Experience the best of Norway’s spectacular fjords on this active self-drive tour. The trip starts in Norway’s second-largest city (Bergen), where you’ll pick up a rental car and spend several days exploring charming fjord-side villages and stopping for outdoorsy activities, like hiking, summer skiing, and kayaking. Finish the adventure traveling along Norway’s longest and deepest fjord towards Jotunheimen National Park — with more than 250 peaks — to see some glaciers.
- Highlights
- Detailed Itinerary
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- Climb Pulpit Rock above Lysefjord
- Hike to the spectacular Vøringfossen waterfall
- Ski Fonna Glacier Ski Resort, the leading summer ski resort in Europe
- See glaciers at Jotunheimen National Park
- Kayak on Lake Årdalsvatnet
Day 1: Arrive in Bergen
Welcome to Bergen. Situated on Norway's west coast, this small wharf city is surrounded by ocean, mountains, and fjords, including Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest fjord. The cobble-stoned streets are compact and walkable, so get out and explore the lively restaurants and nightlife, thanks in part to its large student population.
Day 2: Explore Bergen with a Local
After breakfast, meet up with a local guide for a custom-made private tour of Bergen. Choose from 'A Walk Through History' (3 hours), which will take you through the narrow streets of the city up to Sandviksbatteriet from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city; 'Hike Mt. Sandviken' (2.5 hours), which includes a visit to Stoltzekliven – a local favorite consisting of 900 steps built by Sherpas from Nepal; or 'Hike Three of Seven Mountains' (5–7 hours), Mt. Ulriken, Mt. Rundemannen, and Mt. Fløyen.
After breakfast, meet up with a local guide for a custom-made private tour of Bergen. Choose from 'A Walk Through History' (3 hours), which will take you through the narrow streets of the city up to Sandviksbatteriet from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city; 'Hike Mt. Sandviken' (2.5 hours), which includes a visit to Stoltzekliven – a local favorite consisting of 900 steps built by Sherpas from Nepal; or 'Hike Three of Seven Mountains' (5–7 hours), Mt. Ulriken, Mt. Rundemannen, and Mt. Fløyen.
Day 3: Drive to Stavanger
After breakfast, you will drive down the coast of Norway towards Stavanger, the gateway to Lysefjord. Keep your camera close and prepare to stop often, as there is much to see on this route including views of the rugged Norwegian coast, tiny fishing outposts, and a ferry and undersea tunnel. Stop in a village for a coffee or to sample the traditional fare, such as fiskesuppe (a seafood soup). Once in the port city, check out Stavanger's old center, which has some of the best-preserved wooden buildings in Norway, many dating back to the 18th century. During summer months, the waterfront comes alive with outdoor concerts and festivals.
After breakfast, you will drive down the coast of Norway towards Stavanger, the gateway to Lysefjord. Keep your camera close and prepare to stop often, as there is much to see on this route including views of the rugged Norwegian coast, tiny fishing outposts, and a ferry and undersea tunnel. Stop in a village for a coffee or to sample the traditional fare, such as fiskesuppe (a seafood soup). Once in the port city, check out Stavanger's old center, which has some of the best-preserved wooden buildings in Norway, many dating back to the 18th century. During summer months, the waterfront comes alive with outdoor concerts and festivals.
Day 4: Lysefjord Adventure
After breakfast, choose from three options: 'Ferry to Pulpit Rock and Hike' (5 hours), a moderately difficult trek on one of the most beautiful trails in the world; 'Visit Flor & Fjære', a 20-minute boat trip on the fjord and a walk through this lush garden of flowers, exotic plants, and palm trees; 'Climb to the Top of Flørli', a hike up 4,444 steps and the longest wooden stairway in the world to a roadless hamlet deep within the Lysefjord.
After breakfast, choose from three options: 'Ferry to Pulpit Rock and Hike' (5 hours), a moderately difficult trek on one of the most beautiful trails in the world; 'Visit Flor & Fjære', a 20-minute boat trip on the fjord and a walk through this lush garden of flowers, exotic plants, and palm trees; 'Climb to the Top of Flørli', a hike up 4,444 steps and the longest wooden stairway in the world to a roadless hamlet deep within the Lysefjord.
Day 5: Drive to Eidfjord & Vøringfossen Waterfall
Take the scenic five-six hour drive to the village of Eidfjord on Hardangerfjord. Here you will hike for 30 minutes to the Vøringfossen waterfall, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in all of Norway and well worth the trip. Other suggested activities include a visit to the Kjeåsen Mountain Farm, located high above the fjord (until 1974, this farm was not reachable by road, highlighting the determination and hard work of the owners who ran it for centuries) and the Hardangervidda Nature Center, which features three floors of exhibits on Norwegian nature, climate, and the environment.
Take the scenic five-six hour drive to the village of Eidfjord on Hardangerfjord. Here you will hike for 30 minutes to the Vøringfossen waterfall, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in all of Norway and well worth the trip. Other suggested activities include a visit to the Kjeåsen Mountain Farm, located high above the fjord (until 1974, this farm was not reachable by road, highlighting the determination and hard work of the owners who ran it for centuries) and the Hardangervidda Nature Center, which features three floors of exhibits on Norwegian nature, climate, and the environment.
Day 6: Explore Hardangerfjord
Today you will have a full day to explore the third largest fjord in the world at 111 miles (179 km) long. The Hardangerfjord region boasts some of the most amazing hikes in Norway including the four waterfalls trail in Husedalen Valley, HM Queen Sonja's panoramic hiking trail, Folgefonnia Glacier, and Hardangervidda National Park. Skiiers of all levels can head to Fonna Glacier Ski Resort, the leading summer ski resort in Europe, with a season that lasts from May until September/October. Enjoy spectacular scenery from the top ski lift station, with views over the fjord and even to the North Sea on a sunny day.
Today you will have a full day to explore the third largest fjord in the world at 111 miles (179 km) long. The Hardangerfjord region boasts some of the most amazing hikes in Norway including the four waterfalls trail in Husedalen Valley, HM Queen Sonja's panoramic hiking trail, Folgefonnia Glacier, and Hardangervidda National Park. Skiiers of all levels can head to Fonna Glacier Ski Resort, the leading summer ski resort in Europe, with a season that lasts from May until September/October. Enjoy spectacular scenery from the top ski lift station, with views over the fjord and even to the North Sea on a sunny day.
Day 7: Drive to Årdal
Today you will drive about three hours to the village of Årdal, where the Sognefjord meets Jotunheimen National Park in Eastern Norway. Break up the drive with lunch at Flåm or Aurland, which both have views of Norway's longest and deepest fjord. Once you arrive, check out the area around Jotunheimen, which has the largest concentration of mountains higher than 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) in Northern Europe, including the country's two highest mountains, Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind. This park offers some of the most scenic hiking on the continent. In addition to its outdoor pursuits, Jotunheimen has a long culinary tradition; pick up picnic items like cured meat, sausages, cheese, jam, and bread.
Today you will drive about three hours to the village of Årdal, where the Sognefjord meets Jotunheimen National Park in Eastern Norway. Break up the drive with lunch at Flåm or Aurland, which both have views of Norway's longest and deepest fjord. Once you arrive, check out the area around Jotunheimen, which has the largest concentration of mountains higher than 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) in Northern Europe, including the country's two highest mountains, Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind. This park offers some of the most scenic hiking on the continent. In addition to its outdoor pursuits, Jotunheimen has a long culinary tradition; pick up picnic items like cured meat, sausages, cheese, jam, and bread.
Day 8: Guided Hike & Kayaking Tour
Today you can choose between Kayaking and Hiking' (4–6 hours) with a guide across Lake Årdalsvatnet to the secluded valley of Nundalen from where you'll hike to Haugstad, or just 'Kayaking' (3 hours) in the fjord or the spectacular Lake Årdalsvatnet.
Today you can choose between Kayaking and Hiking' (4–6 hours) with a guide across Lake Årdalsvatnet to the secluded valley of Nundalen from where you'll hike to Haugstad, or just 'Kayaking' (3 hours) in the fjord or the spectacular Lake Årdalsvatnet.
Day 9: Drive to Bergen
Today, you will drive 3.5 hours back to Bergen, stopping along the way to see anything you missed the first time around. Once you arrive, the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore on your own. Enjoy one last night of Scandinavian fun to end this epic adventure!
Today, you will drive 3.5 hours back to Bergen, stopping along the way to see anything you missed the first time around. Once you arrive, the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore on your own. Enjoy one last night of Scandinavian fun to end this epic adventure!
Day 10: Depart Bergen
It's time to say farewell to Norway. Enjoy your last moments in this beautiful city with a leisurely breakfast, neighborhood stroll, and souvenir shopping before you head to the airport for your return flight home.
It's time to say farewell to Norway. Enjoy your last moments in this beautiful city with a leisurely breakfast, neighborhood stroll, and souvenir shopping before you head to the airport for your return flight home.
