🚗 Top 3 routes for a road trip in Norway
Why these three: in a few days, you will collect the country's ‘calling cards’ — bridges over the ocean, fjords and mountain serpentines, island landscapes and fishing villages.
- Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsvegen): ~8 km across bridges between islands — dramatic views and proximity to the ocean. Ideal in combination with Alesund and Kristiansund.
- Geiranger–Trollstigen (National Tourist Route): the royal fjord + 11 hairpin bends of Trollstigen, Ornesvingen/Dalsnibba viewpoints — a ‘postcard’ of Norway behind the wheel.
- Lofoten (E10): island corridor: Å-Reine-Henningsvær-Svolvær, Haukland/Uttafjord beaches — northern road poetry.
🚙 The perfect 7-day route through Norway (circular)
Concept: ‘a little bit of everything’ — cities, fjords, the ocean and plateaus. The transfers are planned so that each day is full but manageable.
🧭 Day by day
- Day 1: Oslo → Lillehammer → Gudbrandsdalen valley (villages, farmland, gentle entry into the mountains).
- Day 2: Geiranger Fjord + Trollstigen road (viewpoints, short trails).
- Day 3: Alesund → Atlantic Road → Kristiansund (ocean bridges and islands).
- Day 4: Sognefjord and Flom (Nærøyfjord/Stegastein — weather permitting).
- Day 5: Bergen (Bryggen, funicular).
- Day 6: Hardangerfjord + Vøringsfossen (viewpoints, waterfalls).
- Day 7: Return to Oslo via the Hardangervidda plateau (scenic ‘finale’).
🧩 7-day load calculator (km/day)
💦 Waterfall road trip: from Bergen to Hardanger
What we will see:
Steinsdalsfossen (you can walk behind the waterfall), Lotefossen (double cascade), Langfossen (powerful ribbon of water flowing into the fjord), Vøringsfossen (a classic near Eidfjord).
Best light: morning/evening (soft shadows), after rain — more dramatic, but slippery.
Season: from May to October, easier on roads and walkways; in winter — only with experience and caution.
🛣️ Most popular National Tourist Routes (TOP 3)
- Geiranger–Trollstigen: Ornesvingen/Gudbrandsvuen viewpoints, serpentine roads, fjord cruise.
- Atlantic Road: bridges over the ocean, fishing villages, stormy spectacles.
- Hardangervidda (Rv7): plateau, lakes, snow ‘tongues’ even in summer; connection with Vøringsfossen and the garden fjords.
🏔️ The most impressive serpentine roads
- Trollstigen: 11 hairpin bends, viewing platforms above the cascades — a symbol of Norwegian roads.
- Lysebotnvegen / Lysevegen: legendary ascent/descent with ~27 hairpin bends, including ‘loops’ in the tunnel above Lysefjord; only for confident drivers.
- Ørnevegen (Eagle Road) to Geiranger + Ørnesvingen viewpoint: an impressive balcony above the fjord.
🧯 Safety, season and EV life hacks
- Seasonality: mountain passes and viewing platforms at high altitudes are seasonal; local restrictions may apply after storms.
- Weather: fog/rain/wind are normal. Plan for a ‘buffer day’ and alternatives at lower altitudes.
- Parking: only in official parking areas; do not stop on the side of the road to take photos.
- Serpentine roads: brake with the engine, do not cut corners, keep your distance; if you are tired, take breaks.
- EV: cold weather reduces range; keep a 20–30% buffer, note charging points at key locations (towns/junctions).
🎒 Car and belongings checklist (saved in your browser)
Conclusion: plan a route that suits you — from a short top 3 to a seven-day loop or a waterfall sprint — and add a buffer day for the weather. Keep up the pace, park correctly, respect the mountain roads — and Norway will reward you with bridges over the ocean, fjords and ‘endless’ horizons.
❓FAQ
Spend 2 days on Geiranger–Trollstigen (with a day on the fjord), 1 day on the Atlantic Road (in combination with Ålesund/surroundings) and 4 days on Lofoten (or reduce Lofoten to 2–3 days if you prefer cities).
Yes. High-altitude sections and viewpoints depend on the season and weather. In the off-season, check the opening of the passes and make a plan B at lower altitudes.
Change the order: low fjords/coast often ‘hold’ windows, while plateaus/passes are covered by fog. Take pictures by the water and move the viewing points to another window.
Keep a 20-30% buffer and charge in major cities/hubs (Bergen, Alesund, Sogndal, Eidfjord, Svolvaer/Leknes). In cold weather, the range decreases — take this into account when planning.
No. Only park in official parking bays/areas. Stopping outside of designated areas on the Atlantic Road bridges and serpentine roads is dangerous and prohibited.
It is usually more comfortable to go Geiranger → Trollstigen: first the fjord views, then the climb to the plateau and the descent along the hairpin bends (or vice versa, depending on the weather and light).
The classic route is Bodo → Moskenes → Svolvær (south→north), leaving the ‘whales and long beaches’ of Vesterålen for dessert. But north→south also works if it is more convenient for your flight/ferry.
Always layers + a membrane: it feels colder by the water and on windy viewing points. Shoes with treads and gloves will come in handy even in July on Trollstigen/Dalsnibba.
Sturseisundet Bridge (Atlantic), Ornesvingen and Dalsnibba (Geiranger), Hauklund/Uttakleiv beaches and Hamnøy/Reine bridges in Lofoten.
Drive in low gear, brake with your engine, take breaks at rest areas, and don't keep your foot on the brake pedal for long. If you smell something, stop immediately at a rest area and let the mechanics cool down.
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