The Norwegian Fjords Grand Tour

Make your way to collect the rental car and start the first leg of your grand tour. Head out the city driving north crossing the Nordhordlandsbrua bridge and continuing to Ytre Oppedal, where you will take a car ferry (payable locally), crossing the Sognefjord to Lavik. Drive east along the fjord road, enjoying the magnificent views and making your way to Balestrand, your destination for 2 nights. We have based your stay at the Historical  Kviknes Hotel on a half-board basis.

Depart Balestrand for Hella and take the ferry to Dragsvik (payable locally). Continue along the fjord road to Sogndal, where you will leave Sognefjord and head north passing through the outskirts of Jostedalsbreen National Park, one of the largest intact wilderness areas in Southern Norway and home to the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the largest ice cap in mainland Europe. Perhaps stop at Bøyabreen Glacier viewpoint for a photo opportunity. Continue north to Skei and another chance for photos at Stardalselva Valley viewpoint. Head to Utnik, and then follow the road along the Innvikfjorden to Olden, finally arriving shortly after in Loen for an overnight stay on a half-board basis.

Driving time: 3 hours 15 minutes / distance 175 km.

Follow the E15 and E39 north through Stryn, Grodås, Fyrde, Volda and Liadal on the way to Festøya, where you take the ferry to Solavågen (payable locally). Continue north, joining the E136 to Ålesund. We have based the stay at the luxurious Hotel Brosundet with breakfast included. 

Famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, Ålesund is a city for adventurers. Explore the quaint streets and enjoy one of the coffee houses, stretch the legs a little more and take the 418 steps up to Mount Aksla, where you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view. At the top you’ll find a restaurant and viewing platform. Or explore the city by water, kayaking along the canals that snake through the centre of Ålesund. Head outside the city to Atlanterhavsparken, Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquarium and marine science centre.

Today’s journey can be considered as epic. There are two routes possible - the shorter drive (2 hours 15 minutes) skirts round the Storfjorden taking you back south to Linge for a ferry to Eidsdal (payable locally). Perhaps take a stop at Eidsvatnet lake viewpoint or carry on to Ørnesvingen viewpoint for an amazing panoramic view of the fjords. Shortly after, start driving down the hairpin bends on Ørnevegen “Eagle Road”, with several photo stops possible on route, heading towards the village of Geiranger.

For an even more spectacular descent, you may wish to try the longer route taking you on the National Scenic Route between Trollstigen and Geiranger. The drive initially takes you further east following the road along Romsdalsfjorden towards Åndalsnes before heading south on route 63 and down the famous Trollstigen “The Trolls Ladder” with several hairpin bends and photo opportunities. There is a café here for a well deserved stop or explore the walkways and viewing points scattered along the way. Continue south to Linge for the ferry (payable locally) to Eidsdal, and carry on towards Geiranger, driving down your second set of hairpin bends on “Eagle Road”. The hotel we have chosen is Grande Fjord Hotel on a half-board basis. It is located in an elevated position overlooking the village.

Located in a UNESCO listed area, you can appreciate the beauty of Geirangerfjord, whether you’re hiking or sightseeing. There is plenty to see and do here. Walk the Fosseråsa national hiking trail and pass behind the Storsæter waterfall, viewing the small farms clinging to the mountainside. Rent a kayak and marvel at the majestic mountains from the water, seeking out The Seven Sisters waterfall. Visit the Nature park and whizz through the air on a zip line or join a boat trip on a fjord sightseeing tour. You can also hire e-bikes to explore the area at your own pace, albeit with a little help!

Driving south from Geiranger will once again include several viewpoints for photo opportunities and stops on route. One in particular, Dalsnibba viewpoint showcases the uninterrupted views of Geiranger and Blåbreen Glacier. It boasts Europe’s highest fjord view by road at 1,500 metres above sea level and has a skywalk where visitors get a sensation of floating with a clear drop below you of 500 m. Continue on route 63 until it joins with route 15, then drive through Grasdal tunnel (3720 meters long) and carry on all the way to Loen, where you had an overnight stay previously, but this time passing by. Continue south, and through Josterdalsbreen National Park to Fjaerland for your overnight stay at Fjaerland Fjordstove Hotel with half-board included.

Leave Fjaerland, heading around the small fjord and back on route 5, then continue south passing through Sogndal and on to Mannheller, taking a ferry to Fodnes (payable locally). 

From here drive to Laerdal and take the Laerdal tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the world at 24.5 km long, taking you to Aurland. After the tunnel you may wish to branch off to the Stegastein viewpoint, located near the top of Aurlandsfjellet. The road is narrow and steep with hairpins, so you need to be a confident driver, but it is definitely worth it. The panoramic views are incredible!

The last leg of this journey takes you to Flåm, one of the most popular and visited places in the Fjords. During the summer months the village gets busy, so you have the option of stopping here to experience the famous Flamsbana train, before continuing on the journey. Or you can stop overnight at one of the hotels, giving you more time to explore the village, as we have included. Or if you prefer to stay in an alternative hotel in the area, there are several possibilities.

Driving time: 2 hours / distance 108 km

Leave the area of Sognefjord behind and head to Hardangerfjord. From Flåm drive to Gudvangen and continue on route 16 passing through the village of Vinje towards Vossvangen, where the road changes to route 13. Continue to the Hardangerbrua bridge (toll fee payable) and cross, driving south through Kinsarvik to your destination of Lofthus and the Hotel Ullensvang for a 2 night stay on half-board basis.

On the final morning, make your way back to Bergen Airport to return the rental car and for your flight home. The journey takes you back over the Hardangerbrua Bridge (toll fee payable), following route 13 to Vossevangen and E16 west bound to Bergen. At Arna, the road heads south to Bergen Airport. Please allow plenty of time for the journey and checking in for your flight. You may wish to extend your holiday further with additional days in Bergen.

The itinerary is a guide only and can be tailored to suit your personal requirements. Please ask our team for the different options possible. Please be aware, some routes through the fjords have toll roads. Some car rental companies have automated systems to pay for the tolls. Please check when collecting your rental vehicle.