What are Norway's National Tourist Routes?
All 18 routes, who runs them and winter closures.
Short answer
Norway's National Tourist Routes are 18 selected roads through landscapes with unique natural qualities, developed by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen). Along them you find viewpoints, artworks and rest areas with innovative architecture. The routes are alternatives to the main roads, and many of them close in winter.
Why
- Statens vegvesen is responsible for developing the routes, and its head office for the day-to-day work is in Lillehammer.
- The 18 routes are Varanger, Havøysund, Senja, Andøya, Lofoten, Helgelandskysten, Atlanterhavsvegen, Geiranger-Trollstigen, Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, Rondane, Sognefjellet, Valdresflye, Gaularfjellet, Aurlandsfjellet, Hardanger, Hardangervidda, Ryfylke and Jæren.
- Visit Norway notes that many of the scenic routes close in winter, and that some do not open again until May or June.
Details
Which route suits you depends on where you travel and when: the list runs from Varanger and Havøysund in the far north to Ryfylke and Jæren in the south-west. Visit Norway advises focusing on one region, because driving in Norway usually takes longer than you think.
Tip
Before driving a mountain route outside summer, check the Vegvesen trafikk app from Statens vegvesen, which shows closures of roads, tunnels and bridges.
People also ask
- Which Norwegian Scenic Routes are worth driving?
- How many National Tourist Routes are there in Norway?
Sources
- Norwegian Scenic RoutesChecked at:
- Visit Norway: must-know before you driveChecked at:
- Visit Norway: round tripsChecked at:
- Norwegian Public Roads Administration: drive safe in NorwayChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Opening dates vary from year to year, so check Statens vegvesen before you travel.
Five routes along Norway's most scenic roadsRelated questions
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Are Norway's mountain roads open in May, or is it too early for a road trip?
Some seasonal mountain roads in Norway are open by May, but others, such as Trollstigen and Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, have opened as late as June in previous years.
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Has Norway banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars?
No, Norway has not banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, but it has a political goal that all new passenger cars should be zero-emission by 2025.
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Can other electric cars use Tesla Superchargers in Norway?
Yes, most Tesla Supercharger stations in Norway are now open to other electric cars with a CCS charging port, and you start and pay for charging in the Tesla app.
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Can I get E5 or 98 octane petrol in Norway?
Yes, you can still buy 98 octane petrol labelled 98 E5 in several places in Norway, but every pump marked 95 now sells E10 with up to 10 percent ethanol.