12 days in Norway

[TC3]

I have a ferry booked to Kristiansand and can only spare a total of 12 days, heading back on the 12th day. Looking at doing a small loop to take in scenic drives, fjords and a waterfall or 2. Any must sees you would recommend and any campsites you highly rate that can be shared with me? I am researching on Google of course and using some apps for checking out sites but would appreciate any ideas or input.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

You might find our blog of Norway useful.

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...ngs-edvard-munch-and-the-midnight-sun.337559/

 

[TC3]

You might find our blog of Norway useful.

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...ngs-edvard-munch-and-the-midnight-sun.337559/

Thanks I will take a look later

 

[tonybvi]

Probably just what you don’t want to hear but 12 days is really far too short to do any parts of Norway justice, especially after such a long haul to get there (assuming you’re travelling from the UK). It would be better to delay if you can until you have more time.
Having said that there is plenty to do in Southern Norway - the Telemark Canal, Setedalen (especially the flume walk), the extremities and little fishing villages of the south coast, etc.

 

[TC3]

Probably just what you don’t want to hear but 12 days is really far too short to do any parts of Norway justice, especially after such a long haul to get there (assuming you’re travelling from the UK). It would be better to delay if you can until you have more time.
Having said that there is plenty to do in Southern Norway - the Telemark Canal, Setedalen (especially the flume walk), the extremities and little fishing villages of the south coast, etc.

Yes ideally I would love more time but personnel circumstances mean I would not have that sort of time for a good few years yet. Planned a route using chat gpt that takes in 5 of the official scenic routes, fjords and waterfalls. Just need to tweak it to my liking with my ongoing research.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

As long as you aren’t over ambitious you’ll see some of the fjords and have some fun. But bear in mind once you leave the southern coast you’ll average 40-50mph, slower if you include ferries.

 

[TC3]

As long as you aren’t over ambitious you’ll see some of the fjords and have some fun. But bear in mind once you leave the southern coast you’ll average 40-50mph, slower if you include ferries.

We are happy to limit the area we travel in and just experience a bit of this and that and be realistic with how much we can do or travel in the short time there

 

[tonybvi]

To give you a very rough idea we took about 8 days to get to Haugesund from Kristiansand. This was via the south and west coasts and Stavanger and a fair few ferries. We didn’t travel more than 100 miles on any of those days with only 1 night stopovers en route.

 

[TC3]

This is a rough idea of what I am working towards courtesy of chat gpt which I will refine.

Not everyone likes driving so much but I have no issues with that giving the long daylight hours so no rush. If anyone wants to offer up more advice regarding the route, I am all ears.

Day 1 – 15 June
Kristiansand → Hovden
Arrive 14:35.
Drive about 3 hours.
Beautiful mountain scenery as you climb inland.
Stay: Hovden Hytte- og Camping
Driving: ~3 hrs
Day 2 – 16 June
Hovden → Lysebotn
Cross the spectacular mountain plateau.
Hairpin road with the famous 27 bends.
Optional walk to the Øygardstøl viewpoint.
Stay: Lysebotn Camping
Driving: ~3 hrs
Day 3 – 17 June
Lysebotn → Ferry → Jøsenfjord → Røldal
Morning ferry out of Lysebotn.
Scenic fjord roads.
Visit the twin waterfalls Latefossen.
Stay: Røldal Hyttegrend Camping
Driving: ~3 hrs plus ferry
Day 4 – 18 June
Røldal → Odda → Lofthus
Visit Låtefossen if you didn't the previous day.
Stop at Steinsdalsfossen (walk behind the waterfall).
Explore pretty orchards beside the fjord.
Stay: Lofthus Camping
Driving: ~2½ hrs
Day 5 – 19 June
Lofthus → Flåm
Cross the spectacular Hardanger Bridge.
Visit Tvindefossen waterfall.
Afternoon in Flåm.
Stay: Flåm Camping
Driving: ~3 hrs
Day 6 – 20 June
Flåm Relaxing day. Options:
Flåm Railway
Fjord cruise
Walk or cycle
Cafés and harbour
Stay another night at Flåm Camping
Driving: None
Day 7 – 21 June
Flåm → Aurlandsfjellet → Borgund → Hemsedal
Drive the spectacular Snow Road (if open).
Stop at Stegastein Viewpoint.
Visit Borgund Stave Church.
Stay: Hemsedal Camping
Driving: ~3 hrs
Day 8 – 22 June
Hemsedal → Geilo Short scenic drive. Explore waterfalls and mountain scenery.
Stay: Geilo Camping
Driving: ~2 hrs
Day 9 – 23 June
Geilo → Rjukan
Visit Vøringsfossen, one of Norway's most spectacular waterfalls.
Continue to historic Rjukan.
Stay: Rjukan Hytte- og Caravanpark
Driving: ~3 hrs
Day 10 – 24 June
Rjukan → Dalen Drive through the beautiful Telemark region.
Stay: Dalen Camping
Driving: ~2½ hrs
Day 11 – 25 June
Dalen → Kristiansand area Gentle drive back towards the south coast. Enjoy beaches or harbour if time allows.
Stay: Hamresanden Camping near Kristiansand.
Driving: ~3 hrs
Day 12 – 26 June
A relaxing final day around the coast.
Explore Kristiansand.
Stock up before the ferry.
Early night before departure.
Stay: Hamresanden Camping
27 June
Very short drive to the ferry terminal. Check in comfortably for your 13:00 sailing.
Highlights
Lysebotn hairpin road
Lysebotn ferry
Låtefossen
Steinsdalsfossen
Tvindefossen
Vøringsfossen
Hardangerfjord
Flåm
Stegastein Viewpoint
Borgund Stave Church
Telemark mountains
Mostly 2½–3 hours driving per day
This is still the route I'd choose for your campervan with your two dogs: it covers many of southern Norway's iconic sights without feeling rushed, and it avoids the very long driving days of the larger loop.

 

[Brize]

On your day 5 you are in the Hardangerfjord area. If you have time go to Nordheimsund and take a Rib boat (used by the SBS), around the fjord.

Norheimsund Rib Seafari – FJORD CRUISE WITH WATERFALL SAFARI ON THE HARDANGERFJORD

www.1nhs.no

We did it 2 years ago and we still talk about it now (and I write this sitting beside the Telemark Canal at Lunde). It is expensive, but if you want to make memories it's worth paying for them (and Norway is expensive anyway).

Have a great time.

 

[TC3]

On your day 5 you are in the Hardangerfjord area. If you have time go to Nordheimsund and take a Rib boat (used by the SBS), around the fjord.

Norheimsund Rib Seafari – FJORD CRUISE WITH WATERFALL SAFARI ON THE HARDANGERFJORD

www.1nhs.no

We did it 2 years ago and we still talk about it now (and I write this sitting beside the Telemark Canal at Lunde). It is expensive, but if you want to make memories it's worth paying for them (and Norway is expensive anyway).

Have a great time.

Thanks for that, I am sure I can work it into the plan.

 

[VXman]

Regarding campsites - We have been here for 5 weeks now and have only stayed in 2 campsites. Many of the campsites I have seen have been just rows of motorhomes/caravans - almost car park like. We have just found much nicer off grid spots or paid parking.

Having said that, finding off grid places was much easier further north. We did struggle a little in the south.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Don't be too ambitious with distance. Limit yourself to the south western fjords. Your proposed route is a pretty good stab at what I'd try to do in only 12 days.

Look at the official Tourist Routes guide.

I'd centre my 12 day trip on these two routes -

Ryfylke

A drive in the borderland between the archipelago and the highland moors, from Lysefjorden to Sauda and over the mountain pass to Røldal.

www.nasjonaleturistveger.no

Hardanger

Several drives through a long-established tourism area. Waterfalls and glaciers form mighty stage sets that have attracted tourists for more than a century

www.nasjonaleturistveger.no

You could also include this additional route as a quick introduction to Norway as you first arrive in Kristiansand and head out west and north. Very varied from sandy beaches to smaller fjords and waterfalls.

Jæren

A journey through distinctive cultural landscapes and idyllic coastal towns along the North Sea.

www.nasjonaleturistveger.no

I'm currently returning from my third Norway trip. It's a fantastic country - and quite addictive!

 

[TC3]

Cheers will look into these additional 2 as Hardanger is on the list.

 

[TC3]

Regarding campsites - We have been here for 5 weeks now and have only stayed in 2 campsites. Many of the campsites I have seen have been just rows of motorhomes/caravans - almost car park like. We have just found much nicer off grid spots or paid parking.

Having said that, finding off grid places was much easier further north. We did struggle a little in the south.

We usually try to do a few nights off grid so will research into that.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Regarding campsites - We have been here for 5 weeks now and have only stayed in 2 campsites. Many of the campsites I have seen have been just rows of motorhomes/caravans - almost car park like. We have just found much nicer off grid spots or paid parking.

Having said that, finding off grid places was much easier further north. We did struggle a little in the south.

100% agree with this. Campsites aren't really necessary. Very easy to wild camp in some fantastic places.

 

[TC3]

Too much time on my hands past 2 days meant looking at a route. Wifey has agreed to 6 nights wild camping which is more than I had expected from her to be honest. Here is the idea taking shape in my head...
Day 1 arrive at Kristiansand on afternoon ferry and wild camp on Jaeren scenic route at Jossingfjord
Day 2 carry on up the route and join the Ryfylke scenic route with a night stop around Tysdal
Day 3 carry on to Roldal for the night along the lower part of the route
Day 4 onto the Hardanger scenic route, leaving it to head for Bergen for 2 nights
Day 5 rejoin Hardanger route and onto Flam area, nice quiet small campsite about 20 mins outside Flam
Days 6,7,8 wifey wants to do the cruise from Flam while I want to take bus up to Stegastein viewpoint which is on the Aurlandfsjellet scenic route. Not much parking up there hence the bus. Also have read it gets a bit too busy on that route so giving it a miss unless someone convinces me otherwise
Day 9 double back a bit to rejoin and finish Hardanger route with a stop near Ovre Eidfjord
Days 10 and 11 is just making way back to Kristiansand, not looked into anything to do yet
Day 12 ferry back to Hirtshals

Thats where I am at so far, thanks for all suggestions, discussed with wifey who was not keen on some. Just thought I would sahe to see what those of you who know that part of Norway think as a 1st trip. I realise the roads can be slow but we like to get on the road early and what with the long day light hours, it will be a relaxed pace with plenty of stops.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Looks like a fairly manageable route in 12 days, but it will still be quite a lot of driving on some fairly narrow and twisty roads so an early start each day is a good idea.

It's a great bit of Norway to explore without having to go too far North.

The drive west out of Kristiansand using the E39 and Fv44 via Åna-Sira to get onto the Jaeren scenic route is a good introduction to driving in Norway - a few tunnels and bridges, and a little section of bendy roads across some high tundra.

We drove up to the Stegastein viewpoint last month and then continued on along the Aurlandfsjellet scenic route. The road up to Stegastein can be busy including huge tour coaches, but they have recently built a new expanded dedicated parking area for motorhomes. We got there early in morning and it was deserted and I even got some photos with not a soul in them - well for about 20 minutes until the first tour coach arrived!

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Regarding things to see on the way back to Kristiansand - 2 years ago we stopped off an old timber log flume that has been restored and you can now walk along. Quite spectacular. Only an hour or so north of the city.

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[TC3]

Looks like a fairly manageable route in 12 days, but it will still be quite a lot of driving on some fairly narrow and twisty roads so an early start each day is a good idea.

It's a great bit of Norway to explore without having to go too far North.

The drive west out of Kristiansand using the E39 and Fv44 via Åna-Sira to get onto the Jaeren scenic route is a good introduction to driving in Norway - a few tunnels and bridges, and a little section of bendy roads across some high tundra.

We drove up to the Stegastein viewpoint last month and then continued on along the Aurlandfsjellet scenic route. The road up to Stegastein can be busy including huge tour coaches, but they have recently built a new expanded dedicated parking area for motorhomes. We got there early in morning and it was deserted and I even got some photos with not a soul in them - well for about 20 minutes until the first tour coach arrived!

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Regarding things to see on the way back to Kristiansand - 2 years ago we stopped off an old timber log flume that has been restored and you can now walk along. Quite spectacular. Only an hour or so north of the city.

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Handy info cheers, may just drive up if there is motorhome parking now, how did you find the Aurlandfsjellet route? Is it any more difficult or scenic then the Hardanger route? I can only really do 1 of those and unsure which.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

We drove up to the Stegastein viewpoint last month

Cheat, I was made to walk up there!

 

[Wanders from Glos]

realise the roads can be slow but we like to get on the road early and what with the long day light hours, it will be a relaxed pace with plenty of stops.

The roads are rarely busy so an early start won't help in that way although obviously you'll get places earlier. You will also find much of Norway doesn't open until 10am, apart from supermarkets. Garages are mostly automatic.

 

[TC3]

The roads are rarely busy so an early start won't help in that way although obviously you'll get places earlier. You will also find much of Norway doesn't open until 10am, apart from supermarkets. Garages are mostly automatic.

Good to know thanks.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Handy info cheers, may just drive up if there is motorhome parking now, how did you find the Aurlandfsjellet route? Is it any more difficult or scenic then the Hardanger route? I can only really do 1 of those and unsure which.

The Hardanger scenic route is the better of the two in my opinion if you've only got time for one.

The 22km Laerdal tunnel whisks you under the Aurlandfdjellet route in less than quarter of an hour - rather than the two or three hours it takes to do the scenic route including the various rest stops and viewpoints. So if you are short of time the tunnel an easy way to make faster progress.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Cheat, I was made to walk up there!

Fair enough, but no point walking up if there's a perfectly good road!

However this year I did drag myself up Trolltunga, and the Besseggen ridge hike amongst others!

 

[TC3]

I forgot to add the Hardangervidda route to my plan as the Voringsfossen waterfall looks worth a visit. It was actually the choice of the Aurlandfdjellet route or Hardangervidda I had to decide on as the Hardanger route is in the route regardless.

 

[Barti Ddu]

I forgot to add the Hardangervidda route to my plan as the Voringsfossen waterfall looks worth a visit. It was actually the choice of the Aurlandfdjellet route or Hardangervidda I had to decide on as the Hardanger route is in the route regardless.

Can't help you with the Hardangervidda route I'm afraid. It's one of the few of the Norwegian Scenic Tourist Routes that we haven't done.

 

[TC3]

Can't help you with the Hardangervidda route I'm afraid. It's one of the few of the Norwegian Scenic Tourist Routes that we haven't done.

The waterfall really does look impressive and a nice main feature towards end of the Norway mini trip

 

[TC3]

Just wanted to add I booked Harwich to Hook of Holland soon as they became available at beginning of June as we wanted 5 berth pet cabin. I used the calendar showing cheapest travel dates and picked accordingly. Decided to change that as have a flexi ticket so no cost to change or cancel, added an extra day on either end of the booking. When booking originally these dates were both more expensive yet a week later they are cheaper and got a 42 quid refund. Everything remains the same, night crossing, 5 berth pet friendly both ways. Surprised by that given they only been on sale a week!

Odd thing is I just went to look again and the calender shows my original dates are cheaper

 

[Just smiffy]

Well as the saying goes “ fail to plan, plan to fail “……..

But hands up everyone where it’s gone to plan on a motorhome trip…..

Be prepared for changes….

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Well as the saying goes “ fail to plan, plan to fail “……..

But hands up everyone where it’s gone to plan on a motorhome trip…..

Be prepared for changes….

… and breakages. We rarely plan beyond aiming for country. I did much more research for Norway. We might go to France in September, nothing booked not even a ferry and no plan other than rain avoidance.