Road trip Southern Norway and Fjord Norway

You start your trip at our rental station in Ilmenau. Since Norway is quite a distance away we recommend that you drive many kilometers today. The first day’s destination is Hirsthals, a city in Denmark. Numerous ferry companies depart from here to various destinations in Norway. Our destination is Kristiansand. In order for the first day not to become too stressful, we advise you to look for a campsite near Hirsthals and start the ferry crossing on the second day of your trip. The Danish town also has a lot to offer. For example, you can visit the Nordsøen Aquarium or take a walk on one of the endless sandy beaches.

Today you take the first ferry to Norway. The crossing starts at 8:00 a.m. and takes around three hours. The entrance to the harbor already gives you an idea of the magnificent nature Norway has to offer. Smaller fjords and rocky landscapes determine the south of Norway and form a strong contrast to what you could admire in Denmark. After arrival, you continue straight to the first real highlight of the trip. It is the Kjeragbolten, a monolith that is trapped in a rock slab around 1000 meters above the Lysefjord. The drive there takes about 4 hours. You should use the afternoon and evening to recharge your batteries to have enough energy for the hike to Kjeragbolten the next morning. Plan between 6 to 8 hours for this hike. It is only 11 kilometers long, but it includes a height difference of 800 meters. The view and the feeling of standing on this stone will definitely compensate you for the effort.

We hope that you have slept well and recovered after the hike to Kjeragbolten because the next highlight of the route is already ahead. It is the Preikestolen, an approx. 25 x 25 meter large rock plateau, which is located above Lysefjord. From the platform you have a great view of the fjord, an unforgettable experience. The hiking route is around 8 kilometers long and can easily be mastered in 5 hours.

On this part of the trip you can take it easy and relax from the last two hikes. With around 130,000 inhabitants, Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway and as a former European Capital of Culture it has a lot to offer. In any case, you should check out the Petroleum Museum. The city invites you to stroll and enjoy street art that is spread all over.

The Trolltunga is without a doubt one of the most impressive cliffs in all of Norway. For this reason, you should not miss a hike to the famous troll tongue. The path is rocky and long, but every step is worth the effort. The route takes you around 23 kilometers through mountainous terrain, for which you should plan about 10 hours. For this hike you should bring a certain level of physical fitness and really set off early.On the way to Trolltunga you can admire the beautiful Langfoss waterfall. It is 600 meters high and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. From the path you can see the natural spectacle well. But a hike directly to the waterfall is of course also possible.

Today we continue to the Voringvossen waterfall. It is located in Norway’s most beautiful valley and the hike there only takes around an hour. After that there is still enough time to tackle the route to Bergen. Once there, it is a good idea to stroll through the city streets. The Bryggen district with its old warehouses is particularly attractive. In the evening, when it gets quiet on the streets, you could have a drink at one of the countless bars, even though it’s not cheap. You should definitely spend another full day in this town. Then you can visit the fish market and take the famous cable car up to Bergen’s local mountain, from where you have a unique view of the city and the offshore islands.

Next up is the Naerofjord, the most beautiful and wildest branch of the Sognefjord, which can even be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The fjord is one of the narrowest and measures just 250 m at its narrowest point. The best way to discover it is on a cruise that goes past steep, snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.

On the way to Geiranger Fjord, probably the most famous fjord in Norway, you should take a small detour and drive on the pass road Gamle Strynefjellsveg. The approximately 27 km long pass road leads through beautiful mountain landscapes and offers many opportunities to explore the area on foot and take photos. When you have left this pass behind, you will almost inevitably arrive at another pass road, which leads to the summit of the Dalsnibba. Although it costs € 15 to take the road there, the summit at almost 1500 m offers a fabulous view of the Geirangerfjord. At the Fjord itself, you can take a hike, go on a rafting adventure or on a short cruise.

Today you head towards Trollkirka, three limestone grottoes with underground streams and waterfalls, a natural spectacle that is second to none. From the parking lot you can reach the caves in about 90 minutes. You should definitely be equipped with waterproof footwear and a flashlight. If your time allows it, you can also make a detour from here to the city of Ålesund, which was built in Art Nouveau style. The Atlantic Highway, an 8-kilometer-long road over bridges, small islands and rocks, is not far from Ålesund

You’re slowly heading south again and pass Jotunheimen, which is also known as the home of the giants. It is an impressive mountain range in the east of Norway with countless waterfalls, glaciers, lakes and some of the highest mountains in Europe. It is an Eldorado for hikers and for those seeking tranquility.

You can make a small detour to Trollstigen on the way to the Jotunheimen National Park. This road that winds over 11 curves along a steep mountain wall is definitely an experience. But the road is closed to traffic in the winter months and only opens at the end of May.

At the end of your tour through Norway you should definitely stop at Oslo. It is the largest city and the capital of the country. Culturally, it has a lot to offer. Countless museums and a wide range of leisure activities are a fitting end to your trip before you head back home. Take the ferry back to Hirsthals and from there you drive the 950 km to Ilmenau in Thuringia.

Goodbye Norway!