South Norway
Southern Norway, is no doubt a nature lover’s paradise. Our 23 days road trip was absolutely phenomenon. We drove all the way from Antwerp, stayed over in Copenhagen and Oslo, we had great time in these two cities, city life is wonderful, but our destiny is nature. We scheduled our visit in shoulder season September. It turned out a wonderful time to visit Southern Norway. With its mild temperatures we could enjoy many famous hiking routes, but without crowds. We do had a few days of rain, but with a car, it was easy to reschedule our plans, and drove to a sunny place. This season has enough daylight hours too, so it is perfect to enjoy outdoor activities.
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Hiking
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Rampestreken
Åndalsnes was our starting point, and Rampestreken was our very first hike in Norway. It was a beautiful blue day, the hike took us 2 hours, a bit steep in the end. Before the summit was a famous view point, these was a queue line, but you don’t want to miss it. From top of Nesaksla you have a 360 degrees view, we enjoyed our lunch at Eggen Restaurant. Amazing view with amazing food and wine, a perfect prelude!
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Don’t miss Trollstigen, it is a part of scenic road to Geirangerfjord area. Only 15 minutes’ drive from Åndalsnes, and you will see the fantastic panoramic view.
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Trolltunga
Trolltunga has become a very popular destination. We based in Odda for 3 days, and this hike was a big part of our trip. We do worried a bit of its lang distance. But eventually it turned out fine, it is mostly flat with only one big climb in the beginning. For me only the last additional 4 km walking was difficult, my knees were really painful to walk down from P3 to P2, especially after 20 km hike. Next time I will definitely take a shuttle bus for the last 4 km. By the way, the photo queue at Trolltunga is a must. I would recommend to check detailed information through its official website: https://trolltunga.com/ there is useful info such as shuttle bus schedules, parking fees etc..
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Preikestolen
There is enough guide of Preikestolen hike on the internet, it was easy and very well indicated. Here I just add a little bit, I highly recommend the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge. We stayed two nights there, it is a cozy base camp, excellent location, and great food.
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Kjerag
The hike is quiet challenging. Not only it has three steep hills, but also due to strong wind and low temperature makes it more difficult. Be well prepared if you want to do it, and do check the weather report. There was a warning that day: “do not step on the Kjeragbol beacause of strong wind”. We based in Lysebotn, the fjord is beautiful, the scenery along the way is absolutely amazing and the zigzag road driving down to Lysebotn is probably the most dizzying road in the world. Only a few tourists stayed there in shoulder season, there is really nothing to do there but sleep. Take enough food with you, because you find only one kiosk and the price is three times more expensive.
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Fjord and glacier
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Geirangerfjord
A world famous UNESCO heritage, it is truly a fairy-tale landscape with everything you can imagine. We did waterfall walk, speed-boat safari, got very closer to the famous seven sisters waterfalls. During the boat tour, we’ve learned a lot from the local caption, who is a young local farmer turned into tourist industry. He told us many things about their Viking ancestors, how they hunted, how they did farming etc. Combined with the boat safari, we did the Skageflå hike, the best-known of the fjord farms along the Geirangerfjord. Hike up to Skageflå is certainly not easy, but you will be treated with breath-taking fjord views.
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Geiranger Skywalk Dalsnibba
It is well-known as Europe’s highest fjord view, which has a spectacular platform with a stunning panoramic view. It is worth to make a stop here, stroll around and so on.
Innvikfjorden
Innvikfjorden is not as famous as Geiranger, but its beauty is no less at all. We strolled in Stryn, did a hike in Loen up to Rakssetra. It was a rainy foggy day, we worried a bit at first that we would not see anything, but when we reached Rakssetra, the sun shone on our faces and Innvikfjorden slowly appeared in the clouds. That’s how nature surprised us.
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Kjenndalsbreen
Kjenndalsbreen glacier walk is like cherry on the cake, which is a big surprise for us that we didn’t expect. we drove through Loen, the road was a bit narrow. Along the way we saw turquoise lakes, the clouds floating on the mountainside, encountered the waterfalls from time to time. From the parking it’s about 15 minutes walking, then the glacier appeared right in front of us, so close as if we could touch it.
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Briksdalsbreen
Briksdalsbreen Glacier is another attraction in Loen area. It is more famous and more touristic than Kjenndalsbreen, but still worth a visit if you are nearby. And you will not miss Kleivagossen waterfall on the way.
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Waterfalls
Countless waterfalls accompany us along the way. Sometimes we just stop the car and enjoy it cascading down, the sound, the power, it was fascinating experience.
Here we name a few, they are very easy to access, so don’t miss them on the way to your final destination.
Steinsdalsfossen
Briksdalsbreen
Låtefossen
Stigfossen
Waterfall walk in geiranger
Cities
We also visited two charming water towns, Bergen and Stavanger. It is nice to switch from nature to city life from time to time. Stavanger was our very last point and we were not disappointed. Put it on your list, especially the petroleum museum. Last but not least, travelling during covid-19 time was a challenge, but we enjoyed it to the fullest in Shouthern Norway. It’s our first time to visit this breathtaking picturesque region , but definitely not the last.