Norway

Sights & activities

Southern & Western Norway

• Bergen: Starting and ending point for a 7-day campervan road trip. reel
• Trolltunga: Iconic cliff viewpoint; drive there on Day 1, hike it on Day 2. reel
• Vøringsfossen: Dramatic waterfall; camp nearby on Day 2, visit properly on Day 3. reel
• Viking Valley: Visited on Day 3 alongside Vøringsfossen. reel
• Flåm: Home to the Flåm Railway; Day 3 activities include a zipline and Stegastein Viewpoint. Also noted as an alternative accommodation base for the Aurland region. reel reel
• Stegastein Viewpoint: Viewpoint activity on Day 3; breathtaking fjord views near Aurland. reel reel
• Jostedalsbreen: Glacier hike, Day 4. reel
• Hopperstad Stave Church: Historic wooden church visited Day 5. reel
• Sognefjord: Boat tour, Day 5. reel
• Voss: Explored Day 7 before returning to Bergen. reel
• Geiranger: Optional add-on to the 7-day itinerary requiring 9 extra hours of driving. On the 9-stop itinerary it’s 1h30 from Stryn; stop at Dalsnibba viewpoint en route and hike Vesteråsfjellet for fjord views and encounters with goats and alpacas. reel reel
• Oppstryn / Oppstyn: Scenic valley with dramatic mountain backdrop, fjord views, white Norwegian architecture, and blooming flowers; picnic areas. Also listed as an alternative accommodation base for Stryn. reel reel reel
• Undredal: Charming fjord village at the base of steep, green mountain cliffs, surrounded by wildflower meadows and traditional red buildings; accessible via hiking trails. reel reel
• Odda: 5h30 from Oslo. Visit Låtefossen waterfall and hike to Bondhusvatnet glacial lake; continue to Bondhusbren glacier if time permits. reel
• Låtefossen: Impressive waterfall near Odda. reel
• Bondhusvatnet: Glacial lake; popular hiking destination from Odda. reel
• Bondhusbren: Glacier reachable via extended hike from Bondhusvatnet. reel
• Aurland: 2h30 from Odda. Visit Stegastein viewpoint and drive the scenic Auerlandsfjellet route. reel
• Auerlandsfjellet: Scenic driving route (not a destination in itself). reel
• Aurlandsvangen: Alternative accommodation base for the Aurland region. reel
• Stryn: 4h from Aurland via Auerlandsfjellet. Explore Oldevatnet and Lovatnet lakes; swimming (very cold) or boat exploration available. reel
• Oldevatnet: Beautiful lake near Stryn. reel
• Lovatnet: Beautiful lake near Stryn. reel
• Olden: Alternative accommodation base for Stryn region; also home to the Klovane hike. reel reel
• Loen: Alternative accommodation base for Stryn region. reel
• Dalsnibba: Viewpoint on the way to Geiranger. reel
• Vesteråsfjellet: Hike with magnificent fjord views; goats and alpacas present. reel
• Buerbreen: Glacier hike in Vestland with turquoise ice formations and dramatic rocky peaks. reel
• Gygrestolen: Peak hike in Telemark known for dramatic sunset views over layered mountain ranges. reel
• Breheimen region: Mountain area with numerous hiking trails and attractions. reel

Northern Norway (Helgeland to Nordkapp)

• Helgeland: 13h from Geiranger via Mo i Rana. Underrated region with beautiful beaches and Svartisen Glacier (Norway’s second largest). reel
• Mo i Rana: Main hub for the Helgeland region. reel
• Svartisen: Second largest glacier in Norway, near Mo i Rana; worthwhile detour. reel
• Bodø: Starting point for northern road trips and ferry departure point to Lofoten (Moskenes). reel reel
• Steigen: North of Bodø (3h from Mo i Rana); less touristy but beautiful, good for avoiding crowds. Visit Bøsanden beach; go before the ferry to Moskenes. reel reel
• Bøsanden: Beautiful beach near Steigen. reel
• Lofoten: Reached via ferry from Bodø to Moskenes; spend several days exploring. Favorite spots: Reine & Reinebringen Hike, Kvalvika Beach & Ryten Hike, Hauklandstranda & Mannen Hike, Henningsvær, Delpen Hike. Dramatic sharp peaks rising from turquoise ocean with sandy beaches and green valleys. reel reel reel
• Moskenes: Ferry harbor/arrival point, southernmost point of Lofoten. reel reel
• Reine: Popular village in Lofoten; used as an accommodation hub. reel reel
• Reinebringen (Hike): Hiking trail from Reine. reel reel
• Kvalvika Beach: Beach in Lofoten. reel reel
• Ryten (Hike): Hiking trail near Kvalvika Beach; mountain hike in Nordland with panoramic views of turquoise fjord waters, white sand beach, and steep green cliffs. Best in summer for green vegetation and clear views. reel reel reel
• Hauklandstranda: Beach in Lofoten. reel reel
• Mannen (Hike): Hiking trail near Hauklandstranda. reel reel
• Henningsvær: Village in Lofoten. reel reel
• Delpen (Hike): Hiking trail in Lofoten. reel reel
• Leknes: Alternative accommodation hub in Lofoten; 4h from Andenes. reel
• Andøya: Island north of Lofoten worth a detour; known for stunning golden-hour sunset views over the sea and beach activities. Relax at Bleik beach, book a puffin tour to Bleiksøya, hike Matinden. reel reel reel reel
• Andenes: Main settlement on Andøya. reel
• Bleik: Kilometer-long beach on Andøya, with a campsite. reel reel
• Bleiksøya: Island near Andøya; book a boat trip to see puffins (advance booking recommended). reel reel
• Matinden (Hike): Highly recommended hike on Andøya. reel reel
• Senja: Reached via summer-only ferry from Andenes to Gryllefjord (2h). Visit Tungeneset viewpoint, Ersfjord beach, and hike Hesten for Segla views. reel reel
• Gryllefjord: Ferry arrival point on Senja. reel
• Tungeneset: Beautiful viewpoint on Senja. reel reel
• Ersfjord: Beach on Senja. reel reel
• Hesten (Hike): Hike on Senja with great views of Segla mountain. reel reel
• Segla: Mountain peak viewpoint reached via the Hesten hike on Senja. reel reel
• Tromsø: City to visit on the way to Nordkapp from Senja. reel
• Nordkapp: Northernmost point on the European mainland; long drive from Senja, with free-roaming reindeer visible further north. reel
• Northern part of Nordland: Region with dramatic mountain silhouettes, midnight sun periods, and expansive scenic vistas, best at sunrise/sunset. reel reel

General map / photo highlights (no fixed location)

• Various locations across Norway (3 curated Google Maps): Mountain views, alpine lakes with snow-capped peaks. reel
• Mountain lakes: Deep blue alpine lakes surrounded by steep forested valleys and snow-capped mountains. reel
• Waterfalls: Large cascading waterfalls with rainbow effects, surrounded by forests and birch trees. reel

Top scenic hikes (standalone list)

• Innerdalen: Located in Trollheimen; known as Norway’s most beautiful valley. reel
• Segestad: Located in Oppstryn; 314 masl, 6.2 km roundtrip with breathtaking fjord views. reel
• Rui Farm: Located in Dalen, Telemark; 250 masl, 2 km roundtrip with charming farm scenery and history. reel
• Kloksegga: Located in Urke, Sunnmøre; 950 masl, 7.5 km roundtrip with dramatic mountain views. reel
• Blåisvatnet: Located in Lyngen; 9 km roundtrip to a stunning turquoise glacier lake, no elevation gain. reel
• Veggen: Located in Lofoten; 489 masl, coastal hike with panoramic views over sea and peaks. reel
• Mørkgonga: Located in Hønefoss, close to Oslo; 505 masl, 6 km roundtrip through forests to a dramatic cliff gap. reel
• Klovane: Located in Olden; 500 masl, 6 km roundtrip with views of fjords and lush valleys. reel

Practical tips

• Use Roadsurfer for campervan rental; code ELLIE24 gives an €85 discount (valid until 31/10/24). reel
• Book campervans/accommodation ahead for peak season availability. reel reel
• DM the creator (@Ellie Green) “ROAD TRIP” for a free detailed itinerary including overnight camper parking locations. reel
• A 7-day Bergen loop covers Trolltunga, Vøringsfossen, Flåm, Jostedalsbreen glacier, stave churches, and Sognefjord; add Geiranger only if you have 9 extra driving hours. reel
• Best time to visit for lighting, wildflowers, and weather is spring/summer; northern regions offer midnight sun in summer. reel reel
• These fjord villages and islands are considered revisit-worthy across multiple seasons. reel reel
• Check Helene Myhre’s Norway Guide ebook for detailed tips, costs, and itinerary planning. reel
• Plan at least 3 weeks for the full Bodø–Nordkapp route; best done in summer months. reel
• The ferry from Andenes to Gryllefjord (Senja) operates only in summer, taking about 2 hours; the Bodø–Moskenes ferry takes about 3 hours, so check schedules ahead. reel reel
• Avoid wild camping in a campervan; use designated campsites out of respect for nature and locals. reel
• Expect free-roaming reindeer as you drive further north. reel
• Book puffin boat tours to Bleiksøya well in advance; they run seasonally. reel reel
• Steigen is notably less touristy than other stops, good for avoiding crowds. reel reel
• Wear a proper helmet and safety gear for glacier hikes like Buerbreen; plan glacier/alpine visits around good weather. reel
• Hikes range from moderate (Ryten) to technical (Buerbreen); choose based on experience. reel
• Gygrestolen is best for sunset photography. reel
• A set of 3 curated Google Maps (views, hikes, beaches, cabins, lakes, bakeries, valleys, waterfalls, camp spots) is available as a budget-friendly summer planning resource; combine hiking with visits to local bakeries/cafés. reel
• On the 9-stop Oslo–Senja itinerary, total drive time is roughly 35+ hours spread across many days; pack layers and waterproof gear as mountain weather changes quickly. reel
• Lakes like Oldevatnet and Lovatnet are very cold for swimming. reel
• Lofoten is the most famous stretch of the route, so allow several days for hikes and exploration. reel
• Multiple accommodation options exist at each stop; book ahead in high season. reel
• Innerdalen is called Norway’s most beautiful valley; Blåisvatnet offers 9 km with no elevation gain (accessible for varied fitness); Mørkgonga is the closest scenic hike to Oslo. Elevations across the top-8 hikes range from 250m to 950m, and distances from 2 km to 9 km roundtrip. reel