Planning 6 day car trip next July - is this schedule feasible?

Posted by bobm185 (New Jersey, USA) on 10/03/16 02:05 AM

As a background - years ago we lived in Germany for 5 years and in the last 4 years have taken a 6 week and a 3 week trip by rental car to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Romania, etc. I am relatively "comfortable" driving in Europe. I will admit that the last time I drove in Norway was in the 70's and it took 3 days to drive from Oso to Bergen! I believe it's better now.

Any comments on the feasibility of this schedule would be greatly appreciated!!

Day 1 - Fly in and rent a car in Alesund.

Day 2 - Drive Atlantic Ocean Road and on to Andalsnes (stop sooner if necessary). 7+ hours 185 miles

Day 3 - Drive the Trollstigen (route 63) and on to Geiranger. 4+ hours 55miles. Take the Geiranger to Hellesylt ferry with car. (Stay wherever depending on progress.)

Day 4 - Drive to Kaupanger (Sogneford fjord) 4 hours 125 miles. Take the Kaupanger car ferry to Gudvangen. (It runs every 3 hours during the day.) Doing this saves going to Flam to get the Flam to Gudvangen ferry and having to take the bus back to Flam.) Stay Gudvangen vicinity.

Day 5 - Drive to Bergen 3 hours 95 miles

Day 6 - Sightsee Bergen; fly out the next day.

I'm getting the miles from Google maps and the estimated time by adding to Google's and from reading comments on Rick's site, Rick's books and even other books.

Day 2 is a lot of driving. The others are driving for half a day and taking a fjord ferry in the afternoon.
We are trying to cover the major sites in the region with (hopefully) some flexibility in timing.
Thank you again for any thoughts!

Bob
I

Posted by Anita

Long Beach, California, USA

10/04/16 03:52 AM

3391 posts

Hi Bob,
We were in the Alesund area for a month two summers ago so I can comment on your first few days.
Days 2-3 are indeed very long days of driving but if you get an early start it is entirely doable.
The ferry to Molde, that you will take to get to the Atlantic Ocean Road, runs very frequently so isn't an issue at all. My only suggestion for this day is to take the time to stop off at the Kvernes stave church. It is beautiful, very old, and in a spectacular setting surrounded by a number of Viking sites. Driving the Atlantic Ocean Road doesn't take very long. There are a number of places to stop along the way but the whole thing only takes about 15 minutes to drive if you don't stop. Other than the road, there isn't much to see in that area. A stop at the stave church will round out your day nicely!
Your day from Andalsnes, up over the Trollstigen Pass and then ferrying down the Geirangerfjord is a really long day. Just get an early start!
The drive up over Trollstigen is one of the most spectacular, white-knuckle roads I've every driven. The drive up to the pass is just crazy...it's hard to believe they put a road there. Once on the top, stop at the visitor center and walk out to the viewpoint...again, nothing like it anywhere else. The drive toward Geiranger is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Stop at the Gudbrandsjuvet for a coffee and views of a unique waterway...it's hard to describe but worth stopping. Allow for more time than you think you'll need for this road...we stopped frequently to take pictures and to take in the stunning scenery.
Just at the top of the road overlooking the Geirangerfjord make sure to stop at that overlook at Ornesvingen as well...amazing views of the fjord.
Once you're down in the town of Geiranger get your car in line for the ferry right away...it is extremely busy in July. We have never had a problem getting on but you'll want to hedge your bets as much as you can so you don't have to wait. The town of Geiranger isn't really worth going to any trouble to see...it's ubertouristy but has good food if you're hungry.
Once on the ferry head straight to the top deck if the weather is nice. It's one of the nicest 90 minutes of my time in Norway...you'll love it!
Hellesylt is a very small place so if you want to spend the night there, definitely make a reservation in advance. There are only a couple of hotels. Other than this small town, there is really nowhere else to stay in the area unless you head back towards Alesund which I'm sure you don't want to do since you would be backtracking.

Posted by bobm185 OP

New Jersey, USA

10/04/16 03:57 PM

24 posts

Thanks so much for your reply and great information - especially the specifics about Geiranger and the ferry. That's the info you don't read in the guide books.

The stave church sounds good. I just checked Google maps and it's only a 30 minute drive off our route plus sightseeing time - so It's surely doable.

Just a side comment - when I said it took us 3 days to drive from Oslo to Bergen I've been wondering why. I pulled out some pictures of our trip (40 years ago) and we went to the Borgund and Torpo stave churches along the way. Borgund was definitely out of the way (and now I know we don't have to do it this time.) We also remember taking a bunch of ferries - e.g., 2 at Utne near Bergen. There is a bridge there now. So i'm better understanding why it took 3 days vs. Google's 8 hours.

I also read your profile - it's great that you do the traveling you do. We love it too and also like the idea of getting off the tourist routes - tho you wouldn't know it from this trip! This time we are trying to cover a bunch of key areas before picking up a cruise of the Baltic - a first for us.

Thank you again - Bob