Berties Norway adventure June 2025

[chimpusmaximus]

Thought I might share my trip planned for June 25 to Norway.

One of the reasons we got a campervan last year was we had always wanted to travel more and Norway has been in the bucket list. So planning started and it soon became clear sadly that we would struggle to get up to the Artic Circle within the timespan available due to my wife's work and holiday restrictions. She has a clear 2 weeks max and after releasing the time taken to even get to Norway and the distances involved the trip would be more driving than holiday. Managed to claw back some time by me going earlier and my wife fly out and meet me.

Thursday 5th June - Pubstop near Leshuttle
Friday 6th June - Head over Bremen
Saturday 7th June - Head to Hirtshals
Sunday 8th June - Ferry to Kristiansand
Monday 9th June - Pick wife up from TORP Sanderfjord Airport
Tuesday 10th June - Head into OSLO
Wednesday 11th June - Head up into national parks on way up to Trondheim
Thursday 12th June - Trondheim area
Friday 13th June - Head over to West coast
Saturday 14th June - Atlantic Roadway
Sunday 15th June - Head towards Trollstigen
Monday 16th June - Geirangerfjord boat trip
Tuesday 17th June - Head inland for scenic routes
Wednesday 18th June - Viking Village and Bergen
Thursday 19th June - Head towards Bukkoy viking farm
Friday 20th June - Head south
Saturday 21st June - Ferry back to Hirtshals
Sunday 22nd June - Stop in Netherlands
Monday 23rd June - Tunnel and home.

I used Wanderlog to plan out the trip and have to admit I found it pretty good to allow me to build up an inter and work out how many miles I was doing in a day etc. It allows you to share the trip as well. Norway Trip

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Are you travelling in a Tardis?

.........................

"Berties Norway adventure June 2005"​

 

[chimpusmaximus]

Are you travelling in a Tardis?

.........................

"Berties Norway adventure June 2005"​

The wife would at least be able to pack more in.... I will correct

 

[AeonMach]

Immediate impression is that you’re *still* trying to do too much in too little time I’m afraid… this is just non-stop driving. Now maybe that’s your thing and you really are happy with a very literal road-trip with some very long days behind the wheel? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

We had longer and only went as far as Ålesund. The Westland fjordland between Ålesund and Stavanger really are the best bit (ignoring eg Lofoten up in the Arctic).
So consider cutting out Trondheim and Atlantic Road - sure the latter looks good - *from a drone* - but I suspect in person it’s just yet another bit of Norway bridge action. - you will see PLENTY! Here’s one near Ålesund:


Even getting there and back are brutal long days IMHO.
We went over by Le Shuttle mid-afternoon and then got past Antwerp. And then long long day just from there to near Kiel. And then still a pretty long day up through northern Germany and Denmark to Hirtshals. So 2.5 days. You’re gonna try it in 2 days. And we were swapping drivers! You’re doing all that on your own…
Do not underestimate the hell of getting past Antwerp and Hamburg due to traffic! At least your plan has you passing Hamburg on Saturday…
Similarly your return trip.

But that is probably an acceptable price to pay to get the time in Norway but it’s there that you will just be driving.
Btw you know the speed limit is (apart from a few bits of dual carriageway around Oslo and motorway to Sweden) 80km/h / 50mph?!


PS also I can’t see the details of your specific route but you mention Trollstigen: you know the road is closed?
(Although you could approach the viewpoint from the top but it’s a dead-end and certainly doesn’t work as a route from Trondheim/Åndalnes to Geiranger!).
Scheduled re-opening is July 2025 (after your trip):

Trollstigen is scheduled to reopen in July 2025

Trollstigen is closed until mid-July 2025, but you can still experience the Trollstigen plateau and much more!

www.visitnorway.com

Sorry ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[chimpusmaximus]

Appreciate the feedback and the sort of insights I'm after. Driving wise I'm pretty used to Europe and full on road trips have been my past staple for the last 20 years but that was on my own or with friends. My aim was to keep under 5hrs (200miles) driving a day in the most part as I'm assuming a few hours in morning and then in afternoon. I have never tended to stay long in one place and experience a fair bit from the road.

I'll relook how things are taking Trondheim and the Atlantic Road way out the trip.

Thanks

 

[AeonMach]

Yeah that’s cool then. (And thanks for taking the feedback constructively! Good man.)
I *absolutely* think you can make this work with 10 good days in Norway and keeping on the move… we never stayed more than 1 night anywhere either.

I do think removing Trondheim and Atlantic Road will help since I think they are the straw that will break the camel’s (or yours and your wife’s) backs! Especially with the Trollstigen issue.
Get yourself up from Oslo quickly to approx Åndalnes and then loop back somehow south and that will work

The issue is getting back down so Geiranger so given Trollstigen closed, perhaps turn L at Otta and head more directly for Geiranger - possibly stopping somewhere on the way? (Assumes that the route is open by then after winter - should be by June I think!).
Haven’t done it myself by that would be stunning via Djupvatnet (https://maps.app.goo.gl/BfmUprRQeyJ5N2bm8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) and you will get some Trollstigen like amazing Norwegian Road and scenery.
Instant Norway stunningness
Even if your planned route then reverses the last bit?
Were you planning on just a passenger Geiranger boat trip? Or using the boat to get to Hellesylt with the van (kills 2 birds!)?

 

[TallPaul_S]

How many miles will that be in a 2 week (or just over) period? The Nordics are really, really, REALLY big.

I did 2500 miles over nearly 3 weeks in Europe last year and even with staying places for a few days at a time I'd still try and cut down on the miles.

I'd love to do the lofoten islands etc but I'd want at least 3 weeks off, minimum.

 

[chimpusmaximus]

Mileage breakdown - but looking about 4000miles

Thursday 5th June - Pubstop near Leshuttle - 144
Friday 6th June - Head over Bremen - 487
Saturday 7th June - Head to Hirtshals - 366
Sunday 8th June - Ferry to Kristiansand - 90
Monday 9th June - Pick wife up from TORP Sanderfjord Airport - 154
Tuesday 10th June - Head into OSLO- 55
Wednesday 11th June - Head up into national parks on way up to Trondheim- 209
Thursday 12th June - Trondheim area- 130
Friday 13th June - Head over to West coast - 65
Saturday 14th June - Atlantic Roadway - 109
Sunday 15th June - Head towards Trollstigen - 115
Monday 16th June - Geirangerfjord boat trip - 27
Tuesday 17th June - Head inland for scenic routes - 393
Wednesday 18th June - Viking Village and Bergen - 139
Thursday 19th June - Head towards Bukkoy viking farm - 178
Friday 20th June - Head south - 234
Saturday 21st June - Ferry back to Hirtshals - 55
Sunday 22nd June - Stop in Netherlands - 525
Monday 23rd June - Tunnel and home. - 463

 

[TallPaul_S]

Mileage breakdown - but looking about 4000miles

Thursday 5th June - Pubstop near Leshuttle - 144
Friday 6th June - Head over Bremen - 487
Saturday 7th June - Head to Hirtshals - 366
Sunday 8th June - Ferry to Kristiansand - 90
Monday 9th June - Pick wife up from TORP Sanderfjord Airport - 154
Tuesday 10th June - Head into OSLO- 55
Wednesday 11th June - Head up into national parks on way up to Trondheim- 209
Thursday 12th June - Trondheim area- 130
Friday 13th June - Head over to West coast - 65
Saturday 14th June - Atlantic Roadway - 109
Sunday 15th June - Head towards Trollstigen - 115
Monday 16th June - Geirangerfjord boat trip - 27
Tuesday 17th June - Head inland for scenic routes - 393
Wednesday 18th June - Viking Village and Bergen - 139
Thursday 19th June - Head towards Bukkoy viking farm - 178
Friday 20th June - Head south - 234
Saturday 21st June - Ferry back to Hirtshals - 55
Sunday 22nd June - Stop in Netherlands - 525
Monday 23rd June - Tunnel and home. - 463

Yikes. That's a lot of miles.

 

[AeonMach]

Mileage breakdown - but looking about 4000miles

Thursday 5th June - Pubstop near Leshuttle - 144
Friday 6th June - Head over Bremen - 487
Saturday 7th June - Head to Hirtshals - 366
Sunday 8th June - Ferry to Kristiansand - 90
Monday 9th June - Pick wife up from TORP Sanderfjord Airport - 154
Tuesday 10th June - Head into OSLO- 55
Wednesday 11th June - Head up into national parks on way up to Trondheim- 209
Thursday 12th June - Trondheim area- 130
Friday 13th June - Head over to West coast - 65
Saturday 14th June - Atlantic Roadway - 109
Sunday 15th June - Head towards Trollstigen - 115
Monday 16th June - Geirangerfjord boat trip - 27
Tuesday 17th June - Head inland for scenic routes - 393
Wednesday 18th June - Viking Village and Bergen - 139
Thursday 19th June - Head towards Bukkoy viking farm - 178
Friday 20th June - Head south - 234
Saturday 21st June - Ferry back to Hirtshals - 55
Sunday 22nd June - Stop in Netherlands - 525
Monday 23rd June - Tunnel and home. - 463

I had a look at your detailed route. Yes you do obvs need to replan give the Trollstigen issue!
I think Tue 17th June is miscalculating bc it thinks the mountain route is closed (which it currently is due to snow)? But that’s the day that may well need replanned as part of above re-planning anyway…

(my suggestion: go direct to Geiranger and then use ferry from Geiranger to Hellesylt with van which gets you a boat trip and out of Geiranger without retracing steps!)

Otherwise I think it IS do-able as a on-the-move road-trip. Doubly so if you dropped Trondheim and Atlantic Road.
I’d be most worried about out the very long days getting there - especially on your own - and back. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[TallPaul_S]

2000 of the miles are over 4/5 days at the start and end so it's not too bad - I've done 500 miles in a day no bother at all, Kent to Scotland - just keep in mind they can be really draining and you'll need an easy day after 2 days of those miles!

 

[The Bear78]

I've worked in Norway several times over the years. Normally, as travel was provided I would fly. However, on the odd occasion that I drove I would take the ferry from Newcastle to Stavanger.
I appreciate that Newcastle is a fair way (200 miles?) and the ferry itself takes around 24 hours. However, you'd arrive well rested, right at the start of the best bits.
Just a thought...

 

[TeeCeeJay]

I've worked in Norway several times over the years. Normally, as travel was provided I would fly. However, on the odd occasion that I drove I would take the ferry from Newcastle to Stavanger.
I appreciate that Newcastle is a fair way (200 miles?) and the ferry itself takes around 24 hours. However, you'd arrive well rested, right at the start of the best bits.
Just a thought...

Was just wondering about the Newcastle ferry too.

 

[chimpusmaximus]

I've worked in Norway several times over the years. Normally, as travel was provided I would fly. However, on the odd occasion that I drove I would take the ferry from Newcastle to Stavanger.
I appreciate that Newcastle is a fair way (200 miles?) and the ferry itself takes around 24 hours. However, you'd arrive well rested, right at the start of the best bits.
Just a thought...

Have to admit I was not aware of one, will do some research as everything I looked at suggested their was only a freight line available other than normal channel routes.

 

[Velosaurus]

Newcastle to Stavanger ferry stopped about 15 years ago I think?

 

[The Bear78]

Newcastle to Stavanger ferry stopped about 15 years ago I think?

Oooof. Now i'm old..
Looks like it may be re-opening next year.

Ignore that idea then!

 

[Ricardo T]

Hope you have an amazing trip, meticulously planned and not much room for error or diversions.
Good advice form Aeon above, Trollstigen was closed when we were there last year in May but there will be other things to make up for it.
We did the Djupvatnet route into Gerainger and it was a phenomenal drive with the optional Dalsnibba viewpoint ( chargeable) overlooking Gerainger pretty spectacular. The snow was over the height of our van both sides of the road but it was clear.
Bit disappointed with The Atlantic road tbh…it was amazing but quite short.
The road from Gerainger via Lom to Ardal along the Sognefjellet scenic route taking in Breheimen and Jotunheimen National Parks was truly spectacular indeed with amazing corkscrew tunnels inside mountains ,as well as unimaginable scenery, all breathtaking.
Wherever you get to it will be amazing, Norway is a phenomenal country indeed and we shall be going back for another stint.
Be sure to post plenty of pics!

 

[chimpusmaximus]

I had a real struggle trying to get things clear in my head and feel more in control (for better or worse) with it planned out. I have pre booked the camp sites but if plans need to change then I’m either still ok to cancel or have at worse £30 at risk. Going to certainly look to replan the top section and see how it pans out. We have always been the type of couple who turn up and park somewhere and within an hour or two have left and on to the next place.

Plenty of pics etc will be shared and I’m sure many lessons learnt.

 

[Bigsidavies]

We did Norway in 2022.
Eurotunnel then blasted through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
Skipped Oslo to save time. I view Oslo as a city break that can easily be done via cheap flights.
In the van we tend to try for places that need a vehicle-the route less travelled as we call it.
We stopped at Drammen for lunch then drove over via Geillo to Flam and did the Flamsbaden railway.
Then over the Stegastein Pass to Laerdal-amazing viewpoint. Then across to the Rondane National park and up the FV27 to Snohetta and a walk to find the MuskOx.
Then from there the E6 to Trondheim which is only a short drive.
We had 5 weeks so we carried on to Bodo then cruised to Tromso and stayed there for 3 days and flew back to Bodo.
We then spent a few days on Lofoten and then drove back down the west coast over the Atlantic Road and down to Bergen. We dipped inland loads to see lots of waterfalls, Loen Skylift, Gerainger, Dalsnibba etc etc.
So I don’t think that your trip to Trondheim via Rondane and back down the West
coast is too far fetched in the available time.
I think that skipping Oslo makes it much less of a rush.
Skip the big city and see the amazing countryside would be my advice for a compromise.
We did 5980 miles in just under 5 weeks, and apart from the full on blast there and back the journey around Norway didn’t feel like there was too much driving. The driving and seeing all the amazing scenery is a big part of the holiday for us.

 

[Velosaurus]

Following this as quite fancy doing it. Your plan looks amazing!

In Scotland so the drive down to Kent and then back up is painfull. Looked at Newcastle & Hull ferries and the prices are eye watering. Newcastle - Amsterdam rtn is £1800. There is discussion that the Newcastle - Norway ferry route may be opened by a Norwegian company next year.