questions Trollstigen-Geiranger area

Posted by bobbing (Seattle) on 01/25/17 08:28 PM

This is a series of specific questions aimed at Anita from Long Beach, Ed from Pensacola, or anyone else who may have traveled on Route 63 through the Trollstigen-Geiranger area. We're planning on a multi-day road trip from Bergen to Olso that strings together a series of the National Tourist Routes in Norway. As one day of that, we're looking at driving Route 63 from south to north from Langvatnet through Geiranger, Linge, Trollstigen and ending at Sogge bru, which is just south of Adalsnes where we would then spend the night before ending in Oslo the next day. The questions are:

Can that section of Route 63 be done in a day with time for scenery stops?

Is the road between Geiranger and Eidsal a good bet for scenery or would it be better to take the ferry from Geiranger to Linge?

Is a reservation needed for either ferry Eidsal-Linge, or Geiranger-Linge?

And lastly, any recommendations on other National Tourist Routes to include in overall plan?

Many thanks.

Posted by Morten

Copenhagen, Denmark

01/25/17 09:50 PM

971 posts

I have only driven a portion of that route, but it looks feasible for a days journey. I would definitely opt for the ferry trough the Geiranger Fjord, it's absolutely stunning. But drive up to the Ørnesvinget (Eagles corner) lookout on the road from Geiranger to Eidsdal for phenomenal views. You can always turn around and drive back to Geiranger for the ferry (that's what I did).

Is the Sognefjellet tourist route a part for your plan? http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/routes/sognefjellet
It could fit in your overall route from Bergen.

Posted by JZ

01/25/17 10:24 PM

115 posts

The ferry Geiranger - Valldal (near Linge) ended 2014.

Posted by Andreas

Oslo, Norway

01/26/17 08:40 PM

17 posts

Hi.
The trip from Langvannet to Sogge bruÅndalsnes via Geiranger (The national tourist road Route 63) is totally doable in one day.
But I really recommend you to spend one night in Geiranger. From Geiranger continue for the rest of Route 63 the next day.

The car ferry from Geiranger to Valldal (not to Linge), ended in 2014 :(
If you want a cruise on the Geirangerfjord now, you need to take the ferry between Hellesylt and Geiranger.
http://thefjords.no/files/documents/timetable-geirangerfjord-2017.pdf
In the high season you need to make a reservation in advance if you travel with a car. But this ferry trip is, as you can see from the timetable, something that's you easily can do as a part of your short stay in Geiranger (without your car).

The drive from Geiranger, up Ørnesvingen (Eagles road), all the way to Eidsdal is nice and scenic.
A reservation is not needed (neither it's possible) for the Eidsdal-Linge ferry. It goes shuttle, takes 15-20 min and has pretty good capacity. In july the're is two ferrys in service. If you are unlucky you will in worst case have to wait over one ferry. Which means 10-15 min to snap some photos :)

I have many recommendations on other National Tourist Routes to include on such a trip. The question is what's your definition of a multi-day trip :)
How many days are planning/willing to spend on the road from Bergen to Oslo?
I will gladly put up some recommendations for you.

Posted by Anita

Long Beach, California, USA

01/27/17 04:33 AM

3398 posts

Hi Bobbing4data!
Yes...you can do this drive in a day. I'm assuming you're coming from Bergen to the south?
Here's my suggestion...
Consider driving from Bergen to Hellesylt and spending the night there - it's a fairly long drive but then you'll be able to cruise the Geirangerfjord AND drive the Trollstigen road/pass without backtracking. You can then take the car ferry from Hellesylt on the first ferry in the morning (9:30 if you're going in May; 8:00 if you are going after June 1) and cruise up the fjord to Geiranger. Get off and start your drive from there. Stop at the Ornesvingen overlook that has a stunning view back over the fjord. Continue driving and stop again at the Gudbrandsjuvet cataract...great little place for coffee and a snack (and an ubermodern restroom!). It took us forever to drive the rest of the road because there were so many amazing views and we kept stopping to walk trails and paths we could see from the road and to take pictures of the waterfalls and stunning vistas. You'll also want to stop at the overlook at the top of the Trollstigen Pass. I've never been anywhere quite like it.
You don't technically need a reservation for the Hellesylt-Geiranger ferry - just make sure to get your car in line between 30 - 60 minutes before departure time. A ferry official will come to your car and sell you the ticket while you are waiting in line for this particular ferry. If you want to hedge your bets, and insure a spot, you can buy a ticket in advance as long as you're sure of the time/date you'll be there. For any of the other ferries you will take in the area you'll drive on and then get your ticket from an official who will come to the window of your car. No reservations necessary.
If you were to stay in the area of Alesund longer I would give you other ideas for places to go but it sounds like you're heading south again right away? Can't do everything I guess...you're definitely hitting two of the highlights though!

Posted by bobbing OP

Seattle

01/29/17 11:43 PM

255 posts

Thanks to all who replied, the information was most useful. Andreas and Anita, since you both offered to provide more inputs I will send you a private message. Mange takk!