Fjords, Trolls & Vikings

If you came by car, you leave your car and its trailer at the hotel (for a supplement payable on site).

Board the ferry and cross to Larvik (about 4 hours).

Disembark in Larvik, on the southern coast of Norway, about 140 km south-west of Oslo.

Head to the southern part of Telemark. The birthplace of skiing, this beautiful region features snow-capped peaks, dense forests, valleys and countless small lakes. One of the main attractions is the Telemark Canal, 110 km long, inaugurated in 1882. It delights visitors with its 18 stone locks operated by hand.

Back to the coast in Kragerø, a lovely seaside town with pretty white houses facing an archipelago of 495 islands and islets! Stroll through the old Barthebrygga district.

Overnight in Kragerø (or nearby).

Enjoy the charms of the Norwegian Riviera before driving toward Heddal, home to one of Norway's most beautiful (and the largest) stave churches.

Stave churches are these old wooden churches, jewels of Norway's medieval heritage. Built around 1242, the Heddal one is magnificent!

The route follows Lake Tinnsja with its crystal-clear waters, then climbs to Imingfjell Pass, a high plateau at 853 m offering a beautiful viewpoint.

Descend into the Uvdal Valley, popular with whitewater sports enthusiasts.

Arrival in Geilo.

Overnight in Geilo (or nearby).

Head to the lovely wooden church of Tisleidalen, then to the green Stronda fjord in a bucolic setting!

Stop at the beautiful wooden church of Hore (Hore Stavkirke), one of Norway's finest.

The route reaches the high plateaus east of Jotunheimen National Park. The park contains the country's highest peaks above 2,000 m, including the famous Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m), Scandinavia's highest mountain. It can be cold in the mornings and evenings, especially in spring and late summer.

This is paradise for hikers and nature lovers.

Dinner at the hotel included (subject to availability; otherwise we may choose lodging near the Otta River, north of the park).

Overnight in Jotunheimen National Park (or nearby).

Follow the Sjoa River, a renowned spot for kayaking and rafting, then descend into the Otta Valley.

The route crosses the Trøndelag plateaus in the county of the same name. After Oppdal and Lake Skarvatnet, descend into the Orkla Valley before reaching Rennebu, home to a distinctive and pretty red wooden church. You may spot a fisherman trying his luck with salmon, abundant in local rivers.

You can stop to visit the interesting mining industry museum. Pyrite used to be extracted in the Orkla. The guided mine visit is enjoyable.

Then you reach and follow the Trondheim Bay along a beautiful road before arriving in downtown Trondheim, capital of Trøndelag and gateway to northern Norway.

Overnight in Trondheim.

Nestled at the end of its fjord, at the mouth of the Nidelva, Trondheim developed around the splendid Nidaros Cathedral on the Nidelva River. Construction began toward the end of the 12th century, revealing Romanesque-style sections.

Wander through the lanes of the photogenic historic Bakklandet district, with its row of stilted wooden buildings painted red, yellow and brown. From the old red bridge, the view is especially beautiful.

Enthusiasts will head to the Maritime Museum, which displays fine artifacts (models, figureheads...). If you only visit one museum, go to the Musical Instruments Museum, located outside the city on the Lade peninsula, set in the beautiful Ringve Manor.

3 km from the center, Sverresborg is a beautiful open-air park with about sixty houses and typical Trøndelag farms, exhibitions, workshops, galleries... We recommend it.

Overnight in Trondheim.

Today's stage highlights island Norway. Head to Hitra Island, reached after the bridge spanning the strait between the 'mainland' and Hemnskjela Island, then the long tunnel that leads to Sandstad on the east side of Hitra. It's the largest Norwegian island south of the Arctic Circle.

The route takes you around this beautiful island, fairly flat—apart from a few hills—and little visited by tourists. You pass along the Havmyran nature reserve. It's another Norway, with isolated homes, hamlets extended by tiny fishing ports (the island's main activity) or small docks, in a landscape dotted with countless lakes and islets. Here and there you'll see a few rorbu cabins, those typical small red-painted wooden cottages often set up for tourism.

The main settlement, Fillan (and Oldervika), is on the east side.

Overnight on Hitra Island.

Leave Hitra the same way as yesterday (it's the only route).

The route follows a very beautiful road along Snillfjord before reaching Kyrksæterøra, which separates Snillfjord from Lake Rovatnet.

Head to Torsetsundet via another bucolic road—pure happiness! And hardly anyone to share it... Pass near Aure, then reach Ertvågsøya Island and Stabblandet Island, connected by a succession of bridges with views.

Arrival on Tustna Island. It's a beautiful mountainous island with a summit rising to 896 m above the Norwegian Sea.

Leave the island via the Tømmervåg ferry (about 25 minutes), arriving on the outskirts of Kristiansund, the northern gateway to the magnificent Atlantic Road. The city owes its wealth to cod fishing.

Overnight in Kristiansund.

Welcome to the famous Atlantic Road, one of Europe's most beautiful. After a long tunnel under the Norwegian Sea, you reach Averøya Island, dotted with hamlets, coves and bays. The scenery is enhanced by a kaleidoscope of islands and islets.

The most spectacular section of the Atlantic Road links Kårvåg to Vevang over 9 km. In total, 8 bridges—including one in an ellipse shape with an impressive incline (especially on a motorcycle)—connect a chain of islands and cross narrow sea channels.

After a break on the waterfront in Molde, facing Fannefjord, head to Søldnes on Langfjorden for a ferry crossing to Åfarnes (about 15 minutes).

Åndalsnes marks the beginning of the Trolls Road, the legendary Trollstigen, which climbs to 2,018 m at the top of a superb series of hairpin bends, with an exceptional viewpoint (and crowds). After another ferry crossing between Linge and Eidsdal (about 15 minutes), here comes the Eagle Road (Ornevegen), another gem from Norway's exceptional vein...

Shortly after the descent, arrive in Geiranger on Geirangerfjord. Overnight in Geiranger.

The route winds across high plateaus after a magnificent viewpoint over the Flydalsjuvet gorge, Geiranger and its fjord. Head to the Dalsnibba observation platform at 1,476 m. The road up is a toll road. The panorama is exceptional, especially from the Geiranger Skywalk.

The route passes some beautiful mountain lakes and lovely waterfalls, then a series of tight hairpins with views over the Hjelle valley. Arrival in Stryn on Nordfjord. You'll get a great view from the Skjørbakkane viewpoint.

After Lake Dalavatnet at the foot of the Sogndal massif, ferry crossing between Mannheller and Fodnes (about 15 minutes). Small detour to the beautiful Borgund Stave Church, one of Norway's finest.

Take the scenic Bjørgavegen road across a rocky moorland area (snow is not rare, even in summer). After Stegastein, a splendid viewpoint over Aurlandsfjord, descend to Aurland and Flåm.

Overnight in Flåm (or Aurland).

Head to the picturesque village of Undredal, nestled on the edge of Aurlandsfjord. With its small wooden church and emerald-green waters, it's a real postcard!

After the hairpins of Stalheimskleiva, offering views of the impressive Stalheimfossen waterfall, you reach other falls: Tvindefossen. The route winds along the narrow Sørfjord before bringing you to Bergen.

Bergen is Norway's most beautiful city. With the unique charm of its old Bryggen district—at the heart of the former medieval town—and its exceptional position at the gateway to Norway's most beautiful fjords, it was once the capital. It is a major stop for many cruise ships heading deep into the great fjords, including Hardangerfjord.

Wander through the streets, walk up to the fortress, or take the Mount Fløyen funicular.

Overnight in Bergen.

Head to Mørkholsfossen waterfall, then to Steindalsfossen, where you can walk behind the cascade! Today's route includes more beautiful falls...

After a ferry crossing between Tørvikbygd and Jondal (about 20 minutes), you reach the impressive and photogenic twin falls Låtefossen.

The scenic Røldalsfjellet road is magnificent, with curves through a landscape of moorland and stone, plus a few small lakes where you'll almost feel like you're driving... It's like the Isle of Skye in Scotland!

After Horda and Lake Røldalsvatnet, another small scenic road awaits: Dyrskar. It crosses rocky moorland and skirts a pretty lake. Back in Telemark, reach your accommodation on the shores of Lake Vågslivatnet.

Overnight facing the lake (or nearby).

Ride across the Telemark high plateaus before entering Agder county. Cross the Bykle valley, then rack up kilometers on a beautiful 'Scottish-style' stretch: a narrow road between lakes and rocky moorland.

Welcome to another county: Rogaland. After a few fine views over Lake Tjodanpollen, reach the top of magnificent Lysevegen, an incredible road with 27 hairpin bends down to the very photogenic Lysefjord. It's one of our favorite places in Norway!

Before descending, you can grab a refreshment at Kjerag Cafe. Don't hesitate to ride back up the hairpins, then descend them again.

At the bottom, at the eastern end of the fjord, the small Lysebotn village is connected to the world by the hairpins... and by the ferry that cruises along the Lysefjord toward the Stavanger area.

Overnight in Lysebotn (subject to availability; otherwise higher up before the hairpins).

Board the ferry for a beautiful cruise-like crossing (included) of about 1 hour 15 minutes, enjoying the exceptional landscapes around you, with cliffs enclosing the Lysefjord.

Disembark at the tiny terminal of Songesand, then ride back up the north side of Lysefjord on a beautiful scenic road. After Lake Sandvatnet, the route takes you (if you wish) to the trailhead of the legendary Preikestolen—Norway's most photographed and instagrammed natural site!

From the parking lot and hotel, start a beautiful 2-hour hike with over 300 m of elevation gain to reach the rock. At the top: a sheer natural balcony overlooking the Lysefjord, whose waters shimmer 600 m below. Vertigo guaranteed!

If you don't want to hike or if time is short (you have to come back down...), the detour is not worth it. In that case, the route takes you straight to Stavanger, reached after the long Solbakk Tunnel (14 km).

Overnight in Stavanger.

Back to the Norwegian Riviera on the southern coast. After the pleasant little town of Egersund, the day follows back roads, skirting small lakes and offering occasional sea views.

Stop at the hamlet of Nesvag, home to a nice little maritime museum. Then reach Lindesnes Lighthouse, perched on a 50 m-high cliff and battered by storms, with waves sometimes reaching 25 m! The site—with natural pools, rocks and hardy vegetation—is truly beautiful. It is Norway's oldest lighthouse.

The route continues to another unique place: Under restaurant. Half-submerged in the sea, it's a 34 m-long concrete vessel intentionally 'shipwrecked' on the seabed. Colonized by algae, mollusks and crustaceans, it houses a Michelin-starred underwater restaurant. Go have a drink at the bar.

Head to the charming town of Mandal with its bright white facades, then to Kristiansand.

Overnight in Kristiansand.

For the return crossing to Hirtshals, Denmark, you can choose: take the ferry in the morning or in the afternoon.

Enjoy the Fiskebrygga district, with its canals lined with colorful houses, bars and restaurants.

Stroll through the old Posebyen district along the Otra River, among the white houses...

If you decide to take the ferry in the afternoon, it's probably preferable to add an extra night in Hirtshals (optional).

If you opt for a morning return to pick up your car and trailer and already start driving back, we can book a hotel for you along the way (optional).

The included ferry crossing takes about 2h25.

Please contact us for the management of this last day.