Norway : Bergen to the North Cape

Drive to Oppedal. Ferry crossing to Lavik (ferry not included). Drive via Førde and Skei along the Jostedal Glacier to Stryn. We recommend a detour to beautiful Geiranger. Drive through the tunnel by Vidseter. Geiranger is one of the most famous resorts in the fjord country, and is set at the very head of the narrow Geiranger fjord. The fjord is so deep that the old spectacular Queen Elizabeth 2 has sailed safely this far inland. Such depth was created by the Ice Age, when mammoth masses of ice widened and deepened existing valleys. When the ice melted, former valleys became fjords. The Geirangerfjord is hemmed in by mountain walls rising to a height of 1,600m. We recommend a stop at the Norwegian Fjord Centre (entrance not included). Drive back via Stryn and Hellesylt to Stranda

Accommodation at the Stranda Hotel, or similar.

We recommend you to drive a via Sykkylven to Ålesund which is completely rebuilt in “Art Nouveau“ after the big fire of 1904, and is one of the best kept cities of that type worldwide (ferry not included). Ålesund has one of the largest export harbours in the world for ‘klippfisk’, i.e. split, dried and salted cod. Along the old harbour Brosundet and Skansegata there is a bustling, picturesque fishing port, where you can buy fresh fish and prawns directly from the boats. We recommend a walk in the charming streets of Ålesund with colourful houses in the city centre. Also recommended is a trip up Mount Aksla, where you will get a spectacular view over the town and coast. To get to Mount Aksla, you can either drive up by car (take the road Borgundveien/ Fjelltunveien), or by following a pathway from the municipal park that leads to the top (comprising 418 steps). Continue to Molde (ferry not included) and take the famous Atlanterhavsvegen (Atlantic Road) along the coastline in direction Kristiansund. Atlanterhavsveien is a unique road connection between the municipalities Averøy and Eide. This 8274 meter long road consists of 12 smaller and larger bridges through a world of islands. From Kristiansund drive via Sunndalsøra to Oppdal.

An alternative route (259 miles) is to drive via Geiranger to Eidsdal. From there a short ferry crossing to Linge (ferry not included). Continue via Øvstestøl. After a while you will arrive at the famous Trollroad, where you ascend the 11 hairpin bends. The road gets its name from the folk tale and the trolls and dwarfs residing there are surrounded by high hilltops and deep gorges. Continue via Åndalsnes and Dombås to Oppdal. Oppdal can offer an all-year-round choice of activities. The range of activities is enormous. We recommend a musk ox safari.

Accommodation at the Norlandia Sletvold Apartments, or similar.

Drive via Ulsberg and Støren to Trondheim. Founded by the Viking king Olaf I Tryggvason in the 10th century, Trondheim is Norway's third-largest city and was the country's capital until the early 1200s. Scenic and pleasant, it's a bustling university centre, with expansive avenues created after a fire razed most of the town in 1681. The city lies on the south bay of the Trondheim Fjord, at the mouth of the Nidelven River. Noted for its timbered architecture, Trondheim retains much of its medieval past, notably the Gothic-style Nidaros Cathedral. Pilgrims came from all over Europe to worship at the shrine of Olaf, who was buried in the cathedral and canonized in 1031. Sights of interest are the Nidarosdomen Cathedral, the Bishops Palace and the Royal Residence of Stiftsgården (entrances not included).

Continue to Steinkjer, 120 km north of Trondheim.

Accommodation at the Tingvold Park Hotel, or similar.

One possibility is to follow the scenic road 17 along the coast. You will then drive through Namsos, Brønnøysund and Sandnessjøen to Mo i Rana. This road is more beautiful than the road E6 and is highly recommended. In Brønnøysund we recommend an excursion to Torghatten, situated 15 km south of Brønnøysund on Torget Island. Torghatten is one of the most remarkable rock formations in Norway, and a significant local landmark. The peak is pierced by a hole which measures 160 m long, 35 m high and 20 m wide, and is accessed by a good 20-minute walking track from the base. You can reach Torget Island via a bridge from town. Another possibility is to follow the road E6 through Mosjøen to Mo i Rana. You will then pass the picturesque lake Snåsa before reaching Grong. Just after Grong, drive along the Namsen River, rich of salmon. We can recommend a visit to the salmon museum just after Grong. (Entrance not included). The tour continues through a beautiful region of mountains and lakes, leading into the town of Mosjøen, scenically situated by the mouth of the Vefsna River, with views of the mountains the Seven Sisters. We recommend a stroll in Sjøgata, where there are galleries and coffee shops housed in the historic warehouses and boatsheds.

Continue to Mo i Rana.

Accommodation at the Comfort Hotel Ole Tobias, or similar.

Continue on road 17 or on road E6. Ascend the famous Salt Mountains, crossing the Arctic Circle just south of Lønsdal. We recommend a stop to view the Arctic Circle Centre right before the Lønsdal Valley (entrance not included). We also recommend a visit to Saltstraumen, the strongest maelstrom in the world. Saltstraumen is famous for its abundance of fish, including cod, saithe, wolfish and halibut. Saltstraumen offers a wide range of activities and exciting experiences. Continue to Bodø or Skutvik for a ferry crossing to the Lofoten Islands. (Ferry crossing not included.) The island kingdom of Lofoten is one of the most beautiful regions of Norway. The midnight sun shines from May 25 to July 7. Continue to Kabelvåg. The port of Kabelvåg with wooden buildings encircles the shore of a narrow inlet. In its heyday it was the major village in the Viking era, a position it maintained until the early years of the 20th century. The first rorbuer (fishermen's cottages) were erected here in 1120.

Accommodation at the Nyvågar Rorbuhotell, or similar.

Drive to Fiskebøl for a ferry crossing to Melbu (ferry crossing not included). Continue through the beautiful archipelago Vesterålen via Sortland to Flesnes for a ferry crossing to Revsnes (ferry crossing not included) and continue to Harstad.

Harstad is a central meeting point for the islands which cluster around Hinnøya. Sights of interest are the Trondenes Church, dating from around 1250, the Adolf Canon and Harstad Church, a magnificent modern construction boasting unique architecture, stained-glass windows and a beautiful alter piece (entrances not included).

Accommodation at the Grand Nordic Hotel Harstad, or similar.

Drive via Bjerkvik and Andselv to Nordkjosbotn. Continue along the Balsfjord to Tromsø, the largest Norwegian city north of the Arctic Circle. Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic, is surrounded by snow-topped mountain peaks and mountain plateaus with good fishing lakes and birch forests. With 63,000 inhabitants, Tromsø is the administrative centre of the county of Troms, a trade centre and the site of one of Norway's four universities. It serves as the capital of northern Norway, and it's the country's fourth-largest finance centre. Tromsø gets the midnight sun from May 14 to July 30, but not one ray comes through from November 25 to January 21.

Accommodation at the Radisson SAS Hotel Tromsø, or similar.

We recommend that you take the two ferry crossings Breivikeidet - Svensby and Lyngseidet - Olderdalen (ferry crossings not included). During the crossings you will have a beautiful view to the Lyngen Alps. An alternative route is to drive south to Nordkjosbotn and continue north along the Lyngen Fjord and the coast. By Altaeidet, it is possible to take a detour to view the Øksfjord Glacier. In Bognelv, situated by Langefjorden, it is also possible to visit the “Bubble”. This is a big underground river coming up to the surface. Continue to Alta, which is the commercial and mercantile capital of Finnmark. The role of administrative capital of Finnmark goes to the city of Vadsø. We recommend a visit at Alta Museum, where you will have the chance to enjoy a variety of exhibitions. Alta Museum is located close to a UNESCO World Heritage Rock Carving Site. These rock carvings are from 6200 to 2000 years old.

Accommodation at the Rica Hotel Alta, or similar.

We recommend a tour to the North Cape Plateau, 210 km from Alta. The North Cape is the most northern point in Europe, and the goal of your journey. From there you can admire the panoramic views of the wide open expanse of the Arctic Ocean and possibilities to see the midnight sun. Return to Alta.

Accommodation at the Rica Hotel Alta, or similar.

Drive from Alta to Bogelv Valley, where we recommend a visit to the “Bubble”. This is a big underground river coming up to the surface. This river has been a tourist attraction since the 16th century. At Alteidet you will have two small glaciers on your right hand side, the Øksfjord Jøkul and the Langfjord Jøkul. Continue along the wild and rugged arctic coast of Northern Norway to Narvik.

This ice-free seaport on the Ofotfjord was founded in 1903 when the Ofoten railway line was completed, boasts Europe's most modern shipping harbor for iron ore. It's also the northernmost electrified railway line in the world.

We recommend a visit at the Norwegian Red Cross War Museum and the Ofoten Museum (entrance not included). Also recommendable is a trip with Narvik's cable car. It takes just 7 minutes to travel up to the mountain restaurant, which is 656 meters above sea level. From here you will have a panoramic view of the fjord, mountains, midnight sun and the town of Narvik. Fagernes Mountain is a wonderful place for mountain trekking and you will find several marked routes.

Accommodation at the Norlandia Narvik Hotel, or similar.

Drive on the road E6 in southern direction. Ferry crossing from Skarberget to Bognes. (Crossing not included) The route through the mountain region of Nordland is very scenic and you will drive through several tunnels before reaching Fauske.

Drive along the Skjerstad Fjord to the maritime city of Bodø, home of the Norwegian Air Force Museum. This museum has several famous veteran planes from military and civil aviation and is the home of the sea eagles.

Bodø is Nordland's largest city, with some 40,000 inhabitants. Although burned to the ground by the retreating Nazis at the end of World War II, the city dates back to 1816 when it was founded by merchants from Trondheim seeking a northern trading post. In time it became one of the leading fishing centres of Norway, specializing in the drying of cod. It has also become known for its ship repair yards. Bodø faces an archipelago rich in bird life. No other town in the world boasts such a large concentration of sea eagles. From Bodø you can take excursions in many directions to glaciers and bird islands.

Accommodation at the Rica Hotel Bodø, or similar.

Drive back to Løding and begin your journey on the famous Coastal Route (Kystriksveien). First you will experience Saltstraumen, famous for its huge whirlpools in the water created by the tide, and one of the best places for sport fishing in Norway.

You will then drive through the 7,6 km long “Svartistunnel”, where you can view part of the Svartisen Glacier from the road after passing through the tunnel. After which there is a ferry crossing from Forøy - Ågskaret, and then a short drive to Jektvik for an approximate one hour long ferry crossing Jektvik - Kilboghamn. Continue further south along the rugged coast with numerous islands and skerries to Nesna, for a ferry crossing Nesna - Levang. (Ferry crossings not included.)

Arrive in the beautiful town Sandnessjøen, beneath the legendary mountain chain of the "Seven Sisters".

Accommodation at the Rica Hotel Sandnessjøen, or similar.

Cross the Korgan Mountains and continue to the town of Mosjøen, where you will have the opportunity to see the famous Seven Sisters Mountain Range.

Continue in the southern direction through the mountainous region of Helgoland, along the Namsen River, before arriving in Grong.

Just before Grong we recommend a stop at the Salmon Museum (entrance not included). Continue through the farming province of north Trøndelag, and along the picturesque Lake Snåsa, via Steinkjer, to Trondheim. Trondheim is Norway’s third largest town and former capital.

Accommodation at the Quality Hotel Panorama, or similar.

Drive south to the town of Oppdal and cross the snow-peaked Dovre mountain plateau to arrive in Dombås. In Dombås we recommend a visit to the Troll Exhibition at the Troll Park in Dombås. This park is also a good shopping facility (service not included). From there you will have a scenic tour, through the impressive Gudbrandsdalen valley, to Lillehammer.

Surrounded by mountains, Lillehammer is one of Europe's favourite resorts. The town, at the head (northern end) of Lake Mjøsa, became internationally famous when it hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics.

At the southern end of the Gudbrandsdal valley, Lillehammer was founded as a trading post back in 1827. Over the years, Lillehammer has attracted many artists, such as Jakob Weidemann, who were drawn to its beautiful landscapes and special Nordic light. The most famous artist who lived here was Sigrid Undset, who won the Nobel Prize for literature.

We recommend a visit to the famous pedestrian street and the Olympic Park with the ski-jump, offering a wonderful view from the lake and city below. (Entrance not included). The Maihaugen open-air folk museum, which is the largest of its type in Northern Europe, is also worth a visit. Maihaugen contains around 140 relocated buildings moved there from all over the region. (Entrance not included).

Accommodation at the First Hotel Breiseth, or similar.

Drive along Lake Mjøsa to Gjøvik. We recommend a visit to the Gjøvik Olympic Mountain Hall, built for accommodating ice-hockey matches of the 17th Olympic Winter Games in 1994. Gjøvik Olympic Mountain Hall is located in the town centre, certified for almost 6.000 people. With its nine floors and floor area covering a whole block of the town centre, this sort of sports hall would be completely out of place in a small township of 1 - 2 story buildings. But as it is built 120 meters deep inside the mountain, you cannot see it from the outside. Continue via Dokka, Fagernes and Gol to Geilo, a well known mountain resort. Geilo has lots of activities to offer. We can recommend a canoe trip on the Ustedalsfjord, a horse trip or a bike ride in the Geilo area. There are also possibilities to try rafting or to go on a moose safari. We recommend a hiking or fishing trip in the area around Geilo. The mountains in this part of Norway are very beautiful and there are several hiking trails.

Accommotation at the Norlandia Geilo Hotel, or similar

Drive back to Hol and continue over the Hallingskarvet to Aurland. Drive to Flåm. We strongly recommend taking the famous Flåm railway, a spectacular journey from Flåm station nestled in the innermost corner of the Aurlandsfjord up to the mountain station at Myrdal. There are no railway lines of the adhesion type anywhere in the world steeper than the Flåm Railway. Continue via Oppheim and Voss to Bergen.

Accommodation at the Augustin Hotel Bergen, or similar.

The whole day is at leisure, so you can explore this beautiful town. We recommend a ride with Fløibanen Cable Car to the top of Mount Fløien, where you can enjoy the view of the city and the surrounding area (service not included). Also recommended is the well known and picturesque Fish Market, probably one of the most visited attractions in Bergen. Here you can also buy fruit, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs. A visit to Troldhaugen, the home of the late composer Edvard Grieg, the Bergen aquarium and one of the many museums the city has to offer is also recommended (no entrances included).

Accommodation at the Augustin Hotel Bergen, or similar.