10 Days in Norway: Epic Road Trip in Norway

10 Days in Norway: Epic Road Trip in Norway

Norway, europe

Length

200 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

# Norway Road Trip: Your Guide to Exploring This Stunning Country

Public transport in Norway? Let's be real—it's pricey and won't get you to those magical hidden corners. Renting a car is genuinely your best bet. The payoff? Absolutely worth it. The roads are smooth, traffic is minimal, and the scenery is genuinely jaw-dropping. You'll cruise past waterfalls, dramatic coastlines, and mountains that look like they're straight out of a fairytale.

## When Should You Go?

There's no "perfect" time, but it depends on what you're after. Love long daylight hours? June, July, and August are your friends—you can hike and drive until nearly midnight under the midnight sun. If you prefer vibrant colors and fewer crowds, hit up May or September when everything's blooming and temperatures are pleasant. Winter sports and Northern Lights enthusiasts? Absolutely go between November and February, though roads can get icy.

## Your 10-Day Itinerary

**Days 1-2: Oslo**

You'll probably land in Oslo, so take day one to recover from your flight. Then explore Norway's capital—it's a charming city worth a quick look before heading into the wild.

**Day 3: Kristiansand**

Head south to enjoy zoos, amusement parks, and Strandpromenaden, the fantastic boardwalk. The sunrises and sunsets here are genuinely spectacular.

**Day 4: Manafossen**

Stop for one of Norway's most incredible waterfalls—it's also Rogaland's tallest peak at 90 meters.

**Day 5: Stavanger**

This third-largest city boasts a stunning 12th-century cathedral and fantastic museums. Soak up the culture and history.

**Day 6: West Coast Drive**

The 200+ km route from Stavanger to Bergen takes longer than you'd expect thanks to all those islands and coastal roads—but that's the fun part. Pause in Haugesund and Leirvik.

**Days 7-8: Bergen**

Norway's second-largest city is magical. Those colorful wooden houses are Instagram gold, and the hiking trails offer incredible views. Drive up the mountains for panoramic vistas you'll never forget.

**Day 9: Hardangervidda National Park**

This massive 3,400 km² park is essential viewing. Watch for incredible wildlife and decide whether to camp or push back toward Oslo.

**Day 10: Drammen**

If your evening flight allows, spend a few hours in this charming port city just 40km from the airport.

**Pro tip:** Venture north to Tromsø if you want the ultimate Northern Lights experience—the views there are unbeatable.

Where is it?

10 Days in Norway: Epic Road Trip in Norway is located in Norway (europe). Coordinates: 64.2991, 11.7230

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Norway
Continent
europe
Length
200 km
Difficulty
easy
Coordinates
64.2991, 11.7230

Related Roads in europe

The Atlantic Road of Norway Is a Scenic Coastal Drive on the Edge of the Seaextreme

The Atlantic Road of Norway Is a Scenic Coastal Drive on the Edge of the Sea

🇳🇴 Norway

# The Atlantic Road: Norway's Most Thrilling Coastal Drive Picture this: you're driving along the Norwegian coast, and the road literally seems to dance across the sea. Welcome to the Atlantic Road – a 36 km (22 miles) stretch of pure adrenaline-pumping, jaw-dropping beauty that'll have you gripping the wheel one moment and reaching for your camera the next. Located in Møre og Romsdal between Kristiansund and Molde, this legendary route winds across eight spectacular bridges spanning nearly 900 meters total. The whole thing feels like a roller coaster built just for your car, with curves that'll make you understand why this stretch has become a bucket-list road trip for adventurers worldwide. The engineering is bonkers – they literally threaded a road across an archipelago by building eight bridges and landfills to connect tiny islands. The crown jewel? The Storseisundet Bridge, a 260-meter architectural marvel that curves so dramatically it looks like it just drops straight into the ocean. Talk about Instagram gold (if you can keep your hands steady enough to take photos). Built in 1989 after six years of construction through some brutal weather, this road quickly became famous for all the right reasons. It's been featured in James Bond films like *No Time to Die*, and car companies can't seem to get enough of it for commercials. The views are genuinely world-class – open ocean vistas, dramatic mountains, and fjords inland. But here's the thing: this place is *not* messing around. The Norwegian Sea doesn't hold back, and neither does Mother Nature. Winds regularly exceed 30 mph, storms roll in without warning, and visibility can vanish in seconds. During heavy weather, waves actually crash over the pavement. The road stays open rain or shine, which means you could be navigating curves over angry seas in a full gale. The original builders know what they're doing though – it's engineered to handle it all, with a maximum gradient of just 8%. The experience? Unforgettable. Whether you're watching seals and whales pass by, casting a line from one of the fishing-friendly bridges, or watching an orange sunset paint the sky, the Atlantic Road delivers pure magic. Just maybe wait for decent weather, keep your eyes on the road (use those four viewpoints instead), and prepare yourself for one of the most incredible drives on Earth.

Can you drive to Sveti Jure?hard

Can you drive to Sveti Jure?

🇭🇷 Croatia

Okay, picture this: You're in Croatia, right on the Dalmatian Coast, staring up at the Biokovo Mountains. Wanna do something epic? Drive to the top of Sveti Jure, the highest peak in the range! This is a road trip you won't forget. The Biokovska cesta, or Biokovo Tourist Road, is paved all the way up, winding 23km (14.29 miles) from the starting point at 365m above sea level to the summit at 1,744m (5,721ft). You'll gain 1,379 meters in elevation, and you'll notice some seriously steep spots, up to 23% gradient! Budget about an hour to get to the top, not counting photo stops – and trust me, you'll want to stop. Heads up, though: this drive isn't for the faint of heart. The road can get super narrow, like only 3-4 meters wide in sections. So be ready to reverse if you meet another car, as passing zones are few and far between. Drive slow, the speed limit is 30km/h, and be extra careful because a little slip could send you tumbling down – we're talking potentially a kilometer drop! The last few kilometers get windy, so keep a close eye on the weather forecast. The road is open during the day, and there's a small entrance fee to the Biokovo National Park. Once you're up there, the views are insane. The Adriatic Sea stretches out before you, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Bosnia and even Italy! You'll be treated to panoramic views of the mountains meeting the coast, with Croatian islands dotting the sea. There's a decent-sized parking lot at the top, and you might find a restaurant or two open, especially during the busy season. It's an unforgettable drive.

How to get to the fort at the summit of Col des Gondrans in the Hautes-Alpes?moderate

How to get to the fort at the summit of Col des Gondrans in the Hautes-Alpes?

🇫🇷 France

# Col des Gondrans: The Underrated Alpine Hidden Gem Nestled in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France, Col des Gondrans sits pretty at 2,347 meters (7,700 ft) above sea level. Sure, it might live in the shadow of its more famous neighbor, Col d'Izoard, but this peak has serious character—and history. What makes the summit truly special? Fort du Gondrans, a military fortress that's been standing guard since 1933. Built as part of the Alpine Line (the Maginot Line's mountain cousin), this fortification is no joke. It features an entry block, infantry block, and observation block all working together in this strategic location. Now, here's the thing: getting to the top is an adventure in itself. The 12.9-kilometer (8-mile) route from the paved D902 near Briançon is completely unpaved, which means you'll need a serious 4x4 vehicle to tackle it. Fair warning—this is an active military road, so motor vehicles are technically prohibited (those minefield warning signs aren't joking around!). The road pushes northward toward Mont Janus, and while summer visits are doable, don't even think about attempting it in winter when the route becomes impassable. It's rough, it's remote, it's off-the-beaten-path—and honestly, that's exactly what makes it worth the trip.

Col de Foursextreme

Col de Fours

🇫🇷 France

Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Col de Fours! This stunner sits way up in the French Alps, practically winking at Italy from its perch at 2,318 meters (7,604 feet). You'll find it nestled in the Ubaye valley, in the northern reaches of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking rocky, gravelly terrain—basically a chairlift access trail. As you climb, the landscape gets wilder and the slope gets seriously steep. Think loose stones giving way to an even steeper, rockier upper section. Starting from Le Super-Sauze, you've got 3.6 km to conquer, packed with a whopping 607 meters of climbing. That's an average gradient of nearly 17%! This trek is only doable during a tiny window in summer. Be warned: the wind here is no joke—it’s pretty much a permanent fixture. But keep your eyes peeled! You might just spot marmots, chamois, and ibex hanging out along the way. Oh, and did I mention there's an old chairlift from 1971? This place is epic!