Things to do in the Alesund area

Bob, never been but in a somewhat similar situation.
Planning a fairly quick trip for August and haven't finalized all of the plans yet.

Mainly centered around Geiranger but am flying into and out of Alesund and renting a car there.
Debating where to spend our last night, possible we could stay a night in Alesund, as our flight out is at 10 AM.
Aksla viewpoint is an obvious one, seems like could be really nice for sunset. You can walk up, take a touristy looking open bus that looks fun or even drive your own rental car to the top. A café is at the top.
I am thinking of just driving there after picking up the car, since I think we will head to Geiranger right after our international flight since we get in early enough to do so and not sure we will return to town other than to the airport.

Definitely curious if the downtown is good for walking around, shopping, etc... enough to occupy one's interests.
The harbor front does look nice, there is an aquarium and a museum but would not be something of much interest for me personally.
I am I think a little more looking for dramatic vistas and impressive places personally and willing to drive to see them than you may be.

If you are renting a car I think you have other options though many of them are not too close I think.
The lighthouse is close, not much else that I was interested in is though.

The island Runde which you can drive to in about 2hrs has nesting birds like puffins.
They also have wildlife safari boat rides that go around the island to spot the birds and also seals.

This cool spot with a swing over the fjord is a 2 hr drive.
https://www.visitnorway.com/media/news-from-norway/is-this-the-worlds-most-stunning-swing/

Sunnmore alps should have various places to go/see/do even without hiking; kind of in the same area as that swing.

Strandafjellet Ski Center has a really cool looking cable car/gondola to the peak that operates I think all year and looks very scenic at the top, that looks like a 90 minute drive away

Trollstigen road is a little over 2 hour drive

Atlantic Ocean Road drive is about 3 hours

Geiranger is about 2 hr., 30 minute drive

Andalsnes is a little under 2 hours ; you mention not big into hiking but so the Romsdalseggen Ridge is likely out of the question but the steep stairs up to the amazing looking viewpoint of Rampestreken maybe something you can do?
Trollstigen is close to Andalsnes

Loen is a little under 3 hours, there is a gondola/lift there, as well as 2 different Glacier areas which would be cool to see and a pretty glacier fed lake.

There is a boat trip that goes from Alesund to fjord and stops for lunch for a hotel there before returning.
Seems kind of laid back and luxurious, see below review and description.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g190504-d3505174-Reviews-Boat_trip_Hjorundfjord_incl_lunch_at_Hotel_Union_Oye-Alesund_More_og_Romsdal_West.html

Kayaking seems to be very popular and can be done out of Alesund.

Let me know what else you find, I only have 5 nights in Norway and planning the first 3 in Geiranger and a little undecided on the last 2. Hopefully I am overlooking something amazing.

Thank you "mreynolds" your info and suggestions. I didn't include some of the things you mentioned because we're doing them after leaving Alesund. We're heading up to the Atlantic Ocean Road then over to Andalnes to take the Trollstigen road heading down to Geiranger for the fjord ferry. From there south thru Kaupanger to Flam for another fjord ferry to Gudwangen. Then over to Bergen for 2 nights.

I had to laugh when I read your comment that you are looking for more dramatic vistas and impressive places personally than we are. From what I wrote it sounded that way for us, but considering that we are driving the Atlantic and Trollstigen roads I believe we are picking up a couple of "dramatic vistas and impressive places" along the way! I agree with you in that the aquarium and museums are not what we are interested either. We love gorgeous scenery and exploring "old town" areas of cities as well as local places to eat.

We'll be going thru Loen on our way south so thanks for the info about the gondola/lift there. Also the boat trip out of Alesund sounds good should there not be enough to do in Alesund itself.

Are you taking the Trollstigen road? I think you have enough time to do it on the way to Geiranger. There is a great overlook along the way with a cafe for a coffee stop. If you search for my questions in this forum you'll see my original itinerary - I was asking if it's doable. I received a great reply from Anita. She had stayed in the Alesund area for a month or so and knew it well - and commented on the northern part of our trip. If we are lucky enough for her to reply in this thread, I'm hoping she can give us both some tips for Alesund.

You mentioned staying 3 nights in Geiranger. I had read that there is not a lot to do in Geiranger itself. I don't know your schedule for the area, but maybe you have some other things planned.

Thank you again. I really appreciate the time and effort of your reply!!!
Wishing you a great and safe trip. Enjoy!
Bob

Thanks, to you as well Bob
Didn't mean anything disrespectful by the comment, some would consider 2-3 hours each way too long a drive for a day trip, where for me that is not bad if you get to see something truly different.

I must say my own plans are now a little up in the air.
Was about to book the airfare and the 3 nights in Geiranger today and when I logged back in the airfare cost almost doubled from yesterday to today for our party of 3 (was flying Icelandic Air into Oslo ; which had the best times for me to make an early flight from there to Alesund ; plus a good time out of Oslo on the return so I didn't have to get a super early am flight out of Alesund).
I am kind of scrambling now to figure out the best alternative and may even ditch Norway completely for this week we are free.
I hope it does not come to that though.

Normally I plan every and any thing months in advance but this open week just kind of surfaced recently and we have the itch again to travel.

As of this morning my plan with only 5 nights to spend in Norway was to land in Alesund. Drive to Geiranger spend 3 nights there possibly with a stop in route even if a little out of the way. After arriving settle in maybe go for a ferry boat ride of the fjord before bed. (wanted 3 nights/2 full days there because 1 day I wanted to rent a boat for the day and drive the fjord, stopping for the hikes up to a couple abandoned farms). That is the main thing I would like to do, so didn't want to risk weather not being good if I only had really 1 day to do that and it would not be a good thing to do in the rain, otherwise if I knew weather would be good 2 nights in Geiranger would be good enough.
Figure if we don't want to just do the normal overlooks and stuff the other day we could drive south to the Glacier that day and back. The one near Loen and maybe that lift as well looked like a good option to spend a day. Sometimes I would prefer a longish day trip to changing bases yet again which is another reason why I opted for 3 nights in 1 place, since I figure we will go 1 + 1 with the last nights.
I really do dislike 1 night hotel stays.

The next day planning on driving through the Trollstigen and doing the hike I mentioned in Andalsnes, likely staying in that town but didn't find any accommodations I loved so nothing booked or close to booked. Would be nice to go back at night for a photo of Trollstigen with car light trails, so hoping to stay within a fairly short drive of it.

The last night is therefore open but need to know what time the flight out will be before I make any plans. If a very early flight would stay in Alesund and explore the town a little. If a little later may book the last night at the same place as the previous knowing we have a drive to get to the airport from there.

Don't really have time for anything else I think. Atlantic Ocean Road is tempting but a bit out of the way for us.
That was another thought though to do on the last day and stay somewhere between that road and Alesund on the last night.

Going in mid to late August so suspect the puffins won't be on Runde Island which otherwise I would probably want to force into our plans.

I'm sorry to hear about the airfare! Hopefully it'll still workout for you. It's frustrating when these changes are made over which you have no control.

I didn't take your comment as disrespectful at all. I got a kick out of it because I never thought of it from that perspective and with us doing the 2 roads - which obviously you didn't know.

I was reviewing my notes for our trip and noticed a number of comments about Geiranger being a nice place to stay - so I apologize for any misleading info. Others have said it's too touristy - it's all in the eye of the beholder. But now I understand your reason for staying there for 3 days - not that you need my approval!

The Atlantic road is out of the way - and I almost took it off the list when SAS cancelled the afternoon flight on us. Our original plan was to check out Alesund the afternoon of our arrival and head out for the Atlantic road the next day on the way to Andalsnes. So our dilemma was Alesund the next morning and then go directly to Andalsnes that afternoon or only a brief ride around Alesund and stay with the Atlantic road. By changing our flight to 2 days earlier we now have time for both. (We use miles so it was easy to do as long as the flight was still available.) But now maybe too much time in Alesund? That was my original reason for asking about Alesund. The Atlantic road has been on my list ever since I saw the videos on it. Kind of like your desire to rent a boat and drive up the fjord.

I read your bio and saw that you are into photography - same here. It's been a hobby of mine for years. Remember 35mm? - haha. I had a bunch of slides scanned and digitized so I could print them. I've also done a couple of the printed books/albums of our trips. I used myPublisher which did a great job, but they've been bought by Shutterfly so I don't know how good they are.

Again - hopefully your trip will work out for you. Good luck!
Bob

Thanks Bob,
Reworked the flights and booked something late last night so plans are back on.

With the new flight plan not much changed other than now leaving on a 6:30 AM flight, so last night is definitely going to be in Alesund!
I too have been enamored by images of the Great Atlantic Road and still thinking of driving it on our last full day before getting into Alesund, is probably a 5 hour loop we would be making from Andalnes to Alesund to include that in between but think it may be worth it.
It is one of the few things that will be left open ended for my wife to decide when we get there. Most all of our travel including this is without her knowledge, she prefers it that way to get to a destination that she doesn't know about in advance, so I like to have a plan a and plan b for a day or two here and there for her to choose what to do.
I think she will opt for the coastal route side trip, especially since I will be the only driver ; I don't imagine getting great photos from it though unless there is some sort of odd storm at sea, usually the good photos of that place are when there are waves crashing which must make for scary driving.
Haven't booked a hotel yet for that one night but thinking someplace not too pricey on the water would be nice to be able to see the harbor front for a few hours (probably sunset at that Aksla viewpoint for some nice photos) and then be close enough to drive easily to the airport really early in the morning. Hopefully parking downtown Alesund in that area is not an issue.

I booked the Scandic Parken for 2 nites at $132 a night. I usually use Booking.com - found them reliable. It was the cheapest available among hotels - but then the rates change all the time with "specials." It also has a good rating by users.

It's not on the water but there were a couple that are. I went for central location, price and rating - and Alesund is not that big anyway.

Glad to hear you made your connections for the trip. Enjoy!

Hi bobm and others who've posted on this thread!
So here are the things in the Alesund area we enjoyed when we were there for a month or so.
- The town...very walkable with plenty to see and do. Obviously the funicular up to the commanding views over the town and surrounding fjords and islands. In town there are plenty of little winding streets to be explored.
If you like antiques there is a jam-packed shop in an old building on stilts over the water on Molovegen (the street name) near the Fiskermuseet. There is also a glass-blowing collective just a few doors down that is interesting.
For a great restaurant in town, I highly recommend Lyst. Fantastic food on Kongens gate, a pedestrian shopping street. It's not far from the base of the funicular going up to Aksla. Lots of nice little shops on this street.
- For day trips...the list is really endless.
Runde Island - we went out here 3 times during our stay. It's truly spectacular with hundreds of thousands of birds nesting and feeding everywhere on the cliffs. You need a rental car since you'll need to take a car ferry and then drive the rest of the way...well worth the effort. Once there you can drive up the road that runs along the north side of the island (simply turn right after you get off the bridge and drive as far as you can) and park in a designated lot. The walk up to the top of the island is a paved path that is quite steep. Once on top the path is very wet and boggy but the views are incredible back along the island and up and down the coast. Lots of bird enthusiasts with giant camera lenses taking photographs everywhere! The other way to see it is by boat. We took the "Aquilla" with a fantastic guy who knows the names of all the birds in about 10 different languages - he's a teacher at the local school and has lived there all his life. You'll see a sign for his tour at the teeny-tiny boat harbor on the right-hand side of the road. Saw more birds than you can shake a stick at - absolutely beautiful place!
- Trollstigen / Geirangerfjord - This is a VERY long day trip but, again, SO well worth the effort. My recommended route is Alesund to Magerholm...take the car ferry across to Sykkylven. Sykkylven along highway 60 over the Sunmore Alps to Stranda. Keep driving Stranda to Hellesylt. Take the Geirangerfjord car ferry through the fjord to Geiranger. Geiranger north on highway 63 to Eidsdal. Take the car ferry across and continue up over the Trollstigen Road (stop at Gudsbrandsjuvet!!) until you get to the pass. Stop, park, and walk out onto the lookout platform...stunning. From there you continue down the pass until you get to the E136 which will take you all the way back to Alesund. Again, this is an EXTREMELY long day of driving but if you get a very early start it is one of the most spectacular routes in the world (IMHO).
- The Atlantic Ocean Road can be combined with a visit to the stave church at Kvernes...another very worthwhile route. The Atlantic Ocean Road is best done when stormy but even if it's calm it's quite the feat of engineering. Lots of places to stop, walk, and take in the views. You can easily drive the road and stop to see most of what's there in an hour - it's not terribly long. This is a full-long day from Alesund.
- Lighthouses - when we were there the road out to the Alnes lighthouse was closed so we went to the one at Hogsteined instead...also on Godoya Island. There are some prehistoric standing stones as well as a fairly large burial mound on the path.
- There are many other "little" things to do in the area so if you're looking for something specific I'd be happy to share...much of what we did while there was hike and I don't know if this is what any of you are looking for but we got some tips from locals in the area and were lucky to get to visit a few isolated mountain farms and the like. Some of the other islands in the area are interesting to visit as well and a bit closer than Runde.

Anita - You are absolutely fabulous!! I owe you a commission fee for all the time and info that you share. Thanks so much! The detail for Alesund is terrific.

I do have 2 specific questions. Do the ferries take credit cards - at least the expensive ones like Geiranger-Hellesylt? I mean when we just pull up in line - not making reservations ahead of time. I just can't be sure when we'd arrive at the port/terminal. I had read somewhere to pay in cash.

Also - you've told me twice now that the drive Andalsnes- Geiranger is a "VERY" and "EXTREMELY" long day We too, will make scenery, photo and coffee stops as you've mentioned. Could you give me a rough hour estimate for the trip? I won't hold you to it! :) I know its 55 miles per Google maps and switchbacks and mountain roads aren't driven at any normal speed, but I really can't estimate a reasonable time. It'll also help in estimating where to stay in the Hellesylt area.

Looking at Booking.com there are not many choices left for mid-July in any of the tourist areas - Geiranger fjord as well as Sognefjord (Flam) where we are heading next. We normally don't book ahead except for first and last days. In your response to my first posting you had recommended making a reservation in the Hellesylt area.

Again - thank you so much for all your help! "Your commission is in the mail."

Bob

The ferries do take credit cards but I can't remember if they take both the swipe versions as well as chip...we had a resident ferry card while there so just used that - or cash. Yep - you just pull up to the ferry dock, get in line, and wait. The officials will direct you on when it's time. Wait in your car until they come to your window to collect payment and then you're free to explore. The earlier you can get to the Geirangerfjord ferry at Hellesylt, the better. It's very popular but also very large due to the fact that it's so popular. You should have no problem getting on.
Hmmm...by long day I mean that it will be from at least 6 - 7 in the morning until about 7 or 8 at night. At least 10 hours with brief stops. That can vary due to traffic, the timing of when you get to the ferries, and how long you have to wait. If you go onto rome2rio.com and plot each leg of the trip you can estimate the times...
As far as lodging in the Hellesylt area, there is another small town you'll pass through just about 30 minutes north of there called Stranda...there are quite a few hotels/guesthouses there that may work for you.
I accept cash. :)

Thanks Anita!

Bob, I was also planning on booking the Scandic Parken ; seemed to be well regarded for the price point and a good location (we are only staying 1 night in Alesund ; at the end)

Plus the restaurant Lyst that Anita recommended is just around the block and that street, Kongens Gate, is a shopping area. Kinda good and bad news there, huh?

Anita - if you check this - I was just asking about driving time for the Andalsnes to Geiranger portion of the trip - not from or to Alesund. Please tell me that 55 mile section is not 12+ hours! I'd have to bring a sleeping bag and a couple of meals! :) I wasn't including ferry wait or travel time. I tried rome2rio - it has 4 1/4 hours by car - but that is the long route "around" the Trollsteig road. It has the bus route taking 3 hours. When plotting the trip on Google maps it also says 3 hours - but I don't believe it because of the switchbacks and mountainous terrain (and photo and coffee stops.)

Thanks again,

Bob

To mreynolds - did you find something in Geiranger? I don't know your dates but when I was looking it was pretty booked up. That's why I was asking Anita about travel times - to see what was a reasonable place to stay depending on how far I could drive.

Enjoy your trip --
Bob

Bob: Geiranger I did book for 3 nights. We are bringing our young daughter though, was drawn to a place that offered a pool. They have an inside and an outside one. Availability was going fast so I booked that right after the plane tickets were purchased.

There are limited hotels in the area and since this one had the benefit of having the pools for my daughter I did not want to miss out.
Hotel Union Geiranger is the place I booked. Seems like it has a good view, should be far enough away from the port area (it is above it, many steps up with a waterfall running next to the steps) but close enough to still walk down the steps to get to places to eat, shop, etc...
I did read that tour groups still go through this hotel though on the downside and those steps up may not be fun.

Hotel Geiranger is right at the port area so will have more immediate tourist traffic but closer to all of the shops/restaurants/boats. If no cruise boats are in town this location is probably better than when there are boats docked. It likely won't have as good a view as the other hotels but will be an easy stroll away from many things.

Hotell Utsikten sits higher up then Hotel Union Geiranger ; it was booked for me dates so did not look further into it.
Should have a premium view based on it's location, also a worse walk.

The Grande Fjord Hotel is a little down the road so avoids the crowds MUCH better and looks really nice but not an easy walk anywhere from that hotel except to the dock below it which hosts a camp/cabin rental site and boat rental place ; Active Geiranger. If we stayed here we would have to drive to get to anything in the town of Geiranger.

Anyway, location wise I thought the Hotel Union seemed the best mix / trade off but honestly it was the pools that made it a quick decision and definitely also part of why 3 nights Geiranger rather than moving bases a bit more. Geiranger does seem more costly than most other areas in Norway for lodging.

For you another option might be to also look in Valldal and Eidsdal which would position you between Geiranger and Trollstigen

Hi again,
If I recall the drive between Andalsnes and Geiranger would be around 4- 5 hours depending on how much you stop. The only true switchbacks I can remember are just north or Geiranger and the eastern end of the fjord coming down into the valley AND the switchbacks right at the Trollstigen Pass. They are all hardcore switchbacks too! Makes you grip the steering wheel and turns your knuckles white but the VIEWS!!

Is it truly that long?
I was planning something which would be impossible and probably result in me being stranded if that is the case and I did not see this post.

According to Google Maps ; not saying this is true. I know they are not always totally accurate but usually without traffic they are not far off in most places I have used them for.
It is only 1 hr. and 25 min from Linge where one would catch the ferry to Andalsnes.
And 51 minute from Linge to the Trollstigen Kafe

The town of Geiranger shows only 29 minute drive post ferry so the Google calculations seem to factor in the length of the ferry ride ; and are still half the timeframe you are stating.

That seems vastly different from what you are saying.
Under one of my "plans" I wanted to leave Geiranger, drive Trollstigen, stay at the Trollstigen Café past sundown and then make it to on the last ferry back on my way to Geiranger for the night.
I would leave be in my car at 9:30 already past the curves of Trollstigen and only have 1:15 min to get to Linge in order to catch the last ferry of the night at 10:45 !!!
Tight, but given the time of night I figured definitely doable based on Google Maps. 51 minute drive,, no stops and have an 1 hour and 15 min to do it in.

Based on what you posted though it sounds not tight but completely impossible?
I know of a few like minded people who when traveling to this part of the world in June/July try to reverse their schedule so they doing things at night with the midnight sun but when you need ferries to get from point a to point b by car it is really not feasible to do so in Norway.

Sorry for rambling, one plan has me staying a night in Andalsnes so I could easily do above from there but the other plan I have does not so would be my best chance to be at Trollstigen at sunset/darkness which is a goal.

Anita - thanks again for your estimate on the Andalsnes- Geiranger stretch. I can breath again - was holding my breath that it wasn't 10-12 hours. :) I know it couldn't have been - but 4 - 5 is great! We booked a hotel about 30 minutes south of Hellesylt in Grodas on the Hornindalsvatnet - Europe’s deepest lake - so it's a relatively easy day including the break waiting for and on the ferry. We'll also get to Aurland (by Flam) at a reasonable time, and are staying for 2 days to do some local sightseeing and our next fjord ferry. Also to get some Gjetost or Geitost - the Norwegian "brown cheese." Two towns in the area have been mentioned as good producers of this cheese. Years ago friends (who are Norwegian) introduced us to this and we love it. Don't know if you had any during your stay in Norway. For some it's an acquired taste.

Matt - I didn't study the detail of your post - but an FYI from driving in Europe on normal roads - not autobahns or mountain passes - I've found that one can estimate one kilometer per minute. In the states (except for where Anita lives :) ) we often use one mile a minute. We used this before Google maps, GPS and smart phones! Remember those days?

I hope you can work out a good driving schedule.

Thanks again Anita. Did you get my payment for your commission? I sent cash at your request - so if it doesn't get there blame the mail carrier!

Bob

Hey - was just looking over this series of posts. Anyone mind if I copyright it and get a book deal? I'll share the proceeds!

Bob

Journey were I would be worried is 39.3 KM and seems to be no switchbacks.
Linge Ferry to Trollstigen Kafe (the Kafe seems to be just at the start of Trollstigen if approaching from the South and is the top of the mountain so has the best overlook of the twisting road below)

Since this is a roundtrip and only concerned with the return, I will have driven the opposite direction hours earlier so guess could adjust my leave time if I realize there is no way to make the trip back in my scheduled time. Also will make me familiar with what is coming on the road so safer.

It seems an hour to drive this stretch with no stops in an hour when likely very little or no cars will be traveling should not be difficult.
Others driving my direction are likely also racing to catch the last ferry as well!!!

mreynolds, Bob and Anita,

This is my 1st time in this forum, and I'm so appreciative of all your helpful comments and suggestions - thank you!
I'm planning my 1st trip to Norway. I'm planning a side trip away from my small group (8) who will be in Trondheim - but I choose to see the fjords and will travel by bus from Lillehamer.

.
I'll either join them on the Hurtigruten / coastal steamer in Alesund to Bergen, or else continue my journey on land to Bergen.

So in 2 nights and 2 days, what are the top experiences? (I prefer to see the natural beauty vs the city life)
I'm especially interested in the areas of Alesund, Andelsnes, and Loen.

What is your experience visiting the glaciers in Loen -- which would you recommend and why?
thank you for your suggestions,
Dee

Dee - I'm sure Anita can give you better ideas than I can - she lived in the Alesund area for a month or so. As you read her comments you can pick up an awful lot of good info - and much of it is scenic as opposed to cities.

I'm confused on your itinerary since you say you are coming from Lillehammer by bus (how you got there?) but are picking up the cruise in Alesund or Bergen. Much might depend on what your 2 day - 2 nights really are. Is the second night in Alesund or Bergen to pick up the cruise/ferry the next day? Or can you spend the 2 nights on the road and get to the port to pick up the ferry that same day?

Anyway - one idea is to head toward Flam to pick up the fjord ferry cruise. Google maps says 4 hours by car. (Per Anita it'll take you longer for most driving in Norway than Google says.) Also the bus will probably be making stops.

Coupled with that - a lot of folks have commented on - is to take the ferry from Flam/Balestrand to Bergen. From 1 May to 30 September express boats run daily from Flåm to Leikanger, Balestrand and Bergen. This is a link to the site - "norled.no".

A good planning site is rome2rio.com. It has travel time for car - bus - ferry. This link will give you times from Lillehammer to Geiranger - "https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Lillehammer-Norway/Geiranger". It also shows a train to Andalsnes and bus down the Trollstigen to Geiranger - 7 1/2 hours. The Trollstigen drive is liked by most - and Anita has her thoughts!! We're going to drive it on our trip. And you can take the Geiranger fjord ferry from here.

That's 2 different fjord trips - alternative choices - not both in 2 days.

As to seeing a glacier - others recommend it - but we went on one in the Canadian Rockies years ago. A glacier is a really big hunk of ice. Interesting to do, but - and this is only my opinion - I would put fjords, mountains and coastlines above "ice."

I apologize for jumping around - hopefully this helps a little and gives you some ideas.
Bob

I apologize for jumping around on my thoughts - hopefully it'll give you some ideas.

Hi Dee -
I think if you read over the thread above there is a lot of info to start with. Definitely go with Bob's suggestion of rome2rio.com...it's a great resource. The only thing I'll say in addition is that a car is far preferable to taking the public bus...it's a little difficult to navigate. The main terminal in Alesund for all the local buses might be a good place to start if that's how you mean to get around...we found the bus to be maddening the one or two times we attempted to use it. If you speak Norwegian and know the lay-of-the-land it's probably great but it is NOT set up for tourists at all. A lot of the stops don't match the town names so it's really hard to tell where they are going and where to get on or off. We finally gave up and just used the car we had access to while there.
As far as cities that are worth seeing in that area of Norway, Alesund is really the only one worth spending time in. We found that the villages and towns in that part of the country are extremely "functional" with not a lot to do or see generally speaking.
If you have questions please ask!

Thank you Bob and Anita for your helpful comments. I will look into the rome2rio.com website, since you both recommend it.

I'm not sure yet which I'll do, as I'm torn between the Alesund area, Loen for the Glacier and Skylift, and then to Bergen.

I do hope to use public transportation as much as possible, but I do appreciate the difficulty of schedules and such. We start out in Oslo, go to Hamar area to visit cousins, then some of us to Trondheim while I'm going to the Fjords. We'll meet up in Bergen (They're taking the Hurtigruten cruise from Trondheim; I'm not going to do that.) Then we'll finish our trip with the Norway in Nutshell from Bergen to Flam, and end in Oslo near the airport.
Best,
Dee

Dee: It is probably user error but Rome2Rio's main drawback for me is I cannot change the time, so if I put in driving directions now it may not give me the best route because a car ferry needed in route for the shorter distance is closed.
In other words it does not seem to account for time zone differences.

Just something to be mindful of, unless you know how to change the time on that site, on Google Maps, you can select "depart at" and change the time for example.

Anyway with public transit you may run into similar challenges, for the most part without a car rental I think you need to stay on the main tourists routes which is usually the Norway in a Nutshell routes and the Huntigruten (sp?) ferry lines.

To Anita and Matt and any other -
We just returned from our trip to Norway (followed by a cruise) and want to thank Anita for all her help and info. It ALL worked out perfectly.

To Matt if you haven't left yet -
We did the Atlantic Ocean Road drive. It was nice, and the weather good - so we didn't get washed off the road. Just our opinion on the road trip - it was not as spectacular as I anticipated from pictures and the Youtube videos. We drove west to east starting at Bud, a small town at the western tip of the larger island. We didn't even realize we were in the small island area (as seen in pictures) leading up to the big curved bridge until we got to a small gift shop just before the bridge. We crossed the bridge and decided to do a U-turn, cross the bridge and go through the islands again then head down route 64 to the tunnel crossing southward just east of Molde to continue on our drive to Andalsnes. The east to west drive was better - able to recognize the many islands and bridges and was more scenic. Knowing what I know now, with limited time I would skip the drive and do something else.

We easily made it to Andalsnes. Stayed overnight and then drove the Trollsteig road south to Geiranger. Had plenty of time, took the fjord ferry trip and continued on to Grodas, about a 1/2 hour south of the Hellesylt terminal of the fjord ferry, for the night. As Anita said, it was a great drive and took many pictures. Many switchbacks as expected, but worth it!

The next day we drove to Aurland - near Flam - for the fjord ferry trip.

Anita - pay attention to this should you return to Norway! The final drive to Aurland can be done thru a 15 mile tunnel or a road over the mountain called the "Snow Road". We chose the mountain road for the scenery. It took about 3 hours including stops vs. 30 minutes for the tunnel. We didn't know this, but the road was 1 lane wide most of the way with many curves and of course no side rails! There were the occasional pull offs where you could pull over to let an oncoming car go by. Here's where my genius kicked in - about half way up the mountain we wound up behind a tour bus. I decided to stay directly behind him the rest of the trip across. Even took the same half hour break at the top to take pictures! I figured no oncoming car would mess with him and we'd be much safer. It worked great. An interesting thing happened on our way down the mountain. There was a bunched group of 5 cars coming up the road and there was no way they nor the bus could back up to a pull off. The bus driver decided to move to the left side of the road - squeezing to the hillside and let the cars pass on the right. I guess he figured it would be better if they fell off the road rather than risking the lives of 40 or so passengers. Fortunately they all made it. Thankfully it was not something I had to do. After all the mountain pass roads we've driven over the years - including Switzerland - this was clearly the most nerve wracking. My palms (and my wife's) were literally sweating.

We stayed 2 nights in Aurland and took the fjord ferry the next day. It no longer takes cars, but has a bus connection to return passengers to their point of embarkation. Enjoyed this ferry a bit more than the Geiranger trip. The Naeroyfjord was much narrower which gave a more scenic view.

We then continued on to Bergen for 2 nights.

Anita - again, thank you for your help - it really made a difference in that we could comfortably plan out our trip.

Bob

Oops - I forgot to mention - for Matt - the Scandic Parken was a good place to stay. Convenient location and great breakfast.

Also for Anita - we ate at Lyst restaurant and it was wonderful. We had the BEST fish soup ever! That may not sound good to some - fish soup - but it was in a cream base with just the right spices. The meal was also good. We went back a second night for more. So thanks again. We always find it amazing how small local restaurants can make such good meals - and find it all over our travels. One does not have to eat in well known/famous places to eat well.

Bob

Oops - I forgot to mention - for Matt - the Scandic Parken was a good place to stay. Convenient location and great breakfast.

Also for Anita - we ate at Lyst restaurant and it was wonderful. We had the BEST fish soup ever! That may not sound good to some - fish soup - but it was in a cream base with just the right spices. The meal was also very good. We went back a second night for more. So thanks again. We always find it amazing how small local restaurants can make such good meals - and find it all over our travels. One does not have to eat in well known/famous places to find good food.

Bob

Thanks Bob!
Sounds like a great trip, I hope you got some good weather.

Leaving in a week and definitely worried about rain every day.
Or more accurately I like/prefer clouds to blue skies and don't mind getting a little rained on more worried if rain and cloud cover means low clouds that obscure peaks ; that would just be lousy to have inclement weather and also not see what you came to see.
Definitely curious what drives or views are still good with low clouds vs. which ones are ruined.

I sent you a PM with some trip questions if you don't mind.

While in Grodas did you drive the Panaroma Scenic Road ; it is not far and looks impressive?
After Trollstigen and your Snow Road experience I am not sure you wanted to see more hairpin curves for months though!
The Stegastein viewpoint looks amazing and is on that road I believe.
Did you stop in Stranda, I am not currently planning on going but looks possibly worth it?

Switched up my plans a little but still staying just in the Alesund region the whole time. Would love to see the Sognefjord, Stryn area glaciers, Snow Road, Bergen and other places you experienced just don't have enough time on the ground this trip.
Planning multiple sunrise and sunsets pics so don't want to overnight too far from any main photo site.

First night staying in Alesund at that hotel, think it will be a good relaxing first day, sunset from the viewpoint above town.
Then headed to Geiranger for 2 nights. If the weather is decent plan is an early morning start from Alesund and go the long scenic route to Geiranger that drives through the Sunnmore Alps area following fjords and requires a couple of ferry crossings (E39 to 655) to reach Hellesylt and then car ferry into Geiranger that way.
Struggle with that is I have read in August the car ferry (Hellesylt-Geiranger) should be reserved in advance especially for the afternoon times, but calculating when we will be there after a scenic drive and 2 previous ferries is very hard to predict.
Thinking best plan is to book the car ferry tickets the morning of from the Scandic Parken ; exactly when we are leaving which will make my guess more accurate and should be advance enough to get me a car slot.

I think that will take a good portion of the day but be very scenic. If really bad weather would skip all that and drive directly shortest way to Geiranger.
After 2 nights Geiranger ; will onto tackle Trollstigen and settle into Andalsnes for the last 2 nights.
This allows me to not have to attempt that night time drive from Trollstigen with the ferry crossing timing a concern.
Think we will skip the Atlantic Coastal Road ; unless the sea is stormy I am not sure it will have the same impact as the mountains surrounding Andalsnes will have.
Found plenty of good walking/hiking areas and photo spots which are off the normal tourist map in that area I am excited about and also an easy railroad scenic trip in that immediate area I think my wife will enjoy.

Thanks for the post trip post , always great to read those!

So glad you had a great trip! Reading your posts makes me want to go back!

Anita - if you do - take the Snow Road - haha!

Matt - Just stayed in Grodas for an overnight. Pretty location as it turned out - on the lake.

Stranda - I believe it's the area around the Geiranger fjord. I don't know anything specific about it other than the fjord.
Stegastein in on your route and is good. Too many tourists tho - they always ruin the views and location. Oops - I was one!
If you should not be able to get on the Hellesylt ferry - not likely - just get in line when you get there as Anita said - you could always make an early reservation for it the next day - and go on to Geiranger for the night. Take the cruise the next morning - it's only an hour - and drive back to Geiranger for what you want to do since you said you were staying 2 nights. Just a thought.

As I said in the PM - whatever you do you will love it. It's a great country!
Bob

Thanks Bob!

Looking forward to it.

Think as you suggest best plan is to get to the ferry when we get there and if no car spots are left ; drive instead and tale the passenger R/T ferry the following morning.

Bobm185: just returned from a great trip. Not a drop of rain the entire time, still in complete shock about that fact.
Posting a new thread now with some overall experiences, just a rough summary.

Matt - Glad to hear you had a great trip! My apologies for not replying sooner. I can't believe you had no rain. Are you sure you were in Norway? haha. Although we had rain it was not an all day thing so we still got to see and do everything we wanted - just not sunny all the time for my photos.

It did lead to some nice conversations with others also getting out of the rain. One time we went to a Starbucks (really! - it was the closest place we could get out of the rain) and had a coffee waiting for the rain to stop. We happened to be sitting next to a group of 5 college students - guys and gals - from Wales and had a nice conversation with them. We laughed with them because they had 10 suitcases with them - and we told them we had 2 carry-ons for our 3 week trip and cruise combo. They were on a 4 day long weekend get-away!

Things like this confirmed our liking to take trips on our own - as opposed to tours - especially ones conducted by cruise lines. They are too restrictive - what you see and do and time-wise. At this point we will never do another cruise - as long as we have our health and ability to get around on our own.

We summed it up as - on a tour you see the place(s) you go to, but on your own you experience them. We definitely enjoy and prefer the experience!

I'd be interested to hear a little about your trip - where you went, where you stayed, etc.
Bob

Thanks Bob,
Below is a longish post I wrote about out trip.

We stayed at the Scandic Parken the 1st night in Alesund, next 2 nights at the Union Hotel Geiranger in Geiranger and last 2 nights in the Hotel Bellevue in Andalsnes
I would say I liked but did not love each of the 3 choices, breakfast was very good at each.
Scandic Parken value was not too bad, annoying how much they charge for parking and room was small but view was great as was the location.
Union Hotel definitely shows it's age and was super pricey but the common areas were gorgeous and elegant, pool amazing so for us was a good fit.
Hotel Bellevue was consistently good but nothing outstanding. Without a doubt the best hotel in that small town.
All in all none are a good value based on what I am used to paying for hotels but in each situation I think was the right choice for the towns we stayed in.

Looking back on it a week later than my below review, I really was awed by the natural beauty and hope to return to Norway another time, not sure I would revisit any of the same places again just because of logistics, so maybe will do a Lofoten trip someday instead. I would pack some food/snacks from home next time.
Unless you cross paths with a cruise ship group, the crowds are really minimal ; so much less than you will find at other areas in Europe or the US so for those that like a place to escape into nature it would be a top recommendation.
Very happy with the route we took and overall trip decisions of how to split up our time.
Happy we stayed in Geiranger, if any small regrets I would have been better driving to Geirnager the day we arrived there and taking a scenic ferry the next morning.
The car ride ferry Hellesylt to Geiranger was really the only thing that was a bit of a disappointment, part of that is due to high expectations and part of that was boring midday light which is why I would have done that differently.

Some regret I did not go on a long hike to the remote farm in Geiranger which I had planned on reaching via foot or boat. I also realize had I pushed myself than already short on sleep, I would not have been able to do the very rewarding 2 hikes I made in Andalsnes area though, so think I made the right decisions.

Like you the trip soured even more the whole cruise ship mentality, especially their "excursions".
When 500 people descend on a remote overlook with natural beauty, it completely ruins the feeling of being one with the nature in front of you.
We have never taken a cruise, I know my wife would like to try one but is more relaxed on Holidays than I ; it has never been high on my list but now I have more of a dislike for them than I ever had previously.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/norway/alesund-geiranger-andalsnes-just-returned-posting-some-thoughts