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Norway roadtrip
2 weeks of adventure in a campervan or in a tent, stunning nature, challenging hikes and scenic routes.
General recommendations:
Be prepared for changing weather conditions by packing layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy footwear.
To pass the Norwayâs toll roads, either apply for a toll tag via Autopass service (if you plan to stay longer) or register your vehicle on Epass24 to pay for invoices (usually with few weeks delay).
You wonât really need a cash as we paid by card everywhere.
Scenic drive from Larvik to Lysebotn
This drive takes you through some of Norway's most beautiful mountain landscapes. Expect stunning views, waterfalls, and traditional Norwegian villages along the way. Stop anytime you want and savor the moment. There are many stops and simple viewpoints along the route. Just so you know, you may not have a network connection at all, so you should download the offline maps or have a printed copy just to be sure. Kjeragbolten hike
The Kjeragbolten hike is a 12-kilometer out-and-back trail with a challenging 780-meter elevation gain. Start the hike from the Ăygardstøl parking lot (300 NOK, ~25âŹ). The trail is steep, with some sections requiring a bit of scrambling and constantly stunning views of the Lysefjorden. Kjerag as a mountain is not the main highlight of the hike, but Kjeragbolten, a boulder wedged between two cliffs, is the main attraction and is located a bit further along the trail. Many people climb the rock to take a picture, but it's not for faint-hearted. Be careful and enjoy! And if you visit in summer, don't be afraid to do this hike in the afternoon when sun is not that strong and trail is also less crowded. With the sunset around 10pm, you can enjoy the hike and still come back with the need of headlamp.Kjerag-Lysebotn Camping
Located near the end of the famous Lysevegen road, this campsite offers stunning views of the Lysefjord. Facilities include showers, toilets, and a kitchen for approx. 385 NOK (~32âŹ) per night. The drive to the campsite is an adventure in itself, with several sharp hairpin turns and a tunnel. Stavanger
Stavanger is a vibrant city known for its picturesque streets and rich history. Also known as the "Oil Capital of Norway" and is home to the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. Take a walk in the city center, discover old colorful streets together with modern architecture and street art. Floating sauna located on fjord is also highly recommended. If you want to explore the city more, check the detailed Stavanger itinerary on the link below. Drive to Odda (Hildal camping)
The drive to Odda is filled with scenic waterfalls and beautiful landscapes. If the Trolltunga base camp is full, consider staying at the Hildal Camping, which offers basic facilities but a stunning location close to the Trolltunga trailhead. Many people try to get to Trolltunga base camp, but you can save time and effort, in the evening it's usually already full. Hildal camping is only 10 minutes away, moreover, you'll have a view of the waterfall directly from the campsite. Trolltunga Hike
Trolltunga, or the "Troll's Tongue," is a rock formation jutting horizontally out from a mountain, about 700 meters above a lake. The Trolltunga hike is quite long (20-26km, depending on the route) but rewarding. It offers breathtaking views - you'll start with the glaciers behind your back (it made me turn and admire the view every few minutes). Then as you continue deeper into the Hardangervidda, the views are changing, also you'll pass the fancy glamping sites and all these with the views of the Ringedalsvatnet - a lake with out-worldly blue color. Some practical tips: Start early to secure parking at P2. There is a P3 parking higher, but with a capacity of 30 parking spots, it is usually fully booked for the season. You can either hike from P2 or take a shuttle bus to the P3, which saves you some time and around 400 meters of ascent. We weren't lucky to catch the bus as it was fully booked for the times we wanted to start the hike, so we hiked from P2. On the way up, I highly recommend taking a trail via the woods - it is more steep but shorter. And on the way back you can walk down the road from P3 to P2 if your knees don't like the steep descent as much as mine. Stegastein viewpoint
Stegastein Viewpoint is a highlight along the National Tourist Road from Aurland to LĂŚrdal, commonly called "The Snow Road." The viewpoint offers a dramatic panoramic view 650 meters above Aurlandsfjord. The platform extends 30 meters out from the mountainside, it was designed by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen, and completed in 2006. Get ready for many people as itâs really one of the most popular viewpoints in Norway, though itâs worth the visit. Thereâs a small parking lot, but thereâs usually a place or two for parking. If possible, try to pick less crowded hours - early morning or later afternoon, but with some patience, you can get to the view point anytime.Aurlandsfjellet
Continue from Stegastein onto the Aurlandsfjellet, also known as the "Snow Road." The drive offers stunning contrasts between fjords and snow-covered mountains, with many spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. The highest point of the road is 1306 meters above sea level, and snow can be seen even in summer. The best time to visit is from June to October when the road is fully open. Make sure you have some warm clothing with you, snacks, and a full tank of gas.
Gaupnetunet Hotell og Hytter
Stay in Gaupne and take some rest before another road trip adventure. The hotel has rooms with private bathrooms which we really enjoyed after a few nights in camps. To get to the hotel from Laerdal, you'll have to take a Manheller-Fodness ferry through Sognefjord. Short, but nice trip.
Sognefjellet
Sognefjellet, part of the Sognefjellsvegen scenic route, offers some of the most dramatic mountain views in Norway. The road winds through high-altitude terrain with lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls. It is the highest mountain pass in northern Europe and one of the most beautiful places in Norway.
Sognefjellshytta
Sognefjellshytta is perched 1,400 meters above sea level along the Norwegian Scenic Route Sognefjellet. It offers stunning views and a range of accommodation options. Some rooms feature breathtaking views of Smørstabbtindane, Fannrüken, and Hurrungane with peaks over 2000 meters high. The kitchen at Sognefjellshytta has evolved in recent years, with the chef adding a personal touch to the simple high-mountain menu. Sognefjellshytta recently underwent a notable architectural upgrade with the addition of a new entrance, designed to blend with the mountain landscape. The entrance has modern, minimalist design and for those who love wooden interiors also amazing smell of wood. We really loved this cozy shelter in the windy day and highly recommend to stop by. Smørstabbreen glacier
While visiting the Sognefjelshytta, you can't miss the chance to take a walk with a views of the nearby glacier. Following the short trail made for visitors, you can get a bit closer to the Smørstabbreen glacier. It's part of the larger Jotunheimen mountain range and is one of the most prominent glaciers in the area. Lom
Lom is a charming village known for its well-preserved Stave Church, beautiful river views, and local bakeries. Itâs a perfect stop to relax and explore. Don't miss the Lom Stavkyrkje which is a wooden church dating back to the 12th century. These types of churches are an iconic part of Norway's cultural heritage, with their unique wooden architecture and historical significance. Out of the approximately 1,000 stave churches built during the Middle Ages, only 28 remain today. Many stave churches feature wood carvings that blend Christian iconography with Viking motifs, such as dragons, serpents, and other Norse mythological creatures. These carvings often adorn doorways, roof ridges, and interior beams. If you have a chance to visit any of them, do not hesitate. It's a real gem! Hageseter Touristcabin
This camping site is only one of the options where to stay in this area and if you make it to Snøhetta camping, feel free to skip this place. However, if you don't have any other options (we spent two hours searching for a suitable place to sleep before the morning Snøhetta Viewpoint visit), just get ready that it's not the best camping place you have ever visited. The owner is rather unfriendly and you'll feel weird while talking to him. Only parking/sleeping space and access to the toilet are included. You need to buy extra credits for a shower and cooking in the kitchen. Think of it already during the check-in, because the reception may be closed later. There's not much space for tents, so if you come with a campervan or book a cabin, it will be more comfortable. Snøhetta Viewpoint
Also known as Tverrfjellhytta, the Snøhetta Viewpoint is an architectural marvel designed to blend into the surrounding landscape. The viewpoint is designed by the architectural firm Snøhetta, which also designed the Oslo Opera House and many other exceptional buildings. This one has won several international awards and was named âWorld Building of the Yearâ in 2011. It offers breathtaking views of the Dovrefjell mountains, especially Snøhetta. The viewpoint is also used to watch wild reindeers and is only open in summer (June to October). There are no parking or entrance costs, but you have to take the toll road to get there. To reach the viewpoint it is a 1.5 km walk from the parking lot.
Ă
ndalsnes
Ă
ndalsnes is the mountaineering capital of Norway. The surrounding mountains are also called the "Alps of Norway" due to their sharp, dramatic peaks. The city itself is small, you can take a short walk or just sit in the cafe nearby and enjoy the views. For more views of the Romsdalen valley, you can book a gondola to see the city from the top, but I recommend walking to the top as a part of the local experience of steep mountains. Parking in the city is covered by short-term and long-term parking. Some short-term parking options are for free, however, limited by time (max 2 hours). Korsbakken camping
This site is an excellent base for exploring the Romsdalseggen and Rampestrekken hikes. The campsite is known for its scenic surroundings with views of mountains all around. Korsbakken offers a range of accommodation options, from tent pitches to cabins. You can book a cabin via Booking.com. Facilities at the camp include restrooms, showers, a washing machine with a dryer, and a kitchen, making it a comfortable spot to relax between outdoor activities. Cabins have also various facilities, we had a cabin with a private bathroom, however beds there are usually bunk bed types. With a nice little terrace with outside seating, we enjoyed the stay there as the weather was not compatible with sleeping in a tent and we stayed for 3 nights. Romsdalseggen hike
Romsdalseggen is one of Norwayâs most breathtaking ridge hikes, offering views of the surrounding mountains, fjords, and valleys. The trail is about 10.3 kilometers long and takes roughly 7-9 hours to complete, depending on your pace. Starting from Vengedalen and ending in Ă
ndalsnes, the hike presents a challenging yet rewarding adventure, with steep ascents, exposed ridges, and panoramic views that are hard to match. On clear days, you can see the Trollveggen (Troll Wall), the Rauma River, and even the Romsdalshorn peak. The hike is a point to point type of hike, so the best option is to park your car in Ă
ndalsnes and then take a shuttlebus to the trailhead. You can also finish your hike at the gondola station on the mount Nesaksla and get a ride down to the city to avoid the steep descent. Hike is a bit challenging, so if you are afraid of heights, hiking the ridge part may be a bit scary. In this case, you can choose which part of the hike you want to take. You can do both, start in the Vengedalen and hike to the Mjølvafjellet direction. Once you get to the ridge part and feel uncomfortable, you can still go back and hike also the other part of the hike separately - a Rampestreken. Another option is to hike the family version of Romsdalseggen via Hognosa which is a bit longer (13 kilometers), but without those airy parts.
Rampestrekken hike
Rampestrekken is a shorter but equally spectacular hike with a unique viewing platform extending 20 meters out from the mountainside, 537 meters above the town of Ă
ndalsnes. The platform offers a view straight down to the fjord and town below. The hike to Rampestrekken is about 2 kilometers long and takes around 1-2 hours to complete. However, if you have some more time, feel free to continue to reach even more beautiful views. Another point on the route is Nesaksla (708 meters asl) with 360-degree views and Høgaksla which takes you closer to the ridge part of the Romsdalseggen hike. Ă
lesund
Take a day trip from Ă
ndalsnes to Ă
lesund. It is a beautiful coastal city known for its architecture and fairytale-like vibe. The city was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style after a devastating fire in 1904 and it's considered as one of the best Europe's preserved towns built in this style. One of the best ways to experience Ă
lesund is by climbing Mount Aksla, which offers panoramic views of the town, the surrounding islands, and the fjords. The viewpoint at Fjellstua can be reached by walking up 418 steps from the town center, or by driving. The view from the top is one of the most iconic and photographed in Norway.Polarbjørn
Ă
lesund has a vibrant food scene with fresh seafood at its core. Restaurants often serve local dishes made from the daily catch, such as cod, herring, and prawns. Polarbjørn Restaurant offers not only excellent meals but also stunning views of the sea, city centre and surrounding islands. Wood hotel by Frichs
Now it's time to go back to Oslo. On your journey back south, stay at the Wood Hotel by Frichs in Brumunddal, which was the worldâs tallest wooden building in 2019 with its 85,4 metres. It was built by local businessman Arthur Buchardt. and it is a great example of sustainable building practices, constructed almost entirely of timber. The hotel has also a pool, nice restaurant and rooftop terrace with 360° view. You can also explore the surroundings of Lake Mjøsa, Norwayâs largest lake or take a walk in Mjøsparken. Larvik
End your journey in Larvik camping (or alternatively in Oslo if you plan to fly back to your country). Camping is situated only a short drive from the city center and Larvik Color Line terminal. The campsite offers basic facilities, a sandy beach, sand volleyball court and a playground, you can also order a pizza on the reception. We recommend taking a sunset walk along the coastline. 
