Hi all, I've read some of the previous posts on Norway (including the guest blog from '09 about the Lofoten Islands) but wanted to get some additional thoughts. My gf and I will be arriving in Oslo on 6/21 then departing from Oslo on 7/4. I've got a pretty exhaustive list of things we'd like to see/do (mostly hiking, kayaking, outdoorsy type stuff) in Western and Northern Norway, the 2 places we've decided to key in on, but i'm running into a bit of 'paralysis by analysis'. There's too much I want to see and do! From previous experience, how would you all allocate our 2 weeks between western fjord country and the Lofoten Islands to the north? My initial thoughts were something like 6/21 - 6/28 in western norway (driving from Stavanger to Trondheim) and then 6/28 - 7/3 in Lofoten. Thanks!
Mike
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello Mike. I travelled in Norway, in May of 2007. Why do you want to drive a car from Stavanger to Trondheim ? That is a very long distance. I think being at Norway for 12 days in the summer would be wonderful. I do not understand the appeal of the Lofoten Islands. I would not go north of Trondheim. And I do not put a high priority on being at Stavanger. I think a good travel guide book on Norway is "The Rough Guide to Norway" by Phil Lee.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Trondheim was worth a visit to me, because I saw it as a side-trip from Åre in Sweden where I was skiing. But I'm not sure it's necessarily worth driving to see from Southern Norway. I found it a pleasent enough city, but other than the cathedral, I can't say there was a whole lot to distinguish it from other similar coastal cities in Norway. Away from the cathedral and center of town, it's also quite industrial- even a little sooty.
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis
2 posts
I don't plan on spending much time in the towns from Stavanger to Trondheim, I'm more interested in seeing/hiking the fjords. So, Stavanger doesn't hold a lot of interest for me, but its the closest large town to Pulpit Rock. And Trondheim seems a good end point for exploring the western part of the country before heading north.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17417 posts
On your drive up the west coat, turn inland at Molde or thereabouts, to drive through the Sunndal to Oppdal, where you meet the road upto Trondheim. The Sundal is bounded by high plateaus on each side, with great hiking and huts run by the Norwegian Trekking Association ( DNT). This will give you access to Dovrefjell National Park. The Lofoten Islands are where Norwegians go to get away from it all. My friends go for biking and birding, but maybe there is more to do there than that.
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello Mike. If a person will be at Norway, 12 whole days, that is enough time for seeing museums at Oslo, and traveling to Stavanger, and going to Pulpit rock. And ride in an HSD Hurtigbat passenger express boat from Stavanger to Bergen. From Bergen, explore the Hardanger Fjord for a few days. At the eastern end of Hardanger Fjord, people like being at the villages Utne, Lofthus, Ulvik. From Ulvik an HSD bus goes to Voss (one hour). Ride in a train from Voss to Oslo. And ride in a train from Oslo to Lillehammer, for a variety of physical environments. One night at Lillehammer, and return to Oslo. I do not recommend renting a car in Norway.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
...and happy Syttende Mai to all. Hip hip hurrah!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17417 posts
Oh yes, 17 May! I almost forgot. Great time to be in Norway. I have enjoyed the celebration in Bergen and Oslo, always a treat.
Posted by
Wolverhampton, UK
3 posts
Pulpit Rock (Priekestollen) is an absolute must-do so stay near there if it all possible. Stayed north of Stavanger and thoroughly enjoyed fjord life. Have a great time. We also stayed at Ålesund and Bergen and found them to be very reasonable, although the former was bit of a ghost-town (time of year methinks). All the ferries across the fjords seem to be operated by teenagers! But they worked like clockwork. Impressed.
Have fun!
Posted by
Wolverhampton, UK
3 posts
Pulpit Rock (Priekestollen) is an absolute must-do so stay near there if it all possible. Stayed north of Stavanger and thoroughly enjoyed fjord life. Have a great time. We also stayed at Ålesund and Bergen and found them to be very reasonable, although the former was bit of a ghost-town (time of year methinks). All the ferries across the fjords seem to be operated by teenagers! But they worked like clockwork. Impressed.
Have fun!