'''Seventeen days in Norway''' is an itinerary by car in northern Europe. The trip starts and ends in Oslo.
Understand
This itinerary is well suited for the summer months. Note that some mountain roads may be closed due to snow as late as in May.
Prepare
A good map of Norway is necessary to guide you on this road trip. An overview map of Norway (e.g. 1:1,25 million) is sufficient if you stick to the main roads. However, if you want to explore the countryside, a more detailed map is necessary (e.g. 1:275 000).
Note that some of the roads in this itinerary are only open some months of the year.
Get in
There are numerous ways to get into Norway.
Drive
Oslo to Ulvik
This leg of the journey is about 350 km. long.
There are two alternative routes to choose from between Oslo and Geilo.
Alternative 1: Via Drammen and Kongsberg to Geilo
From Oslo, take the E18 to Drammen, then continue on the E134 to Kongsberg.
From Kongsberg take national road 40 to Geilo, leading through Numedal.
Alternative 2: Via Honefoss to Geilo
From Oslo, take the E16 to Honefoss then turn onto national road 7 to Geilo, leading through Hallingdal.
Geilo to Ulvik
From Geilo, national road 7 leads to Brimnes, cutting across the edge of the Hardangervidda.
From Brimnes take the ferry to Bruravik and continue to Ulvik via road 572.
Side trip to Bergen
From Ulvik, you can make a day trip to Bergen.
Ulvik to Loen
From Ulvik, there are two options. The first option is to take national road 572 south along the fjord towards Bruravik and then continue on the national road 13 to Voss. The second option is to take national road 572 north towards Granvin and then turn onto national road 13 towards Voss.
In Voss, take the E16 towards Aurland. Before reaching Aurland, you will pass by Flam, which is the starting point of the [http://www.flaamsbana.no Flam Railway].
From Aurland to Lardalsoyri there are two options. The first option is to continue along the E16, which leads through the Lardalstunnel (24,5 km long). The second option is to take the Aurlandsvegen, the old mountain road connecting Aurland and Lardal. This road is being developed as a [http://www.turistveg.no turist route/]. The road has very steep sections and may not be suited for cars with caravans and campers.
From Lardalsoyri take national road 5 to Sogndal and on to Skei. In Skei, turn on to the E39 until Byrkjelo. There turn on to national road 60 to Loen.
Side trip to Borgund Stave Church
The [http://www.fortidsminneforeningen.no/properties/56/97 Borgund Stave Church] is worth a visit.
Side trip to Stryn
Loen is close to Stryn, which has a summer ski area.
Side trips to the coast
From Loen, you can make a day trip to the coast, for instance to the island of Maloy.
Loen to Andalsnes
From Loen, take national road 60 to Stryn, there take the national road 15 in the direction of Grotli. Turn onto national road 63 towards Andalsnes.
There are several sights to see along national road 63, in particular the Dalsnibba, the Geiranger fjord and the Trollstigen.
The Geirangerfjord is one of the more famous fjords of Norway; the steep mountain slope and narrowness of the fjord make it particularly spectacular. The [http://www.vegvesen.no/ Norwegian Public Roads Administration] has constructed modern parking facilities offering a nice view down into the fjord.
Side trips to the coast
Atlanterhavsveien
The Atlanterhavsveien (The Atlantic Road), which is a part of national road 64, connects several smaller islands between Molde and Kristiansund. The road is built right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and some of the bridges are quite spectacular constructions.
Alesund
Alesund is one of the largest fishing ports of Norway. The city burned down completely in 1904. Many houses feature decorations in Jugendstil. From the port, many boat excursions to the Atlantic Ocean are offered.
Runde
Runde is an island to the south of Alesund. Runde has a number of bird cliffs, home to colonies of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Puffin Atlantic Puffin], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Gannet Northern Gannet] and many other species of sea birds.
Only part of the island is accessible by car. There are marked hiking trails to other parts of the island. An alternative means of visiting the more remote bird colonies is by boat.
Andalsnes to Lillehammer
From Andalsnes, take the E136 through Romsdalen to Dombas.
In Dombas take the E6 to Lillehammer.
An alternative to driving straight down the E6, is to take the scenic [http://www.peergyntvegen.no/ Peer Gynt mountain road] (toll road) through the Gudbrandsdalen. At Vinstra, turn onto national road 255 and shortly after turn left onto the national road 256. From there on follow the signs to the Peer Gynt veien. Drive south towards Svingvoll, where you take the national road 24 towards Tretten where you rejoin the E6 to Lillehammer.
Lillehammer to Oslo
From Lillehammar, the E6 leads you back to Oslo.
Stay safe
Get out