Ten scenic roads to discover in Norway

During the writing of these blogs, the hunt for metonyms and superlatives is a never-ending journey.

With every breathtaking vista we encounter, our personal list of synonyms for ‘beautiful’ grows by a few words.

Amongst the adjectives resides one European country, which leaves us baffled after every visit: Norway.

From its majestic fjords, over its graceful glaciers to its drenched-in-green mountain ranges - this superb Nordic state has got it all.

For you to enjoy these natural marvels as much as possible, we’ve selected ten scenic roads - just remember, this selection is just an appetizer, the proverbial tip of the - eh - iceberg.

 

Lysefjorden

If ever you find yourself in Norway, a visit of the Preikestolen is a must - the latter being a mountain plateau-shaped like a large pulpit that towers over the lofty Lysefjord, at a height of 604 meters. Needless to say, enjoying a breathtaking panorama of the Lysefjord and the surrounding heaths won’t really pose a problem.

Or will it? As to really get to the plateau, you’ll need a firm six-hour walk up the fjord... Luckily, to mentally prepare you for the hike, we’ve selected the 17 kilometer approaching route, leading you from the Oanes ferry peer towards the start of the promenade, while hardly leaving the side of the fjord. However, the road tends to be rather busy and flooded by adventurous tourists.

So if you dread slaloming between backpackers and your legs go numb by thinking of a multi-hour stroll, you might want to consider taking the FV496: 14 kilometers long, leading you to… a dead end. But at least you get to see the famous rock of Preikestolen from the other side of the fjord…


Practical tip: if you really want to enjoy the views, just walk up to Preikestolen at night and camp on the rock itself - boondocking is allowed all over Norway, as long as you show some respect for the surroundings  - for a night to remember.

 

Geiranger & Dalsnibba

If beside your uncurbed love for two- and four-strokes, there’s a splat of TLC left for nature, the Geirangerfjord has plenty to offer. Its impressive waterfalls cascade thunderously from the

nearly vertical mountainsides. Their names are almost as impressive as the force of nature they exhibit: The Seven Sisters (De Syv Søstrene), The Suitor (Friaren) and The Bridal Veil (Brudesløret) taunt the cliffs with trifling veils of mist whose sole purpose is to create a ceaseless display of volatile rainbows, while the view from Ørnesvingen down to the Geirangerfjord will set your pulse racing.

To be able to witness all of the above, there are two options: you can either come down from Eidsdal or ride in via Laegervatna. We suggest you take this last way to leave. It has all you need for a magnificent moment of riding: Overgrown valleys, craggy mountains, and vantage points guaranteed to make you dizzy offer some of Norway’s most scenic views.

While you’re at it: around halfway, you’ll encounter a winding road on your left-hand side. The Dalsnibba Road is one more road leading to nowhere but offers a magnificent view over the mountains and surrounding fjords. Be aware that this is a toll road and that, as soon as the cruise ships arrive in Geiranger, thousands of people come to visit this road with busses.

 

Tindevegen

Although many motorcyclists will shiver by the thought of snow alone, Tindevegen might cause goosebumps for quite a different reason. This truly stunning, 30 kilometers long mountain road connects Øvre Årdal and Turtagrø, with lovely views of magnificent scenery and the impressive peaks of the Jotunheimen mountains.

If you decide to give your bike a rest, you might want to consider a short walk from the road, which will treat you to fantastic panoramic views of the Hurrungane peaks and Store Skagastølstind mountain in the east, and of the inner reaches of the Sognefjord and Skjolden in the west.

Just remember to bring your wallet - Tindevegen is a toll road for motorcycles - and to keep an eye on the calendar, as the magic word is ‘springtime’. Because just like the Sognefjellet Road, which we implemented in earlier lists, one of the most impressive things about this road is the meters high walls of snow…

76 from Brønnøysund to E6

Before you hit off the next one of our selection, you might want to consider a small detour to a folkloric must-see in Norway: Torghatten, and its distinctive hole going clear through the Hestmannen mountain.

The myth goes that it was the horseman’s (Hestmannen) arrow that created the hole, but geologists have ascertained that it was ice erosion that carved out the impressive hole. But we’re wandering off the subject.

The 76 is another Norwegian road that will blow your mind - especially the part along the Tosen Fjord is a real gem: it travels along the shores of above-mentioned fjord, takes a winding route over some peninsula, majestically crosses the Majafjellet through the 5,8 kilometer long Tosentunnel, which starts at Tosen Fjord and dives under a mountain with peaks up to 1.000 meters.

The road ends in the uninhabited area at an intersection with the E6, in the Svenningsdal. 87 kilometers to devour with relish.

 

680 from Kristiansund

Can’t get enough? No need to worry, we’ve got another 90 kilometers of pure riding joy in store for you: the 680 which leads from Kristiansund towards the almost ineffable Kyrksaeterora - which used to be known as the "white town of the Hemnfjorden", as you wouldn’t find a house painted in a different color in the whole village.

The road we’ve selected runs along the western Norwegian coastline, crammed in between Alesund and Trondheim, and crosses no less than six islands. Needless to say, the scenery is stunning, hopping over bridges from one atoll to another. Great and long-lasting fun, this one!

The Atlantic Road

A bit further along the way, an architectural marvel awaits: The Atlantic Road, which leads you from the lavish coastal scenery and pastures to bare boulders along the exposed Hustadvika, where you can see the sun plunge into the horizon.

It connects the island of Averøy with the mainland via a string of islets spanned by a total of eight bridges over 8.274 meters, while its bridges vary from 3 to 23 meters in height.

‘Impressive’ is the word you were looking for. No wonder this official road has been named world’s most beautiful drive by the lads of 5th Gear, has been voted the ‘Norwegian construction of the century’ and has an Official National Tourist Route status.

All in all, the 8 kilometers long stretch between Bud and Kristiansund is a continuous asphalted adventure stuffed with coastal scenery, culture, and history. Just bear in mind that the contrasts between a trip on a sunny and serene summer day compared to a journey swept by a northwestern storm are enormous.

But whether the ocean is rippling calmly or spewing all over the tarmac, a ride along the Atlantic Road will stick with you for the remainder of your time on earth. Check it out!

 

Valldal to Soggemoen

Time for the apotheosis: Trollstigen - literally ‘The Trolls Road’ - an absolute feast to all of your senses. If you see it from the right height and angle, you can feel the view hit you in your stomach. On this road, even the bravest of motorcyclists will feel the adrenaline pump through their carotid artery.

The stretch of road that creeps up the mountain is not particularly long, but we’ve included it in a much longer road heading from the Valldal Valley towards Soggemoen, the base of the Trollstigen camping zones.  

The road we’ve selected will drag you through the mighty nature and fjords of Norway for over a 100 kilometers while spoiling you with breathtaking views, steep mountain slopes, and high waterfalls.

Framing the experience are lofty mountains with names like The King (Kongen), The Queen (Dronningen) and The Trolls Wall (Trollveggen).

For the Trollstigen itself: you’ll have to twist your way through eleven hairpin bends as the road - which is carved into the mountain and supported by stone walls -  climbs up to Stigrøra, 858 meters above sea level while an impressive bridge carries the road across the Stigfossen waterfall. An experience which will wander through your mind until your final breath.

 

Fenfjord Road

If you’re looking for a place which makes you feel as if you’re the only person in the world, Norway is usually a great start. With asphalted roads as sole witnesses of human presence.

If you’ve just visited the cozy but rather lively harbor city of Bergen, and you’re in for some peace, quiet and solitude, ride north out of the city towards the island of Radøy, where our next road is situated in the northwestern nook of the islet.

A rather narrow road takes you for seven kilometers along the seaside to a dead end, an ideal place to go for a swim, try a little bit of fishing or read a book. Sometimes, that’s all one needs, right?

 

Shortcut to Grotli

As German-American architect/designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe already knew about a century ago, sometimes ‘less is more’. Take for instance our next road - the shortcut towards Grotli. If you're fed up by the perfect asphalt meandering along the Fjords take some shortcuts.

This one will make you discover that your normal road bike is handling pretty well on gravel and at the same time, you'll enjoy some wonderful scenery!

 

Risøyhamn to Nordmella

To finish off, we’re heading almost all the way up north, just above the Lofoten towards Tromsø. Our road runs from the southern Risøyhamn towards the more western Nordmella, over 23 kilometers of pure eyegasms.

Both start and finish of this road are situated on Andøya - a 490 square kilometer island bulging north into the Norwegian Sea, almost like a peninsula. It is considered to be a part of the Vesterålen island group, but it acts as a separate entity.

The scenery is marked by large tidal flats, small inlets, and turquoise pools, seaside pastures, and in the center of the island, a vast bog with several small lakes. An ideal spot to come and look for peace and quiet, if ever you find yourself riding from the Lofoten Islands towards the North Cape.

 

Where next?

Explore the best roads & POI's around and plan your next trip based on those roads.

 


 

 

 

 

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