July Road Trip

Being at home can be one of the most boring and obsolete things you can do, and exploring the outside world is a great way to relieve that boredom and enjoy yourself. That’s why my family and I have been going on multiple road trips to many iconic places in Norway, staying in cabins; the entire Norwegian experience. Notably, travelling to Geiranger, Trollstigen and the spectacular Atlantic Road.

We set off on our road trip to our very first stop, the Geirangerfjord. This UNESCO-protected marvel is surrounded by towering, snow-capped mountains, wild, rampant waterfalls and lush greenery. Raging, tempestuous waterfalls gushing with roaring waters falling from incredibly steep mountainsides. Some famous falls include De syv søstrene (“the Seven Sisters”), Friaren (“the Suitor”) and Brudesløret (“the Bridal Veil”) which slowly trickle down the mountain with light strings of mist.

Hurtigruten| 2018

With multiple viewpoints each showing you a different angle of this magnificent valley, you can cover everything. Overlooking the Geirangerjord, is the famous Dalsnibba situated 1500 meters above sea level offering a fantastic view of the valley below. To view the beautiful waterfalls all around the fjord, you can take a cruise which covers hundreds of waterfalls including the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. Enjoy an invigorating car ride with sharp swings to reach the summit of the Ørnesvingen overlooking the scenic mountain sides and a waterfall.

2 hours away awaited our next destination, the majestic Trollstigen, a road of magical proportions. The most visited tourist road in Norway, an engineering marvel in the middle of a breathtaking natural landscape that will make your ride one that you will never forget. The road is surrounded by mighty mountains that reach an altitude of over 1600 meters. Overlooking this road are the mountains: Bispen (1450 m), Kongen (1614 m) and Dronninga (1701 m), to the east of the road Stigbottshornet (1583 m) and the Storgrov Fjellet (1629 m).

Each of the 11 turns offers a view of fantastic scenery, each bend having its own name, usually named after the worker who supervised the building of that respective bend. Historically speaking, Trollstigen was an important transport passage between Valldal in Indre Sunnmøre and Åndalsnes in Romsdalen. After the road opened in 1939, it didn’t take long before it became a tourist attraction. For those who are adventurous, there is an old, restored hiking path for those brave enough to hike their way up Trollstigen.

Forbes

Now, we set off for our final destination, the legendary Atlantic Road which ended our trip in the best way possible. The Atlantic Road was given the Norwegian Construction of the Century award in 2005. It was sponsored by the construction industry and NRK in connection with the 100th anniversary of the dissolution of Norway’s union with Sweden. This spectacular road remains as one of the best movie filming spots, and car testing roads in the world. Even Fifth Gear reinstated that fact. 

This road with its impressive islands and turns was named the best Norwegain biking trip in 2010. The Atlantic Road has many boating activities, swimming opportunities and a heapload of fish for all your fishing desires. It was voted the world’s most beautiful road and in a survey taken in Norway, it came second only to Trollstigen. With numerous islands each offering incredible views and breathtaking curves, the Atlantic Road is a must to visit.