Norway (1 Viewer)

[Mleabon]

Hi, I'm currently in Norway heading North. I want to do the return journey as quick as possible to maximise my touring. I think I've read somewhere that it's quicker to travel through Sweden. Can anyone confirm or advise?
Thanks.

 

[DavidG58]

Hi, I'm currently in Norway heading North. I want to do the return journey as quick as possible to maximise my touring. I think I've read somewhere that it's quicker to travel through Sweden. Can anyone confirm or advise?
Thanks.

Definitely quicker through Sweden but will depend on how far north you are

It might also determine if you get back at all, we were advised to be out of Norway before October or risk getting stuck in snow

I know our route out from Narvik to Sweden has already been blocked by snow this year with cars stuck

 

[Mleabon]

Definitely quicker through Sweden but will depend on how far north you are

It might also determine if you get back at all, we were advised to be out of Norway before October or risk getting stuck in snow

I know our route out from Narvik to Sweden has already been blocked by snow this year with cars stuck

Thanks David. Interesting. We want to get as far North as possible but will depend on the weather I think. Will probably head back about 5th Nov for Nov 16th tunnel crossing. Already been through snow a couple of times but nothing too serious yet.

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[SteveandSue]

Hi, I'm currently in Norway heading North. I want to do the return journey as quick as possible to maximise my touring. I think I've read somewhere that it's quicker to travel through Sweden. Can anyone confirm or advise?
Thanks.

Yep a lot quicker and easier drive

 

[Mleabon]

Yep a lot quicker and easier drive

Thanks.

 

[Simonnsj]

Hi, I'm currently in Norway heading North. I want to do the return journey as quick as possible to maximise my touring. I think I've read somewhere that it's quicker to travel through Sweden. Can anyone confirm or advise?
Thanks.

We drove to Tromso from the UK in Feb 2023 in our Hymer - we drove through Sweden on the Inlandsvagen which was quite easy compared to Norway. We had no problems finding sites open even though it was very much off season. I think the natives thought we were completely mad when we arrived in Tromso and were amazed we had driven all that way from the UK during winter. Driving in Norway during the winter can be quite a challenge - the roads are icy and very much more 'up and down' compared to Sweden so you need to have your wits about you. We covered 5500 miles in just under 2 months and glad we did it but feel we pushed our MH and ourselves to the limits given the fact it was -25 degrees at 11.30am travelling from Narvik to Karuna and was regularly - 20 degrees during the day. Sweden is definitely far easier to drive compared to Norway and they keep the roads really clear - most are straight with gentle bends and very little elevation and plenty of layby's to pull into to allow trucks to pass. Maybe the roads are far easier given the time of year you are travelling compared to when we drove in Feb!

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[Mleabon]

We drove to Tromso from the UK in Feb 2023 in our Hymer - we drove through Sweden on the Inlandsvagen which was quite easy compared to Norway. We had no problems finding sites open even though it was very much off season. I think the natives thought we were completely mad when we arrived in Tromso and were amazed we had driven all that way from the UK during winter. Driving in Norway during the winter can be quite a challenge - the roads are icy and very much more 'up and down' compared to Sweden so you need to have your wits about you. We covered 5500 miles in just under 2 months and glad we did it but feel we pushed our MH and ourselves to the limits given the fact it was -25 degrees at 11.30am travelling from Narvik to Karuna and was regularly - 20 degrees during the day. Sweden is definitely far easier to drive compared to Norway and they keep the roads really clear - most are straight with gentle bends and very little elevation and plenty of layby's to pull into to allow trucks to pass. Maybe the roads are far easier given the time of year you are travelling compared to when we drove in Feb!

Thanks for your detailed reply. I think that will be our route home. Heading for Lofoten and then Tromso before Narvik to Kiruna and then home. We've been lucky with the weather so far. Had some snow on Harddangervidda and then -7 last night near the Swedish border. I find myself looking at the tyres on every motorhome I see. Most have winter tyres rather than studs. What did you have?

 

[Simonnsj]

Thanks for your detailed reply. I think that will be our route home. Heading for Lofoten and then Tromso before Narvik to Kiruna and then home. We've been lucky with the weather so far. Had some snow on Harddangervidda and then -7 last night near the Swedish border. I find myself looking at the tyres on every motorhome I see. Most have winter tyres rather than studs. What did you have?

Yes I did exactly the same - we have the Michelin Cross Climate tyres which to be fair were amazing. Although they are NOT full winter they coped with everything extremely well. They are only rated down to -7 degrees but as mentioned already we were driving when it was -20 degrees and below. All of the motorhomes we came across had studded or full winter tyres so we were perhaps a little naive with hindsight but we just took it slowly and pulled over a lot in Sweden especially to allow the trucks and other traffic to pass where necessary. I think we only came across one other UK registered van during our travels. Sweden was certainly far easier and more relaxing to drive through compared to Norway though.

 

[DavidG58]

We loved our trip but definitely preferred September

Seen other people’s trips with huge snow drifts still at roadside in June

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[Mleabon]

Yes I did exactly the same - we have the Michelin Cross Climate tyres which to be fair were amazing. Although they are NOT full winter they coped with everything extremely well. They are only rated down to -7 degrees but as mentioned already we were driving when it was -20 degrees and below. All of the motorhomes we came across had studded or full winter tyres so we were perhaps a little naive with hindsight but we just took it slowly and pulled over a lot in Sweden especially to allow the trucks and other traffic to pass where necessary. I think we only came across one other UK registered van during our travels. Sweden was certainly far easier and more relaxing to drive through compared to Norway though.

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Cheers. I have full winters and chains which I have been practising putting on.

 

[Simonnsj]

Cheers. I have full winters and chains which I have been practising putting on.

Wise! We used our snow chains on four occasions, very hard to put on a A class B544 as the front wheels are tucked in that coupled with it being -21 and loads of layers didn't help and my arms looked like Popeyes! Best of luck anyway as it'll be a lot easier given the time of year. Btw use the following website for road conditions for Sweden - it is brilliant and accurate, we checked it everyday before travelling: https://www.trafikverket.se/trafiki...y=6812874.78236&map_z=2&map_l=101000000000000

 

[Peavy]

Yes I did exactly the same - we have the Michelin Cross Climate tyres which to be fair were amazing. Although they are NOT full winter they coped with everything extremely well. They are only rated down to -7 degrees but as mentioned already we were driving when it was -20 degrees and below. All of the motorhomes we came across had studded or full winter tyres so we were perhaps a little naive with hindsight but we just took it slowly and pulled over a lot in Sweden especially to allow the trucks and other traffic to pass where necessary. I think we only came across one other UK registered van during our travels. Sweden was certainly far easier and more relaxing to drive through compared to Norway though.

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Beautiful amazing pictures.
One day we'll do something like that!

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[Heidi666]

Thanks for your detailed reply. I think that will be our route home. Heading for Lofoten and then Tromso before Narvik to Kiruna and then home. We've been lucky with the weather so far. Had some snow on Harddangervidda and then -7 last night near the Swedish border. I find myself looking at the tyres on every motorhome I see. Most have winter tyres rather than studs. What did you have?

If you're going to Kiruna I can recommend a night at the Ice Hotel. They have warm rooms too. Fantastic sculptures in the permanent ice hotel and fab breakfast, all incl. (but don't bother with the over-priced restaurant down the road).

 

[Mleabon]

If you're going to Kiruna I can recommend a night at the Ice Hotel. They have warm rooms too. Fantastic sculptures in the permanent ice hotel and fab breakfast, all incl. (but don't bother with the over-priced restaurant down the road).

Thanks. That's a good idea. Will try to do that.

 

[Mleabon]

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[Simonnsj]

Thanks. That's a good idea. Will try to do that.

We stayed at Camp Ripan in Kiruna - very good site with loads to do including organised dog sledding, skidoo hire and tours (we did the ice fishing) and the site also has a great restaurant. We took a taxi from Camp Ripan to the Ice Hotel for the afternoon which was a great experience and the sculptures are amazing as already mentioned.

 

[Simonnsj]

View attachment 826287

We definitely want to visit during the warmer season as far more to see!

 

[EuroTrotters]

We drove to Tromso from the UK in Feb 2023 in our Hymer - we drove through Sweden on the Inlandsvagen which was quite easy compared to Norway. We had no problems finding sites open even though it was very much off season. I think the natives thought we were completely mad when we arrived in Tromso and were amazed we had driven all that way from the UK during winter. Driving in Norway during the winter can be quite a challenge - the roads are icy and very much more 'up and down' compared to Sweden so you need to have your wits about you. We covered 5500 miles in just under 2 months and glad we did it but feel we pushed our MH and ourselves to the limits given the fact it was -25 degrees at 11.30am travelling from Narvik to Karuna and was regularly - 20 degrees during the day. Sweden is definitely far easier to drive compared to Norway and they keep the roads really clear - most are straight with gentle bends and very little elevation and plenty of layby's to pull into to allow trucks to pass. Maybe the roads are far easier given the time of year you are travelling compared to when we drove in Feb!

Agree,

We have only ever stayed in Norway or Toured in Winter.

The roads can be very icy and if they treat them, usually just some sand. Thats why so many drive on Studded tyres in areas of severe winter.

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[EuroTrotters]

nothing moving on this route as of yet.

It has been talked about for a long time..... I somehow , sadly don't think it will happen.

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[Simonnsj]

Agree,

We have only ever stayed in Norway or Toured in Winter.

The roads can be very icy and if they treat them, usually just some sand. Thats why so many drive on Studded tyres in areas of severe winter.

We had our windscreen chipped so many times as there is also a lot of gravel/small stones that seem to be spread as well during the bad weather. We had a replacement screen fitted when we got back!

 

[Simonnsj]

We definitely want to visit during the warmer season as far more to see!

Yes, I would entirely agree with you- we want to do the same.

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[Mleabon]

Us too

 

[Andy_Elddis125]

It's often too cold to use salt on the roads (salt water freezes at about -17) so they do just use the small stones to bed into the snow/ice to give you grip.

 

[Mleabon]

Quick update if anyone is interested. Drove from Reine in Lofoten today, sleet snow and ice but the winter tyres so far have coped well. (Michelin Agilis Alpins). Not needed the chains yet. In some places it was hard to stand up but the motorhome drove over the ice ok. Some occasional wheel spin but nothing that stopped us. Truly beautiful scenery too. Heading to Tromso tomorrow. I'll post a couple of pieces soon.

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[Riverbankannie]

Quick update if anyone is interested. Drove from Reine in Lofoten today, sleet snow and ice but the winter tyres so far have coped well. (Michelin Agilis Alpins). Not needed the chains yet. In some places it was hard to stand up but the motorhome drove over the ice ok. Some occasional wheel spin but nothing that stopped us. Truly beautiful scenery too. Heading to Tromso tomorrow. I'll post a couple of pieces soon.

Yes! We are interested. Glad you are doing ok and enjoying it.

 

[Mleabon]

Last night's park up.

 

[Mleabon]

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[paddymcc]

Great photos, more pics please!

 

[cyberyacht]

Heading to Tromso tomorrow. I'll post a couple of pieces soon.

Rather you than me. I froze my wotsits off walking over the bridge to Tromsdalen and that was in June.

 

[Mleabon]

Rather you than me. I froze my wotsits off walking over the bridge to Tromsdalen and that was in June.

Yep. Walked over there yesterday. -3c with a breeze. Caught the bus today

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