Norway was made for the road trip. It’s a country where the journey genuinely rivals the destination, a place where every turn in the road reveals a new masterpiece: a mirror-still fjord, a thunderous waterfall, a mountain peak scraping an ever-changing sky. A self-drive adventure is the key to unlocking its secrets at your own pace, stopping for photos, coffee, and whimsy whenever you please.
This 10-day itinerary is designed to capture the essence of Southern Norway—the legendary fjords, the charming cities, and the breathtaking high-altitude scenery—in a manageable and exhilarating loop. It balances driving with discovery, ensuring you experience the wonder of Norway from behind the wheel and with your boots on the ground.
Before You Go: Essential Tips for Your Norwegian Drive
- Hire the Right Car: Book well in advance. While you won’t need a 4×4 for summer trips on main roads, consider an electric or hybrid vehicle; Norway has excellent charging infrastructure and offers incentives for EVs (like reduced ferry tolls).
- The Norway in a Nutshell® Hack: This famous tour is a combination of train, boat, and bus. You can easily DIY the driving equivalent (and more!) with this itinerary, saving money and gaining flexibility.
- Ferries are Part of the Road: Your route will include multiple car ferries. They are efficient, frequent, and a scenic highlight. Pay with a credit/debit card on board. Check www.fjord1.no for timetables.
- Pack for All Seasons: Even in summer, weather in the mountains can be cold, wet, and windy. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy shoes.
- Book Accommodation Early: Especially for July and August. Charming cabins and sought-after hotels in popular areas like Geiranger and Balestrand sell out months in advance.
The 10-Day Norwegian Fjord & Mountain Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bergen, the Gateway to the Fjords
Touch down in the beautiful city of Bergen. After picking up your rental car, take the afternoon to explore this UNESCO World Heritage city on foot. Wander the colourful wooden wharves of Bryggen, visit the vibrant fish market, and take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen for a stunning panoramic view of the city and fjords below. This first taste of Norwegian charm sets the perfect tone for your adventure.
- Drive Time: Minimal.
Day 2: Bergen to Fjærland (The Sognefjord Approach)
Bid farewell to Bergen and begin your journey north-east. Today is about the journey. You’ll drive along the shores of mighty fjords, including the beautiful Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest. Your destination is the tiny village of Fjærland, a book lover’s paradise nestled between a fjord and a glacier. Explore its charming booktown shops set in old wooden buildings.
- Drive Time: ~3.5 hours (plus ferry time)
- Highlight: The scenic drive along the Sognefjord.
Day 3: Fjærland to Geiranger (Glaciers & The Greatest Fjord)
This is a day of staggering natural wonders. Visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland for a fascinating insight into the icy forces that shaped this landscape. Then, prepare for one of the world’s great drives. You’ll traverse the Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to the continental Europe’s largest glacier, and then embark on the incredible Geiranger-Trollstigen National Tourist Route.
The approach to Geiranger is simply breathtaking. You’ll drive down the famous Ørnesvingen (Eagle’s Bend) hairpin turns, each revealing a more impressive view of the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord below, with the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls cascading down its cliffs.
- Drive Time: ~4 hours (this is a slow, scenic drive)
- Highlight: The view from Ørnesvingen and your first sight of the Geirangerfjord.
Day 4: Explore the Geirangerfjord
Dedicate today to exploring the majesty of the Geirangerfjord. Drive the dizzying twists of the Trollstigen mountain road (if open, typically mid-May to October) for more incredible engineering and views. Alternatively, get out on the water. A fjord cruise is non-negotiable—it offers a completely different, awe-inspiring perspective from the water level, looking up at the towering cliffs and waterfalls. For the active, kayaking offers a serene way to connect with the fjord’s silence.
- Drive Time: Flexible (or none if you take a boat trip).
- Highlight: A fjord cruise on the serene, deep-blue waters of Geirangerfjord.
Day 5: Geiranger to Ålesund (Art Nouveau & Island Hopping)
Leave the mountains behind and head for the coast. The drive to Ålesund is a beautiful one, involving ferries that weave through islands. Your destination is the stunning art nouveau town of Ålesund, rebuilt in its distinctive style after a fire in 1904. Climb the 418 steps to the viewpoint at Aksla for a panoramic vista of the archipelago, the fjords, and the Sunnmøre Alps. It’s one of Norway’s best views.
- Drive Time: ~3.5 hours (including ferries)
- Highlight: The view from Aksla and exploring Ålesund’s unique architecture.
Day 6: Ålesund to Loen (The Adventure Capital)
Journey back towards the inner fjords, heading for the Nordfjord area. Your base is Loen, an adventure seeker’s paradise. The drive itself is spectacular, but save your energy for the afternoon. Upon arrival, take the Loen Skylift cable car. It catapults you 1,011 meters up to the top of Mount Hoven in just five minutes, offering arguably the most dramatic fjord view in all of Norway.
- Drive Time: ~3 hours
- Highlight: The Loen Skylift and the heart-stopping view from the top.
Day 7: Loen to Aurland (A Drive on Top of the World)
Today features another crown jewel of Norwegian road trips: the Sognefjellet National Tourist Route. This is Northern Europe’s highest mountain pass, taking you through a raw, high-altitude landscape of rocky plains, frozen lakes, and sweeping vistas. It feels like driving on the roof of Norway. Descend into the lush, inner Sognefjord region, where you’ll settle in the Aurland area for the next two nights.
- Drive Time: ~4.5 hours (a very scenic, slow drive)
- Highlight: The epic, otherworldly scenery of the Sognefjellet mountain pass.
Day 8: The Nærøyfjord & Flåm Railway
From Aurland, you have two world-class options. First, take a scenic cruise on the Nærøyfjord, the narrowest and most dramatic arm of the Sognefjord and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Secondly, you cannot miss the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana). This is one of the world’s steepest and most beautiful train journeys, climbing from the fjord floor up to the high mountains at Myrdal, passing breathtaking waterfalls along the way. Book train tickets in advance!
- Drive Time: Minimal.
- Highlight: The unforgettable Flåmsbana train journey.
Day 9: Aurland to Oslo (The Return to Civilization)
Enjoy one last beautiful morning fjord drive as you begin your journey back to the capital. The route east takes you through charming valleys and past traditional wooden stave churches. As you approach Oslo, the landscape softens. Return your rental car and celebrate your epic journey with a final fantastic Norwegian meal in the city.
- Drive Time: ~4.5 hours
Day 10: Depart from Oslo
Depending on your flight time, enjoy a taste of the Norwegian capital. Visit the fascinating Viking Ship Museum, wander the iconic Opera House, or explore the vibrant waterfront area of Aker Brygge before heading to the airport for your flight home, filled with memories of fjords, mountains, and the open road.
This 10-day itinerary is more than a trip; it’s a greatest-hits album of Norwegian nature. It’s the freedom to stop for a photo of a grazing goat, the thrill of navigating a hairpin turn, and the profound peace of staring out over a fjord you’ve just conquered. It’s the ultimate Norwegian adventure.