Planning a trip to Norway, opinions wanted...

Phluppe

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So, I'm planning a trip to Norway with my brother, he wanted to go to Schotland, I want to go to Norway. Norway it is :mrgreen:
Few issues, we leave on 6 June, and need to be back on 15 June. So that's only ten days of riding.
Second issue, first day is gonna be a very long haul from Belgium towards Hirtshals to catch the 20h45 ferry leaving for Kristiansand. It's 1100km's of boring motorway, and nothing can go wrong or we won't make it :?

Anyway, here is the route I have in mind, I've made it day by day. Some days look very long, but I've heard you can do long distances in Norway if you start early enough.
Day 1, from Kristiansand to Lysebotn.

https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=K...=lyseb&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1,2,3&t=m&z=8

Day 2, from Lysebotn to Osavegen.

https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=L...A&oq=ulvik&mra=dme&mrsp=2&sz=12&via=1&t=m&z=8

Day 3, from Osavegen to Krakenes lighthouse.

https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=O...kenes+&mra=dvme&mrsp=3&sz=8&via=1,2,3&t=m&z=8

Day 4, from Krakenes to Kristiansund.

https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=K...ist&mra=dpe&mrsp=5&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4,5&t=m&z=8

Day 5, from Kristiansund to Vagamo.

https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=K...&mra=dpe&mrsp=6&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4,5,6&t=m&z=8

Day 6, from Vagamo heading South, don't know yet where we'll end up that evening.

https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=V...oss&mra=dpe&mrsp=5&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4,5&t=m&z=7

Day 7, further South along the coast line towards Gothenburg.

https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=M...=13&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13&t=m&z=8

Day 8, homewards.

https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=S...z7aTDRzGnAnN4ZjqLwQ&oq=brussel&mra=ls&t=m&z=6

I know this looks okay when everything is picture perfect, and I know if the weather works against us, I will need to improvise, but what are the opinions on this so far?

Grtz, Philip!
 
Norway is beautiful, great roads, astounding scenery but very expensive.

A Danish friend toured Norway last summer and he said prices for food and accommodation were extortionate enough to stop him returning anytime soon. Speed limits are a PITA as well. It's a shame as Norway is stunning.
 
As Devon said, Norway is stunning. I was lucky to be based in Bergen for a couple of months in the late eighties. The company paid all my expenses so that wasn't a problem. But just this year we had a family wedding taking place in Voss and we where naturally keen to go. When I priced it up for a Friday to Monday trip with 3 nights in a not so posh hotel, car hire and flights it came out at over £1200 plus food. Non starter I'm afraid. We sent the happy couple a good wedge of dosh instead.
 
There is a nice route you have planned, but in my opinion your days will be long. Specially that day up to Kråkenes. Riding on the roads on the west cost is slow. The roads are narrow, there are a lot of bends and there are usualle some German capingcars to pass. If you are able to get an avarage speed of 60km/h you are lucky. And I guess you want to do some stops too? Early June you never know about the weather - it can be really nice or it may be terrible cold. You may have snow on the mountain passes even if it is not normal to the time of year.
I will suggest to shorten the daily distances on the west coast, extend the number of days or take an "iron butt" distance or two on the to and from etappe.
 
Micky, cool trip you did, off course, since I don't have more time to spend (my brother can't get more time off at work) I'm only interested in everything under Trondheim. Everything above is to far away to ride and enjoy in the same time.

Baard, thanks for your opinion. That's what I want to hear, allthough I'd prefered it if you said the distances wouldn't pose a problem :D
Suppose I drop the last bit towards Krakenes Fyr, take a right in Byrkjelo and head for Stryn as an overnight, would that be more doable? I don't know how interesting Krakenes, and the road leading up to it, is. Just read something about it un the www and thought it might be interesting.
What's your opinion on the Atlantic road? Worth the long detour from Molde over Kristiansund back to Eresfjord? Or skip it to keep the daily distances rideable?

Grtz, Philip!
 
What's your opinion on the Atlantic road? Worth the long detour from Molde over Kristiansund back to Eresfjord? Or skip it to keep the daily distances rideable?!

It is a cracking road with a fabulous bridge but it's not very long. You can see it from start to finish here; http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...ordkapp-2013&p=3524488&viewfull=1#post3524488

From my experience last year I would tend to agree that you are doing some long days and possibly passing by some great riding in the process. But we all look for different things in a trip. I had the luxury of time. Whatever you decide I would definitely go to Norway as long as you are braced for the costs! :thumb2
 
You can do long distances as the roads are perfect but not fast as alto of it has speed limits of 50kmph . The bridge is great. The troll road is fantastic and the fyords amazing. you have quite a short time to be going so far and see everything. Its such a beautiful country it would be a shame to miss so much doing long distances. When the weather is bad its awful and not worth riding in so you need to plan in some bad weather days. every time i ride up to Denmark the German doorways are blocked and result in hours of filtering so plan that in too.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Have to agree with Baard, these are some long days. I would shorten the route considerably, and get off the E-roads. The Atlantic road is not worth the detour, IMO. Do Aursjøvegen in stead, if you are that far North.

The road from Lysebotn is world class, but L is not a good place to stay. Only one camp site, expensive and bad. I would not go as far West from Kristiansand as you have planned.

Have you considered the Oslo - Kiel ferry? It is expensive, but it saves you from two really boring days on the motorway. Gothenburg - Kiel is an alternative. Those detours you have planned along the Swedish coast takes a lot of time, btw.
 
Phluppe

I too am currently planning a trip to Norway this summer, probably in June. Some of your planned route is similar to mine although being retired I have no time restrictions. Rather than get a return ferry ticket for Dover/Calais, I shall get a single outwards and book another single a few days before I get back, dearer I guess but I won't have the aggrevation of having to meet a deadline. So whether I take three, four, five or six weeks, it doesn't matter for me.

I've joined the YHA (Youth Hostel Association) which will allow me access to hotels in Scandinavia, far far cheaper tahn hotels.

I've put my route elsewhere on here (somewhere) but I aim to follow your route then head towards Trongheim (I'm told Bergen is a must see), then east through Sweden to Lulea before swinging around the top of the Baltic then heading south to Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga, before heading home through Poland and Germany.
 
I take it you mean to use youth hostels ? that you are referring to as being less expensive than hotels?
(Interested as i am also considering the trip north up those parts next year)
 
The key info is here: http://www.hihostels.com/dba/cmap-NO.en.htm. Generally 10% discount with a YHA card. I used a few. Cheapest way is a room in a dorm. I used a few private rooms rather than dorms which were a lot cheaper than hotels. You do get showers and cooking facilities in the price usually.
 
In preparation for my trip, I have acquired the following maps and book from Amazon -

1. The Rough Guide to Scandinavia
2. Michelin Map 781 Baltic States
3. Michelin Map 752 Norway
4. Michelin Map 753 Sweden
5. Michelin Map 711 Scandinavia/Finland

They should be good for starters.
 
Have you got a sat nav?

Last year I went up through Sweden and Norway and found the Garmin invaluable. Not so much for route planning but it is excellent for finding camp sites and petrol stations.
 
The key info is here: http://www.hihostels.com/dba/cmap-NO.en.htm. Generally 10% discount with a YHA card. I used a few. Cheapest way is a room in a dorm. I used a few private rooms rather than dorms which were a lot cheaper than hotels. You do get showers and cooking facilities in the price usually.
Sometimes you get breakfast too.

Hosteling is the affordable way to do Norway :thumb2

BTW, have some waypoints on me :)
 

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Tarmac or gravel?

Aursjøvegen or Atlantic road & bridge?

Atlantic road = tarmac.
Aursjøvegen = gravel. And hairpins with view!

I was at Atlantic road many years ago, in fog. So I didn't see much, so I can't really tell how it was.
-But I rode the Aursjøvegen early in June, and June/July in 2008: I loved it! :clap
I rode my sidecar, so the gravel was no problem. 90% of the bikes I met was BMW GS or simular, and no passenger on the bikes.
As I had my sleepinbag for really cold nights (type for cold winters, not normal) I slept in a shelter for 2 nights, looking at snow from my bed, and enjoyed it sooo much!
The last morning I got some snow, but not so the road was white, just a little - no problem.
This was early in June.
And I want back in June/July.
This time it was so hot; I was wearing my bikini almost all day. I rode my sidecar wearing a bikinitop! (Not fast, I'm not that craxy!)
there was still some snow left, so I used it to keep my beer cold. It was perfect! :clap
But I can imagine how it is up there in strong wind and heavy rain. :eek:

If Aursjøhytta is open I believe you can buy a meal, and perhaps use the shower too - as I did. Contact Aursjøhytta and ask: http://ut.no/hytte/aursjoehytta
It's at B on my map: https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=S...CwCXoURjHK736LEk1xNw&oq=eikes&t=p&mra=ls&z=10

There are a hotel in Sunndalsøra, and campsites in the area.

:) Liv.

Now you know more - I hope it makes it easier for you to deside what to do.
 
Aursjøvegen or Atlantic road & bridge?

Atlantic road = tarmac.
Aursjøvegen = gravel. And hairpins with view!

I was at Atlantic road many years ago, in fog. So I didn't see much, so I can't really tell how it was.
-But I rode the Aursjøvegen early in June, and June/July in 2008: I loved it! :clap
I rode my sidecar, so the gravel was no problem. 90% of the bikes I met was BMW GS or simular, and no passenger on the bikes.
As I had my sleepinbag for really cold nights (type for cold winters, not normal) I slept in a shelter for 2 nights, looking at snow from my bed, and enjoyed it sooo much!
The last morning I got some snow, but not so the road was white, just a little - no problem.
This was early in June.
And I want back in June/July.
This time it was so hot; I was wearing my bikini almost all day. I rode my sidecar wearing a bikinitop! (Not fast, I'm not that craxy!)
there was still some snow left, so I used it to keep my beer cold. It was perfect! :clap
But I can imagine how it is up there in strong wind and heavy rain. :eek:

If Aursjøhytta is open I believe you can buy a meal, and perhaps use the shower too - as I did. Contact Aursjøhytta and ask: http://ut.no/hytte/aursjoehytta
It's at B on my map: https://maps.google.be/maps?saddr=S...CwCXoURjHK736LEk1xNw&oq=eikes&t=p&mra=ls&z=10

There are a hotel in Sunndalsøra, and campsites in the area.

:) Liv.

Now you know more - I hope it makes it easier for you to deside what to do.



Thank you thats a very useful post:clap
 


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