fjord in Norway.
The hike is suitable for those who are in good shape!
It's a one-way hike that takes around 8 hours (round trip) and provides the most impressive view of the area.
The hike starts from Tjugen in Loen.
We chose to hike Mount Skåla because of the challenging climb. The summit of Mount Skåla is at an altitude of 1800 meters.
This is the steepest and highest continuous climb in Norway. The highest peak in Norway rises to about 2500 meters.
However, The hike to it is not made with one continuous ascent.
While this is a modest peak in alpine terms. The prevailing conditions in Norway, the weather conditions like temperature, winds, snow - are equal to those found in much higher alpine peaks.
Very important: Check the weather in the yr app before hiking Mount Skåla. You want to hike on a clear day so you can enjoy the insane view at the top.
Several options for simple routes:
The most popular - is Mount Hoven. You can take the Loen Skylift.
There is a restaurant on the summit and several hikes that you can do from there. The cable car climbs 1,011 meters (3,317 ft) to the top of Mount Hoven.
Loen Skylift costs 450 NOK(roundtrip) for an adult.
Lake Lovatnet is one of the most beautiful lakes in Norway!
You can sail on it, fish in it, just relax on the beach or rent a bike.
There are also some trails around it. Some really easy and beautiful ones come out of a small parking lot just before the entrance to the toll road of the Kjenndalsbreen Glacier.
Even if you do not intend to do a particular route or attraction - a ride along the lake is spectacular.
It is also the central glacier area of Jostedalsbreen National Park.
It is highly recommended to visit at least one of the glaciers - Briksdalsbre and Kjenndalsbreen.
Even if you do not want to climb a glacier, a visit is a must experience.
I was actually impressed by the slightly less touristy glacier - Kjenndalsbreen - (less of the glacier itself, more of its surroundings and location, surrounded by mountains and waterfalls from every direction).
The villages - Loen -Olden -Stryn - are all nice, beautiful, and good for rest and equipment.
Stryn - is the largest and has a selection of places to eat/drink/buy.
distance: 140 km
driving time: 2.5 hrs + 1.5 hrs ferry
Start the morning by driving towards Geiranger - located on the most famous fjord in Norway and in the world!
The road itself is a very beautiful road. the main attraction is the Dalsnibba utsiktspunkt viewpoint - which overlooks the fjord from an altitude of 1500 meters. The drive involves a toll road.
On the way, there is the Flydalsjuvet viewpoint - which allows you to be photographed on a rock that is from a tongue against the background of the fjord (this is an alternative for the lazy people to the iconic image that can be photographed in Troltunga).
From there continue downhill to the village of Geiranger.
Before reaching the center of the village, you should aim for parking near the restaurant - Vesterås, from where there are several short and easy routes that provide views of the fjord.
Then continue to a clichéd tourist pastime that includes cafes, souvenir shops, and a tour up the waterfall trail (Fossevandring).
The village is also the starting point for a cruise in the fjord, which also allows viewing of the Seven Sisters Falls.
You can book cruises and attractions in the place, expect queues and a large crowd of visitors, this is a small village but not very quiet.
The best viewpoint on the fjord is the Ørnesvingen.
This point is naturally crowded with tourists, but can be avoided - there is a path above the lookout point that leads to an even better lookout and the Gjerdefossen waterfall.
Those looking for slightly longer walks in the fjord area can find a number of suggestions here.
I suggest not staying to sleep in Geiranger is crowded with tourists and especially groups who get there from the cruises, for me, it was too much.
In Norway no matter where you choose to be - everything is just amazing.
After the touristy Geiranger, it's recommended to get out of the worn area of the tourists and visit the charming and non-touristy towns Urke and Oye.
To get there you can take a cruise on the famous fjord by ferry that will take you to Hellesylt.
The cruise lasts about an hour during which you will cross the most famous fjord in the world.
The cruise is expensive! But how many more times in your life have you sailed on a fjord in Norway in one of the most beautiful places in the world? think about it.
Even when I was traveling Norway on a budget I did not want to miss the sailing experience in this amazing fjord.
It is important to book tickets in advance for this ferries as it is very popular and intended for tourists.
When you get to Hellesylt there is a drive on an amazingly scenic road through the Sunnmøre Alps that will bring you to these towns.
As soon as you arrive you will feel how pristine and beautiful this area is, for some reason these places are not on the tourist route and for me that is a great fact.
Urke and Øye are two magical towns located in the Sunnmørsalpene (Sunnmøre Alps), and not far from the famous town Alesund.
These are places that are usually not on the tourist route and you will find more locals here than tourists.
Wherever you are in Norway, each place is more beautiful than the other and so are these towns.
Although these towns are tiny, there are lots of things to do.
They are located on the fjord that you can swim there, and there is even a jump into the fjord for the braves one. I jumped from there to the cold water of the fjord, and it was so cool and refreshing!
Urke is the larger of the two towns (relatively), and in Øye, you will find a well-kept and stunning luxury hotel for those who have the budget.
If you want to experience an area of incredible beauty with far fewer tourists, you should spend a night in this magical place.
I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
The best hiking trail is a climb to Mt. Saksa - a steep and not easy climb to the top of the mountain - from which there is a spectacular view of the Alps and the fjords.
The route leaves the village of Urke and takes a total of (round trip) about 6 hours.
Oye Hotel - If you are interested in a slightly more prestigious place and you have the right budget you can check out the hotel which is in Oye a particularly impressive hotel that is in the most pastoral place there is. Just an experience.
Urke camping - nice campsite in Urke with beutiful view over the fjord
Do a Wild camping!
I spent the night in wild camping at a very beautiful spot I found on the lakeshore .
There are so many beautiful places to wild camping in Norway.
distance: 57 km
driving time: 2.30 hrs
Drive from Urke to Stranda - A scenic road on the edge of the Alps (Sunnmørsalpene) that provides spectacular views and then take the ferry to Alesund via -Aure.
Those who are interested in a short walking trail - can aim for Brunstadsætra near the village of Velledalen.
This is a light and almost secret 45-minute hike to a nice viewpoint and lawns.
Alesund - a place where spectacular architecture meets the views of the fjords.
Alesund has a turbulent Viking past, an abundance of juicy seafood, and breathtaking views.
Surrounded by turquoise fjords, the town of Alesund sits above a series of small islands with exceptional views of the archipelago and the Atlantic Ocean.
Behind the city rise steep mountains, highlighting the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps.
Alesund could easily be the perfect backdrop for a Nordic fairy tale with a modern twist.
What to do in Alesund?
A walk around the beautiful city center is a must for anyone who comes to Alesund.
The best viewpoint over the city is Aksla. It can be reached on foot via the 418-step exit from the municipal park through other observation points (those interested can also drive to the observation point directly by car).
The most popular place for selfies is halfway to a glass-coated lookout point that looks like it is floating in the air.
The highest viewpoint offers panoramic views of the archipelago, and the alpine landscapes surrounding Sunnmørsalpene.
In addition, it's possible to reach the remote parts of the city along the coast, by visiting the neighboring islands (connected by tunnels and bridges) or by visiting the interesting museums of the city or the underwater observatory.
You will spend the night in the charming town - Alesund.
Aalesund City Apartment - Modern place in a perfect location. Great place to stay for a short or a long time.
Ålesund Downtown Loft - at the heart of the city. Rooms with shared bathroom.
Volsdalen Camping - quite camping site, 30 min walk from Alesund
Distance: 138 km
Driving time: 2:45 hrs
Drive from Alesund towards Valldalen (do not go directly to the troll road because the navigation will lead you on the short road which is not the full troll road) - from there continue towards the Trollstigen Center.
You can walk a few minutes to the famous lookout point on the winding road up the mountain.
Those interested have a number of additional and longer routes that depart from the visitor center, including lakes in the area and higher vantage points.
For those who are really interested, you can also get off the trolls toad on foot.
For those who don't - continue down the road towards Åndalsnes (with a variety of stops along the way).
Åndalsnes is beautiful and surrounded by mountains. Stop at the visitor center (Norsk Tindesenter) to hear what is happening in the area and to get information about routes in the area and especially to get information and book a ticket for the bus for the next day's hike.
For those who do not intend to go on the hike and move on - you can see some of the alternatives offer that I will detail below.
Accommodation: Åndalsnes
Romsdalseggen Ridge is without a doubt - one of the most beautiful hikes in Norway.
A bus must be booked in advance the day before, which will take you to the starting point.
The buses leave the visitor center - one at 8:30 and one at 9:30.
The hike is considered medium difficulty and takes around 8 hours.
Recommendation for a place to eat after the hike:
The Sødahlhuset café in Andalsens is one of the most successful and delicious places I have eaten in Norway.
Delicious and special dishes and very vegan friendly too.
The prices are not cheap at all, but after a grueling day of walking - you have honestly earned it.
The cafe is a 5-minute walk down the street from the endpoint of the hike.
Shortcuts: If you do not want to do the full hike, or if the weather does not allow you, you can climb from Åndalsnes to Rampestreken - A beautiful viewpoint point that is part of the hike
The one-way hike takes about an hour-and-a-half of a very steep ascent, but not a long one, and is very worthwhile.
Another trail that is considered a substitute is the Litlefjellet - A easy hike for everyone that lasts only an hour (round trip) and provides a beautiful view of the area through the trolls.
To get to the starting point of Litlefjellet, navigate at Google Maps to Vengedalen parking.
distance: 290 km
Driving time: 4 hrs
On this day, we start the road back south towards Oslo.
Drive in the morning to Hjerkinn - a town located at the junction of 6 large nature reserves, the main one being - Dovrefjell - Sunndalsfjella.
The nature reserves cover a huge area and allow for many multi-day trips.
For shorter and easier trails it is worth getting to Kongsvoll (some of the routes leave from the car station and some leave on the other side of the road, near the hotel).
You can see a map of the routes here.
If you are lucky, you will meet musk ox that infest all reserves.
I was lucky and saw a number of musk ox, one lonely and big one that was really close to the entrance to the reserve and another whole family of musk ox, something like 5-6 of them in different sizes that were further away from me but still in a range that can be seen.
It was a tremendous experience to see these strange animals.
Beyond the musk ox, the reserve itself is stunning in its beauty and the feeling there as if you are in a different area, vast open spaces, and a different landscape than what I was used to seeing in the western fjords of Norway.
Interesting fact: Musk ox became extinct in Norway and only in recent years were imported from Russia to reproduce there.
Another point for exiting the tracks is from the Snøhetta car park.
The ascent to the Snøhetta lookout point is moderate and very light and suitable for everyone.
From there you can also continue to other routes - including a route to the summit of Mount Snøhetta on a route that takes a total of around 7 hours (round trip) and is not particularly difficult.
The landscapes in the area are beautiful and special (very different from those in the fjords area).
In any case, do not miss at least one short route.
After visiting the Dovrefjell Nature Reserve and you may have seen the cool Musk ox, continue driving towards Lillehammer
Lillehammer has a large selection of places to eat and drink and is a good stop for a refreshing rest.
What else to see and do in Lillehammer?
The main attraction in Lillehammer is the Olympic Park and the ski jump of the Winter Olympics - Lysgårdsbakkene - can be reached by cable car for a fee or on foot for free.
The Lillehammer Kunstmuseum is very successful.
The main street - Storgata is a beautiful and pleasant street that is suitable to return to for a civic revision.
The Maihaugen Museum is the largest open-air museum outside Oslo and displays life in Norway at different times.
I didn't find anything special in Lillehammer.
For me, it was a bit boring so I did not stay to sleep there and chose to stay in Redalen about half an hour drive from Lillehammer, a lovely little place with a lakeside campsite.
Sveastranda Camping - Great campsite with a lot of space and beautiful view, right on the lakeside. one of the best camping sites I have stayed during my road trip in Norway.
distance: 161 km
Driving time: 1:50 hrs
That's it, the last day of the Norway road trip has arrived.
A two-hour drive will take you to Oslo, returning the rental car and flying back home.
If you have time until your flight, you can walk around Oslo and see some of the things you did not get to see on the first day in Oslo.
You can add the Jotunheimen national park and Besseggen ridge hike to your Norway itinerary.
Besseggen ridge is one of the most popular hikes in Norway.
In good weather, this is not a very difficult hike compared to other routes in Norway (in my opinion).
The hike starts with an ascent that lasts 1.5-2 hrs and continues with a relatively straight and simple walk with 2 steep and difficult but short sections - and at the end of descent that if done carefully there is no reason to fear it.
However, in rainy weather, the hike becomes much more challenging due to the fact that it includes an ascent (and especially a descent) on smooth rocks near the abyss.
The hike starts from Gjendesheim cabin - from there take a ferry to Memurubu and walk all the way back (it is also possible to do a reverse route, but the ferries in the other direction are more limited, so it is not recommended).
The Besseggen ridge hike takes 6-8 hours.
Tip: Don't do the hike in the morning, go out at noon.
This way you will not have to book the boat in advance and you will enjoy fewer hikers.
Remember that the sun sets late and never darkens (during the summer)
Booking the boat in advance is recommended at the peak of the season on weekends and it is best to do it at the earliest the day before departure, after finding out that the weather is suitable.
Booking the boat is through the website only. The boat includes a transfer from the main parking lot to the Gjendesheim cabin.
The Jotunheimen national park has many options for additional and easier routes.
You can use my Norway itinerary in the same way as it passes through the most beautiful places in Norway.
With 3 weeks in Norway, you will be able to travel in a much more relaxed and fun way!
If you are traveling Norway on a budget and afraid that 3 weeks in Norway is a big expense, remember that if you do not pay for accommodation (wild camping in Norway is free) or pay a small amount (in tidy camping), buy groceries in the supermarket, cook your own food instead of eating out, you can save a lot of money!
The 3 week Norway itinerary will remain on the same skeleton and the same places but with much more freedom of action and will look like this:
Oslo (2 nights)
Dalen (1 night)
Stavanger (2 nights)
Odda (2 nights)
Bergen (2 nights)
Aurland (2 nights)
Loen (2 nights)
Urke & Oye: Sunnmøre Alps (2 nights)
Alesund (1 night)
Åndalsnes (1 night)
Dombås (1 night)
Jotunheimen National Park (1 night)
Lillehammer/Redalen (1 night)
1/ Book flights as far in advance as possible! Saves a lot of money.
I booked my flights to Norway 6 months in advance and paid $40 for a flight instead of $250 if I had booked two weeks in advance.
2/ Cook for yourself! Restaurants in Norway are outrageously expensive! Bring from home a good frying pan, small pot, cooking utensils, and spices.
You can make amazing things from products at the supermarket!
3/ Norway has a law that says you can camp and set up a tent anywhere in the country as long as it is 150 meters away from a private area.
This fact therefore greatly reduces the cost of a trip to Norway.
I slept almost every night in a tent so I was able to afford to travel a month in Norway at a relatively cheap price in one of the most expensive countries in the world.
4/ REMA 1000. My home in Norway, has a strong WiFi source, relatively cheap toilets, and food.
5/ Must download a navigation app. I recommend the Maps Me app. There is also the OSMOND.
Both are free and do not require internet, You need to download the maps on wifi.
6/ Those who are interested in buying a SIM card in Norway in order to enable internet and calls, it can help with all sorts of dilemmas along the way and it is also relatively inexpensive.
You can do this in a lot of stores. Usually like kiosks.
Ask them about the details of the package you are looking for and they will be happy to help you.
Almost all Norwegians speak fluent English by the way so the matter of communication is very easy.
7/ If you choose to sleep in a tent, look for signs along the way that point to a viewpoint or painting of a tree and bench, where there is usually a good place to sleep and park the car and often also relatively clean chemical toilets.
8/ In Norway, there are tourist center branches in almost every city that always help and also provide WiFi and services.
Do not hesitate to use them. They are marked with the letter i.
9/ There are campsites and cabin sites that do not appear on the booking site and booking sites.
Find them on a Google map, on the "visit Norway" website, and contact us directly (possibly by email) so that they can reserve a place for you.
If you received an answer that the place is reserved for you, you can be sure that it can be trusted.
10/ Some supermarkets have a restaurant.
The menu is regular and includes a hamburger, fish & fries, or a bun with sausage.
Sometimes this is the only way to eat hot food without cooking and the price is reasonable.
11/ Hiking poles may help with walking routes. Come to Norway with good shoes that dry quickly, hold the footwell and absorb shocks.
Even if you are one of those who only walk on lite trails - there are sometimes muddy, slippery, or rocky trails.
12/ Norway's weather app - yr - is the best and you should download it to your phone.
I use yr on other trips as well.
And yet it happened that we were surprised by a heavier rain than expected or that I did not read the nuances in the specification of the forecast.
This domineering weather is part of the experience.
It happens that there are painful compromises because of him.
Every trip to Norway has an "important" day that the weather ruins.
According to traveler reports, this is happening to everyone.
Before trekking or before deciding to travel to another area, it is highly advisable to look at the weather and make sure it is reasonable, otherwise, a whole plan could be ruined.
13/ Although we traveled in a car and will probably travel that way if I will come back to Norway in the future (and will return for sure), it is worth considering the possibility of a trip in a campervan.
It is difficult to estimate the pace of the trip and the weather.
The advantage is a campervan allows flexibility and it gives you home even on rainy days when it is difficult to set up a tent or cook outside.
The difficulty is mainly in driving on narrow roads.
14/ During the winter, when some roads are closed to traffic, Google's maps are updated accordingly, making it difficult to estimate road distances and travel times.
For example, if you are taking advantage of winter to prepare for your summer trip, and want to check out the beautiful scenic routes, Google will only show you the highway, unless you fill in filters a date of summer, and then it will show you the roads that open in Norway during the summer.
It's been a long blog post, so if you've gotten this far, thank you so much for reading my Norway two week itinerary.
Hopefully, you enjoy this beautiful country, and this Norway travel guide will help you plan your trip in the best way!
Here are some websites I use whenever preparing for my next journey anywhere around the world.
How to plan the ultimate norway road trip
8 most scenic routes in norway
5 day barcelona itinerary: the perfect guide
how to spend weekend in Amsterdam
2 weeks in sicily: the perfect sicily road trip
scotland road trip Itinerary for 14 days
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